Kyaikto

城市概覽

There is a lot of confusion about the actual name of the location of the Golden Rock and the related cities. In the following all three are explained:

1 Kyaikto (Burmese ကျိုက်ထိုမြို့). This is the town on the highway, 14 km from Kinpun and 28 km from Kyaiktiyo. 2 Kinpun (Burmese ကင်မွန်းစခန်း). This is the town at the foot of the mountain, sometimes called "base camp", where most people will spend the night.

3 Kyaiktiyo (Burmese ကျိုက်ထီးရိုးဘုရား). This is where the Golden Rock can be found. Temples and this town have built up around the Golden Rock on top of the mountain to serve the thousands of pilgrims every day in high season. In addition, there is always a big discussion whether it is worth to come here or whether this is just a touristic scam. However, remember that this is a major pilgrim side in Myanmar and not just made to rip-off western tourist. Yes, the latter have to pay a steep surplus, but is $10 really worth this discussion? There are probably more worthy discussion, like the city fee in Bago or the Shwedagon pagoda fee in Yangon. So best to switch off this unease by simply planning in an additional 10-15,000 kyat for this busy sight that even includes a crazy truck rollercoaster ride through the mountains.

如何抵達

Most people come to visit the Golden Rock, and there is no real reason to stay in Kyaikto. Instead, most people stay in Kinpun or on top of the mountain itself (Kyaiktiyo). Due to the popularity there are direct buses from all over Myanmar to Kinpun.

By bus Bago – Buses take around 2-3 hr and cost 4-5,000 kyat. Win-Express runs directly to Kinpun. Hpa-An – Buses take around 4 hr and cost 5,000 kyat. Mawlamyine – 4-5 h, 07:30 & 09:30, 7,000 kyat. Yangon – Buses depart from early morning until around 14:30 (during the dry season there are probably more). 4.5 h, 7,000 kyat. Again, Win-Express runs directly to Kinpun. If you have to get out at the 1 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 try to scam you. They will try to make you believe that there is no pick-up going to Kinpun and you have to take a motorbike taxi for 1,000 kyat or more. Do not trust them and do not let them follow you, if you try to get some information from other locals, the motorbike-drivers will speak with them first and these locals will then tell you the same story. There is a regular pick-up going from Kyaikto to Kinpun running all day for 500 kyat. Just get rid of the annoying motorbike-drivers and ask all the pick-ups until you find the right one. Alternatively walk north towards and cross the 2 Kyaikto train station to reach the road behind it, which is the one leading north to Kinpun. It should also be easy to catch a ride there by hailing the passing vehicles. If you have bought a bus ticket for all the way to Kinpun, the pick up should be included in the price.

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. Likewise, there are three trains from Mawlamyine, departing at 08:00, 19:30 and 20:55, respectively. The prices fo

當地交通

Hitchhiking the 14 km between Kyaikto and Kinpun is possible due to the numerous pilgrim transports in both directions. When going with locals, hide yourself when passing by the police station, which is less than 1 km from Kinpun. From Kinpun uncomfortable (but nonetheless interesting and exciting) trucks with up to 45 wooden/metal plank seats head rollercoaster-like up the mountain to Kyaiktiyo. They start at the 3 Kinpun Truck Station when fully packed with pilgrims and tourists, which can take a long time in low season. The one-way price is 1,500 kyat (half-way) or 2,000 kyat (to the top). If you decide to get out half-way at the cable car drop off, you have to walk up stairs for about 45 min. However, finding a truck that gets filled with pilgrims and tourists that only go half-way is harder. Contrary to this, there is another rumour that sometimes tourists are only taken half-way to benefit the human carriers. Either way, you will have to adapt. Check when the last trucks are going down the mountain again to avoid getting stranded around 6pm. A cable car is available from the half way point for 10,000 kyatt one way or 14,000 kyatt return. Do not get off here if you have paid to get to the top. Walking up the mountain from Kinpun is also possible and takes about 4-5 h. In rain season, you can still walk up all the way but a rain cover is essential. You will most likely be the only one then. It's still a great experience as people might invite you for a tea to wait for the shower to stop. In the other season walking up is a great experience and you might do some new friends walking up. There are a lot of shops selling water and souvenirs (and crafting them) and you might have a lot of points where you might rest. There is also a school where you might pass by, and you will have an insight of how these poor inhabitants live. Do remember still to bring some water (but you may buy it on the way) and to put on a lot of suncream, as it will be very hot.

必看景點

1 The Golden Rock. 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. 10,000 kyat (valid 1 day). (updated Sep 2018)

2 Kyaiktiyo village(s). 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. (updated Mar 2022)

體驗活動

1 Beer River (Walk down from the Golden Rock Mountain Road in Kinpun until you reach the river. Nearby Lotus Da Dar Hotel.). 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.

購物

There are numerous shops and street stalls in, before and behind the pagoda area in Kyaiktiyo selling everything a pilgrim needs or not. In Kinpun many malls and shopping centres cater for the pilgrims and tourists. Tourist clothing and fashion, wooden toys, wicker souvenirs (bags, balls etc.)

美食

The selection of restaurants in the sur