Inle Lake is a popular tourist destination located in Shan State, Myanmar. How to go to Inle Lake, when you get there what to do at Inle Lake

Here are the common ways to get there:

1. By Air:
The most convenient way is to fly into Heho Airport, which is the nearest airport to Inle Lake, located about 35 km (22 miles) away.

From Heho Airport, you can take a taxi or a private car to Nyaung Shwe, the main town near Inle Lake. The drive typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Airlines such as Myanmar National Airlines, Air KBZ, and Yangon Airways operate flights to Heho from major cities like Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan.

2. By Bus:
From Yangon: There are several night buses that travel from Yangon to Nyaung Shwe. The journey takes around 10-12 hours. Buses can be booked with companies like JJ Express and Elite Express.

Here are some of the top activities to do while visiting Inle Lake:

1. Boat Tours on Inle Lake:

• Explore Floating Villages and Gardens: Take a boat tour to see the stilt-house villages and floating gardens. Farmers cultivate vegetables on floating mats of water hyacinth and silt.
• Observe the Leg-Rowing Fishermen: The Intha fishermen are famous for their unique method of rowing boats with one leg while balancing on the other, which you can observe on a boat trip.
• Visit Local Workshops: Explore traditional crafts, such as silk and lotus weaving, silver jewelry making, and cheroot cigar rolling. Workshops often welcome visitors to see the artisans at work.

2. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda:

• This is one of the most important religious sites in the region, home to five small gilded Buddha images. The pagoda hosts an annual festival (usually in September or October) where the images are paraded around the lake on a royal barge.

3. Explore Indein Village and Pagoda Complex:

• Located at the end of a narrow creek, Indein is famous for its ancient stupas and the Shwe Indein Pagoda complex. The site features hundreds of small pagodas in various states of preservation, offering a glimpse into the region’s history.

4. Visit the Local Markets:

• Inle Lake has a five-day rotating market that moves between different villages around the lake. It’s an excellent opportunity to see local hill tribes in traditional dress and buy handicrafts, fresh produce, and other goods.

5. Experience the Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery:

• Located near Nyaung Shwe, the winery offers wine tastings with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding countryside. You can enjoy locally produced wines and take a tour of the vineyard.

6. Explore the Maing Thauk Village:

• This village is partly on land and partly on the water. You can take a short boat trip to explore the stilt houses, visit a local monastery, or walk across the iconic wooden bridge.

7. Visit the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery (Jumping Cat Monastery):

• Once famous for its cats trained to jump through hoops, this wooden monastery is also a place to appreciate traditional Shan and Burmese Buddha images. While the jumping cat show no longer exists, the monastery is still a peaceful place with beautiful carvings and views of the lake.

8. Trekking and Cycling:

• Trekking: Various trekking routes lead from Nyaung Shwe into the surrounding hills and villages, offering insight into the lives of the Shan, Pa-O, and other ethnic groups. Popular routes include treks to Kalaw or Kakku.
• Cycling: Rent a bicycle in Nyaung Shwe to explore the countryside, visiting local villages, temples, and viewpoints. Cycling to places like the Red Mountain Winery or around the lake is a popular option.

9. Cooking Classes:

• Several cooking schools around Inle Lake offer classes where you can learn to prepare traditional Shan and Burmese dishes. These classes often include a market visit to buy ingredients.

10. Kayaking:

• For a more active and closer-to-nature experience, you can rent a kayak and paddle through the lake’s smaller canals, getting a more intimate view of the floating gardens and local life.

11. Hot Air Balloon Rides:

• For a breathtaking view of the lake and surrounding landscapes, consider taking a hot air balloon ride, available during the peak tourist season (usually October to March).

12. Bird Watching:

• Inle Lake is a haven for birdwatchers, with many species of resident and migratory birds. You can spot herons, egrets, cormorants, and other waterfowl, especially in the wetlands around the lake.

13. Visit the Alodaw Pauk Pagoda:

• One of the oldest shrines on Inle Lake, this pagoda is said to house a tooth relic of the Buddha. It is accessible by boat and offers another glimpse into the region’s religious heritage.

Inle Lake provides a variety of activities, allowing visitors to experience the unique culture, scenic beauty, and traditional lifestyle of the Intha people and other local ethnic communities.