If you want adventure, well done, you’re in the right place.
The tranquil beauty of Sin Khaung Inn is basically the dictionary definition of hidden treasure. Just like real buried treasure, it’s a bit of a bugger to get to (unless you already happen to live in Shan state’s Ywangan township, which you probably don’t).
But, as with all treasure, this lake is well worth seeking out and as a Myanmar experience is worth its weight in gold.
Turn off the main road at (21.032310,96.516943) and follow the dirt road through the village down to the farm located at (21.018214,96.490260).
Facing the farm, turn left and find the little tree-branch bridge over the ditch. From here, it’s a three-minute walk to the lake where you reach a small, shady embankment (21.015771,96.489640) that makes for an ideal picnic spot.
The lake is overwhelmingly gorgeous. Cool, inviting green waters, a lush sloping embankment of verdant jungle canopy lines the western bank, a rolling tapestry of green, the hum of birds and insects forms a chirping buzzing chorus in the air.
This is the Burma of your dreams; a Shan state jungle book, only without the scary tiger and Scarlet Johansson as a hypnotic snake, and after a full day at Sin Khaung Inn you may feel as though you can talk to the animals (Myanmar Mix does not guarantee this).
Apart from bonding with nature and swimming in the lake, what else is there to do? Well, on our last visit we packed an inflatable boat and paddled from south to north, to the shallow river that marks the start of the lake. Lots of fun, some great photo ops, and you can do it in about 20 minutes. Close to the embankment a tree sticks out of the water, making for a fantastically rugged climb-and-jump.
But, frankly, if you need an itinerary for Sin Khaung Inn then you need to get back in touch with your imagination. It’s difficult to overstate just how magical this place is. From a wild swimming perspective, we’re in holy grail territory. Even if you’re not as aqua-addicted as your correspondent, Sin Khaung Inn remains one of the most bewitchingly beautiful nooks in the country—just keep it to yourself.
Need to know
How to get there: The nearest towns are Ywangan (one hour), Aungpan (two hours) and Kalaw (two and a half hours). A car will take you most of the way but the last 20 minutes is a narrow dirt road, meaning a motorbike is your only option. Motorbikes are available to rent in Ywangan, Aungpan and Kalaw.
When to visit: October-February. From March-May the waters recede quite a bit.
