29 July
SOME significant sites including Inle Lake in Shan State are famous for its unspoiled natural sceneries. Inle Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in Myanmar, is surrounded by mountains at east and west and is located about 3,000 above sea level in Nyaung-shwe Township, Southern Shan State. It is also part of the UNESCO Bio Sphere for conservation of endangered species.
Over the past few years, Inle Lake has gained popularity among not only the globetrotters but also local trav-ellers. Normally, tourists used to throng Inle Region during the tourism season. But the number of local travellers who flock to the area has increased significantly during the public holidays, ac-cording to local tour operators. The sightseers visit ancient pago-das, handicraft industry, weaving industry, Maithauk Bridge, and a cultural museum in Nyaungshwe Township. Inle Lake is a popular tourist attraction spot with nat-ural scenery, ancient religious buildings, cultural customs of local people, handicraft industry, floating villages, floating farms, and the unique leg-rowing style of the residents. Exploring Inle Lake by boat should be a priority for visitors at home and abroad.
A hot spring near Mangpon Village about two miles from Namtkham Township, Northern Shan State is crowded with holidaymakers and is famous for visitors to take pleasure in the beautiful landscape around it. There are swimming pools for kids and adults, a water ski, playgrounds and natural bathing rooms for visitors. Sightseers from nearby villages in Namtkham, Mantweingyi and Muse Townships flock to the hot spring to relax their physical and mental stresses. The recreation area is teemed with vacationists on public holidays and summer. The restaurants and souvenir shops are also allowed to sell local cuisines and handicrafts for the guests.
Arrangements are being made to offer better services to holidaymakers who visit Shan Yoma Elephant Camp near Nant Pan Tet Village in Kalaw Township, Southern Shan State, said an official from the elephant camp. “We are cur-rently preparing some exciting schedules for local visitors and foreigners. Apart from elephant ride, sightseers will be able to take a walk to a small waterfall which is about two miles from the elephant camp, and take a bath in the natural pond. We will also extend the public lounges and build souvenir shops,” said Ko Sai Than Naing, In-charge of the camp.
Situated in Nant Pan Tet Village, a border village of Mandalay Region and Shan State and about 70 miles away from Meikhtila, vacationists can enjoy elephant rides in the forest, visit a village where mahouts reside, take bath in the waterfall’s pond and take photos and videos in the camp, he added. The natural relaxation camp was opened to public on 13 February 2018. Visitors will be entertained by ten elephants including two baby elephants.
By Kyaw Htike Soe
