Destinations>> Inle Lake's
Environ
 Inle Lake, the jewel of Shan State is nestled among the
hazy Shan Mountains of 1524 meters. The Lake itself is about
900 meters above sea level, its glassy blue waters running
22.4 km in length and 10.2 km in breadth, certainly one of
the most magical sights in South East Asia.
The Lake is not only a beautiful site to enjoy, but also the
practical home
 to the native inthas (son of the lake), who
live on the lake stilt houses with their neatly cultivated floating farms and nurseries. The truly unique Inle Lake
leg-rowers and fishermen cannot be missed as you glide
through the waters on your boats on a dream-like adventure.
The presence of many ethnic groups in the area also makes it
a captivating place of much cultural interest. The main
attraction of Inle Lake is the famous Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
situated in the middle of the lake.
 Kakku lies 26 miles south of Taunggyi, sharing border with
NaungMon Township in the east. In the west, there lies a
blue and hazy Khe-Le mountain ranges stretching from north
to south and 1300 meter above the sea level.
Kakku pagodas - thousands of pagodas with various shapes,
sizes and descriptions dotted within Kakku pagoda compound
is main attraction. Beside, there are beautiful landscapes
in which pagodas are set and small
 winding road leading to
pagoda complex allowing a close observation of the
vegetation and cultivation. And to study the daily life of
Pa-O tribe and their culture also.
It is a hidden treasure of Shan State and magnificent
collections of Buddha stupas hidden by many years due to
uneasy accessibility in the deepest Pa-O territory. More than
2000 stupas are packed in ranks covering an area of
approximately a square kilometre apparent unknown to outside
world.
TAHKAUNG MWEDAW PAGODA COMLEX IN SAGAR VILLAGE
 Tahkaung Mwedaw Pagoda complex in Inle area has been hidden
from the eyes of people from other regions for centuries. It
is situated just before the Sagar Village,2 hours boat ride
down south from Inle Lake. The pagodas are in the same style
as those of Kakku, Taung-to and Indain, all of which lie
further north. After entering Belu Chaung (Orge Stream)
which is flowing out of Inle Lake into the Mobye Dam in the
Kayah State, passing Pa-O villages on both sides and
watching the waterfowl of many different species even
circling over the boat arrives at Tahkaung Mwedaw Pagoda
before the Sagar Village.
PINDAYA
 Pindaya, situated at the foot of Mene-Taung Range about 45
kilometres north of Kalaw, is a picturesque place perched on
the bank of the placid Botoloke Lake. This small town is
famous for its beautiful lake and extensive lime stone caves
called Pindaya Cave in which over 8000 of old Buddha Images
are seated. The images are of various sizes, some carved in
the face of rock and some deposited in niches in the walls
for many centuries. Some of them are tiny while others are
huge and are made of teak, lacquer, marble, bronze,
alabaster and cement being coated with gold leaf. Some
images are said to be more than 300 years old.
The caves are set deep in the hillsides and there stands a
15 metre high
 Shwe U Min Pagoda at the entrance. Some of the
smaller caves within the complex serve as meditation
chambers. The winding galleries and nooks and corners of the
cave are ideal places of insight meditation since the olden
days. The hike up Shwe U Min is relatively easy - there is
also an elevator help visitors to climb this cave. Among the
unusual features in the cave is a set of stalagmites that
can be struck with large wooden mallets to produce gong
tone. Shwe U Min Pagoda celebrates its festival on and
around the full moon day of Tabaung (during February or
March). During the festival time, thousands of devotees
throng to the cave to pay homage. Pagoda's mall is set up at
the foot of the hill and sells local products, food and
seasonal fruits.
TAUNGGYI
 Taunggyi, the capital city of Shan State in the eastern part
of Myanmar, is known for its scenic beauty and pleasant
climate. The weather is cool all the year round and the area
is colourful with lovely flowers, pine trees and green
orchard. Taunggyi is one of the popular resorts in the
pine-clad hills in Myanmar.
Taunggyi, a former British Hill Station is now the business
and cultural centre of the Shan State and is populated by
around 150,000 inhabitants, which makes this centre the 4th
largest city of Myanmar after Yangon, Mandalay and Mawlamyine. Taunggyi is situated about 500 kilometres north
of Yangon and about 100 kilometres southeast of
Mandalay. The town on a steep mountain side in the southern
reaches of the Himalaya is mainly inhabited by Shans ethnic
group. Being situated over 1400 metres above sea level,
Taunggyi is ideal for holiday-makers during summer time.
KALAW
 Kalaw, a beautiful hill station set in the midst of rolling
hills and pine forests, is perched on the western rim of the
massive Shan Plateau. This charming little town is really
one of the favourite places in Myanmar. Cool and spring like
weather, pine forest, tea plantations and colourfully-clad
hill tribes make Kalaw a natural magnet for tourists.
Kalaw is situated 71 kilometres west of Taunggyi and about
660 kilometres from Yangon. As it is situated at an altitude
of 1320 metres, it is pleasantly cool and
 a good place for
hiking while enjoying the scenery of rugged mountains, bamboo groves and fragrant pine trees. Visitors can make
interesting excursions around Kalaw. The main attractions of
Kalaw are the town itself and its ethnic mix of people.
Kalaw still boasts for its colonial-era cottages and villa.
The town is setting within trekking distance of many ethnic
minority villages. Trekking to Palaung tribe villages is
wonderful. Most of the ancient Myanmar hill tribes such as
Palaung, Pa-O and Shan ethnic with their interesting
traditional styles living up here and there. |
