It was first established in 1915 as the Maymyo Botanical Gardens by Alex Roger, a Forest Officer.

On 1 December 1942, the Ministry of Forestry designated the Botanical Gardens a "protected forest area".

On 1 December 2000, Sr Gen Than Shwe renamed it "Kandawgyi National Gardens".

The gardens are popular among tourists, who enjoy the rolling lawns and Alpine landscape reminiscent of those in England.

The 5 day event this year had over 7 million flowers of 16 local and over 70 foreign species on display.