Mrauk U

Mrauk U is an archaeological and historic town in Rakhine State, Myanmar, that served as the capital of the Mrauk U kingdom from the 15th to the 18th century. The site contains a large concentration of stone and brick temple complexes and ruined palace works set amid low hills and paddy land.

Key attractions are multi-tiered temple complexes with intricate reliefs and internal chambers, plus fortified platforms and remnants of the royal citadel. The scale of surviving monuments is substantial for the region and many structures retain sculptural and architectural features that reflect regional and maritime influences.

The city was established and expanded by Arakanese rulers who built temples, forts and urban infrastructure during the kingdom’s period of wealth and maritime trade. After the 18th century the kingdom declined and many structures fell out of use; the site was rediscovered and documented by later scholars and archaeological teams.

Mrauk U sits inland in northern Rakhine State on the western side of Myanmar, positioned among low hills and river plains; the nearest large coastal city is Sittwe to the southwest, and the site is accessed by road and river routes from surrounding towns.

• Period of significance: The city was the capital of an independent Arakanese kingdom between the 15th and 18th centuries and contains a dense cluster of surviving temples and fortifications.

What to See #

• Temple complexes (Shite-thaung, Htukkanthein, Koe-thaung): A compact group of large stone temples built by the rulers of the Mrauk U kingdom, including multi-storey brick-and-stone complexes and extensive ornamental reliefs.
• Royal palace site and citadel: The archaeological area that includes the former royal citadel, moats and terraced platforms where palace structures once stood.