Ngaphechaung Monastery is located on the western side of Inle Lake, on the way to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. It was previously known as the jumping cat monastery. Ngaphechaung is the biggest and oldest monastery on the Inle Lake and is worth visiting for its historical purposes and architecture.
This ancient monastery was built on huge pieces of teak wood with traditional architecture. This is an attractive wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850s. The monastery is also known for a collection of old Myanmar's Buddha images from different areas that are worth seeing. In the past, aside from its collection of Buddhas the monastery may be of interest to visit because its monks have taught a few of the many cats living with them to jump through hoops.
Note:
Location: on the western side of Inle Lake, on the way to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
Open daily – daylight time
Highlights:
You should not miss this monastery when you visit Inle lake. Although there are no jumping cat anymore, the ancient monastery which was constructed four years before Mandalay Palace, the huge wooden meditation hall has statues in the Shan, Tibetan, Bagan and Inwa (Ava) styles displayed on ornate wood and mosaic pedestals, is worth to see. Also, you will see the collection of ancient Buddha images. Travel with your tour guide and ask him tell you the story of Buddha is painted on the walls and each moment of his life is described. Last but not least, you have chance to have the great view of the floating vegetable gardens from the end of the walkway.
