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In Pictures: A day on Inle Lake – Myanmar

February 5, 2012 By James Clark 13 Comments

My trip to Myanmar (Burma) was already off to a flying start, with highlights such as the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and cycling around the temples of Bagan. I had heard much of these places so I was prepared to be wowed (which I was). What I didn’t figure on was how much of a highlight Inle Lake would be on my trip to Myanmar.

Fishermen beating the water for fish - Inle Lake
[Fishermen on Inle Lake]

Inle Lake is in Shan State and has an approximate surface area of 116 km2. While it’s impressive in size, what makes Inle all the more remarkable is the life on the lake. I had read a friend’s account of life on Inle, which gave me a general idea of what to expect, but seeing it is something else. I remember thinking during my time on the lake, I am somewhere truly exotic, which is something I haven’t thought for a long time.

Before arriving here I had imagined myself taking long walks along the lake front, like Westlake in Hangzhou, China. Inle Lake doesn’t really have a shore line. It is more of a marshy edge that seemingly has no beginning or end, so walking around it isn’t a practical option.

A canal in Inle Lake
[A canal in Inle Lake]

The best way to see the lake is to hire a boat and driver for the day, which you will find plenty of in the market town of Nyaungshwe. A typical boat can hold five passengers and is run on an inboard diesel motor that looks like it belongs on a tractor. If you are by yourself add your name to a boat list at your guesthouse so you can split the cost of renting a boat.

Handy tip: if you don’t want your ears to be ringing by the end of the day don’t sit closest to the motor.

Inle Lake motor boat driver
[Inle Lake motor boat driver]

Leg rowing fisherman of Inle Lake

The town of Nyaungshwe is a few kilometres from the lake itself. After cruising down the main canal we arrived at the wide expanse of Inle lake. Once on the lake it didn’t take long before seeing the iconic leg rowing fishermen.

Leg rowing fishermen - Inle Lake
[Leg rowing fisherman of Inle Lake]

The method of leg rowing is unique to the Intha people of Inle Lake. The fishermen row this way so they can stand and navigate through the reeds.

Boys with fish net - Inle Lake
[Boys with fish net]

Somehow they manage to balance on one leg on the bow of the boat with an oar wrapped around the other leg while handling a net, and they make it look easy.

Inle Lake leg rowers
[Inle Lake leg rowers]

Life on the lake

In addition to settlements along the lake front, there also numerous villages, temples and markets on the lake. There is a whole every day working economy going on out there, hence the need for visiting with a boat.

Typical water village
[Typical water village]

Utilities supplied to the lake
[Utilities supplied to the lake]

Village food market
[Village food market]

Post Office
[Not your every day post office]

Paddle boat
[And not your every day commute]

Hpaung Daw U Pagoda
[Hpaung Daw U Pagoda – an important Buddhist site in Myanmar, located in the Lake]

Boy monks
[Boy monks]

Floating market garden
[Floating market garden]

Paduang Long Necks

Something I wasn’t expecting to see was the Paduang long necks. Our boat stopped off at an ornamental umbrella factory, and next door was a Paduang woman and young girl. The Paduang are a tribe of Myanmar most famous for the woman who wear heavy brass coils around their necks, creating the illusion of an elongated neck.

The two saw us arrive came out and sat on a bench, welcoming photos and people to pose with them. They weren’t asking for donations, and if they were selling anything it was the softest sell I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t see what the catch was, and I didn’t know what to do. It’s a real ethical conundrum (of which is discussed at length at contemporarynomad.com.)

Paduang Long Necks - Inle lake, Myanmar
[Paduang Long Necks]

Jumping Cats

Before heading back for the day we dropped into the Nga Hpe Kyaung Monastery, better known as the jumping cat monastery. How could you not want to go to a monastery named that!

Upon entering the monastery there are cats everywhere, doing what cats do, just lounging around.

Cats at the jumping cat monastery
[Cats being cats at the jumping cat monastery]

Eventually a cat wrangler came out who had a gathering of cats around her (and no doubt some sort of kittie treats in her pocket). The crowd watched on restlessly as she waited for the first cat to jump. No self respecting cat would ever jump through a hoop right on command, but sure enough, the cats really do jump.

Cats jumping at the Jumping Cat Monastery
[Cats jumping at the Jumping Cat Monastery]

Heading back to Nyaungshwe our boatman stopped the motor and let us enjoy the sun setting over the lake.

Sunset on Inle Lake
[Sunset on Inle Lake]

For more photos visit Inle Lake Photo Gallery

Filed Under: Travel Blog Tagged With: boat, inle lake, lake, myanmar (burma), temple

Comments

  1. Gotpassport Family says

    February 5, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    Nice photos.  Such a beautiful place.  Happy to say I was just there last week, exactly 5 days ago. It was great to be home.  Nice chatting wit you today!!

    Reply
    • James Clark says

      February 7, 2012 at 3:24 am

       Good to see you as well and relive Myanmar memories 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kevin - The Mad Traveler says

    February 5, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    Looks great! I’ve been to Myanmar twice now and STILL haven’t managed to get to Inle Lake. Next time?

    Reply
    • James Clark says

      February 7, 2012 at 3:24 am

       Yes, there has to be a next time!

      Reply
  3. Thelostbackpack says

    February 6, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    Beautiful imagery.

    Reply
  4. Bali Villa Holidays says

    February 7, 2012 at 9:52 am

    Silhouettes do never fails to make an artistic impact on photos. That’s why I like the first one on this gallery. 🙂

    Reply
    • James Clark says

      February 8, 2012 at 3:38 am

      Thanks, I love a good silhouette picture as well.

      Reply
  5. Noel H says

    February 13, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    It looks quite impressive. Is it cheap to hire a boat for a day? Do the leg rowers work as taxi boats as well for the tourists? Thanks.

    Reply
  6. Amer says

    February 20, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    These photos are enough to convince me to visit Burma soon. Need to get there before globalisation takes the best out of them..

    Reply
  7. BHill says

    February 23, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    I assume you are using your new camera. Great pictures! I have a friend who went to Boracai or Boracay? He loved it.    Brian Hill.

    Reply
  8. Pcat1ndahous says

    February 23, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    Looks like A wonderful place to explore! thxs for sharing and inspiring!

    Reply
  9. tamara says

    September 12, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Thank you for the memories. I went in March just before the elections and had a fabulous time.
    Tamara

    Reply
    • James Clark says

      September 13, 2012 at 3:50 am

      Thanks Tamara. It’s a fascinating time to be visiting Myanmar.

      Reply

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James Clark from Nomadic Notes

Hi, I’m James Clark, and I've been travelling the world since 2003 while running a location independent travel business. Nomadic Notes is a travel blog featuring travel guides and notes from my travels.

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