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GOLDEN ROCK

Overview

As prominent as the Great Wall to the Chinese or the Angkor to the Khmer Cambodia, the Golden Rock defines that we are saying about Myanmar. Located on Kyaiktiyo Mountain, the rock has become the top Buddhist pilgrimage site since 11th century. In holidays, devotees from Myanmar and neighboring country flock to the site to admire the wonder and to contribute, and plate gold leaves on the surface of the big rock, on which Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is built. All activities nearby will happen in such a magic and respectful atmosphere, and the pilgrims pray near the rock from the daytime to all night long.

However, Golden Rock is not just a pilgrimage site but also the most sacred masterpieces of Buddhism in Myanmar, with a great view when miraculous light of dawn and dusk reflects on the rock. It has kept its unbelievable balance on a pedestal, with very limited precarious contact for centuries despite the nearly falling appearance, like having inside a magic power. From here, you can go further to the Southeast in less discovered Mon and Kayin states, where you can spend three or four days at charming Hpa-an, climbing up its incredibly beautiful Zwekabin peak to enjoy the view of Lumbani garden with hundreds of Buddha statues or to visit grandiose cave wall with carving masterpiece, or transfer to Mawlamyine, a very graceful but hectic coastline town. Let's plan your Myanmar tours to see this Marvelous Golden Rock. 

 

Food & Drink

Burmese food is delicious, a cuisine that highlights local delicacies as well as Indian and Chinese influences. In Golden Rock, which is a popular day trip destination from Yangon, its cuisine also carries strong tastes and flavors, with the tendency to have several accompaniments - be they soups, boiled vegetables, herbs or dipping sauces and pastes.

Travel Guide

The Golden Rock in Myanmar is one of the most important sanctuaries in the country. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Buddhists make their pilgrimage to this place and and the number of tourists is experiencing a growth, too. The Golden Rock is definitely one of the most beautiful photo opportunities in Myanmar and therefore worth a visit.

 

Activities

Our pick: Four to five-day tour, including visiting the temple at Golden Rock Temple (Kyaiktiyo), Hpa-an, then Mawlamyine.

Culture visits

Going up Kyaiktiyo pagoda and enjoying sunrise and sunset, then trekking downhill thru villages and admire the view of Kyaiktiyo mountain.

Natural Sites

Visiting charming Hpa-an and its incredible Kaw Gun Cave with exceptional carvings, and climbing Zwekabin Mountain.

Boat trip

Boat trip from Hpa-an to visit wonderful old colonial town, enjoying the sunset and seabirds at the port, then tasting great seafood at Mawlamyine.

Theme tours

Departure for theme tours, educational tours, charity tours and meditation tours. Visits to ancient monasteries and pagodas with great view at Mawlamyine.

Recommended Tours

8 days / 7 nights

Fr$1138

A journey that can be full of surprises, admiring and enjoyment with the best cultural highlights of Myanmar in 8 days, combining natural magnificence and incredible golden heritages. Your culture expedition will start from landmarks of Yangon and the 2,600 year Shwedagon Pagoda in the sunset to the best sunrises in the world from breathtaking views of temples at Bagan, then climbing up Mt. Popa, exloring Inle Lake by rowing boat, its floating gardens, seeing local lifestyle, handicraft workshops and discovering Mandalay - a Myanmar's exciting but ancient city, and its incredible attractions at Amarapura, Sagaing and Ava at the end of the tour. 

5 days / 4 nights

Fr$553

This Myanmar tour is a tailor-made journey to discover the best selected highlight attractions in a limited time frame. The tour starts from contemplating Bagan, the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world, exloring Inle Lake, its floating villages, temples, gardens and the unique way of life of the local people and ending at Mandalay with a nature focus of the city is an abrupt hill, rising above a vast moated and walled square.  

8 days / 7 nights

Fr$1090

A kind of off-the-beaten track tour to get you away from normal deluxe tours and discover unseen Myanmar by car or motorbiking without missing the visits to the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda and an unforgettable journey to the remarkable Golden Rock. Contemplate Mawlamyine, with a ridge of stupa-capped hills on one side, the Thanlwin River on the other and a centre filled with crumbling colonial-era buildings, churches and mosques.

8 days / 7 nights

Travel through Myanmar and Laos during festive days to experience their rich religious and cultural heritages. Visit the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda and take an unforgettable journey to the remarkable Golden Rock. Celebrate Thingyan Festival (Water Festival) - the most important traditional festival in Myanmar. Experience the tradition of Laos New Year in Luang Prabang, join with the locals for the festival while visiting this beautiful town