Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
although foreign scholars note that the dates on some pieces should be taken with a pinch
of salt.
Haridaung Paya HISTORICAL SITE
MAP
( daylight hours) Built around 1750, this small white temple with particularly
good westward views, is on a hilltop just north of the palace walls. It's a good place to
get your bearings or to view sunset.
South Group
South of the palace site and across the river are evocative, easy-to-lose-your-way back
lanes through thatched-hut villages and a host of pagodas. About half a mile south, the
Laksaykan Gate MAP leads to the eponymous lake, a source of clean water.
Sanda Muhni Phara Gri Kyaung Taik BUDDHIST TEMPLE
MAP
( daylight hours) The highlight at this hilltop monastery, and the temple's name-
sake, is the Sanda Muhni , a buddha statue said to have been cast from the precious metal
leftover from making the Mahamuni Buddha. Legend has it that this 4ft image was en-
cased in cement in the 1850s to protect it from pillaging British troops, and then forgot-
ten about for over a century. In April 1988 one of the glazed eyes dropped out, revealing
the metal statue below.
The main hall is packed with more ancient buddha images that the monks will happily
explain to you. They will also point out a large copper roof tile (now used as a table top),
saved from Mrauk U's palace after the Burmese carted the rest off to Mandalay back in
the 18th century.
Next door, a small elevated structure - not open to the public - is home of Buddha's
many scattered molars, a relic brought here from Sri Lanka in the 16th century.
Shwetaung Paya HISTORICAL SITE
MAP
( daylight hours) Southwest of the palace, the 'Golden Hill Pagoda' is the highest
in Mrauk U. Built by King Minbin in 1553, it's accessed by a few trails largely lost under
thick vegetation. This is a good spot from which to view the sun rise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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