Nyaung Shwe

QUICK FACT:

Location: 3.5 kilometers north of Inle Lake
Status: the tourist center for visiting Inle Lake
Population: 155,695 (estimated 2002)
Name variant: Yawnghwe
A place holding Five Day Market, very popular among Shan State

Situated on the southwestern part of Taunggyi, 3.5 kilometers north of Inle Lake, the township of Nyaung Shwe is an ideal place for people to stop by when they visit Inle Lake, one of the most attractive destinations of Myanmar. Its principal town of the same name is the main transfer port to the notable lake by ferry boats. The thoroughfare of Nyaung Shwe is Shwe Nyaung, and there are various side streets as well as some parallel roads along with it. On the road of Shwe Nyaung, there are several shops and restaurants, a few stupas, travel agencies, and markets located behind the storefronts. Thanks to its numerous number of guesthouses and restaurants cheap yet comfortable, Nyaung Shwe, together with Kalaw, is among the few places in Myanmar that you can immerse yourself into a backpacker vibe. A flight from Yangon to Heho together with a one-hour drive by car or bus can take you to Nyaung Shwe. Another option is taking a highway bus from Yangon to Taunggyi, and then passing Shwe Nyaung to reach the town within 30 minutes. Remarkable destinations of Nyaung Shwe are Inle Lake which is located south of the town, Ywama village with floating markets, Yadana Mann Aung Paya – the oldest pagoda of Nyaung Shwe, and Shwe Yaunghew Kyaung – an old monastery built in the 18th century. There are a wide range of leisure activities that you can take in Nyaung Shwe, enriching your Burmese experiences; for example: participate in relaxing boat rides, or burn your energy in a challenging hike. In addition, in the town’s restaurants, you can enjoy delicious local dishes as well as tasty spaghettis and pancakes.