In 1431, King Min Saw Mon established Mrauk U as the capital of the last unified Arakanese Kingdom. An important trading port with links to Portugal, the Netherlands, Arabia, Persia and India, the city eventually reached a size of 120,000 in the mid sixteenth century.

The city offers the visitor many chances to study the cultural and a proud heritage handed down to the present day Rakhine generation by their forefathers. Mrauk U can rightfully be claimed as the “Open-air Museum” of the arts and culture of the people of Rakhine.

Starting from Sittwe, capital of the Rakhine state, you will uncover the traditional local lifestyles in this town that is located at the mouth of the Kaladan River by the Bay of Bengal. Often overlooked as a convenient stopping point for Mrauk U, Sittwe will reward you with visions of a colorful hinterland seaport with abundance of fish and crops.

Cruising upstream along the Kaladan River on a private boat, you will arrive at Mrauk U archaeological park. The ancient city is now deserted but the ruined temples form an impressive and extensive stone record of a kingdom once one of the most important and powerful in the Indian Ocean.

The most impressive of these historical edifices is the Shitthaung Temple, a fortress-like temple known for its labyrinth of tunnels while the Andawthein Ordination Hall, Ratanabon Pagoda, Dukkhanthein and Laymyetnha are other sites of cultural and archaeological value. A return boat journey via Kaladan River will bring you back to Sittwe.

Upon your arrival transfer to your hotel and freshen up for your leisure sightseeing tour of Sittwe. You will visit Rakhine State Cultural Museum (closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays) and walk along a strand road, witnessing river-related activities. Head to an elevated viewpoint and enjoy the sunset over the Bay of Bengal.

Start the tour with a visit to the fish market. Then, head to the jetty and board your private boat for the 5-6 hour cruise along the Kaladan River to Mrauk U. Enjoy lunch onboard. Arrive mid-day and marvel at the many archeological sites and temples, set in an area surrounded by hills.  

Overnight in Mrauk U.

Today, after enjoying the sunrise over the misty hills of Mrauk U, we will bring you to experience the local lifestyles at the market before exploring the ruins of the Royal Palace and Archaeological Museum (closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays). Observe the exemplary skills and art display in Mrauk U's most significant monument - Shitthaung Temple, which contains a remarkable collection of Arakanese Buddha images and relief in its maze-like and fortress-like layout. Further your understanding of Mrauk U's history by exploring the unique stone carvings in the multi-spire Andawthein Ordination Hall, the circular Ratanabon Pagoda, vaulted passages with impressive stone sculptures in the huge fortress-like temple of Dukkhanthein and the first erected pagoda at Laymyetnha.

Overnight in Mrauk U.

Today, we will head back to Sittwe on a ferry speedboat (or chartered local boat) along the Kaladan River. Transfer to Sittwe Airport for your flight to Yangon.

Please ask your travel consultant about extending your trip with an extra day to the Chin Minority Villages.