The Kyaiktiyo
or Golden Rock Pagoda
is one of the
famous destination in Burma. Maybe
even one of the most famous place of
Buddhist pilgrimage in Asia.
The Kyaiktiyo or Golden Rock Pagoda is built
on a gilded boulder 25 metres in
circumference balanced in what appears to be
a very precarious position on a tabular rock
jutting out from the Paung-laung ridge of
the Eastern Yoma mountains.
This small 18-foot-high
Kyaiktiyo or Golden Rock Pagoda is located in the
jungle in Kyaikhto Township of Mon State near the
Thai boarder town of Mae Sot on Kyaikhtiyo Hill at
an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level.
To get there
one must first travel to the town of
Kyaikhto which is about 160 kilometres by
rail or road from Rangoon. Another 15
kilometres by road takes the visitor to
Kinponsakhan, the base camp for the ascent.
From here it used to be a 12 kilometer climb
to the top.
There are more than 20 camps on the arduous
climb with such picturesquely apt names like Yaymyaunggalay, Small Water Gully,
Yaymyaunggyi, Large Water Gully, Bopyantaung,
Point of Grandpa’s Return and Shweyinhso,
Belaboured Breath.
They provide ample space
for hikers to rest, eat, bathe or recline.
Pilgrims are not bothered by the
heat as the sun’s rays are unable to
penetrate the jungle canopy covering the
entire route.
Alternatively, visitors
may travel most of the way by car or on |
