Myanmar: from Pyin Oo Lwin by train across the Gokteik-Viaduct

Myanmar: from Pyin Oo Lwin by train. Train stations are wonderfully colourful places and Kyaukme's train station is no different. It is a great place to watch people.

Eventually the train arrives.We sit on wooden benches. The landscape glides past us. The train makes many stops. Vendors at the stations with all kinds of eatables on the head walk along the train trying to sell something.

Along the track are a lot of yellow flowers, kind of large yellow daisies. The flowers grow very close to the rails. Sitting at an open window you are bombarded by petals and buds.

During this beautiful train journey through the Shan mountains you will cross the Gokteik-Viaduct, constructed by British colonialists in 1901. Gokteik was once the longest railway trestle in the world. Stretching 689 meters from end to end, the viaduct has 14 towers and is over 100 meters high.

The train moves walking speed across the bridge, which may have been the epitome of engineering when it was built but now it is a crumbling antique, which only adds to the white-knuckle high-wire act experience.

The engineer goes as slowly as possible to avoid the rocking motion that will further damage the bridge and, possibly, plunge the train into the river below. Crossing this bridge is an experience you will not forget easily!
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Видео Myanmar: from Pyin Oo Lwin by train across the Gokteik-Viaduct канала jan-arend van Boeijen