Exploring Myanmar – Inle Lake

Until the 1990s, the tourist destinations in Myanmar were quite unknown to the outside world and tourism was not the main focus.  Many people still refer Myanmar as Burma.

However, with the gradual opening of the country, every traveller who have been to Myanmar are enchanted by her unique scent of lifestyle, rich traditions and breath taking natural beauty. I have written an article on why you should visit Myanmar now at this link: www.theguytravel.com/why-you-should-discover-beautiful-myanmar-now/

Measuring in more than 676,000 sq km, I would easily say Myanmar being of the biggest country in South East Asia offers travellers many places of interest.

Together with some of my peers in the travel industry, we are grateful to be invited for a trip to visit Beautiful Myanmar.And what’s better than to visit Inle Lake, a tourist destination famous for its boatmen who row standing up using their leg to propel the paddle, floating markets and experience the authentic lifestyle of the water villagers.

The famous and must do photography shot when one is in Inle Lake:

Flying into Myanmar 

There are 3 international airport namely :

1) Yangon (Mingaladon International Airport) – The main gateway to Myanmar. More than 80% of the visitors arrive via this airport. About 15km from downtown Yangon and newly renovated, this airport is well equipped with services and facilities.

Major airlines flying in includes from Middle East (Qatar), Thai Airways and certainly its home based carrier : Myanmar Airways International (MAI for short).

2)Mandalay International Airport  – About 35km south of Mandalay, the country 2nd international entry point by air. China Eastern Airlines operate regular flights between Mandalay and Kunming and this airport is well served by many domestic carriers.

3) Nay Pyi Taw Airport – Opened in Year 2006, this airport is 30 minutes away from its administrative capital. Not a tourist attraction yet as is more for government and business city. Served by domestic carriers mainly and few international flights.

Our trip was sponsored by Myanmar Airways International . We flew from Singapore to Myanmar on its Airbus 320 aircraft , operating daily flights between the 2 countries. During peak period, it operates more than once daily. For its schedules, you can log on to its website found here.

Without doubt, the flight was awesome with hot meals on board and its ever warm & friendly cabin crew on board. It certainly makes the 2hours 55 minutes flights an enjoyable one.

Because the meals taste so nice, we finished it within 10 minutes! What more can we ask.. Pic taken en-route from Singapore to Yangon. 

At Yangon Airport, Myanmar Airways International had its own lounge services catering to mainly business class passengers and also those who want to pay a little to pamper themselves before flight.

Buffet food was on spread for the day and below is a cup of coffee before boarding. Stay Cool and let’s fly!

As for the flight from Yangon back to Singapore, we took the early flight back departing Yangon at 8am, arriving into Singapore at 1225pm, giving us ample time to rest before starting the next day at work. Below pic showing our hot breakfast we had at over 32,000 meters above sea level. Yummy!

The smiling cabin crew gave in to my camera.

Getting to Inle Lake

To get to Inle Lake, the best or rather common way is to fly into Yangon, the international gateway city to Myanmar. Follow by taking domestic airlines (For example: Air KBZ) to get to the city called Heho.

From Heho airport, it will be around an hour ride to the town of Nyaung Shwe. And from here, one is able to take the boat to Inle Lake and get to your water bungalow for the night accommodation.

Arriving at Heho Airport: our luggage being pull to our bus.

Below: Boarding point at Nyaung Shwe

Inle Lake

Inle Lake stretches 17.7km in the Nyaungshwe basin of southern Shan State at an altitude of 889 meters above sea level. The deepest point in this lake measures 6m.

This lake is home to the Lnthar national race many of whom lived in stilted houses built over the water as seen below.

We had a tour of how the locals live in their water villages. Definitely an eye opener for city dwellers like us.

One of the local tribe living in Inle Lake region.

The local way of travel between places. A visit in Myanmar would not be complete if you have not travel in a bullock cart. Its non pollution kind of transport, instead of the usual motor vehicles.

In Inle Lake, you would need the boat to transport you to most of the point. And what better way to air your feet while taking in the beautiful sights at Inle …

Do you know that the Paung Daw U Festival takes place at Inle Lake at the end of September or early October.

There is an 18-day festival during which the five Buddha images are ceremonially rowed around the Lake in a colorful barge accompanied by many other boats (with the famous) Inle leg rowers.

We visited Pagodas and the local market. The local way of doing their daily marketing.

Anyone fancy for a hair cut? 

Myanmar has a world famous tourist destination named Bagan, voted by Top 10 places to visit in Year 2015 by lonely planet. See below pic:

However, we did not went to Bagan but yet, at Inle Lake region, we can see little Bagan. Never in my life had I seen so many pagodas concentrated in one area. It was indeed a sight to behold.

Many beautiful resorts can be found in Inle Lake. A place for people who want to seek serenity and enjoy the cooling breeze together with the natural beauty.

Arriving at one of the resorts accommodation. . .

It’s time to relax and reflect . . .

Interior room decor, such a nice bed for the night. . .

Romance is in the air, a perfect place for honeymoon couples as well.

Anyone care for a soak in the bathtub while enjoying the view of how locals goes about in their daily life. . .

Our tour guide showing us some of the souvenirs that we can buy along the way to the pagodas.  

What’s lunch without the popular Myanmar beer? Enjoying our lunch while overlooking the river.

And of course, our short vacation will have to end here. Good Bye Inle Lake, we will be back again soon. Because once is never enough to cover Inle Lake!

This trip was made possible by Myanmar Airways International who flies daily between Singapore and Myanmar.

For more information on the different types of Myanmar packages available and prices departing from Singapore, you can call up the below agents.

Categories: Asia Region