188EASTERN MYANMAR
INLE LAKE
019; http://www.gicmyanmar.com; r $50-70; i) Owned
by a cooperative of Pa-O tribal people, the
Golden Island Cottages resorts provide some
of the best accommodation on the lake. The
Nampan resort has a great location over
open water while the Thale U resort is closer
to shore. Both resorts off er attractive, raised
cottages linked by wooden walkways, ar-
ranged around a central restaurant serving
good Chinese, Pa-O and Shan dishes. The
owners can arrange treks and boat trips to
Kakku and Sankar – they have an offi ce in
Nyaungshwe on Phaung Daw Seiq Rd.Inle Princess Resort BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$$
(Map p 185 ; %209 055; http://www.inleprincessresort.
com; bungalows $160-250; ai) The Inle Prin-
cess is honeymoon material. The stylish
wooden cottages would not look out of place
in an Asian design magazine, with hand-
made furniture, luxurious fabrics, potted
plants and ethnic artefacts on the walls. The
more expensive bungalows have plant-fi lled
sun decks facing the lake.Hu Pin Hotel Inle Khaung
Daing Village Resort HOTEL $$$
(Map p 185 ; %209 291; http://www.hupinhotelmyanmar.
com; Kaung Daing; r/cottage/ste $50-70/70-80/150)
Owned by the same people as the Hu Pin Ho-
tel in Nyaungshwe, this vast compound of 86
rooms and bungalows sits on dry land facing
the lake. The wooden bungalows are com-
fortable and well cared for and feature great
views over the lake.Shwe Inn Tha HOTEL $$$
(Map p 185 ; %209445; http://www.myanmar-inleshweinntha- fl oatinghotel.com; Nam Pan; bungalow/ste $80/150;
ais) Open since 1996, this is the upscale
version of the nearby Golden Island Cottages
Nampan. Accommodation here takes the
form of deluxe bungalows or suites elevated
over water. Rooms are fully equipped and this
is the only resort on Inle Lake with its own
pool.
Inle Lake View HOTEL $$$
(Map p 185 ; %209 332; http://www.inlelakeview.com; Kaung
Daing; r $120-130, ste $155-165, villa $220; i) Lo-
cated on dry land at Kaung Daing, the rooms
here are spread over several buildings a short
walk from the shores of Inle Lake. There are
only two free-standing villas, but all rooms
are spacious and tastefully furnished.Inle Resort BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$$
(Map p 185 ; %209 361; http://www.inleresort.com; Maing
Thauk; cottages $75-120; ai) Opened in 2005,this handsome resort is centred on a palatial
wooden restaurant and lobby. The stylish
cottages feature huge picture windows and
private sun decks facing the lake.Sky Lake HOTEL $$$
(Map p 185 ; %209 128; http://www.inleskylake.com; Maing
Thauk; bungalows $50-60) Sky Lake has the typ-
ical setup of a water-bound Inle Lake resort
but with a slightly more aged feel than its
direct neighbour, Paradise Inle Resort.Paradise Inle Resort HOTEL $$$
(Map p 185 ; %209 586; Maing Thauk; bungalows
$60-100; i) Next door to Sky Lake, this new-
er fl oating resort is similar to its neighbour,
but feels comparatively overpriced. 5 Eating
As well as the resorts, there are numerous
fl oating restaurants in stilt houses on the
lake that off er good Chinese and Shan food,
cold beers and English-language menus.
The greatest concentration of restaurants
is in Ywama, but there are also some good
choices around Nampan.Inn Thar Lay CHINESE, BURMESE $$
(Map p 185 ; %209 451; Tha Ley; mains K5000-6000;
hall day) This restaurant, with two branches
near Phaung Daw Oo Paya, gets good reviews
and has its own vegetable garden.Around Inle Lake
TAUNGGYI
etC='äkI"
%081 / POP C150,000
Although travellers make a beeline for Ny-
aungshwe, Taunggyi is the administrative
capital for the whole of Shan State. Perched
on top of a mountain, it’s a busy trading post
and the town markets are piled high with
Chinese and Thai goods, freighted in daily
via the border crossings at Mong La and
Tachileik. Unless you’ve spent too much time
in rural Shan State and are pining for the big
city and/or consumer goods, there’s really
little of interest here for the average visitor. 1 Sights
Shan State Cultural Museum
& Library MUSEUM
rHm'" ̈p–'ny'yw'ekY"múu ̈ptiuk' NH=¾'
cCäk–¾'tiuk''
(Bogyoke Aung San Rd; admission $2; h9.30am-
4pm Tue-Sun) With such a strong emphasis on
tribal costumes, we reckon this place could