Found in Myanmar’s Shan Hills, Inle Lake is a natural body of water known for its beauty, floating villages, gardens, and dwellers who’ve made their way of life around it. Other than its stunning marshlands, Inle Lake is also home to many beautiful pagodas and temples as well as markets. Travelers can come here to be one with nature as well as get to know the locals who live around the lake. For the best things to do in Inle Lake, read on!
In the humble village of Inle Lake’s Ywama is the grand Kyaung Daw Pagoda, the location of a major pagoda festival (Phaung Daw Oo Festival) that happens every year. During the festival, the Buddhist images from the temple are ferried around a royal barge on the lake. From a certain standpoint, this pagoda is quite a sight to behold as it looks like it is floating on water.
Another one of the most interesting things to do at Inle Lake is to drop by the Shwe Inn Dein Pagoda, found in the Indein village, which is close to Ywama as well. This group of Buddhist stupas look ethereal thanks to its closely clustered appearance, transporting you to another time and place. The Shwe Inn Dein Pagoda is accessible via a quick boat ride along Inle Lake. If travelers are not keen to walk uphill to the site itself, they could hire a motorcycle.
Wine lovers will have a kick out of the beautiful Red Mountain Estate Vineyard & Winery, which should just be at the edge of Nyaungshwe. Found on top of a quaint hill, the vineyard offers panoramic views of the lake and the valley below. Visitors can also opt for a wine tasting tour or a tasty meal from the hilltop restaurant that overlooks the sunset scenery. For a more exhilarating experience, travelers are recommended to bike here in the late afternoon.
The reason why the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery is so unique is that it’s found right in Inle Lake and was built on stilts. Constructed in the 1850s, this wooden monastery is home to a large collection of Buddha images and other relics. It is also accessible via boat like most of the attractions around the lake, and visitors seem to love the adorable lazy cats hanging around the monastery.
In the middle of Di Gone Village is the Htet Eain Gu Cave And Monastery, a historic temple and monastery found in, yes, an actual cave. This beautiful cave-temple is filled with stunning Buddha sculptures and images and is run by friendly monks who are more than happy to accommodate. It is also a great place to bike to, especially in the mornings, when there aren’t many tourists in the area.
Another attraction located in the popular Nyaungshwe Township is Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung, a monastery created entirely out of wood. Supported by stilts, this old temple is a good place to learn more about how monks practice their way of living while marveling over the interiors and details of the temple, which is over a hundred years old. Walking around its exteriors is great as well thanks to the beautiful lake and rice field views surrounding it.
The Floating Gardens of Inle Lake are a must-see in this destination. Built by the natives and farmers living around the area, these floating gardens are small artificial islands that can be used to grow different types of produce such as flowers, squash, tomatoes, and more. Found in the Taunggyi District of Shan State, this location is an interesting attraction to learn about the locals’ lives and how they go about their farming process.
Alodaw Pauk Pagoda is the primary shrine of Nampan Village and is also among Inle Lake’s oldest pagodas. The white stupas here are home to a beautiful Shan-style Buddha, majestic-looking and gem-encrusted. Enjoy the scenic boat ride heading to the temple and marvel at the Buddhist relics that can be found inside it.
Found in the Nyaungshwe district, Maing Thouk Wooden Bridge is close to Mandalay’s U Bein Bridge. It is an old wooden bridge propped up by stilts situated in the midst of Inle Lake. Surrounded by floating vegetation, Maing Thouk is a popular tourist attraction in the area and has some restuarants and shops nearby. It is best to drop by during the sunset and walk through the bridge while witnessing the sun sink into the horizon. Mornings and sunrises here are highly recommended as well.
Your Inle Lake things to-do bucket list won’t be complete without a visit to Mingalar Market, found right in the middle of Nyaungshwe. It’s your usual local market with a handful of goods to offer, including fruits, clothes, home goods, souvenirs, and more. When travelers are tired from all the shopping, they can check out the tea shops, bars, and restaurants near the market for a quick snack or drink.
The Inle Lake region is best known for its floating villages, marshes, and the way of life of those who reside around the area. There are also a number of brilliant pagodas, monasteries, and markets nearby, making it a great spot for adventurous tourists and travelers.
Peak season would be around October to January when the weather is best. Make sure not to go during the rainy season or else you’ll be greeted by a lot of mosquitoes. Take note of the Phaung Daw Oo Festival, which happens in either September or October. During this time, precious golden Buddha statues are placed on a boat and ferried around local villages.
Inle Lake is located south of Nyaungshwe, so it’s best to make this town your home base, or Nyaungshwe Township itself. There are a number of hostels, hotels, resorts, and guesthouses to choose from here.