Golden Rock
Kyikhtiyo Pagoda
 About halfway between Thaton and Bago lies the town
of Kyaikhto , famous for its Pagoda situated east of the
town at the end of a 10 km
( 6miles) long footpath. This
landmark is the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda –Called " The
Golden Rock " .
Location
Kyaikhtiyo pagoda is located in the small town called
Kyaikhto, in the Mon State. This destination is 160km
away from Yangon. The pagoda is 1100km above sea-level.
It is a 11 kilometer uphill climb for the hikers from
Kinpun base camp. There is also a steep winding road for
4-wheel drive cars from the base to the nearest point of
the pagodas. The pagoda is also known as "the golden
rock".
The meaning of Kyaik Hti Yo
According to Mon tradition, the name is a corruption
of Kyaik-ithi--yo being derived as follows. In Mon
language the word "Kyaik" means " pagoda" and " yo" " to
carry on the hermits head", in Pali the word" ithi"
means a hermit and therefore the name means " the pagoda
carried on the hermit's head.
Structure
 The pagoda, about 18 feet high, and 50 feet in girth.
is situated on the hill of the same name on the ridge
between Sittaung and Thanlwin. It is built on a huge,
almost egg- shaped, rounded granitoid boulder perched on
the very summit of a projecting and shelving tabular
rock, which in itself is separated several feet from the
mountain by a rent or chasm, now spanned by a small foot
bridge of iron and on the further side drops
perpendicularly into a valley blow.
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History
It is said that the boulder has been over 2500 years.
The tradition is that after the hermit had obtained the
hair from the Buddha, he was carrying it on his head
inside his hair knot till he found a boulder which
resembled his head, and so he built the pagoda on its
enshrining the relic, substituting the boulder for his
over head.
On the extreme verge of this sloping rock table, and
actually over hanging it by nearly half, is perched this
wonderful boulder (now completely gilded with gold),
thirty feet high and surrounded by the pagoda. By gently
rocking the boulder a thread can be passed underneath;
seemingly appears as if the additional weight of a few
pounds, or a strong wind, would send it sliding down
from the place it has occupied for unknown centuries
watching over three thousand feet into the sloping
valley beneath and we know what freakish law keeps it in
its position. Anyway pious Buddhists attribute it to the
power of the relic enshrined in the pagoda.
This relic is a hair of Gotama Buddha given to a hermit
residing on the mountain by the Buddha himself as he was
returning from the second heaven of the Nats whither he
had gone to preach the law to his mother.
Festival
It is of considerable celebrity and attracts crowds
of worshippers annually beginning from October to March
which is the seasonal pilgrimage period for worshippers
Especially on the full moon day of Tabaung, the platform
of the pagoda is lighted with ninety thousand candles
offered to the Buddha and thousands of worshippers
gather around the pagoda offering fruits, foods incense
to the Buddha. Sometimes reflected rays of color from
the Buddha's image were said to have been observed by
the worshipers.
Kyaikhtiyo Wildlife Sanctuary
This wild life sanctuar y was established in 1998. It
covers a total area of 180.05 Sq. km. It is situated in
Tropical Rain forest type. Recorded birds are only 50
species, the others are not yet recorded. Highlight
species that can be found are Great Hornbill, Oriental
Pied Hornbill, Blue-throated Barbet, Vernal Hanging
Parrot, Germain's Swiftlet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon,
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch , Black-headed Bulbul,
Streak-eared Bulbul and Black-throated Laughing thrush.
Other mammals such as :
Goral, Gaur, Sambhur Deer, Bear and Monkey can also be
seen. There are also about 50 species of butterflies.
Trekking at Mt. Kyaikhtiyo can also be enjoyed. The
distance is 1,102m.
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Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo
 Yangon is linked with big cities and towns by air, by
car and by train in Myanmar . You can go to Kyaikhto by
train or by the 200 km road by car via Bago. Direct
drive to Kimmunsakan ( Base camp of Kyaikhtiyo ) and By
Car is more easily to get there. OR by train , you will
take off the Kyaikhto Rail Station and then take a car
to the kimmunsakan . The distance from Kyaikhto to the
base camp Kimmunsakhan is 12 km.
Kimmusakhan ( Base Camp Of Kyaikhtiyo – Up Area )
 In the old days, the only route to get to the pagoda
was by a 12 km. hike through the jungle. There are about
20 camps along the tract and on the way there are stalls
in which tea, cold drinks and fruits are available. The
whole route is sheltered from the sun by the jungle
canopy.
For quicker access and for convenience sake a new road
has been cut through the jungle from the base camp to
the foot of the Kyaikhtiyo ridge. To reach the Pagoda
from Kin Pun base camp, take a open truck up a bumpy
track to Ye the daung Camp (45 mins drive ) and hiking
up to mountain top take about next 45 minutes .For Old
ages , Sedan chair carried by 4 men to up area can be
arranged .
Where To Stay
 1. Golden Rock Hotel ( **)
Location : Near Ye The Daung ( 45 mins walk to
Up area)
Address : Near Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, Kyaikhto
Township, Mon State
Tel
: 95-35-70174
 2. Kyaikhto( **)
Location : Quite Close to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda
Address : Near Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, Kyaikhto
Township, Mon State
Tel
: 951-4410336, 959-99-213100
 3. Mountain View (**)
Location : Quite Close to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda
Address : Seikphu Foot Hill, Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda
Road, Kyaikhto Township, Mon State
Tel
: 951-524613, 525146, 707115
Price Request
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