Golden Rock Pagoda, Mon State, Myanmar

Golden Rock Pagoda, Mon State, Myanmar

Golden Rock Pagoda (Kyaiktiyo Pagoda) is the 3rd most important pilgrimage site in Myanmar. The pagoda is located at the top of Mt. Kyaiktiyo, which is the highest mountain of Paunglaung mountain range.  Getting to Golden Rock Pagoda first required a 4 hour bus ride from Yangon to Kinpun Base Camp.   

en route to Kinpun Base Camp, Locals drying fish.

"Snake fish" refers to the appearance of the fish.  Its from the processors gutting, cleaning, and drying the fish.
From Kinpun, people can transfer to an open truck to Yatetaung Gate. These trucks are old dumptrucks rebuilt with seats to fit passengers.  The ride itself was quite an adventure, reminding me of a rollercoaster as we traveled on the winding road up the forested mountain.  I couldn't help but smile the entire way up.

Traveling up Kyaiktiyo Mountain. These engines have power!
View while traveling up mountain. Theravada Buddhist flags- colors (aura colors of Buddha)- blue: universal compassion, yellow- the middle path, red- blessings, white- purity and liberation, pink- wisdom.

Once at Yatetaung Gate, remove shoes (required as respect to holy place) and walk 15 minutes to the Golden Rock Pagoda.  If you don't want to walk, you can be carried in a sedan chair accompanied by 4 porters.


The Legend of Golden Rock Pagoda

It's legend is that Buddha gave a hermit a strand of his hair.  The hermit kept it in his topknot.  In the 11th century, the hermit gave the relic to King Tissa and said he wanted it enshrined in a boulder shaped like a hermit's head.  The king found the rock at the bottom of the sea and had it transported to Mt. Kyaiktiyo.  It is said that Buddha's strand of hair keeps the rock from tumbling down the hill.  A small pagoda (24 ft) sits on top of the granite boulder.

Golden Rock Pagoda on top of Mount Kyaiktiyo (photo credit)
The "gravity defying" boulder and pagoda.
balancing act. (photo credit)

Men affix golden leaves in veneration.  Women are not allowed to touch the rock. 


Fog quickly comes and go at such high elevation.

Pictures from my descent down mountain

Us walking to bus stop.


woman selling bamboo framed glasses
Thanaka is a yellowish paste that is seen on the skin of locals.  Using bark from a Thanaka tree, it is grinded with a small amount of water on a circular stone slab called a kyauk pyin. Smelling like sandalwood, the paste is said to be cosmetic, sunscreen, remove acne, and anti-fungal.  


mountain village




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