It is a long slow journey from Mandalay to Lashio of 280 km by train, and roughly the same by road which follows much the same route. The train to Lashio moves painfully slow travelling at an average speed of 17.97 kmph. The slow speed, however, is understandable as this train travels through mountainous country up to the administrative capital of the remote Shan state, Lashio. The main reason why foreign visitors travel on this train route, however, is not Lashio itself but the scenery on route, particularly the Goteik Viaduct bridge, and the trekking and adventure activities in the nearby mountains.
Train Times: Mandalay to Lashio
There is only one direct train a day from Mandalay to Lashio, Train #131.
| Mandalay | Lashio | Train | Journey |
| 04:00 | 19:35 | 131 | 15 hr 35 m |
- Upper Class Seats: $ 12
Buy Train Tickets to Lashio
Use the Search Box below to book your train tickets from Mandalay to Lashio.
It is easy to buy Myanmar train tickets using the Search Box above:
- Secure Payment: Pay by card or PayPal.
- Ticket Collection: Collect your ticket before you travel at an office near Mandalay Central Railway Station.
Location of Mandalay Station
Location of Lashio Station
About Travel to Lashio
The major sight on the train route from Mandalay to Lashio is the Goteik Viaduct bridge. The Goteik Viaduct bridge is 689 metres long supported by 15 towers and over 100 metres above ground level at the tallest point, making it the highest bridge in Myanmar. Completed in 1900 with parts shipped from the USA at the time it was constructed this was the largest ‘railway trestle’ in the world.
Trains from Mandalay to Lashio pass over the Goteik Viaduct bridgeLashio was once the summer capital for the British Colonial Government with accommodation for British official and military personnel, however, now Lashio sees few international visitors and has few amenities for foreign visitors. Few people seem to speak English in this border town of over 130,000 people. Other than trekking, caving and tubing on the rivers there is relatively little of interest in Lashio for the foreign visitor and few people choose to stay longer than a single night. This said there are few places to visit:
- Bodhi Ni Tau: The 2,000 Buddha temple on the hill near the train station.
- Shwe Kyaut Gu: A monastery built into a cave near to the university.
- Lashio morning market: A local market selling food and handicraft.
- Sasana 2500 Pagoda: 30 minutes walk from the centre of town this pagoda is supposedly over 2,000 years old, and has great views. The Sasan 2500 Pagoda is the main tourist attraction of Lashio.