Inle Lake

Inle Lake is a freshwater lake located in Nyaungshwe town in Myanmar. It is the second-largest lake in the country and is a significant source of livelihood for more than 80,000 locals. It is also one of the most visited destinations with about a million tourists traveling to Inle every year.

The depth of Inle varies between 5 to 12 meters deep.  The people of the lake are called Intha, an ethnic community unique to Nyaungshwe. Fishing is their primary occupation, and the traditional fisheries involve fishers rowing on one leg and casting the net, which is a famous attraction for tourists. Cigar making, bamboo products, hand-made silk scarves, and silversmithing are other occupations of people inhabiting the villages surrounding Inle Lake. You can take boat trips to visit these factories and to witness life amidst Inle.

Between August to October, there are many festivals held in the lake, which attracts thousands of locals from nearby villages as well as tourists. The most famous are Phaung Daw U Festival, which is celebrated for 18 days, and Thadingyut, the festival of lights.