Goteik Viaduct: Myanmar’s Historic Railway Bridge

Travel safety note: Since the 2021 military coup, parts of Myanmar have seen ongoing armed conflict, and the March 2025 earthquake centred near Mandalay and Sagaing damaged many temples and historic sites. Before you go, check your government's latest travel advisory and confirm with a local guide which places are currently open and safe to reach.

The Goteik (Gokteik) Viaduct is one of Myanmar’s most famous pieces of railway history. It is located in northern Shan State, beyond Pyin Oo Lwin, the well-known former colonial hill town. Construction began in 1899 and the viaduct opened on 1 January 1900. It is 689 m long and stands 102 m high. Sir Arthur Rendel, engineer for the Burma Railway Company, oversaw construction.

The main reason for building that viaduct was to connect with Namtu silver mining of Northern Shan State during the British colonial time. It is the highest bridge in Myanmar and, when it was completed, it was the largest railway trestle in the world.

The viaduct is on the Mandalay–Lashio railway, between Pyin Oo Lwin and Hsipaw. Before the current conflict, crossing it by train was a breathtaking experience and a real taste of local travel.

Read more: How to get around with Local Transport：Getting Around Myanmar

Current situation

The area around Nawnghkio and the viaduct has seen heavy fighting in recent years, and in August 2025 part of the viaduct was reported damaged amid fighting (the military and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army blamed each other). Whether trains can cross the bridge, and whether foreign visitors may travel this section of the line, is uncertain, so please do not plan a trip here without up-to-date local advice.

Before the conflict, travellers usually boarded the train at Pyin Oo Lwin (reached by taxi or shared taxi from Mandalay) or took the much earlier train directly from Mandalay, and rode as far as Naung Peng station before returning.

Timetables and access change with the security situation, so check your government’s travel advisory and ask a local guide whether any part of this route is currently open and safe.

If and when the route is safe and running again, the train ride over the viaduct is a memorable addition to a trip around Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin.

Author: Lwin (Tour Guide, MyProGuide) · Find a local guide

Read more: Hidden Gems in Mandalay

Cover photo: Flash One Eh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons