A visit to Golden Mrauk U

A Visit to Golden Mrauk U

            Mrauk U is a little known archeological site in Western Myanmar. The city is an ancient famous capital of Rakhine State and then a sub region of the Sittwe District now. The city was founded by king Min Saw Mon in 1430. The city is located on a small outcrop of the Rakhine Yoma and between the Laymyo and Kaladan rivers. And then the town is surrounded by hilly and also contains a great deal of marshes, mangroves and lakes. So, there are plentiful of vegetables and rice. Most citizens are rakhine nationalities and Buddhism.

            Mrauk U was well protected by a defense system consisting of defensive walls and the clever use of water ways. A system of moats, canals and manmade lakes allowed to flood the area in case of invasion. It is also called fortified city. The capital of the kingdom was protected by 35 kilometer long walls and moats. Royal Palace was at the center of the city. There is no building in the palace site but palace walls and gates can still be seen today. Moreover broken city wall and gate also can be seen today. Now the archeology museum locates in the palace site, which opens from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

            There are many famous pagodas in Mrauk U. Over a period of more than 350 years countless temples and pagodas were built. Hundred of temples and pagodas were built between the 15^th and 18^th century.  Some of the best known are:

-Shite-thaung Temple

-Htukkanthein Temple

-Andaw-thein Temple

-Lemyathna ordination hall

-Ratana-pon stupa

Five mann Stupa

-Mingala Mann Aung stupa

-Ratana Mann Aung stupa

-Sakya Mann Aung stupa

_Lawka Mann Aung stupa

-Zina Mann Aung stupa

            Mrauk U is a site that receives very few visitors. Mrauk U should be the second conservation area in Myanmar. That is a little known place in the world. I would like to know this place all people of the world. I invite you to visit my town. I am very proud of my native town.