Mrauk U was founded in 1433 and once was the center of the medieval Arakanese kingdom, whose naval force of 10,000 war boats dominated the Bay of Bengal. The city was a major regional trade hub, growing to a size of 160,000 residents by the early 17th century; its rulers boasted that the kingdom of Arakan extended from the Ganges to the Irrawaddy. Today, a visit to Mrauk-U offers fantastic opportunities to explore a little-known corner of Burma and discover the fascinating history of pre-colonial times here. Landmarks and activities include the Mahamuni Pagoda, a sacred Buddhist site; a village inhabited by the Laytu minority, known for their beautiful, blue-black tattoos; and Shittaung, a sandstone complex that serves as a sprawling, impressive repository of Buddhist art and relics.