Eastern Myanmar - Myanmar (Burma) - page 373

Towns host the market once every five days; hotels and guesthouses can advise
you where the market will be heading next. Keep in mind that markets are not held
on full-moon days. For boat prices to the various destinations, see activities oppos-
ite.
Heho, Thandaung, Thaung Tho Thandaung's market is small, but accessible only via
a brief walk from the lakeshore, so it's off the beaten track; larger but still rustic is
the market at Thaung Tho, located at the far southern end of Inle Lake.
Taunggyi, Floating Market (Ywama) The 'Floating Market' at Ywama has emerged to
become the most touristy of the circuit - consider heading elsewhere.
Maing Thauk, Kyauk Taing, Phaung Daw Oo Paya Maing Thauk is close to Nyaungsh-
we and reachable by land or boat; the Kyauk Taing market, located at the far south-
ern end of Inle Lake, is largely off the tourist circuit.
Shwenyaung, Khaung Daing, Kalaw, Hmaw Be, Inthein Inthein, although popular
among tourists, is still worth a visit for its sheer size and photogenic setting;
Kalaw's normally tidy market spills over to the streets on market day; Hmaw Be's
market, south of Inle Lake, is small but rustic and untouristed.
Nyaungshwe, Pindaya, Nampan On market day Nyaungshwe's normally sleepy mar-
ket swells to several times its normal size; tiny Pindaya's central market also at-
tracts vendors and buyers who come down from the surrounding hills.

Trekking
Inle Lake is the jumping-off point for several treks in the area. The most popular of these
is the three-day walk to Kalaw; for details on this trek, see boxed text, Click here . There
are also some interesting day hikes and overnight treks to the east of Inle Lake, typically
beginning in lowland rice paddies dotted with Shan stupa ruins and ascending to hillside
Pa-O villages with panoramic views over the lake. A common option is a two-day, one-
night trek, involving a short boat trip and a stay with a Pa-O family. Guides can talk you
through the various treks and itineraries.
Another option is the three-day trek from Nyaungshwe to the 2478 stupas at Kakku,
outside of Taunggyi. This trek crosses through predominately Pa-O territory, and must be
led by a Pa-O guide. It can be arranged via Golden Island Cottages ( Click here ) .
Day hikes cost start at around K10,000 a day (per person, for groups of two or more),
which includes a basic lunch of rice and curry (carry your own bottled or purified water);
overnight treks run from K15,000 to K30,000 per person, per day.
Recommended Nyaungshwe-based guides include the Pyone Cho at Lotus Tour MAP
GOOGLE MAP

( 09 4283 13717; Lotus Restaurant, Museum Rd (Haw St);