- Location: Myanmar, Kyaukme
- Length: 689 m
- Opening date: January 1, 1900
- Tim Bridge: Viaduct, Trestle brige
- Fare: $ 2
In Myanmar , in the state of Shan, is the highest viaduct in the country, which at the time of construction, more than a century ago, was also the highest viaduct in the world. The Goteyk Viaduct in present-day Myanmar does not represent strategic significance, as it once did, but simply performs its simple function of helping the train to get from point A to point B.
The construction of the Gotejk bridge
In those days, when Burma was a colony of England, she did her best to consolidate her positions on the colonial lands. There was a need for communication between settlements. It was with this goal in 1900 that the Goteik viaduct was built and put into operation, which connected Sipo and Mandalay . For the construction, 15 steel poles were cast at the Pennsylvania Steel Mill and delivered to Burma by sea, as the state of Myanmar was then called.
What is interesting about the viaduct Gotejk in Burma?
It is not often possible to see a railway bridge, as if floating in the air, besides such a giant size. Its height is more than 100 m, and the length is almost 700 m. The speed of the train throughout the entire road is high enough, so that the cars squeak and bend, but before approaching the bridge speed decreases to a minimum. This is done both for the safety of passengers, and for the safety of the viaduct, because after all it is more than a hundred years.
"Swim" over the bubbling river, you can admire the riot of tropical greenery below and even see the remains of the railway, parallel to the bottom of the canyon. It was built in the middle of the last century to secure, in case of destruction of the viaduct. But over time, this possibility became very illusive, and the lower railway line was no longer maintained in proper technical condition. Now it resembles a skeleton of a lizard, entangled by lianas.
Features of the trip
You can ride a viaduct in a high-class car or in an ordinary car. The second option involves a very close multi-voiced neighborhood with the local population. Choosing the second option, there is hope for a quiet ride, and even with a certain comfort - the cars are equipped with soft chairs that turn to the window for easy viewing.
The train runs its route twice a day. Time on the road is about 7 hours, but thanks to comfortable places and observation of the surrounding beauties, it flies by unnoticed. During the movement at the stations and directly in the wagons, there is a lively trade, so there is an opportunity to leave the train not with empty hands, but with a profitable purchase. The locals are very friendly and consider the fellow travelers with interest.
How to get to the Gotejk viaduct?
From Sipo the train leaves at 9:40 in the morning, at about one o'clock in the afternoon passes through the viaduct of Goteyk, and at Pyin-U-L'viv comes at 16:00.