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Inle Lake
 This vast lake is located in the heart of
Shan State which shares borders with Thai & Laos. And it climbs
up to over 900 metres above sea level and outrageously
beautiful. Inle Lake is located in the mountains so it is cooler
than other areas. More than 30 hill tribes are living in the
mountains.
This vast picturesque lake, 900 metres above sea-level, is one
of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar. The lake, 22 km long
and 10 km across, has a population of some 150,000, many of whom
live on floating islands of vegetation. Inle Lake, natural and
unpolluted, is famous for its scenic beauty and the unique
leg-rowing of the Inthas, the native lake dwellers.
Inle Lake, natural and unpolluted, is famous for its scenic
beauty and the unique leg rowing of the Inthas, the native lake
dwellers. High hills rim the lake on both sides. The lakeshore
and lake islands bear 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by
the Intha people
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One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar, this
pagoda houses five small Buddha images. Once a year, in end
Sept-early Oct., there is a pagoda festival during which the
five Buddha images are rowed around the Lake in a colourful
barge.
Situated in Inle Lake, one of the most dazzlirng and magical
places in Asia. It is held on a grand scale for 18 days, usually
falls in October (sometimes in September). Four Buddha Images
out of five from Phaung-daw-oo Pagoda are carried on royal barge
and conveyed around 14 villages on the Lake. The barge is towed
by the boats of leg -rowers and hundreds of boats follow the
procession. The large crowds of people gather on the lake-shores
to celebrate the occasion. It is really a splendid sight.
Among the dance shows and fun-fairs, the most interesting event
of the festival, especially for foreigners, is their boat race -
due to their unique leg rowing. It is the one and only place in
the world that one can see such marvelous act. This year
Phaugdawoo Pagoda festival will begin on 22nd September and end
on 9th October 28th of September and 2nd of October are
special　recommend for taking photographs.
One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar, this pagoda
houses five small Buddha images, which are much revered by the
lake-dwellers. Once a year, in late September - early October,
there is a pagoda festival during which, four of the five Buddha
images tour around the lake in a colorful.
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It is one of the small villages of Inle Lake located
on the western bank of the lake. A Buddha image has enshrined at
a whitewashed stupa, which is on the summit of a hill. Below the
stupa around the hill are cluster of hundreds of ancient stupas
most are ruins overgrown with bushes. The pagoda hill is quiet
and calm. One could feel the pleasant cool breeze with the sweet
rings of the bells hanging at the umbrella of the stupa.
Mesmerizing view from pagoda hill release the fatigue and
refresh everybody who ascend to the peak.
This mysterious place is at the end of the marvelous Indein
creek, which connected with Inle Lake just after the Phaung Daw
Oo Pagoda. The creek is narrow with many twist and turns. Since
the both sides are paddy fields you can see the farmers
ploughing and harrowing by water buffaloes. At the lunch time
while groups of farmers having lunch the water buffaloes enjoy
themselves dipping in the creek. At many places in the creek the
farmers dam up the water by bamboo barriers to irrigate the
paddy fields. Indein water is not only useful for irrigation
also for bathing and washing cloths. It is compulsory to see
Novice monks, buffalo boys and village girls wash and swim in
the creek.
It will take a 45 minute boat ride. The pagoda and stupas built
in the 8th century and rows of shops are famous. Trekking
enthusiasts can climb up Mt. Shwe U Daung, 3000 ft above sea
level, in 90 minutes.
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This is an attractive wooden monastery built on
stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850s. 25 minutes boat ride to visit and
ancient monastery built on huge pieces of teak wood with
traditional architecture and see the popular jumping cats leap
through the hoops.
Taung Gyi is situated in the sourthern Shan
State and is the capital town of Shan States. It is 4,712 feet
above the sealevel and has a moderate climate. It is situated on
a high plateau surrounded by high mountains.
As Taung Gyi lies on a hill region, the atmosphere is conducive
to good health especially by means of the salubrious mountain
air. It usually rains in Taung Gyi from June to November and
average annual rainfall is 32.68 inches.
Taung Gyi can be reached by road, rail or air from all parts of
the country. The distance between Yangon and Taung Gyi is 456
miles and can be reached by road directly. The road to Taung Gyi
is full of bends and zigzags and, seen from above, resembles a
snake. One can have a good view of the surrounding area while
travelling along this road. As soon as you enter Taung Gyi, the
magnificent Sao Sam Htun Hospital can be seen first and further
on there are the Taung Gyi Department Store, the market,
Dhammayon (congregation hall), Agricultural Bank, cinemas and
shops and stores, restaurants, churches, Shan State Cultural
Museum, Taunggyi Degree College, the golf course and residential
buildings. There are pines, cherry and eucalyptus trees growing
all over the town and the whole area is green and pleasant. The
busiest part of Taung Gyi is the Myoma Market, a place where
people from the environs used to flock only once every five days
to buy and sell their regional products. Now it has become a
daily market and is constantly crowded with people. It is also
the gathering point of different national races residing in
Taung Gyi.
