Inle

Inle, commonly known as Inle Lake, is a large freshwater lake in the Nyaungshwe District of Shan State, Myanmar. It lies in the southern part of the Shan Hills, at an elevation of about 900 meters above sea level, with the town of Nyaungshwe on its western shore and Taunggyi to the southeast. The lake is renowned for its scenic beauty, floating gardens, and stilted villages that rise from the water.

The lake covers roughly 110 to 120 square kilometers and is relatively shallow, with depths of about 2 to 3 meters. It is fed by several small rivers and streams and experiences seasonal changes in water level. Floating gardens, created from layers of aquatic plants and sediments, are harvested for vegetables by local farmers. The surrounding area includes channels and islets, many of which host traditional monasteries and workshop villages.

Inle is inhabited by the Intha people, who are best known for their distinctive leg-rowing technique used to propel long, narrow boats. Houses and farms are built on stilts along the shoreline and on the lake’s floating platforms. Fishing remains an important activity, often conducted with conical nets or traditional gear, contributing to the local economy and culture.

Cultural attractions around Inle include the Phaung Daw U Pagoda, which houses five sacred Buddha images, and the Nga Hpe Kyaung, or Jumping Cat Monastery. Tourists commonly visit Indein and other pagodas, markets, and weaving workshops by boat. The lake faces environmental pressures from sedimentation and agricultural runoff, and conservation efforts involve local communities and governmental agencies.