Location: Mrauk U
Top Things to do in Mrauk U
Top Restaurants in Mrauk U
The 10 Best Things to Do in Mrauk U, Myanmar
Mrauk U (Burmese: မြောက်ဦးမြို့; MLCTS: mrauk u: mrui., Burmese pronunciation: [mjaʊʔ ú mjo̰]; formerly known as Myohaung) is an archaeologically important town in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. It is also the capital of Mrauk-U Township, a sub region of the Mrauk-U District. From 1430 until 1785, it was the capital of the Mrauk U Kingdom, the most important and powerful Rakhine (Arakanese) kingdom.
Restaurants in Mrauk U
1. Koe Thaung Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By IndySig - Indy
This place was just unbelievable. The outside was so interesting but the inside was amazing. Exploring the area of Mrauk U is certainly not to be missed. I strongly advise you to see this area before it gets hit with hundreds of tourists. Our guide said that only about 10 foreigners each day visit. Someday soon that will change.
2. Shai-thaung Temple
Overall Ratings
5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By DrFWM - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
There's so much to see at this temple, it brings together several different aspects of the practice of Buddhism in this place, of another era. I loved the humane scale of the carvings, that one can get very close to them and see how they were carved and appreciate the idiosyncratic details of a bird's tail or a playful elephant's trunk. I also appreciated the fact that it's a living place of veneration. When we were there, two young ladies brought flowers to place in front of the altar and a monk rested with a Burmese cat on a adjacent chair. Kyaw Win was our guide. He did a good job of explaining many aspects of the site and how people view the temple now.
3. Mrauk U
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By clairev_1 - France
You feel the history here. Smaller than Bagan but incomparable. Both are great in their own ways. Here, temples are still being uncovered. Yes, it's hard to get to, but it is worth it all - especially before it becomes touristy like Bagan. You can easily be transported in time and imagine how it must have been in its glory days. There are many Buddha images everywhere - not just the museums! We had a guide for one day take us around on bicycles to see and explain the temples and it was amazing! Can't recommend him enough. You can find Hla Thein on Facebook at; Mr Hla Mrauk U Guide or call (text works too as reception isn't always great in Mrauk U) 09250327484
4. Chin Villages
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By Fallsbiker - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
A fascinating view into the third world. Sale of hand-loomed weavings appears to be the sole source of income. Primitive conditions are medieval. The tattooed women are welcoming and friendly. One even offered me a banana as a gift as I entered the village. It is a bit of a journey to get to Sittwe, then Mrauk-U, then the Chin villages.
5. Htukkanthein Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By Tony C - Brisbane, Australia
From the outside this massive structure is daunting. Without embellishment or elaborate carvings it seems like a fortress.
There is debate as to whether it was built to protect from marauders or the harsh climate. In any event the labyrinth of passages takes the visitor on a mystery tour where around every bend we find another image from the lost Kingdom of Arakan.
Students of medieval architecture will appreciate the building's excellent state of preservation. Rugged and natural with a purity missing in its rich Eastern cousins.
6. Andaw Thein Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By loveleen817 - Bangkok, Thailand
This pagoda is beautiful not just for the stupas there, but also the surrounding village life (children flying kites, villagers and monks walking by on their daily business, locals chatting around) - gives a nice feel of the more rural side on Myanmar on a hot summer day!
7. Mahamuni Buddha Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By rjt119 - Lenox MA
This is one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Myanmar--by legend the Mahamuni Buddha dates back to Gautama Buddha's visit to the area on a missionary trip 2,500 years ago and was housed in the temple on this site as Arakan's most sacred image for more than two millennia. In the late 1700s, when the Burmese conquered the Arakanese, the temple was sacked and the original Mahamuni image spirited off to Mandalay where it remains to this day one of the country's leading objects of Buddhist veneration. (The Arakanese claim they took the wrong statue and that this is still the original, but that's another story). The rebuilt temple and statue is still a major pilgrimage site and it is affecting to see the devotions of worshippers, including the application of gold leaf to the image, continuing the ancient traditions this spot. It's about a half hour ride on bumpy roads through pleasant countryside-- take a taxi or tuktuk and ask the driver to wait.
8. Sanda Muni Buddha image
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
9. Sakya Man Aung Pagoda
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Sigitpramono - Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Local friend guided me to go to this temple. The temple is nice for pilgrim tour and ages about 365 years. My recommendation is to hire local people to go to this temple. Honesty, I would not know if local people not to show me to the place.
10. Lawka Man Aung Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Sigitpramono - Yogyakarta, Indonesia
The place is located near with Shain Thaung Pagoda. You need to walk from behind Shai thaung Pagoda and about 50-75 meters. The best time for visit the place is sunset time. when I am sitting on this area like live on October 1800 not 2015. It is recommended place to be visited in Mrauk U.
