Mrauk U is a hidden gem of Myanmar, and I’m so glad about it. Due to it, this place is an indescribable experience too unique to forget and too good to dislike. Visiting Mrauk U is an experience itself. For the ones that like the contact with locals and its genuine lifestyle, you must visit Mrauk U, an enchanted place.
Mrauk U seems like a set for ancient movies. It is so untouched that you can experience the contact with the Burmese people on its best. It’s usually compared to Bagan, but it so different. Mrauk U temples sit on lavishing green hills and most of them are surrounded by moss and a lot of plants. There are a lot of temples in Mrauk U, and you can visit them all, but I will list the most impressive ones in this post that you shouldn’t miss at all. Ha, and if you don’t like overcrowded places with the waiting line for pictures, this land is perfect. I was exploring the area the whole day on my own and haven’t seen ANY OTHER TOURIST.
Yadanabon Pagoda
I had a weird experience at this temple. This was the first temple I was visiting in Mrauk U and I saw a monk sitting there. He was looking friendly and asked me to take him pictures. I did it and after it sat next to him to show the final result. That’s when he starts with a conversation about eye surgery and donation, that was the moment when I realize why he is being so nice and why he wants me so bad to take his pictures. I give him some money and try to leave as our conversation wasn’t being genuine cause all he wants is money. That’s when we shake hands and then he pulls me towards him to hug me in the weirdest way ever. The was all over me, pulling my face towards his, and hugging me so hard that I could feel all his bones. It was disturbing and disgusting as he was placing his hand on my boob. I push him away and follow my path with my trust in monks broken. I didn’t want to see any more monks that day and the event took a few hours to leave my main thoughts. I could never expect this kind of behavior from a monk, which leads me to believe he was a fake monk, I mean he was just wearing the clothes but it’s not a monk for real. So, my advice is that if you are alone and you see a lonely monk in this temple, beware of this situation, cause I’m sure he goes there often.
Andaw Thein Temple
This temple is right next to Yadanabon.
Laung Ban Pyauk and Htuparon Pagoda
Once you head to Laung Ban Pyauk, you will be able to see the Htuparon Pagoda. They are next to each other and are pretty cool. There are goats around and the locals were building a street by hand as usual in Myanmar. On the other side, there is the tallest hill insight which is the best spot for sunset.
Shitthaung Paya
This is a temple with thousands of Buddha images inside. It was some kind of celebration of a victory against the Portuguese. I had no idea the Portuguese were around, so I was happy to visit.
Htukkant Thein Temple
Koe Thaung Pagoda known as 90,000 Buddha images
This is one of the most popular temples and it’s full of Buddha images as the name indicates. Some of them are covered in moss as the place is so humid. It is truly amazing. It feels like you are walking in another era.
Latwe Pisi Pagoda and Latuyar Pisi Pagoda
These two pagodas are next to Koe Thaung Pagoda, you will see them from here. As they are so close you should pay a visit cause they are a unique sight. The pagodas are destroyed but the Buddha statues remain.
Shwe Taung Pagoda
This is also known as the golden hill or the best spot for sunrise in Mrauk U. And it truly is. You must go for the sunrise here! It’s magical.
Zina Man Aung Pagoda
This one has a great sight for other small pagodas covered in moss and plants. You are going deep in the villages so it’s super fun to go on a my Ympek bicycle as everyone waves goodbye.
More than being about temples, Mrauk U is a great achievement where you see nature and men’s creations together to create a view that is hard to match. The temples are in between people’s houses and life, so you will find many times animals running around and eating the plants that are growing nearby. This is not as dry as Bagan, so many temples are covered with moss and small plants that turn them even more mystic and charis«matic. There are a lot more temples and places to go in Mrauk U, so meet them in the next post.
