lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

178

EASTERN MYANMAR

INLE LAKE

pagoda are ferried around the lake in a gilded

barge shaped like a hintha (the golden swan

of Burmese legend) visiting all the pagodas

in the area. The festival lasts for 18 days and

locals carry out energetic leg-rowing races on

the channels between the villages.

The pagoda festival is closely followed by

Thadingyut, which marks the end of Waso

(Buddhist Lent).

 8 Information

There is a compulsory $5 government fee to

enter the Inle Lake area, which you must pay on

arrival at the permit booth (Map p 178 ; h6am-

9pm) by the bridge at the entrance to Nyaung-

shwe. We cruised into town on an extremely

packed bus from Taunggyi and circumvented

paying the fee, and we were never asked to show

proof of payment later, suggesting the authori-

ties may not take it very seriously. Best to be on

the safe side, though.

Nyaungshwe

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The main traveller centre for the Inle Lake

area, Nyaungshwe is a neat grid of streets

next to the main canal, also known as Nan

Chaung, leading down to the north end of

the lake. Originally known by the Shan name

Yaunghwe, the town was renamed Nyaungsh-

we (Golden Banyan) by the Bamar-dominated

authorities after independence in 1948.

 1 Sights & Activities

Yadana Man Aung Paya BUDDHIST TEMPLE

(Map p 178 ; Phaung Daw Seiq Rd; h6am-10pm) The

oldest and most important Buddhist shrine

in Nyaungshwe, this handsome gilded stupa

is hidden away inside a square compound

south of the Mingala Market. The stepped

stupa is unique in Myanmar, and the sur-

rounding pavilion contains a museum of

treasures amassed by the monks over the

centuries, including carvings, lacquerware

and dance costumes.

Buddha Museum MUSEUM

(Map p 178 ; Museum Rd (Haw St); admission $2;

h9.30am-4pm Tue-Sun) Formerly the Museum

of Shan Chiefs, this sprawling government-

run museum has fallen victim to the govern-

ment crackdown on symbols of Shan ethnic

identity. Today the museum displays antique

buddha images rather than any objects that

might suggest a distinct Shan history and

culture. It’s worth coming here to see the

stately brick-and-teak haw (palace) of the

33rd and last Shan sao pha (sky lord), Sao

Shwe Thaike, who briefl y served as the fi rst

president of Independent Burma, before the

junta seized control.

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Pick-up

Stand

Golden

Island

Cottages

Per mit

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Ta x i S t a n d

Hospital

Independence

Monument

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Nyaungshwe e# 0500m00.25miles

‚

To Shwe Yaunghwe

Kyaung (1.5mi)

‚

To Kaung

Daing

(5mi)

‚

Yan Aung Nan Aung

Hsu Taung Pyi

‚ Pagoda (150m)

To Inle

Lake (3.5mi)

‚

To Princess

Garden Hotel

(150m) ‚

To Maing

Thauk (6mi)

‚