Asia
Myanmar
Mon State
Kin Pun
Things to Do in Kin Pun
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Kin Pun

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Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

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Kyaiktiyo Pagoda
4.5
1,448
#1 of 1 things to do in Kin Pun
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
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Mountain Top Hotel
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
1,448 reviews
Excellent
817
Very good
397
Average
144
Poor
46
Terrible
44
Michael HP
Bac Ninh, Vietnam80 contributions
Unbelievable highlight
Friends
One of the best highlights in Yangon.

This pagoda is located on peak of mountain with brilliant landscapes and about 3 hours driving from Yangon. It could take you whole day tour to visit.
The transfer is one of the most lovely experience of the tour. When the car arrived the village and parked. We would take the cargo truck to go on top. It is absolutely dangerous with whom scaring the height and speed.

The trail to come up is not only wide enough for two way car but also very sloped and zigzagging with many elbows triangle. All the driver should be very professional and brave, because just a small mistake, the truck with more than 20 people on it would be flying with out wings.

Instead of that, the pagoda is very beautiful and spacious with opened and fresh air. The granite tile floor for thousands meters square is very cool in shadow even in a very strong sunny day.

It is truly a proof of intelligence of human to build a very huge construction in a very such dangerous and high location.

Highly recommended explorers for new experience.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ron d
Caloundra, Australia625 contributions
A very large rock
The Golden Rock Pagoda is high in the mountains at over 1000 metres. To get there you start at the 'base camp' where you are packed in a truck with 40-50 other people for the perilous, uncomfortable and thrilling journey up the mountain. There are a few stops on the way, apparently to solicit donations. Up the top you must walk, running the gauntlet of dozens of traders selling souvenirs and snacks. The pagoda itself is quite small, built on the top of a very large rock that is balanced precariously on the edge of a cliff. The rock is covered in gold leaf. Once you have seen it and taken the obligatory 100 photos it is time for the even more perilous, uncomfortable and thrilling journey back down the mountain.

We were on an organized tour from Yangon. There is not a lot of interest in the vicinity of the base camp so our visit took the best part of a day to get there, overnight in a hotel, then most of the following day to get back to Yangon. While I am glad to have seen the Golden Rock Pagoda, I question whether it is really worth nearly two days for the experience.
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Quick Stopover
Auckland, New Zealand77 contributions
THE GOLDEN ROCK
Couples
The hair-raising cramped ride to the rock with the locals beats an all day walk up the mountain. Spectacular gold covered rock! Amazing numbers of people making the pilgrimage, some carried on royal-style stretchers. The views of the rock and over the countryside are truly memorable.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eric S
26 contributions
Golden Rock..maybe
Couples
Excursion to the top and bottom requires full bus packed minimum of 6 per bench with up to 4-5 in cab. You can wait 15 minutes or more before departure. There are at least 2 stops before the top to allow begging at one stop and trinket selling at the other same on way down.

If temperatures are high in late morning or afternoon you feel as though you are a sardine in an open tin placed in an oven on a roller coaster.

At the top there is entrance fee and trinket sellers on both sides of the climb. Note: no shoes or socks on the journey up.

Gold foil is sold and only males can apply the foil. Foil packets contain multiple pieces. There are guards at the entrance way to the rock. Wear appropriate clothing.

Is it worth the drive(s) time to see a bolder balancing on a cliff covered in gold foil? Maybe..
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jajavalB
Lampang, Thailand2,628 contributions
Not impressed with the way myanmar government did with such a sacred place.
Friends
It looks like a must tourist attraction for anyone who visit this country ,one of tge most sacred sites in this land. It's now under construction with cable car for short distance to the pagoda, fee is pricey (20000 kyats) and then you have to pay admission to the pagoda complex ,10000 kyats each.there are many souvenir vendors, trying to persuade to buy their goods, too scam.However, local people are very kind and generous. This is sacred place ,so please don't make it into a lot of money things that tourists need to pay for being inspired or impressed.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dr Hema de Silva
4 contributions
The rock which is balanced on a knife edge makes one believe the popular legend associated with it.
Except for the ride from Kyaikhtiyo base station to Yatetaung in an open truck — driven by a manic driver — the whole experience of our visit to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock Pagoda) was honestly a memorable one. Views of the serine surrounding soon made us forget the horrible ride. The rock which is balanced on a knife edge makes one believe the popular legend that, a celestial king used his supernatural powers to carry the rock to its current place. The Golden Rock Pagoda is considered the third most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Myanmar after the Shwedagon pagoda and the Mahamuni pagoda. We are so pleased that we visited such a place that is so sacred to Buddhists all over the world.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WhiteMouseBurrow
Moscow, Russia2,343 contributions
Unique holy place
A unique shrine - you must visit here! BUT, be prepared: 1. The only transport is a cargo vehicle adapted for the transport of pilgrims. 2. A huge number of pilgrims. 3. Women are not allowed directly to the stone. 4. Constant strong wind at the top. 5. Remember that you will have to enter the territory of the shrine without shoes! 6. I advise you not to forget to buy a piece of gold leaf to add it to the stone!
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tranqil R
Hoi An, Vietnam81 contributions
A Must-see sightseeing.
Friends
A must go destination in Myanmar
If you have chance to visit Yangon, you must try Kyaiktiyo pagoda. It is really a heartbreaking highlight with a complex of religion area.
The first impression when you arrive there is the way the truck take you from the parking lot to the top of mountain where the pagoda is located. It is like a horrible feeling to the peoples who has heart desease but very exciting to everyone.
It worths every penny and time you take to get there with the landscape, sightseeing and architecture appointments.
Highly recommended
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mahteck
Klang, Malaysia440 contributions
A personal test and a reward
Friends
For sure, getting to the Golden Rock is a personal test. A test of your physical condition and the state of your mind. The way to get there has already been discussed, so no repeats here. The Truck journey is necessary to keep the hoards of tourist vehicles and local buses off the hill. There is also no place to park the vehicles up there anyway. So, they need to operate those converted trucks. I am not that impressed by the tight squeeze to really fill up a truck before it leaves. But what the heck, try talking with the other travellers and the locals while you wait. We did and it prepared us for what's next up the hill.
Next, the steep walk up. Most of us can make it. For those who may find it too big a challenge can easily hire the sedan chairs. There are so many of them waiting for your business. So, give it to them and it will help them put bread on the table for their families. Don't feel bad about getting another person to carry you-you will be helping them in return. Same too with the luggage porters! They have designed it for you to walk up the hill from Station 2 to Station 3. You will realise later that LOCALS can ride up the trucks to Station 3. Its OK, its their way of giving the local peddlars a chance to make a living! Tourism should benefit the local people!
The views of the Rock are amazing. See it in the late afternoon, if you can get a sunset with it. Or see it in the night with the floodlights! Or see in the soft early morning light. We were lucky to get a "Sea of Clouds" view over the background mountains ( see attached photo).
Go and enjoy the Golden Rock with an open mind.
Written November 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David908
Atlanta, GA351 contributions
Worth seeing
Couples
Visiting the Golden Rock is an adventure. You ride a bus (really an open truck) up the mountain, then hike the last 30 minutes. The view from the mountain ridge is fantastic, overlooking the jungle below.
Hundreds of people are walking along the several hundred yard facility leading to the Rock. As you are along a ridge, you can look off both sides of the mountain at once.
The Rock itself is amazing. Allow at least 1 1/2 hours at the top.
You will have to hike 30 minutes down from the Rock to catch the bus (truck) back down the mountain. At the bus station there are several restaurants.
There are hotels at the top, should you want to stay there, or you can choose several at the base of the mountain..
Written November 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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