19th Century monastery attracts foreign visitors in Inle

Shwe Yan Pyay Buddhist Monastery.

Nyaung Shwe January 27

Built in the 19th century, Shwe Yan Pyay Buddhist Monastery near Shan State's Inle Lake is drawing large crowd of foreign travellers since the beginning of this year.

The century-old wooden structure in Nyaungshwe Township is famous for its intricate carvings as it boasts Myanmar traditional architecture. The monastery is also well-known as an institution that provides free monastic education and meals for young students.

“The monastery receives foreign travellers every day. It is 100 years old. On full moon days, people from nearby villages come to for fast. The monastery also houses lots of artefacts,” said 78-year-old U Phone Yun from a nearby village.

Most of the foreign visitors to the monastery this year are from Korea while others are from France, Italy and India, according to tour operators in Inle.

“Usually, travellers visit the monastery before taking a boat tour of the lake,” said Ko Aung Soe Oo, a tour guide from Asian Tour Co in Inle.

The Myawady Daily