Kyaiktiyo, also sometimes written Kyaikhteeyoe, is a small pilgrim town in the mountains almost 200 km from Yangon in Southeastern Myanmar, famous for its golden boulder and pagoda balancing precariously over a cliff.
There is a lot of confusion about the actual name of the location of the Golden Rock and the related cities. In the following all three are explained:
- Kyaikto. This is the town on the highway, 14 km from Kinpun and 28 km from Kyaiktiyo.
- Kinpun. This is the town at the foot of the mountain, sometimes called "base camp", where most people will spend the night.
- Kyaiktiyo. This is where the Golden Rock can be found. Temples and this town have built up around the Golden Rock on top of the mountain to serve the thousands of pilgrims every day in high season.
In addition, there is always a big discussion whether it is worth to come here or whether this is just a touristic scam. However, remember that this is a major pilgrim side in Myanmar and not just made to rip-off western tourist. Yes, the latter have to pay a steep surplus, but is $10 really worth this discussion? There are probably more worthy discussion, like the city fee in Bago or the Shwedagon pagoda fee in Yangon. So best to switch off this unease by simply planning in an additional 10-15,000 kyat for this busy sight that even includes a crazy truck rollercoaster ride through the mountains.
Kyaikto. This is the town on the highway, 14 km from Kinpun and 28 km from Kyaiktiyo.
Kinpun. This is the town at the foot of the mountain, sometimes called "base camp", where most people will spend the night.
Kyaiktiyo. This is where the Golden Rock can be found. Temples and this town have built up around the Golden Rock on top of the mountain to serve the thousands of pilgrims every day in high season.
- The Golden Rock. The colour of the rock and the surrounding area filled with thousands of pilgrims on top of a mountain is already very impressive. The legend is that the rock is held in balance by two hairs of Buddha. Near the rock you can buy gold leaves to put onto the Golden Rock, but not allowed for women, 5 leaves cost 1,800 kyat. No camera allowed. Recommended to arrive early for viewing at sunrise, athought this is not possible from Kinpun. In rain season be prepared to only see the rock as a dark shape in the mist. 10,000 kyat (valid 1 day).
- Kyaiktiyo village(s). The village(s) behind the Golden Rock are interesting and allow for some relaxing but also steep walks up and down along the ridge. You can buy little things, have a coffee, a sweet coconut drink or a Burmese meal, or get frightened by the dead animal shrines put up in the stalls every 50 m or so. Since this is on the opposite side of the pagoda area, don't leave your shoes in the lockers at the beginning if you want to do some walking. Ask for the way to waterfall if you are not busy enough yet.
The Golden Rock. The colour of the rock and the surrounding area filled with thousands of pilgrims on top of a mountain is already very impressive. The legend is that the rock is held in balance by two hairs of Buddha. Near the rock you can buy gold leaves to put onto the Golden Rock, but not allowed for women, 5 leaves cost 1,800 kyat. No camera allowed. Recommended to arrive early for viewing at sunrise, athought this is not possible from Kinpun. In rain season be prepared to only see the rock as a dark shape in the mist. 10,000 kyat (valid 1 day).
Kyaiktiyo village(s). The village(s) behind the Golden Rock are interesting and allow for some relaxing but also steep walks up and down along the ridge. You can buy little things, have a coffee, a sweet coconut drink or a Burmese meal, or get frightened by the dead animal shrines put up in the stalls every 50 m or so. Since this is on the opposite side of the pagoda area, don't leave your shoes in the lockers at the beginning if you want to do some walking. Ask for the way to waterfall if you are not busy enough yet.
- Beer River. Beer River is a small swimming area with several restaurants and bars. You can sit on some tables that are in knee-deep water, others that are in the shade. The water is relatively clean and it is a great place to cool off on hot days.
Beer River. Beer River is a small swimming area with several restaurants and bars. You can sit on some tables that are in knee-deep water, others that are in the shade. The water is relatively clean and it is a great place to cool off on hot days.
There are numerous shops and street stalls in, before and behind the pagoda area in Kyaiktiyo selling everything a pilgrim needs or not.
In Kinpun many malls and shopping centres cater for the pilgrims and tourists.
The selection of restaurants in the surrounding areas of Kinpun and Kyaiktiyo range from basic and practically identical to luxurious and delicious. Most restaurants in Kyaiktiyo are on the other side of the pagoda area, so do not leave your shoes at the lockers.
Kinpun has a somewhat better selection of restaurants close to the truck stop.
Try one of the busy restaurants in Kinpun. In Kyaiktiyo the Mountain Top Hotel is recommended.
- Bago – Famous for the highest pagoda in the world, the Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Same buses as to Yangon, tickets are 5,000 kyat, but can be haggled down to 4,000 kyat.
- Hpa-An – Famous for its numerous caves and green surroundings. There are some direct buses from Kinpun, just ask for it. In general (from Kyaikto), the bus with air-con takes 4 h for 5-7,000 kyat. In case you don't get a direct bus to Hpa-an, take a Mawlamyine bus and get off in Thaton from where pickups or buses can easily be caught from the golden pagoda in Thaton for the last bit to Hpa-an.
- Mawlamyine – Famous for the biggest reclining Buddha statue of Myanmar, and it is the 3rd biggest city of Myanmar. 7,000 kyat, 3-4 h.
- Yangon – Buses start directly in Kinpun at 06:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 13:00. The trip takes about 5 h and costs 7,000 kyat.
- You might want to think about heading to Loikaw by taking the road north from Bilin., which is 29 km east of Kyaikto. South of Loikaw and west of the Salween River in the mountains between 1,000 and 1,500 m is where the Kayan people live, including the famous Padaung women with their golden brass neck coils that seem to stretch their neck (but actually cause a lower shoulder). However, it is about 350 km from Kyaikto to Loikaw, so it might better to head there from Taungoo or Taunggyi.
- Mandalay – Famous for the U Bein Bridge, the Buddha face washing, as well as the nearby mountains by train. 8 h. From 10,000 kyat.
- Bagan – Probably the most famous sight in Myanmar, besides Inle Lake. Buses are about 10-11 h and 15,000 kyat.
The train from Kyaikto to Bago (7 h) and Yangon (9 h) leaves at 12:33, 23:55 and 01:30. The 5 h train to Mawlamyine leaves 11:57, 23:20 and 01:30. Both directions are about 2,500 kyat for upper class. For more details see Seat61.com, or ask directly at the train station where you also will have to buy the ticket upfront.
You might want to think about heading to [[Loikaw]] by taking the road north from Bilin., which is 29 km east of Kyaikto. South of Loikaw and west of the Salween River in the mountains between 1,000 and 1,500 m is where the Kayan people live, including the famous Padaung women with their golden brass neck coils that seem to stretch their neck (but actually cause a lower shoulder). However, it is about 350 km from Kyaikto to Loikaw, so it might better to head there from [[Taungoo]] or [[Taunggyi]].