Htaukkhan-Thein Temple

If visitors who arrive in Mrauk U should not miss Htukkanthein, the reputed temple in the ancient Arakanese city, on a small hill near the Shite-thaung Temple. The temple was built in 1571 by King Min Phalaung whose reign brought prosperity and expansion of the Rakhine Empire. Like most of Mrauk U's Buddhist temples, it is designed as a dual purpose 'fortress-temple'. Although it is an Ordination Hall, it is also the militaristic building on the higher land with a single entrance and small windows. The structure is surrounded on all sides by massive stone walls. People believe that the temple served for the Buddhist religious followers to shelter in war.

The temple’s dark interior is lit with candles creating a mystical atmosphere. A vaulted passageway spirals up through the temple’s interior towards the inner chamber where the principal Buddha image is enshrined. Totally, the temple owns 180 Buddha images in niches (179 smaller ones along the corridors, and the big one at the central vaulted chamber). On niches’ sides are carved with male and female figures representing the donors who supported the construction of the temple.