Hsipaw is a small market town in the northern Shan State on the Dokhtawady River, long popular with independent travellers for its easy access to Shan and Palaung hill tribe villages on foot or by bicycle. The train journey from Mandalay to Hsipaw crosses the spectacular Gokteik Viaduct — a British colonial-era iron trestle bridge spanning a gorge 100 metres deep — making the approach to the town an experience in itself. The local Shan prince's palace, tea plantations, and waterfall walks round out the attractions.