Visit Inle Lake: Top 5 Best Things To Do & See

Inle Lake is located in eastern Myanmar, surrounded by the Shan Hills, which have a beautiful backdrop of undulating green mountains.

It is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, as well as unique culture and traditional lifestyle of the Intha people, who have called this lake home for generations.

There are many things and places to explore when visiting Inle Lake. 

Join Hanoi Voyages to find out when is the best time to visit, things to do in Inle Lake and the best hotels!

Best time to visit Inle Lake

Located in Shan State, Inle Lake is one of the popular tourist destinations in Myanmar. The weather in Inle Lake has a monsoonal climate. 

Cool and Dry Season (November to February): This is the most pleasant time to visit Inle Lake. It is appropriate for outdoor activities. 

Hot Season (March to May): This season is characterized by rising temperatures and increasing humidity. It's the driest time of year, with minimal rainfall.

Wet Season (June to October): This is the monsoon season, with heavy rainfall and occasional storms.

To sum up, the dry season is the best time to visit Inle Lake because the temperature is slightly cooler and there is less rain. Even though it has insignificant temperature variation within the whole year, you can expect a significant temperature drop in the mornings and evenings.

Things to do in Inle Lake

Visit Floating Gardens

Exploring the floating gardens of Inle Lake is a fascinating and unique experience. These gardens are a vibrant patchwork of cultivated land nestled among the pristine waters of the lake, creating a surreal and beautiful sight.

The farming method used here is considered the most unique in the world. They make floating beds out of lake bottom weeds and aquatic plants, mainly water hyacinth. These beds are anchored to the lakebed with bamboo poles, ensuring they stay in place.

Watch as local farmers go about their work using traditional and sustainable methods. They navigate their long-tail boats among the floating beds, tending to the crops and using the lake water for irrigation.

Explore Indein Village

A village in Inle Lake that you can explore is Indein. It is a small village located West of Inle Lake that is well-known for its market and two groups of ancient pagodas. The village is reached by boat through the Inn Thein creek, a long narrow canal. 

One of the highlights of Indein is the Shwe Indein Pagoda complex, which consists of hundreds of weather-beaten stupas that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. 

Walking through the pagoda complex, you'll feel like you're in a "stupa forest" with overgrown vegetation covering many of the stupas. It's a photogenic and somewhat mystical atmosphere.

Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is located on a channel that runs from Ywama to Than Lay and this is widely regarded as one of the most sacred and iconic religious sites in this part of Shan State. 

The temple is known for the unique ritual of applying gold leaf to the Buddha images. It's a symbolic and revered practice that highlights the devotion of the local Intha people.

Experience the 5-Day Market

The 5-Day Market is so named because it rotates through five different locations around Inle Lake, following a fixed schedule. Every day, the market opens in a different village, bringing people from various communities together.

Each market day has its own specialties. the market at InDein Village, for example, is known for traditional Shan clothing and textiles. At the Maing Thauk market, you'll find fresh fish and vegetables, while the Nyaung Shwe market is a great place to explore the diversity of local produce and traditional crafts.

The 5-Day Market is a fantastic place to shop for unique souvenirs. You can find locally made items, including handwoven textiles, silverware, Shan umbrellas, and various traditional crafts.

Take a Shan cooking class

The area around Inle Lake is well-known for its delicious Shan cuisine and now you can also learn how to make this for yourself. You can research and choose a cooking class in a location that offers Shan cooking classes. Inle Lake, Kalaw, and Nyaung Shwe in Myanmar are popular destinations for these classes. 

Most cooking classes here will take you to the local market first where you can learn about the local ingredients used in Shan cooking. You'll have the pleasure of savoring the dishes you've prepared after you've finished cooking. It's a satisfying and delectable experience.

Best hotels in Inle Lake

Mingalar Inn

Mingalar Inn is the best budget hotel located in Inle Lake, Nyaung Shwe. The hotel promises a relaxing and wonderful visit. It's easy to go shopping, to go to restaurants and visit famous landscapes from the hotel. Rated with 3 stars, this high-quality hotel provides guests with access to the restaurant and outdoor pool on-site. 

Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min Hotel

Located on the beautiful and peaceful Inle Lake in Myanmar, Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min offers accommodations with lake, garden or hill views. These spacious villas and suites feature a modern style with touches of traditional Myanmar style. The resort also offers free use of bicycles for guests to explore Inle Lake and the surrounding area.

La Maison Birmane Boutique Hotel

Blending contemporary and Asian architecture, each accommodation is appointed with a seating area, a ceiling fan, and air conditioning. Guest can relax at the private terrace with parasol and sun loungers overlooking lush vegetable garden. This 3-star hotel is packed with in-house amenities designed to enhance the quality and enjoyment of your stay.

81 Hotel Inlay

Located at the Nyaung Shwe part of Inle Lake, the 3-star hotel offers a sophisticated blend of contemporary Burmese style, contemporary comfort and privileged services. There is also a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities.