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The nearest town for reasonable accommodation is Nyaungshwe. Other than the local vineyards or hiking to/ from the area, the lake is the key attraction but do check out the blog about cycling around the area. There's so much more to see.
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Accommodation
Most of hotels do not have Wi-Fi. Generally, they are of a basic standard and have fixed prices in the high season. Accommodation normally has en-suite bathroom facilities and a fan, unless mentioned otherwise. High season it gets crazy for accommodation, so book ahead and confirm again on your day of travel.
Aquarius Inn
Address: 2 Phaung Daw Pyan Rd
Prices from: Single $16, Double $25, Triple $33
Includes: breakfast, fan
Tel: 081 209 352/ 081 209 615/ 09 521 4852/ 09 521 0190 Email: Aquarius352@gmail.com
This is one of the most popular places to stay in Nyaungshwe. Aquarius has a lovely courtyard area for a relaxing drink with other travellers. It is away from the noise of the road and the river-boats but is directly opposite a temple that is known to play out Buddhists chants over loud-speakers. There are better rooms at other hotels, but for price and package you can see why this is popular. Note – bookings are NOT taken via email.
Big Drum
Address: Main Canal (Western side, south of Taik Nan Bridge)
Prices from: Dorm $5 (no breakfast), Single $10, Double $20-28, Triple $35
Includes: breakfast, fan
Tel: 081 209 146 Email: Web:
Located on the east of town, just over the river, Big Drum is the name of the restaurant. Downside is that the rooms could do with a fresh lick of paint (just wear-and-tear, not damp) upside is that a hearty breakfast is served out in the restaurant overlooking the river. $28 rooms have en-suite bathrooms though these really could do with some work!
Bright Hotel
Address: 53 Phaung Daw Seiq Rd
Prices from: Single $, Double $, Triple (family room) $30
Includes: breakfast
Tel: 081 209 137 Email: Web:
Gold Star
Address: Corner Kyauktain Road and Phaung Daw Pyan Rd
Prices from: Single $20-30, Double $30-45, Triple $45-60
Includes: TV, fridge, breakfast, Wi-Fi
Tel: 081 209 200 Email: GoldStarHtl@gmail.com
Superior rooms have that little more space and a better level of décor. Triple rooms are only available in a superior room. Upgrade the standard single for +$5 or the double for +$10.
Goodwill Inn
Address: Behind KBZ Bank on Main Rd
Prices from: Single $20, Double $40, Triple $50
Includes: breakfast, AC
Tel: 081 209 729 Email: Web:
From the outside a new and comfortable looking hotel. But inside doesn’t live up to the expectations set on first glance. At the time of enquiry the receptionist spoke very little English, but was very proud to show me the room that my parents could stay in if they ever visited!
Gypsy Inn
Address: 82 Kann Nar Rd
Prices from: Double 15,000Ks, Triple Ks
Includes: breakfast, fan, Wi-Fi, shared bathroom
Tel: 081 209 144 Email: Web:
Homely, comfortable and clean. For an extra 15,000Ks you can get a bathroom as well.
Golden Empress
Address: 19 Phaung Daw Pyan Rd
Prices from: Single $20, Double $30, Triple $40
Includes: breakfast, small private balcony, fan, Wi-Fi
Tel: 081 209 037 Email: GoldenEmpressHotel@gmail.com Web: FB: GoldenEmpressHotel
Big rooms and comfortable.
Joy Hotel
Address: Jetty Road (signposted from Yone Gyi Rd)
Prices from: Single $12-15, Double $22-28, Triple $36
Includes: breakfast, Wi-Fi
Tel: 081 209 083 Email: joyhotelinle@gmail.com Web:
The rooms look adequate for the amount that you are paying. A communal balcony as well. The triple gets you a mini-fridge and a dual-channeled TV! One of the most responsive hotels in the area to email. Good location, super helpful staff, good balcony for breakfast. Overall a pleasant budget stay. Upper price is en-suite.
Ming Ga Lar Inn
Address: Phaung Daw Pyan Rd
Prices from: Double $25-60
Includes: breakfast, balcony, fan
Tel: 081 209 198 Email: MinGaLarInn@gmail.com Web: www.mingalarinn.multiply.com
The lower prices are in the older building. New building starts from $40. Plenty of rooms and plenty of options.
