It is a small pagoda (7.3 m (24 ft)) built on the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves pasted on by its male worshippers.

The king had inherited supernatural powers from his father Zawgyi, a proficient alchemist), and his mother, a naga serpent dragon princess.

With the help of the Thagyamin, the king of Tawadeintha Heaven in Buddhist cosmology, found the perfect place at Kyaiktiyo for locating the golden rock and built a pagoda, where the strand was enshrined.

Legends also mention that pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage by trekking from the Kinpun base camp three times consecutively in a year will be blessed with wealth and recognition.

It is at a distance of 210 kilometres (130 mi) from Yangon and 140 metres (460 ft) north of Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State.

From this location, known as Yatetaung (the last point for vehicular traffic), pilgrims and visitors have to climb to the Golden Rock barefoot, after leaving their footwear behind, as per Burmese custom.

[2][4][8][12] The paved mountain track, built in 1999, from the bus terminal at Yatetaung, is along a dusty section with kiosks on both sides and the climb of 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) up to the Golden Rock is stiff and takes about one hour to reach.

[2][4][5][8][9][12][13] A main square close to the golden rock has many establishments that deal in religious paraphernalia for worship and offerings made by the pilgrims.

At the peak of the pilgrimage season, during November to March, an atmosphere of devotion is witnessed at Kyaikhtiyo pagoda.

Even disabled persons who are staunch devotees of Buddha visit the pagoda, walking up the track on crutches.

[3][5][14] 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 reverential offering to the Buddha.