Kachin State: Indawgyi Lake, Landscapes and Kachin Culture

Indawgyi Lake: Expanses and Nature

Indawgyi Lake is a distinctive natural area in Kachin State. At 12,000 hectares, it is the third-largest lake in Southeast Asia. It measures 13 kilometers from east to west and 24 kilometers from north to south. Its north–south extent is therefore greater than its east–west extent; the area and axes provide different ways to measure the size of the lake.

A wildlife sanctuary surrounds Indawgyi Lake and is home to a variety of species, including rare mammals and birds. For nature enthusiasts, both the vastness of the lake and the sanctuary’s wildlife are points of interest. The landscape can thus be appreciated not only through its measurements, but also through the variety of animals that live there.

Activities at Indawgyi Lake

Fishing, kayaking, trekking and cycling are available as leisure activities at Indawgyi Lake. Fishing and kayaking bring you directly onto the water, while trekking and cycling offer different activity options. This selection combines different ways to experience the surroundings, without all the activities engaging with the lake in the same way.

Forest Landscapes and Rivers

Another natural attraction in Kachin State is the Northern Mountain Forest Complex. It comprises Hkakabo Razi National Park, Hponkan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary and a proposed southern extension of Hkakabo Razi National Park. Within the complex, forest types range from subtropical evergreen forest to alpine meadows and snow-covered peaks. While Indawgyi Lake is characterized by its area and extent, the protected areas and range of landscapes shape the character of the forest complex.

Myitsone offers a different geographical point of interest: it is where the Mayhka and Malikha rivers converge to form the Ayeyarwady. Unlike at Indawgyi Lake, the focus here is not the extent of a body of water but the confluence of two rivers. If you are interested in waterscapes, the lake and the river confluence represent two distinct aspects of Kachin State.

Kachin Culture and the Manaw Festival

The Kachin Manaw Festival is celebrated by the Kachin people. Kachin people also travel to Myanmar from all over the world to take part and meet family and friends. The festival is usually celebrated for one day during the first week of January. This timeframe offers an initial guide; check the specific festival dates if you would like to plan your trip around them.

The festival features the Manaw dance, which was formerly part of the Nat spirit cult. Its historical connection to the Nat spirit cult and its performance at the festival belong to two distinct periods. Tourists are usually invited to dance at the festival together with local people. This invitation is part of the festival practice described, but should not be understood as a firm promise for every celebration.

Kachin State Cultural Museum

The Kachin State Cultural Museum in Myitkyina Township is another cultural point of interest. As of May 2, 2024, an additional exhibition hall was planned for the museum.

Discover more destinations

Putao, Magway Region, Shan State, Rakhine, Mandalay Division, Yangon, Tanintharyi Division, Chin State

For the main travel overview: Myanmar.