National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens

The National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens are the centrepiece of a visit to Pyin Oo Lwin. Spread across 177 hectares at 1,000 metres of altitude, the gardens contain an extraordinary range of plants — orchids, roses, a fern house, a butterfly garden, and a large lake at the heart of the grounds. Plant labels are given in both Latin and Burmese, giving the place a pleasingly serious character.

The rose garden is at its best in the cool season (October to February), when varieties from around the world bloom in the mild hill-station climate. The orchid collection is impressive year-round. Allow at least two hours for a proper visit; the grounds are large enough that a horse-drawn carriage or a bicycle makes navigation easier. Entrance fees apply.

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A story
The gardens were founded in 1915 under the direction of Sir Harcourt Butler, then Lieutenant-Governor of Burma, who commissioned a Scottish gardener named Alex McGregor to design them. McGregor modelled the layout on Kew Gardens in London. Over a century later, with 177 hectares of grounds, the gardens are still one of the finest in Southeast Asia.

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