Tourist Guide To Mrauk-U

A traditional sport, Kyun, is very popular for Rakhine people in Myanmar. This sport began from the reign of former Rakhine kings in history. Figure of Kyun sport can be seen on the walls around the cave of Shaitthaung Temple built by King Mong Bar Gri reigned in Mrauk-U in A.D 1531. Kyun sport, Rakhine wrestling, is a physical art for men Rakhine men are trained this art starting from childhood. The strong man who can wrestle well is regarded and honoured as "Kyun than" in Rakhine. Rakhine kyun sport is similar to wrestler in some way but it is quite different in rules and methods. A famous and outstanding Kyunthan had many difficulties to face and win rivals and matches. In this competition, there are two steps. A new one can compete only in the step of silver gong (Nge-maung-dan) and a successful and well-experienced one can continue to compete in the step of golden gong (Shwe-maung-dan). Famous Rakhine wrestlers are Nyalar U Tun San Phyu, U Lun Hla Oo...

U Mra Wah Statue    There was a tradition in Rakhine in olden days that whenever a new Buddha image, pagoda or temple was built around the country, smaller replica had been sent to this hill in Mrauk-U. This hill has also been known as the Phra-poung-taung since all images, pagodas and temples were collectively kept there. On going up along this route, one can reach U Mra Wah Pagoda. The pagoda was donated by King Mong Bar Gri in dedication to Shun-nge Sara U Mra Wah who sacrificed his life for the longevity of Mrauk-U city. At present, only the square basement of the pagoda can be seen. Scenic view of Mrauk-U can be enjoyed from the hilltop. Credit:  Aung, Myar. Famous Monuments of Mrauk-U (Useful Reference for Tourists and Travelers) . (2nd ed.). Yangon, Myanmar. Middle Line.  P.71

The city of Mrauk-U in Rakhineland is located at latitude 20 20  25'N and longitude 93 11'E striding alluvial plains of Kuladan and Lemro rivers. The city walls and moats were constructed, in part, with natural mountain ranges, spurs, creeks and drainages.  Making use of local product, sand stone, city walls were constructed fittingly to the natural barriers. As Mrauk-U city was systematically organized and administered, security was guaranteed all over the area. For trade and commerce, Kuladan and Lemro river routes were used so that Aung Dat and Paung Dok became famous inland ports close to the city. King Mong Bar Gri, with the assistance of Portuguese seafarers, built Royal Rakhine flottila armed with long-range cannons artillery and other weaponry. The influence and power of Rakhine kings extended in the west to Dhaka, Tippera and Murshidadad, Bago in the east and Mottama in the south. Amidst the mountain ranges, spurs and valleys in and around Mrauk-U, there exist a lar...

The study of Mrauk-U may be sufficient if a traveller pays a 5-day visit. During these days, he can pay homage to ancient images, termples, pagodas and other sites of historical value. However, the most suitable programmes are facilitated in the following pages to suit the requirements of the pilgrims and tourists alike. For those who can afford one-day Visit Morning: Shaitthuang Temple, Andaw-thein Ordination Hall, Ratanapon Pagoda, Htukkant-thein Ordination Hall, Lay-myet-hna Temple, Laun-pwan-prauk Pagoda, Khrun-kite Pitaka-taik Library, Bodhi Shwegu Cave, Ratana man-aung Pagoda, Sakya Man-aung Pagoda. Afternoon: Palace Site Museum, Zina man-aung, Mong Khamoung Temple, Anuma Lake, Letse kan Lake, Wathay Buddha Image, Pann-zee-mroung Shun-pun, Pharapaw Pagoda, Loka Man-aung Pagoda. For those who can afford two-day Visit Morning: Mungala-dat Shwegu Cave, Koe-na-wonn Pagoda, Wizaya Ranthi Pagoda, Narat-sar Phra, Dai-kyi-kan Lake, Boun-dwet (car is required to visit Boun-dwet). Aft...

Nowadays, as tourism has developed in Myanmar, the old city of Mrauk-U can be easily accessible from Myanmar proper, and the routes to be chosen in advance by local and foreign tourists, pilgrims, researchers and tour guides are described in the following. 1. From Yangon to Sittway (Along Ann Mountain - Pass by Car) The traveler is required to take express cars such as Rama Zarni, Roma Swann-arn, Toe Ratana or King Star stationed at Aungmingala Highway Car Terminal in Yangon along Ann mountain - pass of Yangon - Sittway Highway, newly - constrcted route. On arrival at Mrauk-U which is along the route close to Sittway, the traveler can drop there.  2. From Yangon to Sittway (By Costal Liner) Coastal liners, M.V. Hakha, M.V. Myitkyina and M.V. Taungyi owned by Myanmar Five Star Shipping Enterprise travel to Sittway routinely. A traveler can proceed to Mrauk-U onward from Sittway. 3. From Yangon to Toungup (Along T0ungup Mountain - Pass by Car) The traveler is required to take expr...

AN OLD CITY OF DHANYAWADDY  By Tun Shwe Khine (M.A.)   Buddha preaching king Sanda/CandaSuriya while visit Rakhine with 500 disciples: 554 B.C. Some twenty one miles north of Mrauk-U and about six miles east of Kyauktaw is an old city of Dhanyawaddy. The earliest city in Rakhine, Dhanyawaddy is situated west of the ridge lying between the Kaladan and Lemro rivers, occupying the well-drained foothill area and backed by the ridge. Remains of the walls and moats of this city can still be seen on many sites. The remains of brick fortifications arc still seen along the ridge which protrudes into the city itself. The old city was of fairly large size, almost circular in shape, with the eastern wall made of brick at the base of the ridge. On the western side only a small portion of the outer wall remains because of the ravages of the Thare creek, a tributary of the Kaladan. The creek might once have formed the moat on the west side, while on the other three side...

Lawka Man Aung Pagoda is known to be one of the five most revered "Man" paya of Mrauk U. This Pagoda is known to be one of the five most revered pagodas in Mrauk U. The five revered "Man" payas of Mrauk U are Lawka Man Aung. Zeenat Man Aung. Sakkya Man Aung. Mingalar Man Aung and Yadanar Man Aung. In Myanmar known as "Man Ngar Par". The architecture of this pagoda is in the form of four steps. The base step is a square shape with four statues at each corner. From the second to the topmost step. there are small pagodas at each corner. Inside the pagoda. there is a 12 feet high Buddha image made of stone. In A.D 1676. King Oakka Balar became a monk in this pagoda's compound and at such a time. was also called Lawkamu Pagoda.  This pagoda was also built by Candathudhammaraza (1652­-1674 A.D) in 1658 A.D. It stands on a flat ground. The shrine was constructed with stone blocks. well hewn and ce­mented. It is square at the base. each si...