Visit Golden Rock (Kyaik Hti Yoe) in Myanmar

Golden rock is situated right at the summit of Mount Kyaiktiyo. Including Shwedagon Pagoda and Mahamuni Temple, it is one of the three main religious sites in Myanmar. As a result, many people visit this site as part of their pilgrimage from various places all around the world to worship and add gold leaf to the rock. It is such as beautiful landmark and looks almost like it is about to roll off the 1100 meter mountain, however, fortunately, it has been carefully placed just so it does not!

Obviously, the Golden Rock itself is one reason to make this great journey but just as good as this is the fantastic 360 views that it provides, meaning that you can take photos of all around until your heart’s content. Although you can stay on top of the hair-raising Mount Kyaiktiyo in various hotels many people prefer to stay at the foot of it and ascend to the top to visit as a day trip. A good way to plan your visit is to arrive in Kinpun (the village at the bottom) in afternoon or evening and then make your way to the peak in the morning.

You can climb aboard the open top bus to make that journey that will take you through the jungle like scenes. Once you have reached around 1.5km to the summit you can either opt to go to walk, take the bus or for the more adventurous of you, take the cable car.

If you really want to feel like you have achieved a pilgrimage, then you can hike to the top on a 5-hour journey through the jungle canopy. Once you have reached the summit you can place some gold leaf on the rock, however, since ancient times only men are allowed to touch the rock.

Here is another recommended articles about a guide to Golden Rock (Kyaik Hti Yoe).

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Key Attractions

see the surroundings

Kyaikthanlan Pagoda

Kyaikthanlan Pagoda was built in 875 AD and enshrines the Tripitaka. Buddhist manuscripts as well as a hair relic from the Buddha. The circumference at its base is 450 feet and is surrounded by 34 smaller Zediyan Pagodas. Kyaikthanlan Pagoda is the highest structure in Mawlamyine and stands 150 feet tall on the ridge overlooking the town centre. At the night time where it’s lighted brilliance dominates the skyline. You can see the whole of the city from the top of the pagodas.

Pa Auk Taw Ya Monastery

Pa Auk Taw Ya monastery is located only 9 miles south of Mawlamyine. This is the one of the largest meditation centers in Myanmar. The monastery teaches sati patthana vipassana (insight-awareness meditation). Foreigners can visit for the night or several days.

Win Sein Taw Ya Monastery

Win Sein taw Ya monastery is situated about 20 km south of Mawlamyine. There has the largest reclining Buddha image in the world. The reclining Buddha is 180 meters in length and 30 meters in height. Inside there are many rooms with dioramas of the teachings of Buddhism and Buddhist shrine in one of the rooms and for a place of worship. It is the attraction place for the visitors.

Kyauktalon Taung

Kyauktalon Taung is an interesting flat rock 300 (91m) in height with a Buddhist shrine situated on top. It located at the eastern side of Mawlamyine-Mudon highway. It is a very steep climb to the top and quite challenging for the adventurers. It also reminds you of Mount Popa in central Myanmar.

Thanbyuzayat

Thanbyuzayat is a town in Mon State of southeastern Myanamr. It is the administrative centre for Thanbyuzayat Township. Thanbyuzayat is located about 64 kilometres (40 mi) south of Mawlamyine and 24 kilometres (15 mi) south of Kyaikkami.

During World War II Thanbyuzayat was the western terminus of the Thailand-Myanmar Railway linking up with the pre-war coastal railway between Ye and Yangon. Thanbyuzayat was also the site of a Japanese Prisoner of war camp for the prisoners who worked on building the railway and over 3,000 Allied servicemen are buried there in the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery.

Shampoo Island (Gaung Sae Kyun)

Gaung Sae literally means “head medicine” or shampoo in Myanmar language and “Kyun” means island thus giving rise to its English name of Shampoo Island. It has been given this name from Ava period when water from a spring on this island was used in the annual royal hair washing ceremony. The island also has a Buddhist meditation centre although these days with the Thanlwin bridge being built just 50 meters abeam the island, meditation on the island is far more challenging than what it used to be, with vehicle traffic and railway line being literally only a stone’s throw away. Sandawshin Pagoda is also located on the island.