Ousted from their lands by warring neighbours, the resident tribe of Inle Lake took to the water and developed a culture that has survived for centuries, living in houses built on stilts and cultivating crops of floating seed beds. Nestled in a hollow of the Shan plateau, Inle Lake is the focus of attention for the surrounding area and provides some good opportunities to see local tribes.

Numerous villages surround it and floating markets are held on a rotational basis. Religious deities travel the lake by boat visiting each of the villages with boats being rowed by men using a curious combination of just one leg and an oar. A number of good hotels have been built at the edge of the lake making it a peaceful place to spend a few days.