Gok Teik Bridge

I planned to take the train from Pyin U Lwin to the stop after the Gok Teik Bridge then turn back with the opposite side train. It is the highest bridge in Myanmar, and when it was completed, the largest railway trestle in the world. It is located approximately 100 km northeast of Mandalay.

The bridge was constructed in 1899 by the Pennsylvania and Maryland Bridge Construction Company, and opened in 1900. The components were made by the Pennsylvania Steel Company and were shipped from the United States. The rail line was constructed help expand the influence of the British Empire in the region.

The train ride is the perfect way to sit back and enjoy some of Myanmar’s beautiful countryside, with a nice breeze blowing over from the open windows.

However, the train only run one way today, so I was carried by a motorcycle taxi for 20 minutes to a road junction in the hope to find a shared taxi (fortunately found one from Nawnpeng to Pyinoolwin, yet jammed at the back trunk space of a hatchback for 2.5 hrs on a very winey and bumpy way), then on a pickup truck 2-hr to Mandalay about 5 pm. I am glad that I did not take the hotel owner’s offer to leave my bag at Pyinoolwin, so I could freely adapt to the situations and changed plans.













I was dropped a bit away from the train station due to traffic, and I walked 1.4 miles to the hostel. It's worth the hassle to see the bridge.

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