Floating Gardens Tourism

The Floating Gardens of Inle Lake are an extraordinary testament to the ingenuity of the local Intha people who live in the heart of the Shan Plateau in Myanmar (Burma). These flourishing gardens are created by gathering floating water hyacinths and securing them with bamboo poles driven into the muddy lakebed, forming a solid planting surface. Farmers then scatter soil and silt gathered from the deeper parts of the lake, creating rich beds where an array of crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans are cultivated. The buoyant plots are anchored by bamboo poles, ensuring the gardens don't drift away while allowing adjustments to rising and falling water levels. This unique form of aquaculture provides a year-round supply of produce, not only sustaining the local communities but also becoming a source of economic stability. The gardens add to the distinctiveness of Inle Lake, making it a cultural and ecological marvel. The picturesque scenery of stilted houses, fishermen with distinctive one-legged rowing techniques, and colorful marketplaces contribute to the serene yet vibrant life on the lake, drawing tourists from around the globe.