In the era of the Pyu city-states it was a city of considerable significance, possibly a local capital replacing Sri Ksetra.

Hanlin, Beikthano, and Sri Ksetra, the ancient cities of the Pyu Kingdom were built on the irrigated fields of the Dry Zone.

The archaeological sites of Hanlin, (also known as Halingyi, Halin, and Halim),[1] are located above the village in the Watlet Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Division.

The other route is to the south of the bus station for 6 miles (9.7 km) along a bad, rocky road that leads to archaeological site 29 and the village.

[6] Archaeological findings indicate that habitation existed in this area since the Bronze Age, and that Hanlin was established by the Pyu people only during the 1st or 2nd century BC.

[5] In another legend it is said that the misdeeds of a prince of Hanlin caused "a rain of ash and molten matter [to] pour down heavily and bury[ing] the city completely".

Thirty three mounds have been excavated so far in Hanlin City, in the southern and northern areas of Shwegugyi Pagoda, and in the old Halin town.

[3][8] Archaeological excavations at Hanlin village have also unearthed a city enclosed within walls which have twelve gates and show the tell tale marks of a moat.

A particular find of interest is at excavation site designated HL-22 where three sets of standing stone slabs dating to the 2nd AD are indicative of the megalithic culture.

[5] The museum also has exhibits of finds of: silver coins, gold ornaments, bricks with inscriptions of texts, and many antiquities recovered from the Hanlin sites.