Mount Kyaiktiyo (Kyite Htee Yoe), famous for the huge golden rock perched at its summit, is one of the three most sacred religious sites in Myanmar, Pilgrims come here from far and wide to worship and add gold leaf to the rock, which seems to defy gravity by delicately balancing on the edge of the 1100metre high mountain.

The pagoda is located near Kyaikto in Mon State in the northern part of the Tenasserim coast. The Golden Rock is situated at an elevation of 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) above sea level, on top of the Kyaik Htiee Yoe hill that is also known as Eastern Yoma mountain and it is on the Paunglaung ridge of the Eastern Yoma mountain. It is at a distance of 210 kilometres (130 mi) from Yangon.

The Kinpun village 16 km (10 mi) is at the base of Mt. Kyaik Htee Yoe, which has a lively atmosphere and a good range of places to eat. If you are staying in Kinpun, it makes the most sense to arrive in the late afternoon or evening, and then ascend the mountain the following morning.

Special trucks driven by welltrained drivers can now drive you up to Mt. Yathae, from which visitors trek uphill for about 45 minutes. Porters and palanquins are available to carry luggage and pilgrims who are too old or too weak.

For many visitors, the rock (standing 7.6 metres tall) and the gilded pagoda which sits on top of it (itself 7.3 metres tall), which are said to cover a hair of the Buddha, are the main draw, but another reason to make the journey is the panoramic 360 degree views of the surrounding Mon State mountains from the summit.

You may also take Myanmar's first cable car from Yathaetaung to the summit (K6,000 for a round trip ticket). The operating hours of the bus and cable car are 5am to 6pm.

Women are not allowed into the inner sanctuary of the rocks vicinity, maintained by an employed security guard who watches over the gated entrance. Women are permitted in the outer balcony and the lower courtyard of the rock.

The Golden Rock is the main attraction for the pilgrims who offer prayers and also stick golden leaves on the rock in reverence. The main square close to the golden rock has many establishments that deal in religious paraphernalia for worship and offerings made by the pilgrims. Adjoining the plaza area is the Potemkin village where restaurants, gift shops, and guest houses are located. A new terrace has been built at a lower level from which visitors can get a good view of the rock and the pagoda.

At the peak of the pilgrimage season, from November to March, an atmosphere of devotion is witnessed at Kyaik Htiee Yoe pagoda.

The Full Moon day of Tabaung in March is a special occasion for pilgrims who visit the shrine. On this day, the platform of the pagoda is lighted with ninety thousand candles as a reverential offering to the Lord Buddha. The devotees who visit the pagoda also offer fruits, food and incense to the Buddha.

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