ep4 Found the White Elephant in the Forest of Thai Red Shan Land, Indawgyi, Myanmar

ep4 Found the White Elephant in the Forest of Thai Red Shan Land, Indawgyi, Myanmar

My latest journey, mr.hotsia takes you to “Indawgyi,” one of the largest freshwater lakes in Southeast Asia, located in Kachin State, Myanmar. Here, not only is there the beauty of nature and the cool breeze by the lake, but also hidden stories about the “White Elephant,” a rare creature and a dream for nature-loving travelers like me.

Indawgyi Lake is a wildlife sanctuary covering over 780 square kilometers. I have shared in an articleIndawgyithat this place is home to many rare bird species and is surrounded by more than 20 villages of the Red Shan and Kachin communities. Visiting here feels like stepping into another peaceful world full of the true vitality of nature.

This time, I, mr.hotsia, intended to search for the White Elephant, which according to local legends and villagers’ stories is a mysterious creature rarely seen up close. Trekking through the wetlands and forests around the lake requires great patience and determination because some terrain is steep and densely vegetated. But with determination and help from local guides familiar with the area, we had the chance to see the large silhouette of the White Elephant appear at a distance. That image remains vivid in my mind to this day.

Besides the White Elephant hunt, the trip to Indawgyi also gave me the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of the Red Shan and Kachin people here up close. They still firmly preserve their traditional culture, including agriculture, fishing in the lake, and unique hand weaving. They also share local foods rarely found in big cities, such as steamed sticky rice with grilled fish and fresh local vegetables. I recommend trying these dishes in the small villages around the lake to taste the authentic Myanmar flavor that most tourists rarely experience.

For this trip to Indawgyi, I chose to travel from a major city in Kachin State, the origin area of the Irrawaddy River. This route reminded me of an articleKachin Statethat I once wrote about the Irrawaddy River’s headwaters converging at Myitsone, a site of natural and cultural importance in Myanmar. Traveling by rented motorcycle from the city to communities around the lake allowed me to truly feel the local atmosphere. Here, wearing a helmet is mandatory when riding, and some roads are still dirt tracks with a lot of dust, similar to what I described in my article about the city of Yangon.Horse Carriage Ride in Bagan, MyanmarBut these challenges are the charm of the rugged travel style that I, mr.hotsia, really enjoy.

I also had the chance to rent a boat from a small lakeside guesthouse to go birdwatching at dawn. Many may not know that Indawgyi is home to 10 endangered bird species, such as the Greylag Goose and the Oriental Darter. The atmosphere was so peaceful and fresh that I almost forgot to breathe. The boat slowly glided over the water, reflecting the beautiful sky and mountains behind, like a living painting.

Speaking of impressions from this trip, I, mr.hotsia, must say that seeing the White Elephant in Indawgyi’s forest was not just luck but the result of determination and truly understanding the local way of life here. This kind of journey is not for those seeking comfort, but if you are an adventurous traveler wanting to experience true nature, Indawgyi and Kachin State are answers you should not miss.

For friends interested in deep travel stories and following my real travel experiences, mr.hotsia, don’t forget to follow my articles and videos, including clipsep4 Found the White Elephant in the Forest of Thai Red Shan Land, Indawgyi, Myanmarthat capture every moment of this journey in detail.

Finally, I encourage everyone to open your heart to the wide world, gather different experiences, and let nature teach us things no book can write. mr.hotsia’s travels have many more stories waiting for you to discover.