Travel Kothaung, the “Temple of 90,000 Buddha Images,” is the largest temple in Mrauk U.

old palaces are begging to be explored. But Arakan State’s must-see attraction is undoubtedly Mrauk U. This crumbling relic can be reached by taking a five-hour bus ride from Sittwe along a dusty access road. Alternatively, there are boats which ply the route—taking nearly a whole day—while hiring a car is certainly the quickest way. And the “open-air museum” of Mrauk U is the perfect place for anyone wishing to learn about the culture and heritage of the Arakanese people. Mrauk U was

March 2011

photo: Jean-Marie Hullot

Arakan State is blessed with countless wonders which would attract visitors from all over the world. Burma’s most beautiful stretch of sand is here—the picture perfect three kilometers of Ngapali Beach, which was apparently given its continentalsounding name by a homesick Italian. Every undeveloped area of this desperately poor Southeast Asian nation is bursting with unique tourist sights, and Arakan State is no different. Centuries-old stupas and temples bejewel the landscape, while diverse ethnic groups and nostalgic

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