The Nyaung Shwe Cultural Museum, near Inle Lake (fig.), is situated in the former Shan Palace, where Prince Sao Shwe Thaik (fig.) lived until he became the first President of the Union of Burma, on 4 January 1948.

The museum features objects related to the former palace and its habitants, as well as some interesting artifacts, including the Bamboo Buddha (fig.). Due to the latter, the building is also nicknamed Buddha Museum.

Whereas most of the objects on display are on the first floor, the ground floor of the complex is home to the former Office of the Chief Minister and the treasury, i.e. a jail-like vault.