Mrauk U Myanmar – Top 6 Attractions and Things to Do

While the majority of visitors are attracted to Mrauk U by its famous pagodas and temples, there are several other attractions and sights you do not want to miss when you are in the area.

1. Temples and pagodas in Mrauk U

The main draw in Mrauk U is the pagodas and temples which would have been part of a vast empire that stretched into Bangladesh. Many of the buildings in Mrauk U were built in the 1400s and would have belonged to various princes and other royals. To access the temples, and Mrauk U generally, you will need to pay a fee of USD 5 at the counter at Shittaung Pagoda which will cover you for the rest of your stay in Mrauk U. Some of the best preserved temples in the vicinity include Shittaung, Kothaung, and Hitukhan Thein. As well as the central temples however there are also a range of other attraction scattered around Mrauk U.

2. Royal Palace and Archaeology Museum

The Royal Palace sadly no longer really resembles a palace and all that is left are some of the external walls which are crumbling gracefully. Inside the palace walls however you will find the Archaeology Museum which is free to enter and has a range of items taken from various sites in Mrauk U. These include statues of the Buddha as well as stones with carved inscriptions and coins from the Wethali Era. You will also find some nice paintings of Mrauk U as it would have looked in the days of old as well as a model of the town.

3. Chin Villages

You can visit the Chin Villages on a day trip although by law you have to return to Mrauk U and stay in town overnight. Most of the villages are dotted along the Lemro River and the best way to visit them is to arrange a tour with a hotel or guesthouse which should be around USD 80.

It is much cheaper to travel to the villages independently but also more hassle and sometimes foreigners are told they need to be accompanied by a guide anyway. The villages are known for being ‘garden villages’ and you can admire the flora and fauna as well as see how people live in more rural areas of Myanmar.

4. Wethali

Wethali is now nothing more than a village but back in the day it would have been the capital of the mighty Arakan Kingdom. Unfortunately there are no temples that still stand there to this day although there are some mounds under which several temples are thought to be buried. One of the big draws here however is the Great Image of Hsu Taung Pre which is a large ancient statues and the village is very picturesque in its own right. If you want to cycle to the village leave around 2 hours to get there and another 2 to get back.

5. Mahamuni Paya

Mahamuni Paya is a pagoda around 40 kilometres away from Mrauk U and would have been the home of the Mahamuni Buddha, although this has now been moved to Mandalay. Still, you will still find a collection of ancient artifacts at Mahamuni Paya and there is also a museum close to the shrine which gives you some of the background history. Many people combine a trip to Mahamuni Paya with a visit to Wethali although you will probably have to travel by car rather than bicycle. Most guesthouses offer half day tours to the two attractions together.

6. L’Amitie Art Gallery

Located near Laymyetnha Paya is a cosy little local gallery which showcases some of the best artwork dedicated to Mrauk U and the surrounding area. If you want to see some nice depictions of Mrauk U in the days of old as well as the Chin Villages then this is a good place to come and you can also pick up a piece to take home as a souvenir of your trip.