Another interesting place to visit in Taung Gyi is the Cultural
Museum where cultural objects, musical instruments, traditional
dresses, household and farm implements, paintings, sculptures,
arts and crafts of the different national races residing in Shan
State can be seen. There are also 'Hawnans" (palatial
residences) where the Shan Sawbwas (Shan Chieftains) used to
live can also be observed. The most significant festival in
Taung Gyi is the Tazaungdine Lighting Festival. During this
festival, hot-air balloon competitions are held. In such
competitions, balloons with dangling fire-works, multicoloured
lights and parachutes are released. This traditional festival
has been held annually for the last 60 years or more. The beauty
of Taung Gyi and its environs can be viewed from top of the many
mountains surrounding the town. There are two pagodas on the
mountains: the Myaseintaung and Lwan Zedi. The beauty of the
surrounding area can be viewed from Myaseintaung Zedi. A
souvenir of the region to take home is the famous Shan bag.
One of the Asia's largest and most
spectacular ancient monuments is a wonderful Pagoda named Kakku.
It contains over 2,000 stupas with origins dating back many
centuries. Its exists not only as an outstanding example of
tradition art and architecture but also as a testament to the
religious devotion of one of Myanmar's many ethnic minorities,
the Pa-Oh. For many centuries, the Pa-Oh has lived in peace,
cultivating their land and devoting much of their energy and
limited wealth to creating monasteries and pagodas.
Kakku is in the territory of Pa-Oh people. There are over 2000
stupas packed closely together in ranks and covering an area
perhaps a square kilometer. The main stupa is around 40 meters
high, the mass of the spire surrounding it uniformly. But each
one is an individual masterpiece. The particular remarkable
about the whole site is its good state of preservation.
Originally each one must have been topped by a gilded metal hti,
the multi tiered umbrella-like feature, which is typical of
Myanmar
Pagodas. Many of these are tilted on fallen. External rendering
of mortar and stucco has crumbled away on others, exposing the
brick core while trees have established themselves in a few,
threatening to split them apart. But so much of the originals
still exist that this site must be free of the destructive force
of earthquakes, which have periodically ravaged many of the
Myanmar's other monuments.
External decoration on many of the stupas is simple, almost
sparse, the builders, having concentrated on pure grace and form
for effect, but other features elaborate decoration. Traditional
motifs weave intricate patterns of arabesques and stems, to
create a delicate tracery of the highest artistic merit.
Even more fascinating are the many figures, carved in stucco and
apparently originally brightly painted, which adorn corner or
pay silent homage beside the niches in the base, many of which
still contain antique Buddha images. Angels, musicians, dancers-
all created with consummate skill.
The legend says that the first stupas were created by King
Alaungsithu, the 12th century King of Bagan. The decorative
sculptures and figures are 17th or 18th century but some of the
structures are clearly much older.
The remoteness of the site and reluctance of the local people
allow visitors has helped to preserve its sculptures and
artistic treasures to a degree, unknown in other ancient
monuments in Myanmar.
Kakku is a priceless piece of mankind heritage, a truly splendid
example of the creative talent of remarkable people.
Kalaw stands high on the western edge of the
Shan Plateau. It is 70 km west of Taung Gyi, about halfway along
the Thazi-Taung Gyi road. This was a popular hill station in the
British days and it is still a peaceful and quiet place. At an
altitude of 1320 m it is also pleasantly cool and a good place
for hiking amid gnarled pines, bamboo groves and rugged mountain
scenery. You can make interesting excursions around Kalaw. The
population is a mix of Shan, Indian Muslims, Bamars and Nepalis
(Gurkhas retired from British military service), many of whom
are missionary educated. Places of interest are Thein Taung
Pagoda, Aung Chan Tha Pagoda, Su Taung Pyae Pagoda and the King
Church.
Pindaya is a small quiet town perched on the
bank of the palcid Botoloke Lake. Pindaya cave is a huge cavern
where hundreds and thoundsands of Buddha images in various size
and shape are installed since the 11th century. The winding
galleries and nooks and corners are ideal places of insight
meditation since the olden days. Huge monastery compounds with
numerous pagodas and temples in different stages of dilapidation
are much respected by such ethnic groups as the Shans, Danus and
Paos living in the environs of Pindaya.
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The ancient caves are about one mile southwest of the
town, and can be reached by taking a horse-cart, or motoring
there by jeep or just walking along on foot. Except for the
young and energetic, the best way is to go leisurely be
horse-cart to the foot of the hills, reserving your energy for
the 200 steps up the covered stairway leading to the cave
entrance and for exploring the huge meandering maze made up of
numerous caves.
 The caves are supposed to be 200,00 million
years old and since ancient times they have been places of
worship and veneration with 8,094 Buddha images made from
various materials like teak wood, marble, alabaster, brick,
cement and lacquer, and all enshrined in the nooks and corners
of the winding caverns. At the entrance to the main cave thee is
a pagoda 50 feet in height. This pagoda is called Shwe U-min
Hpaya or the Golden Cave pagoda. The tazaung or prayer hall was
built by the famous hermit U Khanti who also built many of the
religious edifices on Mandalay Hill. The entire length of the
cave is 490 feet. The numerous stalactites and stalagmites in
these limestone caves, from fanciful shapes and have given rise
to such names as the "Fairy Princess Loom", "Posts for tying
horses and elephants" and so on. Some of the smaller caves used
meditation chanmers are accessible only if you crawl in on your
knees and elbows. Visitors should plan to stay for one or two
nights in Pindaya to explore the natural beauties all around;
the tranquil lake, the limestone caves, the ancient pagodas and
images and the lovely old trees.
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