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Located on the western bank of
the river Ayeyarwaddy, approximately
7 miles north of Mandalay. Over 1000
metres above sea-level, Pyin Oo Lwin
is a popular hill station about 69km
away from Mandalay. It is well known
for its colonial style houses with
large compound and pine trees,
eucalyptus and silver-oak abound in
town. Delightfully cool and pleasant
the whole year round.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden was first
founded in the year 1915-16 by one
British botanist named Mr. Roger who
began collecting local plants and
trees and cultivating them on 30
acres of land at the present site.
It was only in 1919 that the
Government gave official sanction to
it. The original area of the
Botanical Garden was 170 acres of
land and 70 acres of water totaling
240 acres. With a constant supply of
sufficient spring water from the
great lake nearby, the plan of the
Garden was laid out on the design of
Kew Gardens in England. In 1920 the
Forest Department issued a
notification No. 207 which declared
the Botanical Garden as a forest
reserve and placed it under the
custody of the Department. In
several plots were planted 4840
trees mostly pine varieties, 575
different floral species and many
exotic fruit, flower and shade trees
from abroad that were acclimatized
to grow in the Garden. Besides, vast
meadows and several seasonal flower
beds were arranged and hundreds of
wild orchids from different parts of
the country were collected and
displayed in the Orchid Green House
in the garden. The garden thus
became one of the world class
botanical gardens.
Peik Chin Myaung (Maha Nandamu
Cave)
The cave is near Wetwun village
12 miles east of the town and it is
three miles south of the village,
easily accessible by car. The cave
is at the entrance to the Peik Chin
Myaung ravine, with many beautiful
springs. When the rocks in the cave
began to form, the place was under
seawater. As lime piled up, the
hillock took formation. Geologists
estimate that it could be between
230 million and 310 million years
old. The cave is called Peik Chin
Myaung (Peik Chin Plants Ravine) as
plenty of Peik Chin plants used to
grow there, letting no light inside.
This Great Cave of rock was formed
out of a fault. As water seeped and
dropped from rocks and limestone,
there appeared stalactites and
others in the shape of chandeliers.
On entering the cave you see springs
flowing from different directions.
The water at some places is as deep
as five feet. Water seeps from the
walls of the rock; and is clean and
cool. It is said that this water
cures eye ailments and itching. So,
pilgrims take this spring water home
in bottles. The Great Cave covers an
area about 48 acres. Once inside the
cave, you shiver with cold what with
the springs and small waterfalls.
The Buddha-to-be's life story up to
His Enlightenment is featured at
appropriate places. There are also
Buddha images and pagodas in corners
and niches. |