TRAIN TOUR

       The railway for passengers and goods between Yangon and Pye, the first railway line in Myanmar, was opened in 1877. In 1889 the Yangon-Mandalay track was built. The track to Myitkyina was built in 1898, and in 1903 Mandalay-Lashio track was built.

        Most interesting to tourists is that 175-mile trip by train from Mandalay to Lashio, and that for several reasons. The trains and the station buildings are age-old things. The train crosses that famous Gokhtaik viaduct, 2260 feet long and 300 feet high, and over 100 years old, built of 4311 tons of iron and steel by the American Pennsylvania and Maryland Construction company. It was damaged by the Japanese bombardment during their retreat from Burma (Myanmar). The viaduct, as it is now, was built by the Myanmar Railway in 1951.

        Charcoal-powered trains are still in service in some small towns in Myanmar for short-distance transportation.

        Most tourists to Myanmar take the train to go to Mandalay from Yangon. The train usually leaves Yangon in the evening and arrives at Mandalay early the next day. It takes at least 14 hours. From Mandalay you can proceed by train to Shwe Nyaung, Bagan and Myitkyina.

        An interesting experience you can have in Yangon, among other things of interest, is taking a ride in the circular train that takes you around the city. You can start it from the Yangon Central Railway Station or just step on at any of the stations all along the way. This around-the-city railway has a total of 37 stations with a minute's halt at each. It is a good opportunity to see Yangon suburban residential areas and also have a personal experience of vendors on board as well as the loading and unloading of goods. The whole track covers a total of 28 miles.    ;  

There might be some delay en route because of some sections of the tracks being qualitatively below par and the train itself being many years old. Of course, there is a great deal of difference between these trains and bullet trains.

The 14-mile-wide narrow passage (defile) of the Ayeyarwaddy is famous as the most beautiful defile of its kind and locates in lower part of Bahmo. However full it is with water, it takes a great deal of care in navigation even for a skilled pilot if he does not know the unpredictable weather in advance.

        The defile lies at a bend that has a strong current. On both sides are high banks of rocks as high as 1200 feet and it is surrounded by blue mountains. As the bank gets into that narrow passage you can see a mass of rock in the shape of a parrot's beak jutting out into the river on the northern side.

        After passing the defile you reach Katha, a town on the Mandalay-Myitkyina railway. During the stop-over for the night, you can visit the training camp for elephants in Katha which has a number of timber industries of the State Timber Department. You can see captured wild elephants being trained for work. You also watch people removing guts from the fishes they have caught to make dry fish.

        Over 80 miles before you get to Mandalay you reach a town called Kyauk Myaung well-known for its potteries that produce large glazed eastern jars.

        The cruise affords you an opportunity to watch schools of dolphins that would appear frequently near Kyauk Myaung, particularly when the river is low. They do not live in shallow water. They are found not singly but in groups. They are often found in the river between Mingun and Kyauk Myaung, in December or February when the river is low.
 

Mandalay-Bagan trip

In the distance to the east is Innwa (Ava) with its historic Me Nu brick monastery and Bagaryar monastery.

        The vessel reaches Bagn towards the evening. You enjoy watching the beautiful sunset taking place over the Tankyi Taung Mountain on the western bank of the river Ayeyarwaddy.