Lashio ( The Gokteik viaduct on the way to Lashio )

The Gokteik Bridge, a structure of steel trestle construction for railway line to Lashio began in 1901 by an American company - the Pennsylvania and Maryland Bridge Construction and completed in 1913. It is 2260 feet long and was built 320 feet high above a deep ragged stone rock valley. The Rock itself is 550 feet high above the small river that flows under the rock. Due to its technical and natural condition it was considered as a masterpiece of the world standard. Mr Paul Theroux said his book " The Great Railway Bizarre" called the viaduct " a monster of silver geometry in all the ragged rock and jungle---its presence was bizarre".