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Inle Lake, Myanmar
Inle Lake is one of Myanmar's most magical destinations, a 116-square-kilometer freshwater lake surrounded by mountains where life revolves around the water. The Intha people are famous for their distinctive leg-rowing technique, balancing on one leg while wrapping the other around an oar to keep both hands free for fishing. Floating gardens grow tomatoes and flowers on beds of lake weed and soil. The main town of Nyaungshwe on the lake's northern shore is the base for exploration, with a compact grid of streets, guest houses, and restaurants. Walking around the lake's edge passes through stilted villages, silk-weaving workshops, cheroot (cigar) factories, and silversmith communities. The Shwe Indein Pagoda complex, a collection of hundreds of crumbling stupas in various states of restoration, is reached by a scenic boat ride and short walk. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is the lake's most sacred Buddhist site.
explore by interest
Most lake exploration is by boat, but walking in Nyaungshwe and the surrounding villages is pleasant — rent a bicycle to extend your range along the lake's western shore.
October through February offers cool, dry weather with the clearest views. October brings the Phaung Daw Oo Festival with boat races and celebrations.