Pyin Oo Lwin

Welcome to Pyin Oo Lwin, formerly known as Maymyo - a picturesque small town in the Shan Highlands of central Myanmar. This town is more than just a pretty face: it began as an outpost of the British military during its occupation of the country, and eventually grew into a permanent post, as well as the summer capital of British Burma due to its temperate climate from its high elevation. Today, Pyin Oo Lwin has a strong Anglo legacy, with one of the largest Anglo-Burmese populations in the country. Despite the fact that the military government of Burma renamed the town Pyin Oo Lwin from the British Maymyo (meaning May's Town, after the British Colonel May), there remains much evidence of British occupation and rule, from old colonial homes to the chimes of the town's clock tower aligning with those of Big Ben in London, England. Visitors can expect to be charmed by the sensual natural surroundings, which include an abundance of vibrant flowers and strawberries, as well as aromatic coffee beans. Together with a comfortable climate and relaxed vibe, as well as plenty of attractions and activities, Pyin Oo Lwin makes a pleasant stop on any visit to Myanmar.

EXPERIENCES

Anisakan Falls

A good half-day hike – or a short drive – from Pyin Oo Lwin, visitors will find the Anisakan Falls, a beautiful natural wonder made even more magnificent by the small, gold Buddhist Temple located at the base. A 45-minute walk from nearby Anisakan village, the falls also feature a hiking trail going up alongside them, giving visitors an incredible view from the top and also of the surrounding forested areas.

Chan Tak Buddhist Temple

With a strong Yunnanese Chinese population due to an influx of immigration, Pyin Oo Lwin has a large Buddhist Temple where many local people worship. This colorful structure, built by the Yunnanese people, provides a nice location for a walk just south of the town and shows another outside influence in the small yet diverse town.

National Kandawgyi Gardens

The botanical gardens of Maymyo are well worth a tour: they feature many different varieties of English plants and include a rose garden, an orchid garden, and a stupa located on a tiny island in the middle of a pond. Located just outside of the town, the gardens are a nice little walk or carriage ride away.

Purcell Tower

One of the main attractions in the center of the town is Purcell Tower, which houses one of the few clocks made by Gillette and Johnson Co. of England in 1934, in celebration of King George V’s Silver Jubilee (one of the other clocks is in Cape Town, South Africa, given at the same time). The chimes of the clock align with those of Big Ben in London, England, yet another connection with this town’s British history.

Pyin Oo Lwin Market

As Pyin Oo Lwin is a scenic mountain town, visitors should be sure to spend some time walking its streets, soaking up all the sites as well as the atmosphere. Worth a visit is the Pyin Oo Lwin Market, located in the center of town: many local products, including wine, strawberry jam, and coffee are sold at the market, as well as woolen clothing and other local goods and crafts.

Shiva Temple

Because Pyin Oo Lwin was the military center of the British Indian Army, it has a strong Indian population and houses a large Shiva Temple. Dedicated to the Hindu God of Shiva, this temple is located in the center of the town and is a main place of worship for many of local people.

Visit or Stay at the Candacraig (now the Thiri Myaing Hotel)

Fans of architecture should check out the Candacraig, a colonial mansion built in 1904 as a guesthouse for staff of the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation. The well-maintained hotel, now owned and operated by the government, was featured in the legendary travel writer Paul Theroux’s The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia, and provides an excellent glimpse into traditional colonial life. Other similar colonial houses made into government-run hotels are The Croxton and Craddock Court.

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Theroux in Southeast Asia: Revisiting The Great Railway Bazaar

Author: John McMahon

When Paul Theroux set out from his local stop on the London underground to the farthest reaches of Asia by rail, he would go on to write one of the greatest travelogues of the modern age. But Asia has changed.