Page 322 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

320 NortherN MyaNMar Pyin OO Lwin and arOund
THE MANDALAY–LASHIO RAILWAY
The 280km railway between Mandalay and Lashio took eight years to complete, thanks to a
series of major geographical challenges en route. First, between Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin,
it relies on a series of zigzags and reverses to climb a steep escarpment onto the Shan Plateau.
More dramatically, near nawnghkio the single strand of track soars 102m above the
dokhtawady river on the famous Gokteik Viaduct.
Still Myanmar’s highest bridge today, the viaduct was completed in 1901, built by a uS
contractor using parts cast by the Pennsylvania Steel Company and shipped from the united
States. The viaduct has been regularly renovated, but trains still cross at a crawl – leaving those
unafraid of heights with plenty of time to lean out of the windows and enjoy the view.
Gokteik Station is on the Mandalay side of the viaduct. if you wish to cross the bridge and
catch the train back to Mandalay in a single day, you’ll need a ticket to nawngpeng, fifty
minutes beyond Gokteik Station, where the train arrives around noon. The train back departs
at 12.30pm – in theory, at least.

K5000), and a few Burmese and Western options are also kitchen here copes well with the restaurant’s ridiculously
available. Make sure you try the excellent local coffee. extensive menus (plural), which cover everything from
Daily 10am–10pm. sushi to hamburgers and hotpots, and there’s a good range
December Mandalay–Lashio Rd T085 21053. This of cakes, too. The pretty lakeside deck is popular with
small local chain started life as a rest stop on the visitors and locals alike. Fried rice from K3000. There’s
Mandalay–Lashio Road, serving fresh juice (from K1000), another Feel near the Golf Club, but the lake makes this one
8 yoghurt (K800) and ice cream (from K800; elaborate extra special. Daily 9.30am–9pm.
Pan Taw Win Nanda Rd T09 853 0186. Just down the
sundaes from K1800) to passing travellers. While there are
now two small additional branches near the Central road from The Taj, this is the place to drink locally grown
Market, the original roadside store is set on a large site with coffee (from K1200). The polite, professional staff here also
a petting zoo and strawberry fields. You can ride horses serve cocktails (from K2500) and Korean, Thai, Japanese
around the estate, and in season pick your own strawberries and local cuisine. A typical dish is around K5000. Coffee
and have them turned into milkshake in front of your eyes. beans are also on sale. Daily 7am–10pm.
Turn off when you see a black-and-white cut-out cow ★ The Taj 26 Nanda Rd T09 784 049 880. This is the
beside the road. Daily 7am–9pm. best Indian restaurant in town, and probably the best
Krishna South Indian Restaurant Gurkha Rd. Of the restaurant of any sort in Pyin Oo Lwin, under the same
many Indian restaurants in town that seem to have been management as Hotel Pyin Oo Lwin. This large lakeside hall,
set up in someone’s front room, Krishna has among the best with picture windows and tables neatly divided by screens,
and the most authentically Indian food. A meal with curry offers meticulously prepared and presented dishes served
and chapati will set you back K3000. Vegetarian options by well-trained, English-speaking staff. A full meal with
available. Daily 10am–9.30pm. dessert and drink will cost around K12,000. Daily
Lake Front Feel Off Nanda Rd T085 22083. The 10am–10pm.
DrINKING aND NIGhtLIFe
Very few places in Pyin Oo Lwin stay open after 10pm. The places listed here are restaurants that close later than most and
offer a good selection of drinks – there’s no need to eat if you don’t want to.
VIP Bistro Forest Rd and Kan Thar Yar St T09 797 355 Woodland 53 Circular Rd T085 22713, Wwoodlandtk
777, Wfacebook.com/viphouserestaurant. Between .com. This is the closest Pyin Oo Lwin gets to nightlife, with
Candacraig and Circular Rd you’ll see a roadside sign for this a blue-lit, open-air cocktail bar and a good restaurant with
cocktail bar and restaurant in the grounds of a white European, Thai, Chinese and local food. Cocktails start from
colonial house. Cocktails cost from K2500, and there’s K3500, and on the menu you can expect to see usual
another branch out of town on the Lashio Rd. Daily suspects like the “Blue Hawaiian” as well as more imaginative
6.30am–10pm. options like the “Human Brain”. Daily 10am–11pm.
ShoPPING
Gandamar Land Tribal Handicrafts Zaygyi St T09 this antique and curio shop sells colonial relics and vintage
4315 2931. Set in the outside of the central market building, goods such as traditional costumes. Daily 8am–6.30pm.

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