Visit Burma’s Enchanting Inle Lake For A Delightful Time

1. Watch nimble fishermen at work

Inle Lake is famous for its unique leg-rowers; fishermen who propel their small boats with an oar strapped to one leg. Perching precariously on the edge of their small vessel, this method of manoeuvring their boats gives them free use of both hands to cast or reel in their nets. It also allows the fishermen to see over tall reeds when traversing the lake.

You may also see fishermen bashing the water with long poles and creating a big splash. This is apparently to scare the fish and encourage them to swim right into the waiting nets.

Tourism growth over recent years has encouraged traditional fishermen to wait for tourists and pose for pictures in return for tips. It is, however, still possible to see people fishing in this manner as you drift along the shallow blue waters of the lake.

Peer down into the waters to try and spot fish swimming past your boat. Several aquatic species that live in the lake cannot be found anywhere else around the world!

2. See traditional homes on stilts and floating gardens

There are many small villages around the edges of the lake, as well as homes that sit on stilts right over the water. These water communities have schools and other public buildings amongst the stilted buildings, with residents relying on boats for their everyday transportation. Whilst many of the homes are built from wood you may also notice those that have been constructed using bamboo.

As you journey past these traditional homes, look out for family pets snoozing on the steps and children ready to wave as they flash a big beaming smile!

Many of the lake’s locals are farmers, and there are large patches of floating gardens bobbing on the lake’s surface. Juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers are amongst the crops that are farmed right on the lake, whilst the surrounding fertile land is used to grow rice, onions, carrots, and other produce. Eye-catching and fairly intriguing, the floating gardens are quite an unusual sight. You will also likely notice dense patches of water flowers, such as hyacinths and lotuses.

3. Experience life at a traditional lake market

Vendors operate from both the shores of the lake and out of small wooden boats, plying an assortment of fresh produce and other household essentials. Lively and bustling, buyers arrive by foot and by boat. Boats with items to sell move close enough to the banks for pedestrians to browse, and boats containing happy shoppers navigate their way between floating vendors before mooring up to hop out and peruse other goods.

An essential part of everyday life for people who live on and around the lake, the markets are best visited early in the morning. By midday, many vendors are already packing up to return home. Although the markets are not aimed at tourists, and there will probably be nothing that you actually want to buy, the main pleasure for tourists is observing a different way of life amidst the bedlam.

4. Visit gleaming temples and pagodas

Several temples and pagodas are scattered around the lake. Beautiful from the outside as their reflections dance on the water’s surface, try and arrange to stop at one or two for a peek inside.

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is a popular stopping point when boating around Inle Lake. It is home to, what appear at first glance to be, five golden blobs. These shapeless sacred masses were, however, once statues of the Lord Buddha! Layer-upon-layer of gold leaf applied by people worshiping and making merit has, over the years, completely distorted the original shapes.

Another popular religious site on Inle Lake is the historic Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. Built from wood and home to several interesting Buddhist statues and pictures, it is one of the oldest and largest monasteries on the lake. It is also sometimes referred to as the Jumping Cat Monastery. In the past, one of the monks trained cats to jump through hoops and perform tricks. Whilst the monastery is still home to many cats, reports suggest that there are no longer demonstrations of the cats performing their graceful jumps.

5. Have fun at Inthar Heritage House

Inthar is the name of the largest ethnic group that lives around Inle Lake. (Other groups include Shan, Danu, Pa-O, and Taungyo.) The Inthar Heritage House seeks to preserve and showcase traditional lake architecture. A great place to learn more about traditional lake buildings and their construction, it is also home to many beautiful Burmese cats! Visitors are allowed to step into the play room with the friendly and inquisitive kitties for some quality one-on-one (or one-on-many!) time with the gorgeous creatures. Even better, there is no charge to visit this striking heritage building or get acquainted with the resident felines.