INLAY LAKE (Inle)

Inle Lake is unique and magical lake surrounded by the blue mountain ranges. It is about 900 km above sea level, 20 km long and 10 km wide. Inle is famous for the native lake dweller rowing their boats with one leg, standing at the stern of the boats. Visitors are sure to enjoy the romantic and breathtaking scenery called “Venice of Myanmar” by tourists, Apart from its picturesque scenery, Inle Lake will surely provide visitors an excellent opportunity to experience how the lake dwellers (Inntha) make their livings on the lake, how they cultivate vegetables on the floating Islands by boat, how the fishermen catch fishes, how the school children paddle on the way to school and how the Innthas display their local products. Sightseeing includes Phaund daw Oo Pagoda, Inpawgone village, Ywama village, Mine Thuk Market and Jumping Cat Monastery.
Nyaung Shwe is the starting point for the boat excursions to all the point of interest on the Inlay Lake.

Side Trip: While in Inlay you can make excursions to Taunggyi, Kalaw and Pindaya Cave, Kakku.

TAUNGGYI

Situate over 1430 meters above sea level, about 27 kilometers from Inlay Lake. In addition to being the capital of Shan State, it is also a hill station, being cold and pleasant all the year around. Market being crowded with ethnic minorities in their traditional dresses on the market day is worth a visit. The annual event of interest during the Lighting Festival is the festival of sending up illuminated fire-ballots made in various shapes and sizes. It is on its way to growing in popularity.

KALAW

Locate 1400 meters above sea level, 43 kilometers west of Inlay Lake. Having been a favorite hill station during the British colonial time for British, Kalaw is also now still standing as a peaceful summer resort. With mountains covered by pine forest around the town, beautiful colonial-style houses on the hills, fine weather, hill tribe villages surrounding the town, it is ideal for vacationing. From Kalaw soft trekking excursions can be made to the neighboring hill tribe villages. It can be reached by road from Inle Lake, Bagan and Mandalay. On the market day (every fifth day) you will have and opportunity to see hill tribe's people in their colorful traditional costumes from surrounding villages near by.

PINDAYA

Less than two hours from Inle Lake by road, this is a small picturesque town with a beautiful lake amongst huge old trees. It is one of the country’s principle tourist attractions, being famous for its extensive limestone cave containing more than 8000 Buddha images made of wood, marble, brick, lacquer, stone and bronze. As a landmark of this town you can see a signboard with the figure of spider and prince commemorating the heroic attempt of the prince to save the life of princess from the danger of the huge spider. Making of the beautiful handmade umbrella is of special interest.

KYAING TONG ( the capital city of the Golden Triangle Region )

The different ethnic tribes in colorful dresses give this place a special charm. If entering this border town from Thailand, Border pass is required. There are regular air services from Yangon and Inle to Kyaing Tong, two hours from Yangon and an hour from Inle.

TACHILEIK

Tachileik is the border gateway to Myanmar, if entering from Thailand. It is accessible by air and road, two hour by flight from Yangon.