Indawgyi Myanmar 33/46: Myanmar villagers cast nets on rocky shores with abundant fish during the rainy season swimming upstream in Indawgyi Lake, Myanmar

Indawgyi Myanmar 33/46: Myanmar villagers cast nets on rocky shores with abundant fish during the rainy season swimming upstream in Indawgyi Lake, Myanmar

If you think of Myanmar as more than just Bagan or Yangon, but as nature that remains raw and the genuine lifestyle of local people, I, mr.hotsia, want to take you to experience Indawgyi Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Kachin State, located in northern Myanmar. Here, it’s not only the clear water and mountain views that are beautiful, but also the stories of villagers deeply connected to this lake, especially the unique and rare method of casting nets to catch fish.

Indawgyi Lake is about 24 kilometers long and 13 kilometers wide. Around the lake are more than 20 villages where most residents are Tai Red or Shan people, including Kachin people who live by farming and fishing as their daily way of life. I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to take a boat out to watch villagers cast nets during the rainy season, which is an important time when fish swim upstream from the lake toward the headwaters.

What impressed me most was the skillful net casting on the rocky shores by the villagers. The nets they use are quite large and are thrown into the fast-flowing water at several rocky points. Around the lake are various fish species ranging from small to medium-sized fish. The villagers work together as a team to gather the fish. It truly reflects a deep bond with nature and a way of life accumulated over many generations.

Besides net casting, I also walked through the local market by the lake, which gathers fresh agricultural and fishery products. Most shops sell local foods such as grilled fish with herbs, sticky rice dishes, and seasonal fruits. Negotiating in the local language combined with the smiles of the locals made me feel like I was truly experiencing the real life of the people here rather than just being a tourist.

Regarding travel to Indawgyi, I, mr.hotsia, recommend starting from Myitkyina city, which is not far from the source of the Irrawaddy River, as I have described in a previous article.Kachin StateTraveling from Myitkyina to Indawgyi Lake takes several hours and may require renting a car or motorcycle for convenience. Along the way, you will pass small villages that still preserve traditional culture. I recommend bringing a camera ready for beautiful scenes because the nature and lifestyle here are truly charming and unique.

Indawgyi Lake was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1999 due to its high biodiversity, including various bird species and several rare mammals living in the area. It is suitable not only for bird watchers but also for travelers who love nature and tranquility.

For those who want to see the full atmosphere of net casting at Indawgyi, I, mr.hotsia, recommend the videoIndawgyi Myanmar 33/46: Myanmar villagers cast nets on rocky shores with abundant fish during the rainy season swimming upstream in Indawgyi Lake, Myanmarthat will take you on a boat trip to experience the villagers’ way of life up close.

When talking about northern Myanmar, many may only think of temples or historic cities, but Indawgyi shows another side that proves Myanmar still has impressive nature and simplicity unmatched anywhere in the world. If you want to learn about the genuine lifestyle of Myanmar villagers, this is one destination I, mr.hotsia, highly recommend you visit at least once.

Finally, if you are interested in stories about Indawgyi Lake and its surrounding communities, I recommend following the articleIndawgyithat I wrote earlier to gain a deeper understanding of this area. And if you want to know more about the lifestyle of the surrounding Myanmar villagers in detail, don’t forget to read other articles such asFood in Bagan, MyanmarorHorse Cart Ride in Bagan, Myanmarwhere I share detailed real experiences.