Slow train to Hsipaw

The up train from Mandalay (80m Above Sea Level) departs daily at around 4am heading up into the hills of Shan State, Myanmar, eventually arriving at its final destination of Lashio (900m ASL) at around 7.30pm. For many of the smaller more isolated communities along its route, this train is an important link to the wider world. Four hours from Mandalay the train arrives at the larger town of Pyin Oo Lwin (1090m ASL). In British times this hill town, then called Maymyo, was the summer administrative capital for Burma. A must see are the National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens which were established in 1915. Locals board at this station accompanied by large bundles of market produce, along with international travellers lured by the railway journey and the opportunity to see and cross the Gokhteik Gorge (970m ASL) which is another 4 hours up the track. Crossing the gorge by rail on the steel viaduct is an exciting experience considering that you are perched 100m above the waters of the river below. The steel trestle was the highest in the world and considered an engineering marvel when completed in 1900 by the American company, Pennsylvania and Maryland Bridge Construction. The afternoon is spent rocking (or some may say lurching) through beautiful rural landscapes and small villages, arriving at our final destination of Hsipaw (530m ASL) in the late afternoon. The town is on the banks of the Myitnge River and is an important regional centre and stopping point for trucks on their way to China. It is also becoming popular with trekkers wishing to experience the beauty of the surrounding hills and rice paddies and for exciting long-tail riverboat cruising on the Myitnge. A relaxing train ride with beautiful scenery and interesting people, with plenty of time to enjoy it all during the 7-8 hours it takes to do the ~140km from Pyin Oo Lwin. Truly a slow train but who would have it any other way.