The old capital of Rakhine (Arakan) was first constructed by King Min Saw Mon in 15 century, and remained its capital for 355 years. A principle destination in the Rakhine State, Mrauk Oo is noted for its fort-like temples and pagodas built of stone and brick, rich with distinctive statuary and relief. Shitthaung Pagoda, Dukkanthein Pagoda, Andawthein Shrine are some of the sites to see in Mrauk-U. The most impressive among them is the Shitthaung Temple, meaning 80,000, with its seemingly endless perambulatory tunnels. It is believed that the 84,000 of the Buddha's relics with the same number of the Lord's images are enshrined in it, hence the name Shitthaung. About 8 km north of Mrauk-U is the archaeological site of Vassali, another ancient capital which flourished during the 7th and the 10th centuries. The Mahamuni Shrine, one of the famous Buddha Images in Myanmar, is situated in Yakutat, 30 km from Mrauk-U. There are Mrauk -U Museum in Mrauk –U.

How to get there

From Yangon there are daily flights to Sittwe and there are small private boats as well as larger public boats plying through the Kaladan River to Mrauk U. It is only 45 miles from Sittwe and the seacoast. To the east of the old city is the famous Kispanadi stream and far away the Lemro river. It was difficult to travel to this area about ten years ago but now it is quite developed to visit Mrauk-U.

Mrauk-U

Mrauk-U is another interesting historical site in Rakhine State, fast becoming a tourist attraction.Mrauk- U can be easily reached via Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. To the east of the old city is the famous Kispanadi stream and far away the Lemro river. The city area used to have a network of canals.
The Mrauk-U period from 1430 to 1784 CE was the last in Rakhine history.The golden city of Mrauk U became known in Europe as a city of oriental splendor after Friar Sebastian Manrique visited the area in early 17th century.
The Mahamuni Buddha Image, which is now in Mandalay, was cast and venerated some 15 miles from Mrauk U where another Mahamuni Buddha Image flanked by two other Buddha images. Mrauk U maintains a small archaeological Museum near Palace site, which is right in the center of town. As a prominent capital Mrauk U was carefully built in a strategic location by leveling three small hills. The pagodas are strategically located on hilltops and serve as fortresses; indeed they are once used as such in times of enemy intrusion. There are moats, artificial lakes and canals and the whole area could be flooded to deter or repulse attackers. There are numerous pagodas and Buddha images all over the old city and the surrounding hills. Some are still being used as places of worship today many in ruins, some of which are now being restored to their original splendor.


Shitthaung Temple

The Shitthaung or "temple of the 80,000 Buddha" located about half a mile north of the palace site was built by one of the most powerful kings of the Mrauk-U Dynasty, called by the people, Minbargyi, also called in some inscription; King Minbin found who reigned from 1513 to 1553. The king built this fortress-temple after repulsing a Portuguese attack on the City of Mrauk U. The skill and art displayed in its construction and ornamentation are remarkable. Foreigners remarked that the maze-like layout of this pagoda probing plan is that the Shitthaung Pagoda was built alike a fortress. The real purpose of the pagoda was for prayer, some rituals of initiation, and some of the King’s ceremonies, which were usually held secretly. It was constructed six feet thick of solid sandstone and like "rock cave tunnel". No mortar was used in the construction and stones were connected with stone brackets.

Htukkanthein Temple

This massive stone temple has a spiraling corridor running in two tires, leading to an inner chamber which is 15 feet in height is said to be the place where the Buddhist Archbishop used to sit to discuss religious affairs with Senior Monks. It is no longer in used as an Ordination Hall. Now one of the well-known pagodas of Mrauk-U, Htukkan (or Dukkhan) Thein is located about 300 feet to the north-west of Shitthaung Pagoda. Built in 1571 by King Min Phalaung it is on a hillock 30 feet high, with two stone stair ways 8 feet broad on the east and south. The seated stone ladies preserving in sculpture the ancient hair-styles, among the many other interesting figures. There are also 140 niches with Buddha images.

Koethaung Pagoda

There is an octagonal pagoda in the middle surrounded by over one hundred smaller pagodas. Unlike some of the other temples, not only sandstone, but bricks were also used in this pagoda. Standing on a plain of rice fields is the Koethaung Pagoda; the name means 90,000 and probably signified the number of Buddha images it was supposed to contain. It was built by King Digra, the son of King Min Bin who built the Shitthaung or temple of 80,000 images, so the son exceeded the father by 10,000! It is the biggest pagoda in the Mrauk-U area. Like the Shitthaung, this pagoda is also a massive fortress-like structure built with stone walls and terraces. There are 108 smaller pagodas surrounding it, all made of sandstone. With a winding corridor it is like a cave tunnel which you have to traverse until you reach the central chamber. The inner gallery has collapsed and is no longer accessible.

Laymyetnha Pagoda

Laymyetnha is one of the original pagodas at the time of the excavating ancient pagoda in Mrauk-U.This Pagoda was built by King Min Saw Mon in 1430 AD the name of the Pagoda means "Four faced" as there are four entrances to this square sandstone structure with a central solid stupa 80 feet high. There are 28 Buddha images as mentioned in the scripture.

Andaw Pagoda

The Andaw, means enshrines a tooth relic of Buddha, is a pagoda only 86 feet to the north-east of the Shitthaung Pagoda. This shrine was originally built by Min Hla Raza in 1521 A.D. The shrine is an octagonal structure of pure sandstone, with two internal equiangular concentric passages. Fifteen small circular pagodas, built of bricks stand on the platforms of south, north and west of the shrine. On the east, there is a prayer hall, which has an entrance on each side; a stone wall divides it from the outer court. The central tower of the shrine contains the tooth-relic of Buddha obtained from Sri Lanka by King Minbin.


SITTWE

After the first Anglo - Burman of 1826, coastal Sittwe was made the Capital of Rakhine State rather than the less accessible royal capital of Mrauk-U which lies 50 miles (80 km) inland. The city started as a trading port around 200 years ago and further developed after the British occupation of 1826. International trade along the coast bloomed during the British era. Two huge cargo steamers a day plied back and forth between Calcutta and Sittwe. There is a distinctive Rakhine twist on standard Myanmar culture that includes the enjoyment of much spicy food and brighter-colored clothing. . Sights worth seeing in Sittwe included Atulamarazein Pyilon Chan Tha Pagoda, Kyayoke, Mahakuthala Monastery, Adeilhtim Sima, and the Buddha Museum in Sittwe, where articles of archaeological and cultural value are on display.