Golden Rock

The Golden Rock, on which the Kyaik-Htiyo Pagoda (Pronounced: chai-htiyo) is perched, is one of the most spectacular sights in all of Myanmar. Sitting high up on a cliff, the rock seems on the point of toppling off the top at any moment. If several young men try to push against it, it does actually move slightly, which is perhaps the reason that such tests of strength have now been prohibited. According to believers, it's only the single hair relic inside the small Kyaik-htiyo Pagoda up on the rock that keeps the whole thing balanced. Even though roof tiles, street lamps and various terraces have robbed the pagoda of some of its former glory, an excursion here is definitely worthwhile, if only for the beautiful natural scenery, the fantastic view from the Pagoda (it's located 3,600 feet/ 1,100 m up), and the many friendly pilgrims along the way. Legend has it that the pagoda was only "rediscovered," rather than built, in the 19th century, because the faithful claim that the structure dates from the time of the Buddha. A hermit lived in the mountains at that time, and the Buddha presented him with one of his hairs. He kept this relic inside the knot of hair on his head, and decided that he would only give it to a pagoda located on a rock that resembled his head. With the aid of the king of the nats, Thagya-min, such a rock was set in place, and the Kyaik-htiyo Pagoda was erected on top of it. Accordingly, its name, in the Mon language, means something like "the pagoda on top of the head of the hermit."