Pyin Oo Lwin

Once the summer capital of British Burma (then named Maymyo), the cool, inviting temperatures and rich highland countryside of Pyin Oo Lwin remain unaltered, continuing to attract visitors, even those affluent Chinese and Indians who have chosen to set up their summer residential homes here now.

Located in the Shan Highlands, this charming town nicknamed the ‘Highland City of Flowers’ has a rich history with many of the British colonial hill station style houses still in use and a burgeoning industry in coffee, strawberries and flowers.

Remnants of the British can be seen in the colonial houses, Purcell towers and a old cemetery, however one of the best vestiges of this era is the town’s National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens. Formerly the Maymyo Botanical Gardens created by Alex Rodger in 1915, explore a huge variety of flora and species from all over, including the impressive rose and orchid gardens.

A little farther out of town, for cooling off and a little exercise are the magnificent waterfalls of Anisakan and also Pwe Kauk.