By train it takes 12 hours to travel 208 km from Mandalay to Hsipaw. The train from Mandalay to Hsipaw moves at a slow average speed of 17.25 kilometres per hour as it crosses mountainous terrain on route and negotiates some sharp bends in the track. From Yangon which is 59 metres above sea level the train ascends over 1,000 metres to the highest point on the journey at 1,098 metres above sea level shortly before arriving in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Train Times: Mandalay to Hsipaw
There is only one direct train a day from Mandalay to Hsipaw, Train #131.
Mandalay | Hsipaw | Train | Journey |
04:00 | 16:00 | 131 | 12 hr 00 m |
- Upper Class Seats: $ 9
Buy Train Tickets to Hsipaw
Use the Search Box below to buy your train tickets from Mandalay to Hsipaw.
- You can collect your train tickets in Mandalay up to 2 days before you are due to travel.
Location of Mandalay Station
Location of Hsipaw Station
About Hsipaw
Hsipaw is an increasingly popular destination for foreign visitors to Myanmar. The journey by train to Hsipaw is also an adventure in itself passing over the Goteik Viaduct Bridge, the longest railway bridge in Myanmar. Hsipaw itself is a small town on the banks of the Dokhtawaddy River with a fairly good range of range of facilities. The best known place to stay in Hsipaw is the long running Mr Charles Guest House which as well as budget hotel is also regarded as a pioneer in developing Hsipaw into trekking destination, and they still run treks today along with adventure tours. There are also a range of other hotels and guesthouses in Hsipaw, as well as restaurants and places to drink beer. Hsipaw is lively place which most backpackers will find comfortable enough and inexpensive for a short stay.

Although the main reason foreign visitors tend to come to Hsipaw is for trekking in the nearby mountains there are a small number of things of interest to see in Hsipaw. Within Hsipaw you may find it interesting to visit the central market which runs from early in the morning to the middle of the afternoon, or travel 6 km out of town to visit the Bowgoy Pagoda, which the most famous religious site in the area. There are no restrictions in place regarding hiking in the area around Hsipaw so you not need to hire a guide, although you would need a map and some camping equipment if you planned to undertake a longer trek around more remote parts of the surrounding countryside. For this reason many people choose to go on an organised tour which will cheaply and safely take them around some of the more interesting waterfalls and small villages for which the area is famous. Ko Pee Travel & Trekking Tours based at Mr Charles Guesthouse is the best known trekking company in Hsipaw although recent reports suggest that Firefly’s Travel & Trekking Co offer a better level of service – you can find their office on Aung Thapyay Street in Hsipaw.