Indawgyi Myanmar 16/46: Enchanted by the Cooking Skills of Sister Thaw Yeaw, a Kachin Girl at Indawgyi

Indawgyi Myanmar 16/46: Enchanted by the Cooking Skills of Sister Thaw Yeaw, a Kachin Girl at Indawgyi

When talking about Myanmar, many people probably think of Bagan or Mandalay. But for me, mr.hotsia, this trip brought me to experience the natural beauty and traditional lifestyle at Indawgyi Lake in Kachin State, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Southeast Asia.

Indawgyi is located in the Mohnyin administrative area of Kachin State, Myanmar. The lake is about 13 kilometers wide from east to west and 24 kilometers long from north to south. Around the lake are more than 20 villages, mostly inhabited by the Shan ethnic group, also known as Tai Yai, and the Kachin people themselves, who still firmly maintain their traditional agricultural way of life.

Traveling to Indawgyi is not easy, but for mr.hotsia, this is the charm that makes me feel like I have traveled back in time. Renting a motorcycle from a nearby town and riding through the villages along the way allowed me to see the simple life of the people amidst pristine nature and cool weather.

Indawgyi Lake is about 166 meters above sea level and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1999, covering over 780 square kilometers. It is home to many rare mammals and birds. I was lucky to see Greylag geese and Oriental darters up close in January. Birdwatchers can rent boats from small guesthouses around the lake to explore the nature and wild birds here.

Besides nature, what impressed me most was tasting local food made by Sister Thaw Yeaw, a Kachin girl who owns a lakeside restaurant. She cooks with dedication and excellent flavor. Traditional Kachin dishes use fresh local ingredients, such as freshwater fish curry made from fish caught in Indawgyi Lake. The taste is rich but mellow, not as spicy as typical Myanmar food, making me want to eat more.

The lifestyle of the Kachin people at Indawgyi is simple and warm. In the morning, mr.hotsia saw villagers farming by the lake. The cooking skills of Sister Thaw Yeaw who prepared my meals come from ingredients they grow and catch themselves. Talking with these villagers made me feel like I deeply understood their culture and way of life.

For tourists interested in experiencing this atmosphere, I recommend careful travel planning because Kachin State still requires permits to enter, and the routes are quite challenging. But once here, you will have a truly unique experience.

If anyone wants to learn more about Kachin State and the origin of the Irrawaddy River near Indawgyi, mr.hotsia recommends reading the travel story inKachin Statethat I wrote previously, which will help you gain a deeper understanding of this area.

Also, if you enjoy studying nature and wildlife species, I invite you to check outIndawgyiThis article will take you on an in-depth exploration of this lake, covering its ecology and biodiversity.

On the day I traveled through the lakeside villages, I saw the Kachin girls skillfully cooking with their culinary talents. The charm of the flavors and sincerity conveyed through the food left a lasting impression on me. In the video I recorded,Indawgyi Myanmar 16/46: Enchanted by the Cooking Skills of Sister Thaw Yeaw, a Kachin Girl at Indawgyiyou can clearly see the atmosphere and flavors I mentioned.

For anyone planning to visit Myanmar and wanting to experience this pure lifestyle and nature, Indawgyi is a destination that mr.hotsia wants you to try. A place that still retains tranquility and the sincerity of its people, unlike busy big cities. It is a journey that creates deep and impressive memories, making you want to return again.