Inle Lake

Inle Lake is 22km long and about 11km wide. The lake is at 1328 metres above sea level. Inle is one of the most popular tourist destination in the Shan State.

The lake is full of floating vegetations and houses. The lake dwellers are one-legged rowers. They are well-known for it. They are called as "Inthar" meaning people of the lake. There are about 18 villages around the lake. They are Buddhist and about a hundred Buddhist monasteries can be found. A lot small pagodas can be found too

The floating water hyacinth are the major products of this region. Many hand made products such as bags, baskets are made from water hyacinth. Other vegetations are tomatoes, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, garlic, onion, betel, melon, papaya and banana. Some villagers also grow rice.

The Inthars also make their living by fishing. The silk dresses and clothes of Inle are popular among local and foreign visitors. Inle also produces silverware.

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda - The main pagoda in the Inle lake is called as "Phaung Daw Oo" Pagoda. There are five small Buddha images all covered with gold and difficult to make out the figures. There is an annual festival around October/November.

Kakku Pagoda  - The Kakku relic pagoda of the southern Shan state, which only recently has become one of the most visited places in the Shan State. It is situated near Mway Taw Village, Kakku village tract, Taunggyi township, under the administration of special region 6, About 25 KM away from Taunggyi, the Capital of Shan State.

Read More

Places to Visit in Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon, Myanmar may be the biggest and most populous city in Myanmar and employed being Burma's capital, together with the capital of Yangon division. It also holds the distinction of having the most range of colonial structures in Southeast Asia, although in comparison to most Southeast Asian Nations, Yangon still remains deeply underdeveloped.

In spite of this Yangon is a well-liked tourist draw, generally mainly because it is the key commercial hub of Myanmar. Site visitors will really like the evidence of British, Indian, Burmese and Chinese influences within the city's infrastructure and structures. The culture in the town and its history is even now clearly observed inside sights of its folks walking down contemporary roads wearing the conventional longyi and also within the colorful structures and street vendors.

The greatest way to get into Yangon is through the Yangon international Airport, that is 30 minutes away from your town. The airport serves direct flights from cities like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kolkata, and Taipei to name a few. Tourists are advised to take a taxi through the airport on the city, since most taxi cabs accept fare in US dollars. Taking the bus which sits outside the terminal is usually a far more adventurous option since the bus tends to get crowed quickly. Other options for obtaining into the city consist of by train, or by boat.

Shwedagon Pagoda

The principal attraction in Yangon may be the Shwedagon Pagoda or the Paya which sits on best of Singuttara Hill. The temple is open from 6 A.M to 10 P.M. and site visitors can get in by paying a fee of $5 per individual. One more attraction is one more religious shrine known as the Sule Paya Pagoda which is located around the busiest intersection of the metropolis. There can be an Anglican Cathedral,the Holy Trinity Cathedral and also a Jewish Synagogue, the Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue located within the town. The city can also be home to various public nature parks, amongst them Mahabandoola Garden and the Zooligical Gardens.

Read More

Interesting Destinations and Places to Visit in Mandalay

Myanmar is known to have the best places in the world. A Southeast Asian country where the best finds and places are found. Mandalay, being Myanmar's capital is located in the country's northern regions, officially known as Yadanabon. Mandalay is considered as the center of Myanmar's culture; the place where the things which makes Myanmar famous all started. Mandalay is the place where wood carving, Bronze casting, gold embroidery or what the Mandalays call Kalakan and other Myanmar art crafts were first made.

Mandalay was the last capital of Myanmar's kingdom back in the year 1800s. The royal palace was also built here, just along the foot of Mandalay hill. King Mindon, during his reign back in 1859 established Mandalay as the center of Buddhism in the country. King Mindon also made Mandalay his capital being nearest to his palace.

It takes an hour and a half long plane trip from Yangon to Mandalay. It can also be reached via train, car ride, and busses which will take a little longer. There are several places that are best visited in Mandalay. The city is full of beautiful and historical destinations everyone would surely love to see.

Here are some of the most-visited places in Mandalay, Myanmar:

o The Mandalay Palace - located at the foot of Mandalay hill. The palace was destroyed during the Second World War and now fully renovated. It is now open for the public, and considered as a museum. The original design of the palace was kept after it was restored, so visitors can view the actual physical features of the original palace. Inside the palace grounds, a Floating Restaurant was built along the trench where visitors can stop by to have their breaks and refreshments.

o Shwe-nandaw Monastery - the place where the founder of the royal palace died. It is one of the country's historical sights, for it is the only remaining residence of the Mandalay Palace. Originally built inside the palace before the king decided to move it, and made it to a monastery. The monastery was made with complex beautiful wood carvings, which the monastery is known for.

 o Maha-muni Pagoda - considered as the most sacred pagoda in Mandalay. It was built by King Bodawpaya in the year 1784. The pagoda holds the well-preserved image of the Maha-mani Buddha which is brought all the way from Rakhing State. The regular ritual ceremony of washing the Buddha's face every morning draws a very large number of devotees in the site everyday.

o Kuthodaw Pagoda - also known as 'Mahaatula Marrazein", which means "the royal bounty". Another structure built by King Mindon in 1857. The Pagoda is surrounded by 792 stone wedges where the entire Buddhist Scriptures are inscribed. Famously known as the "world's biggest book". These inscriptions are known as the "Buddhist Canon".

These are just few of the best places to visit in Mandalay. There are a lot more to Mandalay has to offer, and visitors may always feel free to explore them once they get to Mandalay.

Read More