'''Inle Lake''' is a shallow lake in the middle of Myanmar, south-east of Mandalay. The lake is 22km long, and is densely inhabited by many different tribes.

Get in

Easiest to fly to Heho (from Yangon ~$75, from Mandalay ~$40) and then take a taxi from there. Taxis in front of the airport are expensive, but starting to walk down the road away from the airport helped drop the price significantly. Buses from Mandalay and Yangon are also available multiple times a day. If you're in Taunggyi a line-ka (modified pick-up truck used as a bus) is a viable option. It takes about an hour and is very cheap (K400 or less than $0.50US in 2005).

Get around

You can walk around town easily. Many bike rentals available for less than $1 per day, great for also touring the surroundings.

See

Do

'''The Lake''' - a boat trip on the lake is a must do. Day tours are available for only the top half of the lake (~9000kyat) or including the south of the lake (recommended!) (~13000 kyat). Note that in comparison to other boat trips, this is very cheap - this is because the boat drivers get good commissions for anything you buy at the many shops you visit. If you want to spend more time on the lake and less time shopping, be sure to tell the boat driver clearly. There is a $3 entry fee per person to the lake, charged by the government.

'''Bike Ride''' - take a day to ride through surrounding villages. Just check your rental bike carefully before leaving - I had to pump the tyre twice, replace a pedal and fix the brakes on my bike.

'''Hike''' - day hikes in the surrounding hills, or 3 day hikes to Kalaw are available, and are highly recommended. Seek out Than The, a local guide who knows the area very well and comes highly recommended. Ask for him at Win's Massage business.

Buy

Eat

  • Golden Kite. one Gyi and Myawaddy Road. 9508129327. One of the best restaurant's in Inle (Yaungshwe), owner Mio personally makes the best hand- and homemade pasta and wood-oven pizza in Nyaungshwe. A great experience.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Remember Inn''' in the north of town has clean rooms and a lovely rooftop relaxation area. Good breakfast and they are happy to help with organising flights, boats and hikes. $5-$25 per night.
  • May Guesthouse. 5 Myawaddy Road. 95 081 29417. Very friendly, clean and comfortable family run hotel. In the middle of many monasteries, at only 12 USD per night

  • '''Shwe Inn Tha''' (Thar Lay Village; +95 01-225-973). Located on the lake itself, quite close to the floating gardens.
  • Get out