Yaunghwe Shwe Kyaung monastery in Inle Lake and the legendary oval doorway
We often call this monastery with a simple name that recalls the famous oval doorway - the legendary for guests to remember Inle Lake (Shan State, Myanmar). Let's tour Yaunghwe Shwe Kyaung monastery in Inle Lake and the legendary oval doorway with Myanmar Private Tour.
Yaunghwe Shwe Kyaung Monastery Overview
As the destination for many visitors, Shwe Kyaung Yaunghwe also grabs many people to stay longer than they think through exciting activities of boys in dark red-colored robes.
Visiting Shwe Kyaung Yaunghwe and Inle Lake twice
I arrive around midday. It is sunny, the sun rays are yellow, and the red–colored monastery stands alone with its majesty. There is nearly no tree or shade in the surroundings.
Shwe Kyaung Yaunghwe is made almost entirely of wood combined with stilt-house-style cement stairs. The small monastery is located on the road from Pindaya cave to Inle Lake. It consists of two buildings, one is the main hall for monks to live and learn, and the other is for sleeping and eating.
Young Monks play
It is easy to identify that the facade of the monastery has two oval doorways in the center and four others split into two sides. Below the monastery is a wooden pole line on a cement floor.
Without fancy decorations like those of Shwenandaw in Mandalay, Shwe Kyaung Yaunghwe attracts tourists by its simplicity and the ancientness of time and poverty. In fact, if abundant, the monastery was decorated richly instead of being roofed with a faded color roof. In spite of its delicate steel-decorated fringing, it has become rusty.
Monks and experience of mealtime
Young monks do not talk much with tourists, but they are very friendly. They do not pay much attention to us- two young people with bulky cameras in their hands.
The lunch bell rings with urgency. All rushing with shining black-painted bowls in their hands, they go towards the canteen. It is an empty house with about five low tables and is spread with bamboo mats to sit on.
Young Monks Study
A group of elderly monks who look like abbots and managers divides rice for each person. Then, they hold a bowl of food and vegetables to distribute to each table.
The meal takes place in silence, occasionally, you could see some mischievous boys springing over the table to tease you. But only at first glance, most of whom eat all their rice quietly.
Young Monks Water The Tree
After little monks eat more than half of the meal, I see the group of elderly monks eat together at a table in the corner of the house. After eating, each person washes their bowl and then takes it to their room.
The quiet of Shwe Kyaung Yaunghwe monastery at midday
It makes us become gingerly. The little monks shaded in bright cassocks walking in the yard like cats.
Young Monks Shower
The doorways, which have just been boisterous by the smile, shoulder catching, crossing bodice, now become silent and quiet, which seems that no one has ever appeared in print on the door frame, as an unreal movie. It all makes me feel like I have just woken up from a dream.
A dream at noon in Shwe Kyaung Yaunghwe, near-legendary Inle Lake, where I am not sure when I'll be back with my companion ... an existing dream!
