Mrauk U

Mrauk U is a famous ancient town (medieval town in detail) and archaeological site in Rakhine State, Myanmar. As one of the two most attractive destinations in Rakhine, along Ngapali beach, Mrauk U now supplies a commercial and rural taste holiday for foreign tourists. You must pay only US$5 for being in this town.

QUICK FACT:

• Location: West coastal Myanmar
• Status: capital of Mrauk U Township
• Population: 2 698 000
• Area: 36 780 square kilometers
• Name variants: Myauk U, Myauk Oo
• An important archaeological site, one of the two most attractive destinations in Rakhine State

Mrauk U is a famous ancient town (medieval town in detail) and archaeological site in Rakhine State, Myanmar. As one of the two most attractive destinations in Rakhine, along Ngapali beach, Mrauk U now supplies a commercial and rural taste holiday for foreign tourists. You must pay only US$5 for being in this town. Like much of Rakhine State, it is situated in a coastal tropical monsoon rainforest climate region. The name Mrauk U is derived from a popular myth amongst the Arakanese and the Burmese people. According to the story, there was a monkey offering Gautama Buddha an egg as a sign of devotion. So, the name Mrauk U means ‘Monkey’s Egg”. Also, the name can be explained by another dismissed myth that once upon a time, in the region where Mrauk U was to be constructed, there was a lonely female monkey. She met a peacock and the two later cohabited; then, she conceived with the peacock, and it laid an egg. A human son was born from the egg and he grew up to become a mighty prince. The prince later built a city near the jungle, and in respect of his birth story, the city was called Mrauk U meaning “Monkey’s Egg”. From Sittwe or Yangon, it is easy to meet Mrauk U by seaway or road. Ferries, private boats or places in private boats are offered all the day. While you are in Mrauk U, it will be a pity if you slip a rare opportunity to visit the Archaelogy Museum, just inside the Royal Palace. The Museum is a collection of artifacts including Buddha statues, coins in Wethali era, inscriptions in slabs, paintings of Mrauk U in its heyday, and visitors can see the special crumbling walls – all that remains of the Royal Palace. Tourists in Mrauk U usually enjoy their vacation in Chin Villages, Wethali and Mahamuni Paya, which are the must-visit destinations. Firstly, a trip to Chin Villages is enjoyable. In this memorable trip, you can watch Chin tribe women wearing various pattern of tattoo on their face and attractive amber necklace. You also have opportunity to observe various Chin traditional dances such as ritual offering dance and frightening evils dance; while dancing, Chin musician blows the bamboo flute with his nose and a church. You can also visit Wethali – a small village with history of fifteen hundred years old as Wethali used to be the capital of ancient Arakan Kingdom. Most temples are now probably buried under the mounds that dot the area, only one remnant to see is the layout of the palace and a statue known as the Great Image of Hsu Taung Pre. The next place you should not neglect is Mahamuni Paya. Mrauk U was declared capital of the Arakanese Kingdom in 1431. As a part of Burma, the land of gold wonders, a Buddhist country with thousand year old temples contain magical spiritual belief, Mrauk U also owns a lot of pagodas. As the city developed, many pagodas and temples were built. Several of them remain, and Mahamuni Paya is one of those. There are some ancient artifacts on view at the pagoda and at the small museum near the shrine. Coming to Mrauk U, tourists are more likely to enjoy with the indigenous life. They usually join in the market, located in south-west of temple area. There are also small restaurants at the market. Pyae Wa Restaurant and Mo Cherry restaurant offer authentic Rakhine food: the butterfish with rice and Chinese foods. If you have the time, explore the restaurants and you will be pleasantly surprised. In Mrauk U, you can walk, rent a bicycle (available from most hotels), hire a trishaw or hire a horse cart. Trading and tourism are developed in this area. There are many famous and note-worthy religious buildings in and around the town. Today, Mrauk U is a major archaeological and tourist destination. The main attractions are the temples and ruins around the town. Infrastructure is being improved, and the town has only recently become a reachable tourist destination. Best Time to Visit The Rakhine State is situated within the tropical zone and the weather is warm and humid. Since it is a coastal region of Myanmar, rain and clouds are expected. The best time for tourists to visit Mrauk U is from late November early December when the rains have gone. Crystal clear sky; lush and green landscapes; blooming flowers. However any time from late November to March is a good time to travel. Getting There The most popular mode for tourists to travel to Mrauk U is to take a domestic flight from Yangon to Sittwe and board a boat from Sittwe against the Kaladan River. The hotels in Mrauk U also arrange private boat services to and fro Sittwe. The government boat to Mrauk U left at 7 am, cost 10$ and took about 4 hours. It runs both ways every day – bar Sunday/Monday. IF the govt boat isn’t operating when you wanna go you can hire a private boat simple enough (touts will be at the airport) No boats are allowed to leave after 4 pm. So if you arrive at 1, you should be able to get a regular boat and get to Mrauk U about dark. overnight bus from paye to Taungok then fast boat to Sittwe the flights tend to be from Yangon -Sittwe-Thandwe. There is a highway from Yangon to Sittwe via Mrauk-u, you be required to get special permission, which will take several weeks, and cost a lot. Your travel conditions may require you to go with a licensed tour guide.