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Beautiful Inle Lake in Shan State, Myanmar (Burma), Hotels,Floating Gardens,Market on the lake and Leg Rowing Fishermen
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INLE LAKE
INFORMATION
HOTELS
TRAVEL AGENTS
RESTAURANTS
INTERNET
MAP
A beautiful quiet and remote lake. Famous for the Leg Rower fishermen and the Floating Gardens

Shan State is the most mountainous part of Myanmar, divided down the middle by the long Thanlwin River. About half the population are ethnic Shan, other main groups are Palaung, Kachin, Akha, Lahu, Kokang, Wa, Padaung and Taungthu.

Nearby places include:
• Kalaw
• Pindaya
• Taunggyi
• Kyaingtong (Kengtung)
Leg Rower fisherman
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  TIPS.   
Orientation:
The lake, villages and Nyaung Schwe town are in a wide flat valley with mountains rising on the all sides.
Schwe Nyaung town on the main Kalaw - Taunggyi road is where you turn south for 11km to Nyaung Schwe town which links to the Lake via a 3km canal.
There are not many roads around the lake perimeter, its swampy wetlands and rice fields mostly. A new very basic road now links Nyaung Schwe town with the west side road.
Accomodation:
Basic guesthouse is $3/5 single/double. Negotiate with more expensive hotels.
Note. Many of the prices below are old. They may be cheaper now.
the Lake trip:
Is very nice and worth doing even though it is a tourist trap, there is a $3 entry fee. US$5 for a day's outing, up to 5-6 people in the narrow low slung motorised fishing boats. The driver may not speak much english but he knows where he wants to go (or is paid to go), you will be delivered into the hands of people wanting to sell you things.

The 6 hour trip wiil take you to the Floating Market, the Phaung Daw U Kyaung Temple, the Floating Gardens and the "Jumping Cats" Monastery (Nga Phe Kyaung). So maybe try to get a good local guide to take charge, see Nyo Nyo (below).

Becoming more popular are shorter rowing boat trips around the canals/wetlands/rice fields to the west of town.
Events:
Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda Festival:
The festival of Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda in In-le Lake in the Shan State held in September/October is the biggest occasion of the Lake. The images of the Buddha from Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda are placed on an decorated royal barge called Karaweik (Mythical bird) and taken around the Lake, stopping at villages for people to pay homage.

The festival is held with great pomp and pageantry. Fun fairs and dances are also held. The unique and most interesting event of the festival, is of course, the holding of boat races participated by leg-rowers,both men and women.

This is followed by the Thadingyut Festival when the Intha and Shan people dress in new clothes to celebrate the end of Waso (Buddhist lent).
Around Town:
Nyaung Schwe is very lazy and very pleasant to wander around, by foot or bike (500 Kyat per day). Villages nearby are a good excursion. A trip to Taunggyi for a day or two is nice.
Note: maps for the area are really bad, well there aren't any really, you may get lost or find a dead end and have to back track.
schwe nyaung junction, Inle Lake,Myanmar
Schwe Nyaung Junction		 nyaung schwe canal,Inle lake,Myanmar
Arriving for market in the morning mist.
  FACTS.   
Telephone Info: Country code=95. Area Code=81. then the 5 digit phone no. or the local exchange 2 digit no.

Coming & Going:
None of the Coaches from far away go to Nyaung Schwe town itself.
Arriving. Get off the bus at Schwe Nyaung Junction. Free rides to a Guest House in Nyaung Schwe (11km) seem to have ceased. A taxi will cost 2000Kyat (US$2), or try to find a pick-up to get there cheaply.

Leaving. Pick-up goes to the Junction from the corner of the east-west canal arm and a street with no name (32 on the map), when it is full, or pay 1000 Kyat (US$1) plus 300 per person to go immediately.
Book a few days in advance in high season, all buses are full. 18 hours in an aisle "seat" is not fun.

By uncomfortable Bus to/from Mandalay takes 12-14 hours.
Goes to Mandalay from the Schwe Nyaung Junction about 5 am.
From Rangoon (Yangon). Its a long slow trip leaving 12pm arriving at the junction about 7+ am. 5-6000 Kyat (US$6). About 3 companies do it, one is Taung Paw Thar Express. Find them at Aung San Stadium.
From Bagan, Tiger Head Express, leaves 4am.
To Taunggyi frequently from the Nyang Shwe Market (7am-5pm)
To Pindaya. From the Market. Leaves around noon. about 3.5 hours.
To Meiktila also a few times a day.
Tip: To go short distances, eg Kalaw, just ask any bus that stops at the Junction if they will take you, if they have room they will.

Hire Taxis and Mini-buses are available to go to Bagan, Mandalay etc. To Bagan is around US$40-50 for a 8 seat mini-bus.
Road Note: From Kalaw to Meiktila the road is narrow, rough, winding and steep with sharp curves that a Coach can barely get around. Many large trucks and other pick-ups make it a busy road, to pass, one vehicle has to pull over and stop. An inexperienced driver can (and he did) give a very scary trip.

Air: Heho airport is about 30 km away. Air Mandalay and Myanmar Airways have flights. To/from Yangon, Mandaly and Bagan.
Pindaya Caves
(90 km) are famous, you would need a proper taxi for a day trip, or take buses and stay at Pindaya or Kalaw. From Kalaw turn north at the town of Aungban. The caves are packed with countless Buddha images gathered over the centuries. Admission $3. From Kalaw and Pindaya it is possible to do day treks to nearby villages (Palaung,Pao,Danu, Taungyo), guides available from Guest Houses or Hotels. Pick-ups go from Kalaw to Pindaya.
Kyaingtong (Kengtung):
Remote and isolated by the troubles of poppy growing and fighting against the government. An historic centre for the Khun culture. Built around a small lake with aging temples and a very varied colourful market. Unfortunately the government has tried to develop the town as a casino destination apparently for Chinese gamblers, the China border is 100km away.
Getting there.
By AIR from Yangon, Heho and Tachilek.
By ROAD from Tachilek (Thailand border). Travel Agents in Mae Sai (across the river in Thailand) offer 4 day/3 night tours, subject to border closures and changing government policy.

It has been possible at times for Independant travellers to go to Kyaingtong. Check thoroughly before you try this.
Pay $18 at the border for a 14 day visa and also have to exchange US$100 into FEC's and take the daily morning pick-up from Tachilek.
The road is bad and slow, 163km about 6 hours. taxis can also be hired for around US$30-40.

The road from Kyaingtong to Taunggyi is closed to foreigners.
The Thailand-Myanmar border at Mae Sai-Tachilek is often closed because of fightng. Get the latest infomation.
inle lake sunset,Myanmar
Inle Lake sunset		 nyaung schwe monks,Inle Lake,Myanmar
Chess meditation

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