The climb up is steep and may take 15 minutes on many crumbling and leaf covered concrete steps, with electric wires dangling chaotically over you. May the Buddha prevent them from falling on to you.
On a weekday morning I was the only person up there. It was very quiet, also dizzy and because of many trees there wasn't much view.
What you see of Myanmar isn't very attractive because of all the new ugly blocks being built just beyond Moei river. The view East to the Thai side wasn't wide nor special either.
In some spots of this steep terrain you feel like you're within the canopy. The trees, the bamboo and the general overgrownness are certainly part of the attraction, some trees are marked with their names.
A few mosquitoes joined me on my stroll, as well as the only dog up there, by far the most understanding temple dog I met on many wat visits, for once welcoming (dogs in Mae Sot are very chilled anyway compared to other provinces, as a bicyclist I can tell you).
Everything up there is covered in huge tree leaves. It's very atmospheric, if not highly artistic. I wouldn't go on wet days, and some might find the place slightly spooky (I didn't).
At the bottom of the stairs there is big construction (Jan 2024\2567). When you reach the top you first have the view West to Myanmar. Look out for the path leading through a bamboo grove for another elevated rock with more Buddhas and the (limited) view to the east, into Thailand.
Wat Phrathat Doi Hin Kio grew on me, as did my new four-legged friend; I lingered, and found it difficult to clamber back down to Earth, even though the delightful hot springs were next....
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