Top 6 things to do in Pyin Oo Lwin

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Hidden in the cool highlands of central Myanmar, the hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin began life as a mountain retreat for the colonial British, desperate to escape the cloying heat of high summer in Mandalay. Back then the town was known as Maymyo – or ‘May Town’ – after Colonel James May of the 5th Bengal Infantry, who was stationed there in 1886. The town’s Edwardian-style buildings and plentiful gardens still hint at its colonial past, and – coupled with its pleasant climate – give Pyin Oo Lwin an atmosphere unlike any other place in Myanmar.

Pyin Oo Lwin is easily added to any trip that includes Mandalay – but how should you make the most of your time once you get there? Here are a few of our highlights…

1. Admire the colonial architecture

Wooden summer cottages and brick-and-timber houses characterize the architecture in Pyin Oo Lwin, which is quite unlike the grand colonial edifices found in Yangon or Mandalay. It’s almost like stepping into 19th century England!

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Colonial architecture in Pyin Oo Lwin

2. Take a horse-and-cart ride

Wander around Pyin Oo Lwin town center for a little while and you’ll notice a rather bizarre sight: horses hitched up to old-fashioned carriages painted in vivid pinks, greens, purples and reds. Adding to the bizarre time-travel sense of the town, this is an experience not to be missed.

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Take a horse and cart ride

3. Take a stroll through the botanical gardens

Pyin Oo Lwin’s botanical gardens – the National Kandawgyi Gardens – were established by the British Forest Officer Alex Roger in 1915. Modeled after London’s famous Kew Gardens, the garden contains 514 species of indigenous tree and 74 foreign species, as well as 300 types of orchid and 25 different roses.

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Botanical gardens

4. Hike to minority villages

Though the town itself is a very pleasant place to while away a few days, Pyin Oo Lwin also makes an excellent base for hikes into the surrounding mountains. Myanmar is home to over 135 different ethnic minorities, and in the hills around Pyin Oo Lwin you’ll come across tribal villages hidden in the forests where life goes on as it has done for centuries.

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Beautiful hiking around Pyin Oo Lwin

5. Take the train over the Goteik Viaduct

Another legacy of the British, the old railway passes through Pyin Oo Lwin on its way from Mandalay to Lashio in the heart of northern Shan State. Though you might not want to go quite this far, the section of track that connects Pyin Oo Lwin with Hsipaw is one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world, crossing over the Goteik Viaduct: a railway trestle built in 1900 that towers more than 100 meters over the valley below.

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Goteik Viaduct

6. Head out to Anisakan Waterfall

In the countryside just outside of Pyin Oo Lwin, the 120-meter-tall Anisakan Waterfall makes a superb day trip from town. The journey by road from Pyin Oo Lwin to the waterfall car park takes around 20-30 minutes, then it’s a further 40-minute walk down steep jungle paths to the waterfall itself. Why not rent a bicycle in town and head out under your own steam?

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Anisakan Waterfall

Please note that we currently do not offer trips to Myanmar, but you can still explore Asia's rich history and culture. Take a look at our other destinations and talk to one of our Asia vacation specialists today.