Inle Lake

Inle Lake is one of Myanmar’s most anticipated places to see – and the hype is justified. Stilted villages and Buddhist temples rise above the water with stunning open vistas, hazy morning mist and glassy horizons, fringed by luscious marshes and colourful floating gardens.

Inle is vast and is the second largest lake in Myanmar. It’s home to a wealth of life and activity; a hundred monasteries, a thousand pagodas and more than 200 small villages and communities which are located on and around it. Most of the inhabitants of the lake are the industrious Intha people, who are most notably distinguished by their unique technique of leg-rowing. This eccentric method of rowing with one leg evolved over time because the lake is often obscured by reeds and floating plants, which are difficult to see while sitting. It also means their hands are free to drop their tall conical nets over passing fish which they spot in the shallow lake. The Intha people produce much of Myanmar’s fruit and vegetables from their fertile floating gardens. Watching the farmers paddling between the rows and tending to their crops is a peaceful and beautiful scene to witness. The lake is surrounded by the lofty Shan Hills, which on calm days are magnificently reflected in the lake’s crystal-clear waters. Inle Lake is what we dream about when we think of the early morning mist clearing, revealing perfect tranquil scenes.