Pyin Oo Lwin, a timeless
colonial charm
 Pyin
Oo Lwin was originally a Shan-Danu village
but after 1885, it was occupied by the British
occupying forces. Then, the village transformed
and renamed as Maymyo (the city of May)
named after British officer May who was
stationed here to defeat the Burmese rebellions.
In 1896, it became a hill station for the
European civil servant stationed in Mandalay
during the hottest months, from March through
May. Today, a number of residents built
in Edwardian style summer cottages are still
standing. Although 70-km and only 1.5hr
drive from Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin is a refreshing
antidote to the hot, dusty and hectic streets
of Myanmar’s last royal capital. It has
noticeable temperature changes as the winding
road through the pine & teak forests and
mountain vistas as you elevated from 74
meters central plains to the Shan tablelands
at 1050 meters above sea level. Pyin Oo
Lwin can be approximately 10-degree Celsius
cooler than nearby central plains. The perfect
climate of Pyin Oo Lwin favors growing of
European flowers, fruits, and vegetable
year-round. The fresh beautiful flowers,
stunning mountain sceneries, and colonial
era buildings make Pyin Oo Lwin one of the
most picturesque towns in Myanmar.
Things to see
Candacraig
 Now
known as Thiri Myaing Hotel, Candacraig
was the place, in which Paul Theroux stayed
in the early 70’s. The literary-minded might
to take a look at this beautiful building
mentioned in his famous travel book, “The
Great Railway Bazaar”.
Purcell Tower
Located right in the downtown Pyin Oo
Lwin, Purcell Tower chimes identical 16-notes
being played by Big Ben in London. There
is a café named Golden Triangle, which serves
freshly brewed local coffee and bakeries,
closed to Purcell Tower is a must place
to take a break for every visitor.
Kandawgyi Gardens
 Originally
developed in 1915 by a British forestry
officer Mr. Charles Alex Roger, using Turkish
POWs. It has only 170 acres when it opened
in 1917. Then, it has slowly expended over
the years to its current size of 437 acres
with flower galore, forest land, and a 70
acres lake. The park ground is immaculately
landscaped with flowerbeds, exotic orchids,
wide-open meadows and whispering pine forest.
For the nature lovers, there are walkways
built on the swamp area and elevated forestland
to take strolls on those. To add some more
values, there are black swans and ducks
roamed freely in the lake and a rare Tarkin
family is also displayed. Every tree is
tag with both botanical and common names,
ideal for those who like to learn many of
diverse and endemic plant species. The natural
landmark park, portraying the miniature
models of famous sights from all the states
and divisions in Myanmar, is worth to take
a look.
Pwe Kauk Falls
 The
area around Pyin Oo Lwin is known for its
natural beauties, such as Pwe Kauk Waterfalls,
8-km out of town on the road to Lashio.
There you can swim, or just stroll around
the picnic area and interesting local market
selling from fresh vegetables, fruits, to
local sweet wines and visiting nearby Shan
villages beside the streams with their neat
farms.
Peik Chin Myaung Grotto
This 1500m long natural limestone cave,
with a stream inside, can be reached by
an hour drive from Pyin Oo Lwin, some 22km
east of the town off the main Mandalay-Lahio
road, dotted with Shan villages and old
monasteries. The cave is filled with numerous
Buddha images and models of famous pagodas
in Myanmar.
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