I am coming back to this charming place the second time. Inle Lake in Shan State is famous for a number of reasons, including the natural beauty of the landscape, the picturesque villages and pagodas that rise on stilts from the placid water, and the colourful lifestyles of the people of different ethnic groups who live on and around the lake. There is a traditional five-day market rotation in the villages. Located in the cool green highlands, the lake itself sits 870 metres above sea level.

It is famous for the local Intha fishermen who row their boats using their legs. Many of them live directly on the lake. They are well-known for the unique technique they use to propel their boats: Standing on one leg on the prow, they use the other leg to push the paddle through the water.

The standing position allows them to see fish so they know where to place their nets, and the use of the legs allows them to save their arms from overuse. Most Intha houses are built on wooden pilings above the water. Building materials include wood, bamboo and palm thatch. At the front of the house are the living room with a Buddhist shrine and bedroom. The Intha do not have the custom of separate bedrooms: All the family members sleep in the same room, including married couples, single siblings and parents.

There are four major businesses for the Intha: fishing, farming, weaving and gold- and silver-smithing.

More and more tourists are discovering the pitturesque Inle Lake. There are even vineyards around the lake. In fact, Myanmar probably is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of fine wine. But with the right elevation and well-watered, limestone-rich soils the region is providing good growing conditions for Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Moscato grapes.

In the future tourism will play the main part for the inhabitants, I am sure.

“As a motor boat driver, I earn Kyat 15.000 (15 US-Dollar) for a month and I also receive tips from the visitors. For now our family’s floating garden is left unused. My parents might go back to farming later, but they are still undecided.”
23-year-old motor boat driver

“It’s not our nature to go out at night and sit at teashops or beer stations. We stay home at night and only go out if there are any matters to attend to. Our fun time is during pagoda festivals, and at those times we go out at night and visit around.”
Shop owner