One of the most picturesque spots in Myanmar, probably in Southeast Asia, is located in the heart of Shan state which shares borders with Thai & Laos. The vast picturesque lake is situated roughly 1000m above sea level and surrounded by hazy Blue Mountains, so it is cooler than other area. It is best know for its villages built on stilts over the surface of the Lake and gardens on floating islands created from mud and reed, and also more than 30 hill tribes are living in the mountains’ villages. The lake, 22 km long and 10 km across, has a population of some 150,000 many of whom live on floating islands of vegetation. Inle Lake, natural and unpolluted, is famous for its scenic beauty and the unique leg rowing (one leg rowing) of the Inthas, the native lake dwellers. Although the unique leg-rovers are the most famous attraction in the region, there’s more. The best and only highlights of Inle are Phaung-Daw-Oo Pagoda ( home to five Buddha images, completely cover with gold, said to have brought back to Myanmar from southern Thailand over 700 years ago), Indein Pagoda ( not far from Phaung-Daw-Oo Pagoda, a collection of an ancient pagodas near Indein village), the 200 year old wooden Nga-Phe-Kyaung Monastery (a place to see the lovely “Jumping Cates”) and Ywama Village (formally floating market site).
The most famous products of Inle Lake are the highly valued monks’ robes woven from lotus fibers. Weavers must adhere to the Buddha’s teachings, including keeping the Five Precepts, while making the robes. This unique fabric is found nowhere else in the world, and is said to have been invented about 100 years ago by a woman living at Inle Lake as a gift to her revered abbot. Visitors are welcome to watch the weaving process, and can buy product like lotus fiber shawls and robes. Because of these amazing facts, Inle is one of the most important places in Myanmar for visitors.
