Buzz
We boarded an Air Mandalay domestic flight to Heho in the late afternoon. Surprisingly, the climate here was vastly different from Yangon (Myanmar's former capital) with a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius in December. A cool breeze swept through, tousling our hair after the hour-long flight.
Our 12-seater van sped off as the last member of our group settled in. It took us 40 minutes to reach our destination – Nankan Canal dock, where we processed tickets and boarded motorboats to venture further into the Inle Lake region. Boarding the boats in groups of 4 or 5, we set off as the evening sun faded away, and the air grew chillier with the onset of dusk. It was an interesting experience wrapping ourselves in blankets, leaning back on wooden seats, cruising through the darkened canals. After over half an hour, our boat passed through the welcoming archway and docked at the four-star resort.
A serene scene unfolded, with wooden stilt houses and simple wooden bridges bathed in the changing hues of sunlight and rain. Along the pathways, charming flowerpots greeted distant travelers with warm, friendly shades of crimson. Spending the night in a floating house lit by flickering candles, sleep came naturally, enveloping us in its embrace.
The next morning, we rose early to catch the sunrise, a refreshing atmosphere embracing the lake at dawn – a rare treat indeed. As the sun ascended behind distant green hills, we found perfect spots to capture the golden sunlight casting warm hues on wooden walls, creating a picturesque natural tableau.
At 9 a.m., we set out for Nyaungshwe village, a popular stopover for many travelers exploring Inle Lake. Inle (or Inlay) in Myanmar language means 'large lake,' situated centrally in the Shan State, about 40km south of Taung-kyi city, the capital of Shan State. The lake, at an altitude of around 889 meters above sea level, is surrounded by high mountains and covers an area of about 220 km2. Its deepest point is approximately 6 meters, with water levels fluctuating between the dry season (May) and the wet season (August), varying by about 1.2 meters.
The uniqueness of Inle Lake lies not only in its picturesque beauty but also in being the habitat of the Inthar people, an ethnic minority of Myanmar. 'Inthar' in the Myanmar language means 'people living on the lake.' For thousands of years, Inle Lake has been the center of social life for the Inthar people.
The Inthar people entirely dwell on the lake surface, constructing houses and architectural structures on the water. Their remarkable innovation lies in cultivating various crops on the lake surface by creating floating beds using water hyacinth and moss, secured with bamboo poles driven into the lake bed. These 'floating fields' rise and fall with the lake water level.
The most common crop cultivated by the Inthar people is tomatoes. Tomatoes grown on Inle Lake are a specialty of the region, and locals often say, 'If you haven't eaten tomato salad here, you haven't truly visited Inle.' When daughters reach marriageable age, parents typically allocate a few floating beds for them as dowry, allowing them to cultivate wherever they reside.
Our boat maneuvered through towering floating tomato beds, occasionally encountering swathes of white, pink, and purple chrysanthemums cultivated for religious offerings. Behind these flower beds stood thatched-roof cottages, adding a romantic, tranquil charm to the scene amidst the vast expanse of water and sky. Besides agriculture, the Inthar people also rely on the lake's aquatic resources for sustenance. Amidst the dawn light in the east, fishermen cast their nets on the lake, while the iconic sight of Inthar men rowing boats with one leg has become a distinctive cultural feature of the region.
Despite the challenges, the Inthar people have a deep affection and attachment to Inle Lake. The lake is the epicenter of their cultural and economic activities. The largest festival in the region usually takes place in September each year. The serene beauty of Inle Lake is also felt on quiet summer nights, where one can hear distant songs and echoes from fishermen casting nets or young couples courting on the dreamy lake surface.
Inle not only captivates tourists with its pristine beauty and nature-friendly resorts but also serves as a destination for those interested in exploring a culturally rich region with a long history. To the south of Inle Lake lies a land akin to Shan State's Bagan – the ancient city of Indein, with architectural structures dating back to the 11th century, once the Shan kings' capital. Here, one can also discover the cultural beauty of ethnic minorities like the Padaung – the long-necked tribe.
After savoring a traditional Inthar lunch on a floating house in Nyaungshwe village, featuring green tomato salad with garlic vinaigrette, fried powdered greens, grilled river prawns, sticky rice, and buying a bunch of gun flowers for 20 kyats from a flower seller on a boat, we hurried back to the airport, leaving behind the lingering, romantic atmosphere of the vast lake region.
TRANSPORTATION
Purchasing domestic flight tickets is relatively easy from travel agencies or guesthouses. However, it's advisable to book tickets in advance to secure seats. Taking a taxi is not the best option due to long travel times and comparable costs. From Heho Airport, a four-seater taxi to Nyaungshwe village costs between 278,000 and 370,000 dong (approximately 15 – 20 USD per car), with fares higher in the afternoon compared to the morning.
PLACES TO EXPLORE
The only way to explore the heart of Inle Lake is by motorboat, costing over 200,000 dong (about 10 USD per boat per day for four people). There are numerous floating villages specializing in flower cultivation, silk weaving, silverware crafting, handcrafted goods, and the ancient Pa-O tribe village, In Dein village, the rotating Ywama floating market held every five days, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, or the Jumping Cat Monastery are popular attractions around Inle Lake.
DINING AND ACCOMMODATION
In Nyaungshwe village, there are several guesthouses with reasonable prices ranging from 185,000 to 370,000 dong (approximately 10 – 20 USD per room per night). If staying overnight on Inle Lake, accommodation options are high-priced resorts starting from 833,000 dong (about 45 USD++ per room per night). Room rates always include breakfast. One of the must-try cuisines when visiting the Inle Lake region is the local dishes of the Shan people. Discover their culinary delights at restaurants on the lake or at View Point Restaurant in Nyaungshwe village. However, the costs are not cheap at all.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Due to its stunning scenery, excellent climate, and romantic ambiance, Inle Lake is perfect for couples at any time of the year. The best time, however, is around September – October each year, as numerous traditional festivals take place during this period. The most enjoyable activity on Inle Lake is sunset hunting. Therefore, a camera or camcorder is indispensable for the trip.
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Source: Mytour Travel Guide
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TravelGenius.comOctober 15, 2015
