Top 25 Attractions and Activities in Inle Lake, Myanmar

The picturesque Inle Lake is a prominent tourist destination in Myanmar, surrounded by the town of Nyaung Shwe, which serves as the primary gateway to the lake. The area not only boasts the beauty of Inle Lake but also features captivating pagodas, temples, and monasteries in Nyaung Shwe itself.

Nyaung Shwe facilitates access to Inle Lake, regarded as the second-largest lake of its type in Myanmar. The lake is adorned with local villages and floating gardens, offering one of the country’s most distinctive scenes, justifying the visit.

Additionally, visitors can trek from Kalaw to the lake, providing an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in the breathtaking Burmese countryside within a limited time frame.

Here are the 25 best activities to experience in the Inle Lake Region:

1. Dine in Khaung Daing Village

Visiting Khaung Daing Village near Inle Lake provides an opportunity to savor local cuisine while observing residents prepare a variety of Burmese dishes.

This includes sun-drying tofu to achieve a crispy texture and roasting peanuts, corn, and sunflower seeds.

Food tours in this notable culinary village allow you to enjoy a meal with welcoming locals. Be sure to sample a special local wine distilled from fermented rice and sugar, which offers a distinct flavor.

2. Watch a performance at Aung’s Marionette Puppet Show

To experience local culture, visit Aung’s Marionettes Puppet Show, located in a modest theater off the central street.

This theater has served the community for decades and is managed by Aung, a skilled puppeteer.

Guests can enjoy a 30-minute puppet performance accompanied by traditional music that narrates local myths and legends, with all puppets handcrafted on-site. Souvenirs are available for purchase.

3. Admire the Phaungdawoo Pagoda

Phaungdawoo Pagoda is renowned for hosting five significant Buddha images, prominently featured in an annual festival.

Devotees add layers of gold leaf to these images, symbolizing an act of worship as they pass through the site. The pagoda’s elaborate gilding makes it one of the most frequented religious sites in the region.

4. Visit the Cultural Museum

To delve into the history of Inle Lake and Shan State, visitors should explore the Cultural Museum, previously known as the Buddha Museum. Here, one can discover artifacts related to Buddha images collected from the region, alongside exhibits showcasing weaponry, jewelry, and agricultural tools.

5. Take a boat trip on the lake

The primary allure of visiting Inle Lake is the opportunity to embark on a boat trip across its serene waters. However, this charming experience can often become crowded, particularly during sunset when many visitors flock to the lake for picturesque views.

Local fishermen can guide you around, but be cautious; they may also take you to shops where they receive commissions, and prices can be inflated. Communicate your preferences clearly to avoid this.

6. Visit Inthein Village

Inthein Village, a charming location near Inle Lake, is dotted with stupas dating back several centuries.

Several stupas are positioned on a scenic hillside, allowing for a pleasant walk with a beautiful view of the lake and encircling jungles.

This village also hosts the Five Day Market; try to plan your visit when the market is operational for an authentic experience.

7. Buy some cheroots

Inle Lake offers an array of local cigars known as cheroots, available for purchase throughout the area.

These cigars are crafted from a blend of tobacco mixed with ingredients such as honey, tamarind, banana, star anise, and rice flour. Even if you’re not a smoker, they often come in beautifully ceremonial boxes, serving as an excellent keepsake from Myanmar.

8. Check out Phaung Daw Oo Paya

Phaung Daw Oo Paya, situated on a channel connecting Ywama to Than Lay, is recognized as one of the region’s most significant religious sites.

The temple features a prominent pagoda housing five Buddha images, each embellished with layers of gold leaf applied by devoted pilgrims.

This practice reflects the local culture’s devotion, and witnessing the images, albeit obscured by gold, is a sight worth experiencing.

9. Shop at the Five Day Market

The Five Day Market is well-known in the vicinity of Inle Lake, named for its rotation that occurs across multiple locations over five days, with Nyaung Shwe being one of those locations.

This market is celebrated for its local handicrafts brought from mountainous regions by diverse ethnic communities, allowing visitors the chance to purchase exquisite jewelry, textiles, and various souvenirs.

10. Check out Yan Aung Nan Aung Hsu Taung Pye Paya

A visit to the tranquil village of Nanthe, located outside Nyaung Shwe, offers the chance to explore the Yan Aung Nan Aung Hsu Taung Pye Paya, an impressive Buddhist temple.

The temple features a stunning Buddha image measuring 26 feet and is approximately 700 years old, surrounded by remarkable mythical creatures.

These include whitewashed deva, celestial entities, and chinthe, temple guardians shaped like a combination of a lion and a dragon.

11. Watch the Bird Migration

Inle Lake attracts many visitors for its sunsets; however, the migratory bird populations also warrant attention.

Numerous local species flock to the lake for feeding or nesting, creating an ideal spot for avid birdwatchers who might even encounter rare species like the Pheasant-tailed Jacana.

This lake serves as a well-regarded bird sanctuary, and professional guides offer birdwatching tours for those keen on observing avian life. December and January are particularly fruitful months for birdwatching opportunities.

