A
s far as lakes go, Inle Lake is one
of Myanmar’s – if not Southeast
Asia’s – most anticipated
destinations in recent years
and the hype surrounding it is definitely
justified. Inle Lake has been designated as
a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is one of
Asia’s and the world’s, most exciting tourism
destinations as travellers start to rediscover
the beauty of Myanmar, a country that had
been plagued by political unrest for so long.
Inle Lake is a serene one that is fringed
by marshes and floating gardens and it
breathes with culture from the Buddhist
temples by the water’s edge and Intha
fishermen that make a living within the lake.
Surrounding the scenic region are also hills
that are home to Burmese minorities who
descend from their villages to the bustling
markets near Inle Lake.
This buzzing region is where the new
Best Western Thousand Island Hotel has
positioned itself. The newest Best Western
property in Myanmar sits on the riverfront
of Nyaung Shwe, the city north of Inle
Lake that acts as the main trade and
transportation gateway to Inle.
Best Western Thousand Island Hotel
provides a total of 48 rooms, all of which
are equipped with comfortable beds, free
WiFi, flat screen TVs with international
channels, and other amenities. In terms ofMaking waves
at
Inle Lake
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has arrived in one
of Southeast Asia’s most alluring and enchanting
destinations in Myanmar’s Shan State
facilities, guests can expect highlights like
a relaxing soak in the hot tub after a day of
exploring the region, or enjoying a game of
billiards with friends at the billiard room.
For refreshments, spend mealtimes at the
riverfront café that has indoor and outdoor
seating to enjoy views of the lively activity
down by the river. Otherwise, the perfect
place to end the day is at the rooftop bar.
The bar serves up freshly made cocktails and
offers a spectacular view of the sun setting
over the Shan Hills in the distance.
From Best Western Thousand Island, there
are a number of attractions near Nyaung
Shwe. The town was once the capital of an
important Shan kingdom and the former
Haw (palace) of the last Saopha (sky prince)
can be visited at the Cultural Museum.
The imposing and melancholic structure is
mostly empty with the exception of a few
dusty displays but the museum is still worth
a visit to photograph the stately structure.
Another place to visit near Best Western
Thousand Island is Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung,
the most photographed monastery in
Nyaung Shwe. Its characteristic oval
windows are what attract hundreds of
travellers to the monastery as they give a
certain voyeuristic glimpse into the lives
of the monks who live there. The small
monastery consists of two buildings, one
where the monks sleep and eat, and onemain congregation hall that has been made
entirely of beautifully carved wood and
contains a number of Buddha statues. One
of the best times to visit is just before noon
when the monks gather in the temple to
meditate. The monks welcome tourists to
take photographs, as long as their space
is respected and tourists take care not to
disrupt any ceremonial rituals. There’s even
a yard outside the temple where the monks
spend their recreational time playing football
and socialising with each other.
Best Western Thousand Island Hotel is the
international hotel group’s third property in
Myanmar, joining the Best Western Green Hill
Hotel and Best Western Chinatown Hotel, both
of which are located in downtown Yangon. WORDS: RAEWYN KOH. PHOTOGRAPHS: FLICKR / SYEEFA AKA RUZI95, FLICKR / CLAY GILLILAND