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HOME DESTINATIONSINLE LAKE & SHAN STATE
THE MOST REMARKABLE SIGHT
The cool, green hills of Shan State offer a myriad of active and cultural experiences for tourists. The most iconic attraction is Inle Lake. This special destination is so filled with charm and character; a place you wish you could keep to yourself - but once you’ve visited, you’ll surely want to tell the world of the magic you discovered here. High hills flank the lake on both sides of the shore. The lakeshore and islands have hundreds of villages (including monasteries and pagodas) built on stilts, inhabited mostly by the industrious Intha people. Travelers to Inle Lake will find crystalline waters, lush green hills, deep, cloudless skies and a calming and serene lake inhabited by a jovial and welcoming community.
INLE LAKE & SHAN STATE...
Inle Lake is known for the unique way of like of the Intha people, who have based their lifestyle around this beautiful body of water. They live in stilted houses built on the lake and even grow their vegetables on floating gardens that are secured to the lake bottom with bamboo stakes. Skilled boatmen and fishermen, the Intha, are famous for their unique style of rowing in which they stand on one leg while using the other leg to push the oar through the water. Tourists can stay on hotels on the lake and explore the villages and pagodas around and on the lake in traditional boats.
A travelling market makes the round of several villages on the lake, completing a circuit every five days, offering visitors a chance to see the people of the region gathered together.
Other areas of Shan State are fantastic trekking destinations. The most famous trek is from the town of hill town of Kalaw to Inle Lake, but other trails are available as well departing from Hsipaw or Pindaya. There are many trekking outfitters (based mainly in Kalaw or Nyaung U) who can support a multi-day trip. Trekkers sleep overnight in monasteries and eat lunch in villages along the way.
Heho is the main airport in Shan State and is about an hours drive from most of the major cities in the area.
DON'T MISS
Explore Inle Lake in a traditional longboat at sunriseVisit the famous Shwe Yan Pyay Monastary and spot the novice monks in trainingExplore the 13th century stupas in Indein on the western side of Inle lakeDiscover the Pindaya Caves, containing 8000 ancient Buddha statuesTrek from Inle to Kalaw & meet the mountainous communitiesDiscover Shan handicrafts at the Ywama (floating) market- silks, iron tools & and traditional clothingSample Shan traditional food such as the mouthwatering Shan noodlesVisit the Green Hill Elephant Camp near Kalaw
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