The miraculous Kaiktiyo (Golden Rock)

For those who want to observe some of Myanmar's unique religious customs, you may plan a day trip to Mt. Kyaikto from Yangon. The mountain contains a large gold-leafed rock called Kyaikto (Golden Rock), a remnant of an 11th century Buddha statue that sank into the sea.

Since it was perched up on the mountain, the rock defies gravity by balancing on a boat. You can see the rock glimmer from a distance even without getting close to the mountain. At night, the rock is well-lit and looks even more spectacular as it shimmers in the dark. Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims go here every October and November as they believe that the stone is miraculous.

The mountain is a four-and-a-half hour bus ride away from Yangon. The fare is K3000 per seat. Alternatively, you can take a train from Yangon. The trip takes six hours and costs USD 3 for ordinary, USD 6 for 1st class, and USD 8 for upper class.