Pine trees and colonial villas in Pyin Oo Lwin

We took a taxi from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin, a refugee in the “mountains” (read: 1000m high) for the British in colonial times, early in the morning. All windows in the car were rolled down because of the heath (aircons aren’t used because they cost money).

The cooler air that crept in while we drove the forest lanes in the hills could immediately draw a smile on my face. A smile that stayed on thanks to the lovely colonial villas scattered around town. The pine trees and dry sandy grounds surrounding them let me believe for 5 seconds we were somewhere in the midwest.

Pyin Oo Lwin’s local delicacy, fresh strawberries, was a welcome change from bananas and when mixed with ice and condensed milk it made a sweet replacement for 4 o’clock tea.

If you want to explore the are further you can hop on a motorbike and discover local farmer’s life and a special wooden monastery.

Yes, Pyin Oo Lwin has a lot of faces and it holds a special atmosphere.

Pyin Oo Lwin trip summary

• Transport: By hired taxi from Mandalay and back. The town itself is easily walkable.
• Stay: The Royal Flower Guesthouse. Great breakfast with eggs and fresh fruit & juice. Complimentary bottled water.
• To do: Explore the colonial villas on foot and rent a motorbike (with driver) to take you to the surrounding villages.
• Food: Noodle shops and Chinese eateries are easy to find. The night market is a must do as well.
• Shop: There’s a nice second hand store on the way to town (from the guesthouse) & the central market is fun to browse.