It is the western coastal region of Myanmar and apart from mainland Myanmar by means of Rakhine mountain ranges. Local histories and traditions said that their earliest settlement was much earlier than the period of Gautama Buddha (about 5000-6000 years B.P) and the coinages and inscriptions show that there were kings and city-states in Rakhine about 4th century A.D. Most of the kings were, similar to Pyu kings, entitled with Suriya or Canda. Today, the historic buildings and ancient cities could be studied as Mrauk-U, Vesali and so on while Sittway (Akyab formerly) is the capital of Rakhine State.
It is located on the confluence of Kissapanadi or Kalardan River and Bay of Bengal. As it is the gateway to Ngapali (Sandaway) and Mrauk U Myo haung, it is a major stop-over. The city itself shows the marine-life , and Cultural Museum, Buddhist Museum and Sakyamuni Buddha image should be studied.
It is a modern four story building lied at the corner of Yaydwin Street and Main Road near Myoma market in Mawleik Ward, Sittway. The ground-plans of ancient cities, the evolution of Rakhine literature, Anandacandra inscription, religious buildings, Buddha-images, scenes of traditional festivals, musical instruments, arts and handicrafts, so on are enjoyed.
It is, in fact, a modern building of Mahakusala monastery on Strand Road just before the jetty. Because the untiring effort of Venerable abbot. Baddhanta Wunnita Sayadaw, thousands of Buddha-images, arhat figures, relics are well kept, including over 7,000 Buddha images of Laymro period and Mrauk U period. Bronze inscriptions, palm leaf inscriptions, coins and notes, lacquer wares and other antiquities are also exhibited.
Byala, the symbol of Rakhine State is graciously standing in front of the museum and a mythical creature, composed by nine different animals.
It is the only image of its kind in Myanmar since it is curiously adorned with over a thousand of small Buddha images. Regarding to archaeological finds, Rakhine kings had successfully founded their respective palace cities and kingdoms at Dhanyawaddy, Vesali, Mrauk U and so on. Buddha footprint on cast bronze is uniquely found in Vesali, measuring 7.5 cm length and 3 cm width with 22 symbols on left foot print and 18 symbols on right one only.
Contemporary to the grand and mysterious Inca Civilization of Europe, its erection is similarity in many ways to Inca: just like optimum usage of natural ridge as city walls, in terraces well adorned with bulwarks, ramparts, watch towers, and forts so on. Assuming as an defensive fort, it will evidencely reflect the past grandeur and masterful architecture of ancient Rakhine people.
It is located some 46 miles to the north of Sittway, setting just the bend of Shwenatpyi, a major tributary of the Kalardan River, it was so intentionally built in 1430 A.D by King Minsawmon, and ruled by 48 successive kings. Taking the advantages of the ridges (mountain slopes) around the city, the walls were built with sandstone and natural earth adjoining the higher points of the ridges. The optimum usage of natural environs, the multiple enclosure walls well adorned with bulwarks, ramparts, watch towers and forts so on, evidently show the past grandeur and masterful architecture of ancient Rakhine people and is assuming the city as the defensive castle.
About a total of 60 monuments, especially stone buildings in fact, are scattered in the circle, lying close to one another, leisure walk is the best mean to enjoy them.
It is, a two story building, a major monument and was built in 1535 AD by King Minbargyi. It is architecturally of impressive one and rather like an effective fort than a formal temple. A great variety of figures (over 80,000); such as; Buddha’s life stories, 550 Jataka stories, Vathundare and Vathundari, Keinnayi and Keinnayi of mythical birds, Imira and his consorts, Jain figures and Hindu deities, the donor King Minbargyi , ogres, dargons and so on, are very finely executed on the enclosure walls and interior walls of the temple together with Sinhalese types stupas on the platform.
It lies some 100 meters to the west of the Shitthaung Temple, and of another fortress like structure. It was erected in 1571 AD by King Minphalaung. The walls of the temple are chapel projecting eastward are build of stones. Through the east entrance, the interior walls. of the temple are completely adorned with various figure of demon, ogres, dvarapala and seated ladies together with yellow glazed statuettes. The seated ladies are decked with richly ornaments of crown, coronet, pendant, necklace, rosary, sash, chest band, bracelet, arm let and so on with various style of coiffure, in lotus offering.
It is, just to the west of Shitthaung Temple, a small stone building. It is in rectangle ground plan having double corridors around the central cube, in about 30 feet high. The interior walls are embellished with Buddha image in niches set of low arch pediments.
The solid stupas can be also seen in Ratanabon, Sakya Manaung, Ratana Manaung, Zina Manaung and so on. Most of them were built in the 15th and 16th century AD.
Stationed at Mrauk U, Vesali, an ancient city of long stone stairway, tattoo Chin villages along the Le Mro River valley could also be enjoyed.
