This Lake In Myanmar Is Shaped Like A Heart

Myanmar’s heart-shaped Rih Lake of rural Chin State is a total catch of a destination. What’s not to love about venturing to a place very few travelers have been? A place so beautifully isolated it takes driving hour upon bumpy hour through gorgeous, rugged mountains just to get to?

Steeped in ancient tradition and folklore, Rih Lake (also known as Rih Dil) is of significant spiritual and cultural importance to the Mizo people – considered a hill tribe of Southeast Asia – dwelling in nearby areas of Myanmar and India. The lovable lake was traditionally believed to be a pathway for the dead to reach their final resting place.

Scenic heart-shaped Rih Lake during monsoon season in rural Chin State, Myanmar

This relatively small, natural body of water along the India-Myanmar border is a nook of Chin State still largely unexplored due to its remoteness and a history of regional travel bans. Surrounded by rolling hills of green and vibrant rice paddies, the journey to get to Rih Lake is definitely worth a little (or a lot of) discomfort.

One way to reach Rih Lake is with a jeep operator out of Kalay. It takes approximately nine hours to arrive at the closest village of Rihkhawdar and costs about US$30, round-trip. This scenic, somewhat treacherous route to Rih Lake is definitely for off-the-beaten-track enthusiasts smitten with adventure.

Mountains as far as the eye can see in Chin State, Myanmar

Rihkhawdar is a tiny, bustling border town with an interesting blend of Indian and Myanmar cultures. A motorbike taxi from Rihkhawdar to the lake takes about 15 minutes and costs approximately US$5 there and back. Rihkhawdar lacks in overnight lodging options for foreigners, so consider a long-haul day trip from Tedim.

Postcard-perfect Rih Lake remains a pilgrimage site for Mizo people of both Chin State in Myanmar and Mizoram State in India. It’s also a popular weekend spot for locals to swim, fish or simply relax. The best time to go to Myanmar’s lake shaped like a heart is during the week for a truly tranquil experience that will surely leave you love-struck.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.