Pyin Oo Lwin Myanmar's Highland City of Flowers

Pyin Oo Lwin

Myanmar's Highland City of Flowers

***Pyin Oo Lwin was not affected by the cyclone which swept across the south of Myanmar on 2nd May*** Overseas people who wish to contribute to the massive international effort to provide funds and help to the affected people can contribute directly through www.dec.org.uk***

[ About Pyin Oo Lwin ] [ Maymyo in the 1920s ] [ Calendar ] [ Getting Around ] [ Health and Safety ] [ Photo Gallery ] [ Real Estate ] [ Travel Agencies ] [ Trekking ] [ What to see ] [ Where to eat ] [ Where to shop ] [ Where to stay ] [ Contact Us ]

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Photos from the 1920s

Welcome to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)

Pyin Oo Lwin offers visitors cool days and nights, peaceful rural roads and tracks for walkers and cyclists, trekking in the fruit and flower producing countryside, and interesting shopping. Old times can be re-lived with coach rides, and many historical and beautiful places are within easy reach. Just over an hour's drive from Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin is an ideal and refreshing destination for visitors to Upper Myanmar.

Water Festival 2008. 2 Ah-Kyat days this year.

This year the New Year Water Festival offers an extra bonus day. Ah-Kyo (pre-festival day) is on 12 April. Water throwing begins in earnest on 13th, and continues until 16th. Sadly now over, but Thingyan was accompanied by the traditional rain and showers at night, clearing away the summer dust, and freshening the grass and flowers.

For some historical perspectives of Pyin Oo Lwin click here, and for a map click here. Festivals and monthly flowers and zodiacs are here. For one of the most complete websites dealing with the rest of Myanmar, see www.ananda-travel.com/UK/myanmar.htm

Useful Links

Pyin Oo Lwin weather throughout the year

Glorious in autumn (lush greenery), winter (perfect blue skies and amazingly starry nights) and spring (strawberries and cream, flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables). Summer starts in late April (Thingyan festival) with most rain between June and September.

Normal annual high: 32c; lowest low: 1c

April 2008: 32c(max), 22c(min) (see Calendar ). Full Moon: 20th

This week: Hot (22-32c). 27 April: Post-Thingyan rain, but now being followed by hot days and warm nights. Very glad we don't live in Mandalay or Monwa where the temperature is very much hotter!

Midday temperatures now around 32c, night 22c. Humidity 25-50%.

How to get to Pyin Oo Lwin

From the Mandalay International Airport there are two choices: either hire a taxi directly to Pyin Oo Lwin (cost about $45 - negotiable); or take a taxi into Mandalay to the Unity Hotel (about $15 - fixed price). There is a roadside stop for Pyin Oo Lwin taxis here, with the cost of a seat in a shared taxi about $5 (or about $19 for 4 foreigners sharing). The first option takes about 1.5 hours, the second about 2.5 hours. Click here for taxi phones.

It's also possible to get to Pyin Oo Lwin by train (5 hours), bus (2.5 hours), or Hilux pickup (3 hours). Hotels can advise on these. Train bookings and tickets can be bought only at Mandalay Railway Station.

NB Some night trains from Yangon to Mandalay are still discontinued (March 2008), but there are now more flights up-country and good, regular direct buses between Yangon and Pyin Oo Lwin

Staying in Pyin Oo Lwin

Pyin Oo Lwin has hotels from top class down. Comfortable country inns with good food and service, medium range hotels, and budget hotels - all give that old-fashioned individual attention and assistance.

Overall, price is a good guide to quality and comfort. Despite inflation prices have remained quite stable. Best bargains are about $6 in the lower bracket (see Grace Hotel) and $25 in the upper (Royal Park View). Budget travellers should check out Dahlia Motel, too. A Suite for two at the Kandawgyi Lodge costs around $75. Hotels are currently offering good discounts.

In the off-season (after mid-April to end September) bookings aren't needed. It's worth calling in advance for rooms in the better hotels since they do fill up occasionally - on the weekends near Full Moon days, for example.

Pyin Oo Lwin has wonderful picnic spots in every direction

Orchids grow in profusion in Pyin Oo Lwin

Before you leave please v isit the Pyin Oo Lwin Guestbook. Thanks!