Nawng Kham - Little Inn
Address: Phaung Daw Pyan Rd
Prices from: Single $15, Double $20, Triple $30
Includes: breakfast, fan, en-suite
Tel: 081 209 195 Email: Web:
Opposite Aquarius, and subsequently next door to a temple, the Little Inn also has a relaxing courtyard area.
PYI
Address: 35 Phaung Taw Pyan Road
Price: Dorm $, Single $, Double $, Triple $
Includes: breakfast, fan, in-room safe, internet (via cable in the restaurant)
Tel: 081 209 706 Email: Web:
Doubles up as a guest house and restaurant. The prices are higher than some of the budget hotels in the same area, but well worth that extra $15 for a double. An independent shower room and toilet room separated by a very well presented washing area.
Queen Inn
Address: Main Canal (Western side, south of Taik Nan Bridge)
Price: Double $25-45
Includes: Wi-Fi, breakfast, balcony, en-suite
Tel: 081 209 544 Email: Queen.Inle@gmail.com
Just off the beaten track so if you’re struggling for accommodation, then this may be worth trying. A real mixture of rooms to choose from and even the cheapest ones are good.
Remember Inn
Address: Museum Road
Price: Single $15, Twin $25, Triple $35
Includes: breakfast, Wi-Fi, fan, en-suite
Tel: 081 209 257 Email: nittilay@gmail.com Web: www.RememberInn.Jimbo.com
A big place with lots of rooms. Its location is actually quite good, though because it appears further away on some of the travel guide maps, it gets overlooked. The rooms are well maintained and the staff very friendly so in some ways it is surprising that this isn’t the most popular hotel yet.
Teak Wood Guest House
Address: Kyaung Taw Anouk Road
Prices from: Single $40, Double $40, Triple $60, Bungalow $100
Includes: breakfast, AC, Wi-Fi
Tel: 081 209 250 / 081 209 499 Email: teakwood.htl@gmail.com Web: www.myanmar-asien.de
A new build hotel trying to set itself into the upmarket bracket. Prices listed are standard rooms, with upgrades to superior rooms costing +$10 per room. They have Wi-Fi, but as the owner is quick to point out “Please don’t think this is your country…. if it fails, it’s not our fault.”
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Because of the new hotels and their popularity, there are more and more restaurants opening on both Phaung Daw Seiq Road and Phaung Daw Pyan Road on what seems a weekly basis. This doesn’t mean that the area is busy, just that they are getting ready for the big bang. Most places are still pretty much closed up by 2100.
Big Drum
Address: Main Canal (Western side, south of Taik Nan Bridge)
Prices from: Starters/ Sides 1,500Ks, Mains 2,000Ks, Water 400Ks, Myanmar Beer 2,000Ks
Not much of a selection of food, more location, location; overlooking the river. Their own business card reads: Inle food, Chinese food and the others. Opposite one of the busier working jetties it is a lovely little trap though and an excellent place to watch the locals working throughout the day. Ah, and you’ll not go a full hour without seeing at least one local come down to the river to bathe! Gets our paw-print for an afternoon by the river.
Inle Pancake Kingdom
Address: Phaung Daw Seiq Road
Prices from: Starters/ Sides 1,500Ks, Mains 2,000Ks, Water 400Ks, Myanmar Beer 2,000Ks
A real mixture of snacks at a reasonable price. Had free Wi-Fi at the time of visit.
Indra Indian Food
Address: Yone Gyi Rd
Prices from: Starters/ Sides 1,500Ks, Mains 3,000Ks, Water 400Ks, Myanmar Beer 2,000Ks
Tandoori food available until 3pm and Biryani food needs to be ordered 24 hours in advance. They have rave reviews in their guest book that they present to you at the end of the meal. That said, we’ve been told the portions are small for the price and the food lacks flavour in comparison to the local Myanmar curries available.
