This pristine and preserved area of Inle Lake will cost you 11,000 per person upon arrival. I found no information about this during my research before I traveled to Myanmar, so I was a little shocked when someone boarded the bus and demanded money before letting us enter Inle Lake. Inle Lake is the second-largest freshwater lake in Myanmar and is home to a number of endemic species. During the dry season the lake is only around 2 meters in depth. The people that inhabit Inle Lake live a very simple life in houses made of wood sitting on bamboo stilts. They are mainly farmers and craft-workers. Many people commute using long wooden boats, and local fishermen practice a unique, yet artistic rowing technique that involves standing and wrapping one leg around an oar.

 

Where To Stay
Staying in the town of Nyaung Shwe, located at the northern tip of Inle Lake, gives travelers the most options. Nyaung Shwe is a tiny, quiet town with a few local restaurants and pubs, a small market, and a cute travel agency. You can easily access boat tours to explore the lake from this area.

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What To Do

• Get On The Water
  Book a tour to see the lake – the entire lake. I booked a day trip that started at sunrise and ended at sundown. The entire day was spent on the lake looking at the landscape, the adorable houses on stilts that line the lake, stopping at some local shops and learning about the vendor's trade, eating a delicious lunch, and even visiting a woman with a stretched neck – all while bonding with the humble local people. I decided to share a boat with some folks that I met during my travels, and the price was unbeatable. The price was 5,000 MMR per person for a shared boat with three other travelers. The price starts at 20,000 MMR and above for a private boat. Tours of Inle Lake can be booked from your accommodation or at the local travel agency. Don’t forget to tip your boat captain, after all – he did spend his entire day with you and probably gave you some awesome local advice.

• See Silver Smithing
  Visit a local silver smith and see how beautiful jewelry is made by hand. I witnessed a man melt down silver, mold it, and shape it with his own hands and a few tools.
• Make Some Pottery
  Sit down with some locals and help them make some pottery! It is a fun way to bond with the locals, use your hands and get artsy. Plus, if you’re any good, you can take home a nice piece of pottery you made in Myanmar – talk about an interesting souvenir!