Inle Lake

Inle-lake

Inle Lake, the jewel of Shan State, is Located about 30 km to the south of Taunggyi. This vast, beautiful and picturesquare Lake, sheltered among the hazy blue mountains of 1524 meters, stretches 22.4 km long and 10.2 km wide. The lake itself is about 900 meters above sea-level and studded with floating islands. Innlay Lake is famous for its unique one-leg rowers, floating village and colourful markets. Ywama” the site of a daily floating “ markets” and Innlay-Khaungdaing Spa are places to visit. Innlay silk is quite popular in Myanmar and silk weaving and hand-looms can be seen at Innpaw-Khone village.
The celebrated PhaungDawOo is situated in this lake. Its festival, held once a year in October, is full of pageantry and ceremonial splendor. There is one thing very peculiar and different from other countries i.e Innley traditional unique one-leg rowers races can be seen by visitors during the festival of the PhaungDawU Pagoda.

PhaungDawU Pagoda Festival

The Festival of “PaungdawU pagoda”, in “Innlay Lake is held every year during the month of thindingyut ( October), is the biggest occasion of the lake. The Image of the Buddha from “ PhaungdawU Pagoda” are placed on a decorated royal barge called “Karaweik” (Mythical bird) and taken around the lake, stopping at village for people to pay homage. The festifval is full of pageantry and colourful, and there are fun fairs, music, dances and boat races participated by both women rowing with their legs.

Kalaw

Kalaw, which lies about 71 km west of Taunggyi, is a beautiful hill station surrounded by the mountains. It is a peaceful summer resort with meandering mountain streams and fragrant pine woods. There are Palaung villages nearby and tribes people in their colorful costumes can be seen at Kalaw market held very five days.

Pindaya

Pindaya, situated at the foot of the Mene-Taung Range about 45 km north Kalaw, is a picturesquare place. This small quiet town is famous for its caves in which thousands of centuries-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. The road from Kalaw to Pindaya ( 38 km ) passes through a countryside of magnificent scenic beauty.

Shopping

Colourful and full of life, the markets are attraction for visitors in search of native life and souvenirs. Hand-woven Innlay bags and shawls, Shan Jackets, Zinmai longyis and other cotton materials, hand-made bamboo parasols, earthen pots with beautiful designs, bamboo hats and wooden sandals are available.

Kyaik Htiyo Pagoda

The Kyaik Htiyo Pagoda is the largest domestic tourism centre located about 130 miles ( 200 km ) from Yangon. It stands on a gold gilded boulder precarious perched on the edge of the hill over 1100 km above sea-level. There are many legands about the pagoda and Nat ( spiritual gods ) shrines along the 11 km uphill hike from the base camp to the pagoda. There is also a popualar belief that a person gains in wealth every time he climbs the hill. It is a test of one endurance and very exhilarating once a person reached the summit. The Kyaik Hto Hotel located on the hill side is in full view of pagoda Formely the pilgrimage seasons from October to May, but now it is accessible to go there the whole year.
Before 1996, coaches reach only Kinpun Base Camp at the foot of the hills from which visitors can trek uphill for about 11 km. At present, the trusteeship council of the Kyaik Htiyo Pagoda has already constructed the new motor-car road up to the foot of the hills highest destination to climb all the seasons for the deevotees and visitors. Porters and palanquins are available to carry luggage and pilgrims who are too old or weak.

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