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Town in Mon State, Myanmar
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Attribution
Kyaiktiyo, also sometimes written Kyaikhteeyoe, is a small pilgrim town in the mountains almost 200 km from Yangon in Southeastern Myanmar, famous for its golden boulder and pagoda balancing precariously over a cliff.
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The colour of the rock and the surrounding area filled with thousands of pilgrims on top of a mountain is already very impressive. The legend is that the rock is held in balance by two hairs of Buddha. Near the rock you can buy gold leaves to put onto the Golden Rock, but not allowed for women, 5 leaves cost 1,800 kyat. No camera allowed. Recommended to arrive early for viewing at sunrise, athought this is not possible from Kinpun. In rain season be prepared to only see the rock as a dark shape in the mist.
The village(s) behind the Golden Rock are interesting and allow for some steep walks up and down along the ridge. You can buy little things, have a coffee, a sweet coconut drink or a Burmese meal, and look at the dead animal shrines put up in the stalls every 50 m or so. Since this is on the opposite side of the pagoda area, don't leave your shoes in the lockers at the beginning if you want to do some walking. Ask for the way to the waterfall.
Beer River is a small swimming area with several restaurants and bars. You can sit on some tables that are in knee-deep water, others that are in the shade. The water is relatively clean and it is a great place to cool off on hot days.
New, relaxing and quiet guesthouse to avoid the crowds in Kinpun. It has about 20 spacious rooms and bungalows, comfortable and well maintained. Simple breakfast, WiFi, hot shower and TV, and mini-bar in the bungalows. It also contains a large pomelo garden. The staff is friendly and helpful. Try the pickled tea leaf salad for a meal.
Friendly and helpful English-speaking staff, as well as cheap prices. A basic toast, egg and coffee breakfast is add an additional 1 USD per person. During the rainy season, you will most likely be the only guest and prices are negotiable. Rooms inside the main building are dark, with super thin and smelly mattress, short beds (walls in the way), share a rather dirty bathroom and you will be able to hear every word from neighbouring rooms. However, rooms in the second building are cleaner, bigger (for 4 persons) and more modern with comfortable mattresses and private bathroom. Has WiFi.
Has a variety of rooms, from dark and doggy rooms to nice and clean bungalows. They have something for everyone's budget, ask for a discount. Can be loud due to the swarms of pilgrims in the nearby Truck Station. Price includes breakfast and Internet. The staff are helpful and friendly.
High rating on booking and cheaper than the other mid-range options. Can be loud though due to its location next to the junction.
Mid-range bungalows in a pleasant setting just outside town (but easily walkable). 12 spacious rooms in a lush garden, AC, large bathrooms hot and cold showers or bath, satellite TV, minibar, laundry service. Restaurant & bar with Asian & Western dishes, and snacks & drinks.
Lotus Da Dar is a quaint bungalow complex with excellent food, decent WiFi (stellar by Burmese standards), and a convenient location right at the base of the mountain. The rooms are clean and cheap, and it's next to "beer river".
A little cheaper than its hotel sibling but probably not more worth it.
Certainly the best and cheapest option on top of the mountain (even better than its guesthouse sibling) and right next to the Golden Rock. They have 4 bedrooms for larger groups. Includes WiFi & breakfast. The hotel overthrones the village beyond the religious grounds.
The rooms are nice including hot shower and breakfast, although the hotel and restaurant are quite expensive. The staff are helpful and friendly.
Rooms are wet and mouldy. The price is not really justified, and no sign of superior and deluxe as proclaimed in the price information. Rating of 5.9 points on Booking.
By bus
If you have to get out at the Kyaikto bus stop (for buses going further to Mawlamyine, Hpa-An, Bago or Yangon), do not take the motorbike-taxis to Kinpun, they will approach you in a mob-fashion and…
By train
Kyaikto has up to three (bumpy) trains a day coming in from Yangon and Bago, departing in Yangon at 07:15, 18:25 and 21:00 and arriving at 11:55, 23:17 and 01:27, respectively.
Hitchhiking the 14 km between Kyaikto and Kinpun is possible due to the numerous pilgrim transports in both directions.
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