Inlay

The second largest natural lake in Myanmar located in the middle of Nyaungshwe valley between the two parallel mountain ranges running north to south in the southern Shan State. There are flights from both Yangon and Mandalay. It can be reached 660 km by road from Yangon and 330 km by road from Mandalay. Inlay Lake is shallow, 22 km long and 10 km wide, 1300 metres above the sea level among the hazy blue mountains. Inlay's most unusual feature is its extraordinary 'leg-rowing fishermen' who have developed an original, eccentric method of rowing their small boats with one leg. Floating gardens are built-up from strips of water hyacinth and mud, dredged from the lakebed. Villages, farms and monasteries perch over the water on stilts. Visitors may observe cottage industries of weaving, netting and cheroot making etc.

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda - One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar, this pagoda houses five small Buddha images. Once a year, the Lights Festival coincident with Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda festival from end September to early October. The festival revolves around the procession of four sacred images, which usually reside with a fifth image at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda for worship by the faithful all year round. For 18 days, the four images are taken out of Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and carried in a spectacular procession around the 200 villages dotting Inlay Lake, with an overnight stop at a pagoda in one of the villages.

Nga Phe Kyaung - Nga Phe Kyaung, a wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake four years before the construction of Mandalay Palace. It's known as the Jumping Cat Monastery because the monks there have trained a few cats to leap through small hoops. But a better reason to visit is to see the modest collection of Buddha images in Shan, Tibetan, Bagan and Inwa styles. Just as impressive as the Buddhas themselves are the tall, highly ornate, wood-and-mosaic pedestals and cases built for the images.

Shwe Indein Pagoda - One of the small villages of Inlay 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. Memorizing view from pagoda hill release the fatigue and refresh everybody who ascend to the peak. This mysterious place is at the end of the marvellous Indein creek, which connected with Inlay 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.

Kalaw - This old hill station on the rim of the Shan Plateau, in the Pineland, remains a favorite place for holidays. The main attractions of Kalaw are the town itself, with its mock-tutor colonial bungalows, its ethnic mix of people, and it's setting within trekking distance of many ethnic minority villages. Situates 1,400 metres above sea-level. It is located 70 km west of Taunggyi. Many of the Tudor-style houses and English gardens of colonial days remain. In the neighborhood lie villages of Palaung and other hill tribes who come to Kalaw market held every five days in their colorful costumes, adding to the quiet attraction of Kalaw.

Pindaya - Situated at the foot of Mene-taung Range and about 45 km north of Kalaw is a picturesque place called Pindaya. It is known to the world as the home of the countless Buddha Images in its extensive lime stone caves and picturesque lake. The main sight in the area is Pindaya Cave, locally known as Shwe Oo Min Cave and unique Shan traditional paper umbrella making works. The limestone caves contain a maze of chambers with 6,226 Buddha statues. Some of them are tiny, others are huge, and are made of white marble, bronze or plaster, coated with gold leaf. Some of the smaller caves within the complex serve as meditation chambers. Scenic drive over the rolling hills of the Shan plateau through colorful mustard and wheat field. The road from Kalaw to Pindaya (38 km) passes through countryside of magnificent scenic beauty.

Taunggyi - Taunggyi, a splendid cool ! pine clad natural resort, the capital of Shan State is situated over 1430 metres above sea-level. It is a nice place to relax and enjoy the sight of colourfully dressed hill tribes people.

Kakku - Kakku is a unique temple complex of more than 2500 stupas, that has lied hidden in the Pa-0 heart and of southern Shan State for centuries. Unknown to the outside world for years until recently, these exquisite monuments can now be visited, a day trip from Inlay Lake.
 

Kyaing Tong - Kyaing Tong, the capital city is located in the corner of Shan State, in the Golden Triangle Region. It is an old colonial town, 456 km northeast of Taunggyi near the China and Thailand border. There are many tribes such as Khun, Wa, Shan, Akha, Anh, Palaung and Lahu hill tribes with their colourful dresses. Visitors can use regular flights from Yangon to Kyaing Tong. Attraction include; Yom-Gone Pottery Village, Kyaing Tong Lacquerware workshop, trekking nearby villages and morning market of local hill tribes.