What to see in Bago, Myanmar Part 3: The Kyaiktiyo Golden Rock Pagoda

The most important site to see in the Bago region and third most revered site in all of Myanmar has got to be the Kyaiktiyo Golden Rock Pagoda. It’s also one of the most iconic sights offered in all of Southeast Asia, this large boulder seems to defy gravity while sitting on top of a ledge overlooking the jungle valley below. Visited frequently by tourists worldwide but especially by devout pilgrims, this area is a visual and cultural wonder. What makes this place such a sacred site is that on top of the boulder lays a small pagoda that enshrines a strand of hair of the Buddha.

I visited this area in late January and the weather was absolutely perfect. To get here just get to Kyaikto town and you’ll see numerous 4x4 trucks with retrofitted benches in the back to take you up the long windy road to the top. A cable car system is currently in the works but it will be quite a while before it’s complete. The ride should take about 30 minutes or you can take a private taxi and get there much quicker. These trucks only leave when it’s full and not on a tight schedule. Luckily, I only had to wait a few minutes going up the mountain but going down was quite a long wait. The road is scenic and you can see the entire valley below. If you’re in particular good shape of quite devout you can walk up the hill like most of the Buddhist pilgrims do.

Once you get to the top you’ll come across a huge market that will sell souvenirs, flowers, and other types of offerings. Large mythical lions called Chinthes that stand guard at the entrance of the temple grounds will greet you. Also, the area is steep and if you are not in good shape or have health issues there are plenty of porters who will carry your belongings and even you! Prepare to do lots of walking to get to the main platforms.

Since this is a sacred area you should dress appropriately and be prepared to remove your shoes and socks. There are numerous viewing platforms to look at the Golden Rock from various angles as well as other pagodas and shrines. Due to the large amount of pilgrims, there are numerous guesthouses and hotels to sleep in. I was only here for an hour or two but in hindsight I wish I could of spent the night up here so I could witness a sunrise and sunset in this spiritual place. I recommend you doing that if you have the time.

Once you see the Golden Rock, you can’t miss it. The boulder is roughly 8 meters high, covered in gold leaf, and rests upon a lotus pattern too. Only men are allowed to enter this area and place a gold leaf offering on it. I got a chance to do it and get up close to it. It’s amazing because just looking at how it’s positioned you think the boulder will fall over. On top of the golden boulder lays a pagoda that reaches nearly 7 meters in height. This enshrines the hair of the Buddha and there’s an interesting story behind this.

According to the legend, the hair of the Buddha inside the pagoda was a gift to King Tessa in the 11th century by a hermit, who kept it for nearly a 100 years. The hermit asked the powerful king to find a boulder in the shape of a head upon which the hair could be enshrined. King Tessa, who was believed to possess magical powers, swam to the bottom of the ocean where he found the rock he was looking for and magically transported it to it’s current position. The weight of the sacred hair is believed to prevent the heavy boulder from crashing down into the ravine below. Believe it or not, it’s the legend!

In March, they have something called the Festival of 9,000 Lamps. Due to the full moon the upper terrace is filled with over 9,000 candles! This place is remarkable, iconic, and spiritual. You don’t have to be a Buddhist to truly appreciate this sacred site.

Happy traveling!