Golden Rock pagoda is a great gathering of people from all over Myanmar and beyond.
I visited a few months ago in the wet season and now it is a completely different tourist and pilgrim destination.

Many people bring blankets and food to stay on overnight, I had hoped to sleep out tonight with the pilgrims but foreigners are not allowed to do so.

There are are so many mobile phone cameras and selfie sticks now that the character of the place has changed forever. Even monks and nuns pose for photos.

The 'base camp' town of Kinpun has incorporated a theme park and plays loud music in the main street from 4am (as I can confirm!). Within the pagoda area, there is a festival atmosphere With many families sharing the occasion. Additionally there is much devotion by pilgrims, for whom this is a special Buddhist site. Some prostrate themselves on the ground, whilst other light incense and candles and chant in a quiet reflective way.

The sunset is truly spectacular and the rock changes colour to reflect the lowering sun in the sky. As the sun goes down, the whole horizon becomes a rich reddy golden colour and as I return on the truck, the moon appears with bright stars.
I enjoyed the solitude of this place when I visited three months ago and through the crowds, I can still feel the spiritual sense of this magical mountain top location.