Indawgyi Myanmar 7/46: Setting Fishing Nets at Indawgyi Lake

Indawgyi Myanmar 7/46: Setting Fishing Nets at Indawgyi Lake

When talking about Indawgyi Lake located inKachin StateMyanmar, I, mr.hotsia, must say this is not just an ordinary freshwater lake but one of the largest freshwater lakes in Southeast Asia. It spans 13 kilometers east to west and 24 kilometers north to south. Around the lake are villages of the Shan (Tai Red) and Kachin ethnic groups living together in a simple lifestyle closely connected to nature.

This time I traveled to Indawgyi Lake with the intention to experience the local fishermen's way of life who still use traditional fishing methods. Setting large fishing nets is a common sight along the lake shore. Villagers spread big nets in the water to catch the abundant fish swimming by. This is one of the activities that make Indawgyi Lake famous for its rich natural resources.

Traveling here is not easy because Indawgyi Lake is located in the Mohnyin administrative area of Kachin State, far from main cities and familiar tourist spots. We had to prepare for challenging routes and rough roads. But the fatigue disappeared immediately upon seeing the vast lake views and the lively activities of villagers along the shore.

I spoke with locals here, mostly Shan (Tai Red). They said fishing is a way of life passed down through generations. Most of the fish caught are sold in local markets or consumed by families. I saw that the fish here are very fresh, and the variety of fish in the lake keeps the villagers' way of life thriving.

Indawgyi Lake is not only good for fishing but also an important wildlife sanctuary in Myanmar. Since 1999, the Ministry of Ecotourism has declared the area around the lake a wildlife sanctuary covering over 780 square kilometers. Many rare birds can be seen, especially in winter, such as Greylag geese and the beautiful purple swamphen. The best time for birdwatching is January, when I, mr.hotsia, took a boat tour to observe and capture photos of these birds.

For travel, if you want to fully experience the atmosphere of Indawgyi Lake, I recommend staying at a lakeside guesthouse. You will get close to local life and have the chance to take traditional wooden boat rides around the nature. This is a very worthwhile experience considering the peace and beauty here.

If you love nature and want to learn about authentic Myanmar lifestyles, Indawgyi is an unmissable destination. For more stories about Kachin State and the origin of the Irrawaddy River, you can readKachin Statewhich I have written before. If you want a broader perspective on this lake, check out the articleIndawgyiwhere I tell detailed stories and an overview of the lake.

And if you want to see the real atmosphere, I recommend the video I filmed inIndawgyi Myanmar 7/46: Setting Fishing Nets at Indawgyi Lakewhich will give you clear sights and sounds of this lake.

Finally, traveling to Indawgyi Lake means experiencing another side of Myanmar that remains raw and naturally abundant. I, mr.hotsia, recommend you prepare your heart and open yourself to new experiences here. Besides enjoying beautiful lake views, you will learn about local life and witness the amazing natural richness of Myanmar in this area firsthand.