Lin Htett Myanmar Traditional Food
Address: Yone Gyi Rd
Prices from: Starters/ Sides 1,500Ks, Mains 2,500Ks, Water 400Ks, Myanmar Beer 2,000Ks
Travellers choice according to some travel journals, so you’re most likely to bump into fellow travellers from along the route in here, as oppose to anywhere else in the area! Enjoy the hike to the toilets :-) A nice atmosphere and very friendly staff but we’ve personally not had any good reviews. A table of 7 and the most satisfied person didn’t eat. In comparison to other Myanmar dishes in the south, this is a poor contender.
Mee Mee’s Choice
Address: Phaung Daw Pyan Road
Prices from: Starters/ Sides 1,500Ks, Mains 2,000Ks, Water 400Ks, Myanmar Beer 2,000Ks
A real mixture of snacks at a reasonable price. Had free Wi-Fi at the time of visit.
Thauk Kyar Ki
Address: Yone Gyi Rd
Prices from: Mains 1,500Ks, Myanmar Beer 1,800Ks (draught 600Ks)
A proper local’s hang-out. Premiership football, draught beer and a menu that’s pure Myanmar! Dishes from fried-pigs gut in gravy to sweet-and-sour chicken? Not sure how they make that leap. But though we’ve had no travellers’ reviews, the food smelt good and the noodle portions looked to be healthy. Did we mention draught beer and Premiership football? Worth looking in if only to read the menu.
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Travel – local travel, arriving and leaving
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Bus
Arrival
If you arrive by bus to Inle Lake, it is likely you will be dropped at Sheyaung, 11km from Nyaungshwe. A taxi should cost around 8,000Ks for 4 people. If you have booked a ticket (and confirmed it several times with your hotel beforehand) all the way into town, then your driver should pay for the motor-cycle taxi for you.
Onward journeys
• Bago 15,000Ks
• Bagan 12,000Ks (0430, 0900)
• Mandalay 10,000-11,000Ks (0700, 1800, 2000)
• Yangon 14,000Ks (1700)
All onward journeys are from Sheyaung bus station. Most offer a free pick-up from your hotel. If not then a shared pickup from Nyaungshwe to Sheyaung bus station should cost around 1,000Ks.
Flight
Heho - Yangon $105 / taxi to airport from Nyaungshwe 15,000Ks
Inle Lake
Northern Lake
Part-day tour of Inle Lake boat tour 4 people 15 ,000Ks
All day tour
For 7 people 25,000Ks, 4 people 20,000Ks.
Red Mountain Estate Vineyard
An easy 15-20 minute cycle ride from Nyaungshwe. Tasting of 4 wines costs 2,000Ks and Chardonnay tasting costs 1000k. The sign notes opening from 9am - 6pm (sunset). An amazing place for a sunset view (described as something painted by Vango by our Italian representative of The Leaping Lemur!). Or see the
blog
Myanmar Vineyard (aka Aythaya vineyard)
Take a shared pick up from Nyaungshwe towards Taunggyi 1,000Ks, but don't get off to early , you will pass under the Taunggyi town gate, continue through Ayutthaya and up the hill , there will be a sign on your left and the entrance at the bend on your right. Tasting around 1,000Ksfor 4 wines/ glass around 2,000Ks/ seems to be open for dinner as well
What did you pay and are the times in your travel guide correct? Please share any essential information such as costs and opening times.
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Local Information
Banks
There are three banks in Nyaungshwe (Inle Lake). You’ll need your passport to exchange currency at the KBZ Currency Exchange.
Kanbawza Bank (KBZ)
Main Road
As well as a main branch on the opposite side of Main Road as you leave the town there is a dedicated currency exchange open 7-days a week from 0900-1500, closing at 1400 on Saturday and Sunday. Rates given under Exchange Rates.
AGD
Yone Gyi Rd
Rate of 844Ks to the US$
Myanmar Apex
Behind main Rd
Internet
There are several places in town (main road, Yone GyiRoadand Phaung Daw Seiq Road) all offering internet at 500Ks/ hour.
Compassionate Hands is a home-grown charity, founded by Snow Aye after the cyclone Nargis struck the southern delta region of Myanmar on 2nd May 2008. Since the start of Compassionate Hands, many people have volunteered to help realise various projects, ranging from emergency relief efforts after the Cyclone, to digging wells and helping children with AIDS. Many volunteers are from Myanmar itself, but also foreigners from other Asian countries, the United States and Europe are involved.
