10 May
(From previous article covered on 9 May)
The gold bearing gravel beds are observed in the western part of Indawgyi Lake and around Maing Naung Village. Since 1987 local people are exploiting gold and platinum surrounding area of Maing Naung and Nam Yin Hka stream (Htun Win, 1991),
Shwe Taung (Golden Mountain)
Shwe Taung is situated at the north bank of Indawgyi Lake and has a pagoda and monastery on top of the hill and provide with panoramic views of the lake. It will take about 30 minute walk to the hill top and some local generous people will offer you refreshment on the way.
Lwemun Village
Lwemun Village is located on the western bank of the lake and the most picturesque village. There are two monasteries, a nat (spirit) shrine and a shrine which tells the story of Indawgyi Lake. The story is that there was a village right below the current Lwemun before Indawgyi Lake was appeared. A widow had dreamt that the area would be filled with water soon and so she left the village for the hill with some animals. The other villagers didn’t believe her, but then the village was flooded and the lake had been appeared. One of the monasteries at the southern end of the village has a nat shrine for celebrating the widow’s dream. Her footprint seems to be there as well, but it can only be seen during the dry season.
Hepa Village
The lake front of the village on the southeast of Indawgyi Lake has a scenic beauty. Further to the east there is a main north-south road and after a short walk or ride some lovely scenery of rolling fields can be seen.
Namde Village
Namde Village is most notable as the turn-off point to Shwe Myitzu Pagoda and there is a house for two elephants. The elephants (male and female) are kept in the second house south of the turn-off to Shwe Myitzu Pagoda.
Nammilaung Village
Nammilaung Village is famous for its interesting architecture with high wooden fences around all the houses. Nammilaung also has a cane Buddha image, which was collaborative effort by local people. On the fourth street south of the cane Buddha complex there is another house for elephants.
Indawgyi Environmental Education Centre
Indawgyi Environmental Education Centre was established by Inn Chit Thu and Fauna & Flora International with support from The Helmsley Charitable Trust and Hla Day. Indawgyi Lake occupied various natural, cultural, biodiversity, wildlife and geological and archaeological heritages and those are internationally significant values for an UNESCO Global Geopark in Myanmar.
Bird watching
Indawgyi Lake is a major stop for migratory birds and attracts thousands of birds especially during winter months from December to March on the East Asia-Australian Flyway. During that period thousands of birds on the lake and flying in flocks over it are wonder to behold.
Inn Chit Thu Ecotourism: is an organization based at the lake that is supported by Flora and Fauna International that provides a range of services, goods, and opportunities for visitors. They have been working at the lake since 2013.
Kayaking: Kayaks are available for hire at Inn Chit Thu and Indawgyi Motel. The lake is too wide to cover by kayak in a single day, but the southern half and the western shore, including Shwe Myitzu Pagoda, can conveniently be visited by kayak.
Cycling: Bicycles are available at Inn Chit Thu for hire and allows to explore the villages along the western and southern shores of the lake.
Trekking: Single day treks are available for the mountains around the lake through Inn Chit Thu or Face of Indawgyi. Due to security reason trekking in the mountains on the west side of the lake is not allowed at the present.
Recreational fishing: Basic recreational fishing trips can also be done at Indawgyi Lake.
Boat tour: You can hire a boat and go around the lake at reasonable price. .
Festival: Every year during the ten days before the full moon in March people from all over Kachin state celebrate Shwe Myitzu Pagoda festival. During festival there are boat races, concerts and various recreation in the area. The water level is low and you can walk over dry land to the pagoda.
Souvenir: Kachin bags, tissue holders, and handmade jewellery at the ecotourism spot. A local weaver is situated about 30 minutes by boat from Lonton where homemade Kachin woven fabric are available.
Indawgyi Lake in Kachin State occupied international significance sites of landscape, biodiversity, biosphere, wetland ecology, geology and mineral deposits, archaeology, traditional culture, ecotourism and geotourism, those are the basic requirements and characteristics for Geopark. Therefore, Geopark Development Committee of Myanmar Geosciences Society congratulate and welcome magnificent Indawgyi Lake of beautiful Kachin State as Aspiring National Geopark as well as UNESCO Global Geopark and decided to collaborate with Forest Department, local authorities, Inn Chit Thu, Flora Fauna International and local people. Indawgyi Lake is more than a lake.
GNLM
