The mysterious and magical Inle Lake located in the Shan State of northwestern Burma is one of the country's most picturesque spots. This lake lies at an altitude of 3,880 ft above sea level, surrounded by the Shan Plateau, and is about 158 sq km (61 sq mile) in area, its true size concealed by a 5-km (3-mile) wide of 'floating land' (strips of silt and tangled water hyacinths) that girds the lake.

In addition to the azure waters of the lake itself, the other major attraction of Inle Lake is the Intha ethnic minority people who live on, and off, the lake. This amazing minority tribe has adapted so perfectly to its lake environment that its homes are built over the water on stilts, its vegetable fields/gardens are cultivated on land floating on the lake's surface, and its remarkable fishmen use a unique technique of paddling their long, narrow boats through the water which have gained them much fame. Perched precariously on the boat's stern with one foot, the fishmerman adroitly twists his other leg around a single oar and paddles the boat through the waters of the lake in a unique and fascinating way.