By way of update to recent reviews, the golden rock is back open/uncovered and is looking great (see photos)! It is an enjoyable half day outing with a rollercoaster truck ride to the top and fantastic views of the rock and surrounding countryside.

Getting there you can either:
1. Truck - take a truck from the terminal in the centre of Kinpun (near KFC) for 2000kyt each way (c.45mins with stopping (you are not allowed to get out));
2. Hike - we did not do this but apparently it takes 3.5-4 hours from Kinpun to the top with plenty of vendors for snacks/drinks on the way. See other reviews for tips on hiking (we did not know about this when we went but think this would have been very fun). Suggest you leave early (6 or 7am) to avoid heat. It is circa 900-1000m of climbing. The road the trucks take is 7miles long although there is apparently a separate/nicer hiking trail (which may be shorter).
3. Truck and cable car - take a truck up part of the way (same truck as 1 above, still 2000kyt/no discount offered) and take a cable car for the remainder. The cable car is very short and looked a bit pointless to us (since the views from the top/pagoda are likely to be just as good as from the CC and you will have already paid for a truck ride all the way to the top). If you really hate the driving here though you might appreciate saving the extra 5-10 minutes of travelling in the truck.

Costs:
- Truck - 4000 kyt (2000 each way)
- Entrance to pagoda - 10,000 kyt pp
- Gold leaf to plaster on rock - 2000 kyt (optional for men only I’m afraid)
- Excellent mango smoothie at hotel terrace which is just past the rock - 4000 kyt (optional but recommended since great views/relaxing out of the sun under umbrellas)
- Ice cream sundae at KFC (seems to be the only place to buy an ice cream in town) to celebrate returning from the trucks alive - 1200kyt

Recommendations:
- take a covering for your legs. The no knees rule for temples is enforced here (for both men and women)
- Take as little stuff as possible- the trucks are very cramped and you may not appreciate a backpack on your lap or the floor (which may have vomit on it).
- The truck drivers drive like maniacs and each time people were sick (mainly children but some adults too). If you get car sick have a lighter breakfast (or no breakfast) take a plastic bag and try to get a ‘window’ seat on the side for more fresh air/sick opportunities. Don’t worry - the ride down is (weirdly) better.
- Carry your flip flops (or, preferably, put them in a bag) when you enter the temple complex as there are more pagodas the other side of the big rock which you will want your shoes to walk to (you may also want them for going into the frequent and free public loos).
- Trucks apparently stop at 6pm (so don’t dawdle).
- Enjoy!

Is it worth a day trip from Yangon?
Many people have complained in the reviews that this was not worth a day trip from Yangon (especially when the rock itself was covered for repairs). Personally, we think a day trip from Yangon might be a bit tiring/excessive (4-5 hours for the bus each way and 3-4 hours for visiting the mountain). We stayed in Kinpun at the “Shwe Hinnthar Hotel” which has a swimming pool (slightly grimey but very refreshing) and an excellent (if slightly empty restaurant). See hotel photo. If you are visiting from Yangon I would recommend that you break up the journey by staying a night in Kinpun after visiting the mountain - you will appreciate a dip in the pool after the mountain. There are also other (easier) hikes in the area and a small weird arcade/Ferris wheel in town if you fancy staying for longer. One of the hikes is to a smaller version of the golden rock (seen in background of hotel photo)- this hike is much shorter than the one to the main rock.

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Hiking up the mountain to witness this beautiful spectacle at sunset. The accommodation and food was great at the top.