"The Hidden City of Myanmar"
Mrauk U Tourism
Mrauk U is a city located in northern Rakhine state in Myanmar. It is a medieval town and the capital of Mrauk-U Township. Mrauk U, formerly known as Mrohaung, is famous today for the ancient archaeological sites of Arakanese Kingdom. The city is an offbeat destination for tourists looking for quieter cities offering a countryside experience.
Mrauk U has an interesting legend about its origin. It is believed that there lived a female monkey who met a peacock. They cohabited, and a human son was born from the egg laid by the monkey, who grew up to become a prince. And he constructed a city, which got the name Mrauk U, which means Monkey’s Egg.
Mrauk U is home to Myanmar’s second-most-famous archaeological site, including the most ancient monuments in the country, after Bagan city. But unlike Bagan, these monuments were made of stone bricks, which was manufactured in the neighbouring villages. But in recent years, efforts by the local bodies to develop and promote tourism has led to the influx of travelers looking for something different than what typical Myanmar offers.
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Things to do in Mrauk U
1. Archaeology Museum
The Archaeology Museum Mrauk U is located in the premises of the Royal Palace in the city of Mrauk U in Rakhine State, Myanmar. It houses artefacts from the ancient walled town of Mrauk U, which compr (Read More)ised of many historical buildings and temples. For tourists interested in knowing more about Mrauk U, the museum is an excellent place to explore.
2. Chin Villages
Chin Village is located on the banks of the river Lay Mro river close to the town of Mrauk U in Myanmar. It is known for the ethnic Chin community that is famous for its beautiful women with tradition (Read More)al tattoos on their faces and the colourful fabrics that are handmade by the village people.
3. Htukkanthein Temple
Htukkanthein Temple is a large Buddhist pagoda located in the city of Mrauk U in Myanmar. It is one of the top attractions in the city. Htukkanthein is a temple as well as fortress and served as ordin (Read More)ation hall and military centre alongside being a pagoda.
4. Koe Thaung Temple
Koe Thaung Temple is a Buddhist pagoda located in the city of Mrauk U in Myanmar. It is the largest temple in the city and is among the top attractions for tourists.
The name of the pagoda translates (Read More) to 90,000 images of the Buddha because of the thousands of statues and paintings of the Buddha. The temple was built in the 15th century.
5. Wethali
Wethali is a historical site located close to the city of Mrauk U. It contains the archaeological remains of the walled city of the kingdom of Wethali, which was established in the 4th century.
This i (Read More)s the place where the kingdom prospered for over four centuries, when the city was the centre of powerful administration and culture. The site consists of a palace, a huge stone statue of seated Buddha and remains of other structures within a walled enclosure.
6. Shai-thaung Temple
Shai-thaung Temple is an ancient Buddhist pagoda located on the top of Pokhaung Hill in the city of Mrauk U in Myanmar. The name translates to 8000 images of Buddha and is one of the most famous attra (Read More)ctions for tourists.
The temple complex was built in the 9th century and is called the temple of victory as it was built to commemorate the conquest of Bay of Bengal by King Min Bin. It has terraced platforms topped with a bell shaped stupa.
7. Shai-thaung Temple
Shai-thaung Temple is an ancient Buddhist pagoda located on the top of Pokhaung Hill in the city of Mrauk U in Myanmar. The name translates to 8000 images of Buddha and is one of the most famous attra (Read More)ctions for tourists.
The temple complex was built in the 9th century and is called the temple of victory as it was built to commemorate the conquest of Bay of Bengal by King Min Bin. It has terraced platforms topped with a bell shaped stupa.
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13th Century Archaeological Ruins of Mrauk U
Mrauk U is famous for its centuries-old archaeological ruins consisting of Buddhist temples - Shite Thaung, Five Mahn and the Chin villages, home to the ethnic community. Shite Thaung, located on Pokhaung Hill close to the Royal Palace is called Temple of 80,000 Buddha Images and the temple of Victory. It is one of the few rare Buddhist pagodas built of stone bricks and consists of hundreds of Buddha images surrounding bell-shaped stupas.
Five Mahn is another pagoda known for its unique ordination hall lined with ancient murals depicting Jataka tales. The Chin villages offer an insight of the unique culture, traditions and rituals followed by the community, which can be experienced by visiting their homes, where you can see their ways of life exhibited through photographs, workshops, cooking classes, weaving and other sessions organized at the community centre.
Five Mahn is another pagoda known for its unique ordination hall lined with ancient murals depicting Jataka tales. The Chin villages offer an insight of the unique culture, traditions and rituals followed by the community, which can be experienced by visiting their homes, where you can see their ways of life exhibited through photographs, workshops, cooking classes, weaving and other sessions organized at the community centre.
History of Mrauk U
Mrauk U was established in 1433 by King Min Saw Mon as the capital of Arakanese Kingdom. It functioned as the royal capital for over 400 years for about 49 kings for over 300 years, functioning as the powerhouse of administration, religion, politics, trade and culture. At the end of the 18th century, the kingdom and Mrauk U was captured by the Burmese empire.
Throughout this time, Mrauk U was an important seaport and the entry point to many trade routes. Its location close to the Bay of Bengal made it one of the most famous ancient cities for many centuries, from the time of Burmese kingdoms until the period of colonization.
Most of the overseas trade routes originated here, which meant that there were a sophisticated harbour and large markets where spices, silk, precious stones, textiles, and even slaves were traded for hundreds of years. It also led to the invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch, who managed to set up commerce to some extent until the Burmese took over. During the British rule, the town became a full-fledged port and became the centre of sea trade, where textiles, spices, cotton and gold were traded overseas.
Throughout this time, Mrauk U was an important seaport and the entry point to many trade routes. Its location close to the Bay of Bengal made it one of the most famous ancient cities for many centuries, from the time of Burmese kingdoms until the period of colonization.
Most of the overseas trade routes originated here, which meant that there were a sophisticated harbour and large markets where spices, silk, precious stones, textiles, and even slaves were traded for hundreds of years. It also led to the invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch, who managed to set up commerce to some extent until the Burmese took over. During the British rule, the town became a full-fledged port and became the centre of sea trade, where textiles, spices, cotton and gold were traded overseas.
Tips for Visiting Mrauk U
- The accommodation options in Mrauk U are very limited, so they tend to get sold out during the peak season. Hence, its is better to book your hotels in advance.
- The amenities in Mrauk U for tourists are very basic, so don’t expect much. There are no public toilets at many attractions.
- There are just a few ATMs in Mrauk U, hence it is better to carry enough cash for entry fees and tours.
- The price of the Chin village tour is better if booked through a travel operator, but sometimes you might get a better deal at your hotel. So, compare prices before you book.
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FAQs on Mrauk U
What is famous about Mrauk u?
Mrauk U offers the charm of a small town along with historic attractions and the chance to get to know the ethnic Chin communities, making it off the beat destination for travelers.
What is not so good about Mrauk u?
Mrauk U might not be for you if you don’t like small towns and prefer touristy places
What are the places near Mrauk u?
The top places near to Mrauk u are Bagan which is 184 km from Mrauk u, Mandalay which is located 336 km from Mrauk u, Sagaing which is located 322 km from Mrauk u, Inwa which is located 321 km from Mrauk u, Monywa which is located 264 km from Mrauk u
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