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Kyaik-Hti-Yeo (The Golden Rock)

     Mon nationals and Mon cultures has been imbedded in the formation of present days Myanmar since Bagan era. And Kyaik-Hti-Yeo is a jewel and pride of Mon State. Each year hundreds of thousands of visitors come to this scenic place which is sacred for elderly and merriment for youngsters.
     104 miles from Yangon is a small town of Kyaik-hto, on the way to Moulmein, principal city of Mon State. From Kyaik-hto a north-easterly branch route leads to Kin-mum-sa-khan. It is a bustling depot with bus terminals linking to major cities, country style shopping malls, restaurants and guest houses. For all private and public cars it is where they stop and wait for the visitors who climb up to Golden Rock. A ferry truck service conveys all visitors to the foot of Golden Rock, called Ya-theik-taung 

     From there is to climb up the 40~60 minutes hiking route partly on paved road and the rest by the make shift stone stairways, dotted with shelters donated by well wishers as in all hill-top pagodas around the country. Scenic beauty of mountains and forests they sustain is worth the climb. Hordes of visitors seen at depot has changed into an ant like procession and yet exchanging laughter and cheers between heavy breaths are very refreshing. Along the road side are small to smaller stalls selling foods, fruits and forest products. It is in fact a glimpse of native mountain dwellers taking opportunities of the festive season to sell their produce.

     
     Just about the final 200 yards Golden Rock comes into the view right at the North. The platform is wide enough for a dozen or so prayer-halls donated by individuals, associations and governmental departments. At the North West section of the platform Golden Rock could be seen, it perched on the precipitous cliff which is a couple of yards off the main platform. This huge boulder measures approximately 668 tons in weight and 22 feet in height, upon this is built the pagoda 23 feet in height.
      

     Being one of a most popular destination in Myanmar, Kyaik-Hti-Yeo presents a value of togetherness for the world travelers to take a sporting climb with natives from all over the country. Even in the monsoon season we can arrange such a visit, only less crowded, more time to be with nature and lots of rain.