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INLE LAKE & ENVIRONS
One
of the most picturesque spots in Southeast Asia, Inle Lake
sprawls at about 30km south of Taunggyi. This vast
picturesque lake with its mesmerising beauty is situated
1328 meters above sea level and surrounded by hazy Blue
Mountains. In fact INLE LAKE and surrounding region is an
outstanding alternative to the historical sites of BAGAN and
MANDALAY. It is best known for its villages built on stilts
over the surface of the Lake and gardens on floating islands
created from mud and reed. Inthar's (native lake-dwellers)
glide about on the lake in their boats, propelled by one leg
rowing. Although Inle Lake and the leg-rowers are the most
famous attraction in the region, there's more. Some
highlights of INLE are PHAUNG DAW OO PAGODA (home to five
Buddha Images, said to have brought back to Myanmar from
southern Thailand over 700 years ago), the 200-year-old
wooden NGA PHE KYAUNG MONASTERY (a place to see the lovely
"Jumping Cats"), and YWAMA VILLAGE (formerly floating market
site). As the only mode of transportation is boat and
motorboat, Inle is figuratively named the "Venice of the
East"
HIGHLIGHTS
Phaung-Daw-Oo Pagoda
The
Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda in Inle Lake is one of the famous
principal shrine in Myanmar, this pagoda houses five small
Buddha images which are much revered by lake dwellers. The
Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda Festival is held on the eve of the full
moon day in Thadingyut (in October) and takes about 18 days.
Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda Festival has become one of the most
famous festivals for international tourists. The pagoda's
four of five Buddha Images are displayed and carried around
the several villages of the lake on a huge golden royal
barge which is the form of the mythical Karaweik Bird. by
hundreds of leg-rowers for 18 days until they arrive back at
their home shrine again. Villagers nearby and pilgrims of
the whole country come to pay homage to the Images. And they
can enjoy more of traditional leg-rowing boat races.
Nga-Phe-Kyaung Monastery (Jumping Cat Monastery)
The
200-year-old wooden NGA PHE KYAUNG MONASTERY is a place to
see the lovely "Jumping Cats".
Floating Plantation The resourceful
Inthar's learnt
that by gathering floating weeds and tethering them
together, they could create plots of land on which they
could grow vegetative and flowers. Thousands of floating
gardens plots supplies vegetables to the region.
Indein One of the small villages of
Inlay Lake located on the western bank of the lake. A Buddha
image has enshrined at a whitewashed stupa, which is on the
summit of a hill. Below the stupa around the hill are
cluster of hundreds of ancient stupas most are ruins
overgrown with bushes. The pagoda hill is quiet and calm.
One could feel the pleasant cool breeze with the sweet rings
of the bells hanging at the umbrella of the stupa.
Mesmerizing view from pagoda hill release the fatigue and
refresh everybody who ascend to the peak.
This mysterious place is at the end of the marvellous Indein
creek, which conn ected with Inlay Lake just after the Phaung
Daw Oo Pagoda. The creek is narrow with many twist and
turns. Since the both sides are paddy fields you can see the
farmers ploughing and harrowing by water buffaloes. At the
lunch time while groups of farmers having lunch the water
buffaloes enjoy themselves dipping in the creek. At many
places in the creek the farmers dam up the water by bamboo
barriers to irrigate the paddy fields. Indein water is not
only useful for irrigation also for bathing and washing
cloths. It is compulsory to see Novice monks, buffalo boys
and village girls wash and swim in the creek.
Pindaya
is a small picturesque town, situated about 45km north of
Kalaw. The journey from junction road AUNG PAN to PINDAYA is
breathtaking in many ways with panoramic mountain views;
resemble the southern parts of Italy. Pindaya is noted for
its natural limestone Caves housing over 8,000 Buddha Images
of various sizes, made from teak, lacquer, marble, alabaster
and cement, and an enormous lake surrounded by shady giant
Banyan trees. On market days, one can find different
national races residing in the region gathered at the
market, buying and selling the products of the area. During
the tour to southern Shan State one should not miss to visit
PINDAYA.
Kalaw
is located about 71 km in the west of Taunggyi. It is a
peaceful summer resort nestled in pine-clad mountains. There
are several interesting hill-tribes living in the environs
of Kalaw. These hill-tribes in their colourful costumes
coming to Kalaw market add to the tranquil lure of Kalaw.
Taunggyi is situated over 1,400 meters above sea level. It is
the capital city of Shan State in the eastern part of
Myanmar. It is a popular summer resort with its scenic charm
and pleasantly cool climate. Another attraction of Taunggyi
is Hot Air Balloons Festival held in November every year.
You
can visit one-day exploration tour from Taunggyi to Kakku
situated in the land of the Pao tribes. Pao people earn
their living by farming and live peacefully in their
villages still maintaining their traditional culture and
devoutness to Buddhism. In Kakku you will discover a unique
and magnificent collection of more than 2000 Stupas in a 1
square kilometre. These centuries old Stupas are unheard of
by many historians and unlisted in tourist guide books.
There is also a huge natural limestone cave that ought to
visit.
Shan State has been described as the land of picture postcard
setting by many travellers. Holding almost a quarter of
Myanmar's land area, it is often hard to find the exact word
to describe to its beautiful scenery. Among the most scenic
town in Shan State, the one you should not exclude is KYAING
TONG. It, formerly known as Keng Tong, is the capital of the
Eastern Shan State and locates at the centre of the world
known "Golden Triangle" Region. Beautiful mountains where
you can visit one-day trekking explorations to the ethnic
minority villages of Akha, Lahu, Wa, Shan and other
mountains-tribes surround this picturesque town.
It is a small town on Thai-Myanmar border with a small creek
called Mai-Seng. There is a busy market full of Myanmar,
Thailand, and Chinese goods. For the travelers who want to
go further up to Kyaing Tong should have to get through the
necessary formalities.
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Myanmar
Travel Information
