PHOTO GALLERY: Train Journey Over Gokteik Gorge – Myanmar

2013/09/22

The stunning Gokteik Bridge in NE Myanmar

PHOTO GALLERY:

Train Journey Over Gokteik Gorge – Myanmar

One of my favorite experiences in Myanmar during my month-long visit in early 2013 was taking a day-long train journey across the Shan Plateau and Myanmar’s famous Gokteik Bridge.

The bridge was built by the British in the late 1880s during their occupation of Burma. Upon completion in 1901, Gokteik was the highest bridge in the world! Imagine that – tucked way over in remote Burma, a country hardly anyone even knew about.

passengers waiting for train at Kyaukme in NE Myanmar

passengers waiting for the train at Kyaukme market town

Somewhat amazingly, the bridge still stands over wide Gokteik Gorge a couple hours NE of Mandalay city. Even more surprising, the original British wood trains still run the route daily between Mandalay and Lashio, close to the Chinese border. The trains haul both passengers and cargo across the vast Shan Plain and take a tortuously long time to run between the two cities.

The trains and tracks are in desperate need of maintenance as proved by the cars’ alarming side to side swaying and jumping up & down on the tracks like a trampoline in places. Honestly, I’m surprised they don’t derail regularly. But they keep chugging along.

I took the journey from Kyaukme market town south to Pyu U Lwin town. The train trip is supposed to take 4-6 hours, but the train usually runs behind schedule and takes more like 6-8 hours. By road, the towns are 3-4 hours apart by bus.

The all-day train journey is a fascinating adventure from arrival and waiting at the train platform to boarding the train to riding inside the bouncing carriages along with dozens of friendly locals. Of course the highlight is approaching and crossing Gokteik Gorge on the tall steel bridge.

In this photo gallery I present 28 photos of my amazing journey.

SEE PHOTOS OF GOKTEIK BRIDGE AND MY TRAIN JOURNEY ACROSS SHAN PLATEAU