​Visit Kyaiktiyo in Myanmar and be mesmerised by the gravity-defying Golden Rock

KYAIKTIYO (THE GOLDEN ROCK)
Region: Myanmar

Kyaiktiyo or the Golden Rock Pagoda, which precariously hangs over a cliff edge 1,100 metres above the sea level, defying all laws of gravity, is bound to leave anyone mesmerised.

The 5.5-metre high rock is topped by a small pagoda. It is covered in gold leaf and, like any other Buddhist monument in Myanmar, contains a hair relic of Gautam Buddha. The shrine is located 180km south of Yangon in the town of same name.

As this is quite a long journey, this is probably not a day-trip outing. The selection of restaurants in the surrounding areas of Kinpun and Kyaiktiyo reach from basic and practically identical to luxurious and delicious. Spend a night in one of the hotels up in the hills so one can soak up the atmosphere while watching worshippers come and go. The view at the top is spectacular, especially at sunrise or sunset. The villages behind the Golden Rock are equally interesting and allow for some relaxing but also steep walks up and down along the ridge. A visitor can look forward to buying knick-knacks; having a coffee, a sweet coconut drink or a Burmese meal.