Inle Lake, Myanmar

Inle Lake, Myanmar

Inle Lake is the second largest lake of Myanmar, in the the Shan State. A freshwater lake, it is 22 km long and 900 meters above sea level. It is inhabited by different tribes, with the majority people being Intha. To get there, we took a 30 minute plane ride from Mandalay to Heho. From Heho, we drove an hour and made a stop at Nyaung Shwe, a town a few kilometers north of Inle Lake.  Walking distance from the town was Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery.

Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery. A wooden monastery built in the early 19th century. 

Novice monks and kitty learn teachings of Buddha.

Sightseeing on Inle Lake

Travel was by long boat with a small motor.

House on lake.  Outhouse is to the right of house. 

entrance of Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. 

Inside the pagoda are five small Buddha statues that have been covered in so much gold leaves that the Buddha forms are unrecognizable. (photo credit)

Pa-O tribal women. Their outfit consists of five pieces: blouse, jacket, longyi, turban, and 2 hairpins. They wear this because it represents the Dragon.  From original beliefs, Pa-O women were derived from the Dragon. 

Sky Lake Inle Resort

Jumping Cat Monastery

At the end of the 1850s, a wooden monastery, Nga Phe Chaung, was built on stilts at Inle Lake. At one time, monks trained the cats living there to jump through hoops giving it the name. It is the oldest and largest monastery on Inle Lake.

Lotus Silk Weaving

Unique to Myanmar is lotus silk weaving.  100 years ago, a girl picked a lotus as an offering to a Buddha pagoda and noticed the light delicate silk fibers.  Later, she used the fibers to make a robe for a venerable monk.  This tradition still continues as well as exclusive and rare pieces for the wider public.

lotus fibers (photo credit)

the fibers are extracted, spun, washed, woven, and colored with natural dyes

Art of Fishing

Fishermen use conical nets to catch fish.

The net is placed straight down into the lake which ranges from 7ft-12 ft deep.  Monsoon season can increase the depth by another 5 ft.  (photo credit)

Fishermen hit the water to scare the fish into the nets.

One leg rowing. The advantage to this is so the fisherman can stand and see above the floating garden and water hyacinth. Women still row in customary sitting style. 

Floating gardens are made from water hyacinth "sea grass", mud, and anchored by bamboo. The gardens rise and fall with the water level.  Tomatoes, cucumbers, gourds, and pulses are grown in these gardens.