12. Go for a bike ride

To fully appreciate the charming local villages surrounding Inle Lake, renting a bicycle is an excellent approach to explore at your own pace.

Many guesthouses offer bicycle rentals, enabling visitors to cycle through the stunning countryside known for its vibrant communities, emerald green rice paddies, and rich jungle foliage.

13. Hike to Kalaw

For those seeking adventure, organizing a trek from Inle Lake to Kalaw (or vice versa) is the ideal method to experience this captivating region.

Typically taking two to three days, this trek allows participants to stay in local monasteries while enjoying the rich biodiversity of Inle Lake’s jungles, which are interlaced with streams and waterfalls.

14. Soak in the Hot Springs

A delightful set of hot springs lies approximately 45 minutes from Inle Lake, accessible for a tranquil day trip.

Featuring two gender-segregated pools, the hot springs are reputed to possess medicinal qualities.

Renting a bicycle for this excursion enhances the experience, culminating in a rejuvenating soak in therapeutic waters.

15. Tour Red Mountain Winery

Unexpectedly, a winery can be found on the outskirts of Inle Lake, specifically at Red Mountain Winery.

Visitors can take a comprehensive tour of the winery, learning about its history and the wine production process.

Sampling local wines is part of the experience, complemented by a restaurant on-site offering meals with stunning vineyard sunset views.

16. Cycle to Phwar Ya Thay Paya

Phwar Ya Thay Paya, meaning ‘Lady Monk’ in Burmese, is situated along the route from Inle Lake to Khaung Daing, formerly the meditation site of a female monk.

Scenic steps ascend to the picturesque pagoda, where visitors can enjoy expansive views over Inle Lake and its adjoining forests.

17. Try stand up paddling

Stand up paddling is a distinctive feature of Inle Lake, where fishermen traditionally row their boats using their legs instead of their arms.

A relatively recent addition to the local recreation scene allows tourists to participate in this activity by hiring an instructor, making it one of the most unique experiences available.

With guidance, visitors can learn the traditional technique and glide across the lake’s surface.

18. Walk to Nyaung Ohak

Nyang Ohak, located near Inthein Village, consists of a set of ancient, crumbling stupas, many of which have been reclaimed by the surrounding jungle, adding a unique charm to the site.

As you explore the area, notice the stucco figures intricately carved into shapes depicting animals, celestial beings, and fierce guardians known as chinthe.

19. Take a Shan cooking class

The region surrounding Inle Lake is renowned for its delectable Shan cuisine, and you can now learn to prepare these dishes yourself.

Most cooking classes include a market visit, where participants will discover local ingredients used in Shan dishes.

After shopping, you will have the chance to cook signature dishes such as chicken with cashews, culminating in a delightful taste of your creations.

20. Explore the Htat Eian Caves

If you’re seeking an outing beyond Inle Lake, the Htat Eian Caves await, akin to other cave temples throughout Myanmar.

Upon entering the caves, visitors will find numerous Buddha statues, marking this location as a significant pilgrimage site for the local Buddhist community.

A nearby monastery can also be visited, offering insight into the lives of the resident monks.

21. See the cats at Nga Hpe Kyaung

Nga Hpe Kyaung, popularly known as ‘The Jumping Cat Monastery’, has gained notoriety for its feline residents, which were once trained by the monks to perform acrobatics.

Today, while it’s unlikely you’ll witness any remarkable feats, the monastery remains a charming place to observe relaxed cats within its confines.

22. Visit Thaung Thut Village

Located to the south of Inle Lake, Thaung Thut can be accessed from Nyaung Shwe via a boat trip lasting just over an hour.

This village is known for hosting the famous Five Day Market; consider timing your visit when the market is active.

Another highlight of Thaung Thut is a scenic pathway leading to a series of small Shan temples adorned with white stucco.

23. Travel to Yadana Man Aung Paya

Yadana Man Aung Paya, located in Nyaung Shwe, is celebrated as the area’s most significant historical structure.

This Buddhist shrine features a large golden stupa situated close to the main Mingala Market in Nyaung Shwe.

The stepped style of the stupa is unique in Myanmar, and the pavilions function as a museum, displaying antique collections curated by the resident monks, including local costumes, intricate carvings, and exquisite Burmese lacquer items.

24. Visit Shwe Inn Thein Paya

Shwe Inn Thein Paya is a large complex featuring an impressive array of over 1,000 crumbling stupas, known as zedi in Burmese, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

Though many have fallen into disrepair, several stunningly restored examples can still be found.

In addition to the spectacular stupas, Shwe Inn Thein Paya provides breathtaking views across Inle Lake and its verdant surroundings.

25. Take pictures at Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung

This monastery in Nyaung Shwe stands out as the region’s most renowned, featuring exquisite teak architectural design.

With its spacious ordination hall, known as a ‘thein’ in Burmese, visitors are often welcome to capture moments of monks engaged in their daily routines (request permission first). The monastery lies along the route from Nyaung Shwe to Shwe Yaung, making it an excellent choice for those interested in visiting religious sites around Inle Lake.