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MYAWADDY Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock)
Kyaikto, Mon, Myanmar Public Transport (lainka) from the base camp at Kinpun,
operates 6.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
After crossing the bridge, you find yourself in the middle of Myawaddy
as the town strattles Asia Highway 1, which you’ll follow to Payagyi
stopping at a few attractions before turning southwest to reach Yangon.
But first, as the second largest trading point between Myanmar and
Thailand and the largest for the gem business, there are treasures to be
found if you know how to look; otherwise, it can be fun to explore the
town on foot or in a red trishaw. Just a few steps from the bridge is the
picturesque Shwe Muay Wan, Golden Pagoda, with several Buddha
images, one a copy of the revered Mahamuni in Mandalay. Further
away is the Myikyaungon, or Crocodile Temple built upon the back
of a 65-meter long crocodile sculpture, and then there’s the Shwey The precariously balancing Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is the third most revered
Muey Wan, Golden Bell Temple with a 20-meter tall Buddha image site for Myanmar Buddhists, after the Shwedagon Pagoda and
standing beside the bell tower. Before you start out for Kyaiktiyo, the Mahamuni temple. Perched atop the granite Golden Rock on this
revered, precarious stupa atop the Golden Rock, make sure to turn mountain peak, the trip can be quite arduous, either a six-hour, seven-
your watches back 30 minutes and then always drive on the right side mile trek up the steep slope or a 45-minute ride sitting on slats in the
of the road. back of a lainka (6-wheel lorry) before a short, final climb. Dawn and
dusk can be quite magical as the pagoda shimmers in rays of sunlight,
often cutting through a veil of mist, while Buddhist monks and lay
persons are heard chanting along with bells ringing as breezes blow.
Only men are allowed to cross the chasm to get close enough to affix
gold leaf to the boulder thought to be in the shape of the ascetic hermit
who presented the Lord Buddha’s strand of hair to the Mon king who
built the stupa. He told him this would ensure the Golden Rock would
always be a firm pedestal for the holy paya.
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