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How to get to U Bein bridge in Mandalay Myanmar
Alternative spellings U Beng / U Peng / U Pein How to get to U Bein bridge in Mandalay Myanmar
What is U Bein Bridge?
U Bein bridge (pronounce “You b-ay-n”) is beautiful, quirky, teak wood bridge in south Mandalay. It is over 150 years old and crosses the Taung Tha Man lake. At present some short sections of the bridge are closed for restoration. U Bein bridge is popular with local sightseers and tourists.
How to get to U Bein bridge in Mandalay Myanmar
How much does it cost to go to U Bein Bridge?
At present there is no entrance ticket for the U Bein bridge. The only costs are transport there and back and any nice things you want to do there.
What can you do at U Bein bridge?
Visit at sunset for great photos and a lovely peaceful atmosphere. Stroll across the bridge and enjoy the scenery. Take a small rowing boat onto the lake. Paddle out for epic photos. Explore nearby villages and temples. Sample some local nibbles.
If you wish to take a rowing boat on to the lake be ready to barter and shop around. Prices may start as high as 10,000Ks (8 USD / 6 GBP) for two people. But you can easily get it down to 4,000Ks (3 USD / 2 GBP) for two people.
How do I get to U Bein bridge?
You can get to U Bein bridge by various methods of transport. You can do a return trip by taxi for around 10,000Ks (8 USD / 6 GBP). A slightly cheaper option is to go by motorbike taxi. A motorbike taxi will cost 6,000Ks (5 USD / 3 USD) for the return trip including waiting for you to see sunset. They may be willing to barter to 5,000Ks (4 USD / 3 GBP). Alternatively you could rent a motor bike or a bicycle.
How to get to U Bein bridge in Mandalay Myanmar
By pick up bus
If you are travelling from the area to the south west of the city palace (there are some guest houses 83rd / 25th street area) you can take a pick up bus. If you intend to go and see sunset leave plenty of time for the journey. The last bus leaves from town between 4-5pm. The bus journey takes around 30 minutes followed by a 20-30 minute walk. The main disadvantage of taking a pick up bus is the last return bus is around 6pm so you may need to get a taxi or hitchhike back if you stay after sunset.
Pick up buses leave from 84th / 29th street intersection. This intersection is marked on the map below. You may need to wait for a bus to fill up before it departs.
They cost 500Ks (0.40 USD / 0.30 GBP). Explain that you want to go to U Bein bridge and they will show you where to get off. You will be getting off on the main road running through Amarapura to the west of Taung Tha Man lake. It is around 1km to walk to the bridge from here. The walk is scenic and enjoyable. Here are some photos from our walk through the village…
How to get to U Bein bridge in Mandalay Myanmar
How to get to U Bein bridge in Mandalay Myanmar
How to get to U Bein bridge in Mandalay Myanmar
There’s always more…
Click here for more epic things to do around Mandalay>>
Looking for a place to stay?
We have put together some great blogs on local guests houses you can book along the way…
Bagan>> Inle Lake>> Kalaw>> Mandalay>> Hpa An>> Hsipaw>> Pyin U Lwin>> Myawaddy>>
Or if you prefer to get organised and book everything in advance, this should be uber helpful:
Book you room in Yangon HERE (Explore the golden cities temples)
Book your room in Nyaung U (Bagan) HERE (A base for exploring famous temples)
Book your room in Inle Lake HERE (See the famous local fishermen)
Book your room in Kalaw HERE (Prepare for the Iconic Inle Lake Trek)
Book your room for Mandalay HERE (Walk the beautiful U Bein Bridge)
Book your room in Pyin oo Lwin HERE (Explore stunning waterfalls)
Book your room in Hsipaw HERE (For beautiful hill tribe trekking)
Book your room in Hpa An HERE (For climbing Mt. Zwegabin)
First Time in Myanmar ??
Myanmar is changing rapidly, so up-to-date blogs (like this one, ahem!) will be a great source. But If it’s you’re first time visiting Myanmar you will probably want to grab a travel guide too. I always think you don’t need more than a ‘Rough Guide‘ as it is about making it your own adventure! They have a pretty cheap kindle copy as well as the actual book.
4 Responses
Min Thaw
Very benefical to read it and i may apply for my teaching today. Iam going to discucc about an interestiong place in our city .So may i use your article as teacing aid please.
Globemad Emma
You would be very welcome to, Mandalay is a great city, glad I could be helpful.
Davinder S. Sekhon
I live in California, been to 54 countries, was in Morocco in April, coming back from India. Your information was very helpful. I will be in Burma (Myanmar) , can not bring myself to call Burma by its new name, in October, next month.
Keep up the good work, thanks a million for the information provided herein. Have a nice day.
Globemad Emma
Hi Davinder, woah, thats a lot of travel! I know there is a lot of controversy around it, but many see the new name as representing unity for the future. – At least thats what our trekking guide told us. Hope you have a great time there!