Pyi Oo Lwin (Maymyo), lies some 40 miles north of Mandalay at the bottom of Shan plateau. Formerly known, as Maymyo is named after Colonel May of the 5th Bengal Infantry Regiment in 1886. At 1040 meters above sea level Maymyo is famous for it's climate weather, used to be a popular hill station during colonial days. Surrounded by low hills within a area of approximately 30 square km, the area is dotted with pine trees, eucalyptus and silver oak. Coffee, vegetables and strawberries are grown on the slopes of the hills. Maymyo impresses with its many churches, colonial styled buildings with gables, turrets and chimneys etc. Horse-drawn royal carriages still play major role in transport means. Maymyo maintains a botanical garden of 432 acres, laid out by Sir Harcourt Butler, former Governor of Burma. Maymyo is reachable by car with just one and a half hour from Mandalay ,can also be reached by train over a scenic, narrow winding road climbing up the slops of the fertile Shan plateau. The British built railroad still being used today. Maymyo was originally founded by Myanmar official Maung Dwe in 1851 and later named as May Myo by British Colonel May in 1896. The scenic Pwe-kauk waterfalls, Chinese temple in addition to British built colonial buildings are places worth visiting. Nearby are Peik-chin-hmyaung Cave and Gokteik Rail bridge. see photos of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)