inle and around
Lake Inle
 Most Myanmar programs include a visit
to lovely Lake Inle. Heho, the small airport, is the
gate to this idyll. Sandwiched between two parallel
mountain ranges, Lake Inle is Myanmar´s second largest
lake and home to several of its peoples. The Shan
plateau (1000 m above sea level) with its mild climate
has attracted Intha, Pao, Palaung, Danu and – above all
– Shan peoples. They live as small farmers in hamlets
planting and harvesting rice and sesame seed as well as
building little white Buddha pagodas to enhance
re-incarnation. The Shan plateau´s fertile red earth
favours a leisurely pace of life interrupted only by the
excitement of various market days (the markets are a
sight-to-be-seen). Heho, Inle, Aungban, Pindaya, Kalaw –
all have their markets on a different day – and then it
starts all over again. Lake Inle is the centre of this
beautiful country, home to the Intha people who are
renowned as “legrowers”. Theirs are the famous floating
gardens, the floating markets, the floating pagodas, the
floating hamlets. The Intha world is at its finest when
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda has its celebrations: a gilded
barge takes four small Buddha´s for a blessing to the
towns and hamlets surrounding the lake. If you like it
serene and quiet don´t miss the excursion by boat to the
pagodas of In Dein.
Nyaung Shwe
Nyaungshwe, the capital of a former Shan king and the
gateway to Inle Lake. The town has a huge market where
local produce is sold as well as almost halfway between
Heho and Kalaw.
Taunggyi
A former British hill station, Taunggyi is a one hours´
drive from Lake Inle. The Ethnological Museum is worth a
visit as is the enchanting morning market. The beloved
Burmese cigars are produced in Taunggyi and its many
manufacturing sites can be visited. The trip to Taunggyi
can be combined with a visit of the Katku pagodas.
Kakku
 The Kakku pagoda area is situated in the middle of Pao
settlements (to the west of Taunggyi). The impressive
monuments were built in the 16th century under the reign
of Burmese King Alaungsithu. These small Shan pagodas
are painted white and are situated very close to each
other – and some are still showing original plaster
decorations. The region of Katku remained closed for
foreigners for a long time. Today a drive through the
vast agricultural land of the Shan plateau is an
alluring experience.
Pindaya
The drive from Heho airport to Pindaya takes almost
three hours. The mountainous regions´ limestone caves
have – for hundreds of years – harboured Buddhist cave
temples built and enlarged by pilgrims. The visit of
these limestone caves is highly recommended although
much of the magical genius loci were destroyed when
electric lights were installed. The faithful amassed
thousands of Buddha images on displayhere. A visit to
Pindaya, which has good accommodation for the night, can
be combined with a trip to a market (see above) or a
trekking tour through the surrounding mountains.
Kalaw
The former British hill station Kalaw is the starting
point for various trekking tours. The town itself boasts
a pagoda in the middle of town which is worth seeing
because of its glass mosaics. A visit to Kalaw can be
combined with a trip to Pindaya – driving time is about
2 hours.
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