Rakhine’s ancient capital is out of tourist destination list of military council

The military council has left out the ancient Rakhine capital city of Mrauk U from the list of tourist destinations in Myanmar in the next season.

Recently, the hotels and tourism ministry announced 14 priority areas for domestic and foreign tourists to visit including Kyauk Phyu, Ngapali beach, Man Aung of Rakhine State, but Mrauk Oo is excluded from the list, even though the ancient city always attracts local and foreign tourists.

Other areas included in the list to tourist destinations include Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, Bagan, Kalaw/Taunggyi, Inlay, Kawthaung, Putao, Ngwe Saung and Chaung Thar across the country.

Besides Mrauk U, which is an ancient Rakhine cultural heritage area, Kyauk Taw region (where the mighty Maha Muni pagoda is located) is also kept outside the preferred list of popular places.

A local woman, who wanted anonymity, informed Narinjara News that the omission was seemingly done because of political instability and post-Mocha situation.

"It may be because fighting often breaks out in northern Rakhine areas. Moreover, the authority remains helpless on restoring the areas after the cyclonic storm.

A woman worker, based in Man Aung locality, expressed her happiness over the list as her area is in the list of preferred destinations. She admitted that one needs to get the permission to fly to Man Aung from other places.

"We are happy that Man Aung is among the places of tourist interest. But the junta must allow regular flights from Yangon and Sittwe.  Since April 2021, the air communication to Man Aung has been stopped by the junta,” she added.

Mentionable is that Man Aung Island is a very beautiful and peaceful area of the Rakhine region. But the travel restriction and erratic power supply always discourage the travelers.

Last year, 260 foreign and 15,917  domestic tourists from Burma visited Rakhine State from 9 to 17 April during Thingyan celebrations.

A total of 751,216 international tourists visited Myanmar this year (till the end of August), but the military council was expecting more tourists from China and India in this season. Hence, the authorities have allowed the citizens of China and India to enjoy the facility of visa on arrival in Myanmar.