Founded in 1915, this lovingly maintained 435-acre botanical garden features more than 480 species of flowers, shrubs and trees. For casual visitors, its most appealing aspect is the way flowers and overhanging branches frame views of Kandawgyi Lake’s wooden bridges and small gilded pagoda. Admission includes the swimming pool, visits to the aviary , orchid garden and butterfly museum and the bizarre Nan Myint Tower .
Looking like a space rocket designed for a medieval Chinese Emperor, the 12-storey tower offers panoramic views which are better appreciated from the external staircase than through the grease-smeared windows of the observation deck.
Annoyingly, you can’t use a bicycle to get around the grounds so bring walking shoes and allow around two hours to do it justice. Using the southern entrance slightly reduces the walking you have to do. By 6pm both gates will likely be locked so watch the time – there are no closure warnings.
The garden’s two entrances are both on the eastern side of Kandawgyi Lake, around a mile south of smaller Kandawlay Lake.
