Sittwe or Akyab (Burmese စစ်တွေမြို့) is a city (pop. 181,000 as of 2006) and district in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar.
Sittwe is in the far west of Myanmar and has been a hub for tourists travelling to Mrauk U via plane, e.g. from Yangon.
- PhaYar Gyi (The Great Buddha Image) Pagoda. Built in 1255.
- Law Ka Nandar Pagoda. A different and modern building and the No.1 sight on Tripadvisor.
- U Ye Kyaw Thu Pagode.
- Shwe Zedi Kyaung. U Ottama monastery.
- Kyayoke Kyaung.
- Jama Mosque. Leftovers of a dark and very near past. Built in 1859, this is what remains after the crackdown on the Muslim population (Rohingya) after riots broke out in 2012, which killed 200 people. Most of this community (140,000) has been displaced and now lives outside of the city in camps, not accessible to tourist.
- Buddhist Museum. An odd museum with a mixture of colonial era and Buddhist artifacts. This is almost a must for a stay in Sittwe. A little tour is included. The museum is in a colonial mansion that is itself well worth a visit.
- Rakhaing State Cultural Museum. An easy way to get up to speed on the culture of the region. The visit takes less than an hour. US$2.
PhaYar Gyi (The Great Buddha Image) Pagoda. Built in 1255.
Law Ka Nandar Pagoda. A different and modern building and the No.1 sight on Tripadvisor.
U Ye Kyaw Thu Pagode.
Shwe Zedi Kyaung. U Ottama monastery.
Kyayoke Kyaung.
Jama Mosque. Leftovers of a dark and very near past. Built in 1859, this is what remains after the crackdown on the Muslim population (Rohingya) after riots broke out in 2012, which killed 200 people. Most of this community (140,000) has been displaced and now lives outside of the city in camps, not accessible to tourist.
Buddhist Museum. An odd museum with a mixture of colonial era and Buddhist artifacts. This is almost a must for a stay in Sittwe. A little tour is included. The museum is in a colonial mansion that is itself well worth a visit.
Rakhaing State Cultural Museum. An easy way to get up to speed on the culture of the region. The visit takes less than an hour. US$2.
Most people use Sittwe as a stopping point for Mrauk U and rarely spend time in the city. However, a brief visit is well-rewarded.
- The Point. At sunset, visit this point for a glimpse of the sun setting over the Bay of Bengal. Walk back along the Strand to the City Point Restaurant/Music for some beer and music by the water. 50 kyat.
- Fruit Bat Trees. The city is known for its fruit bats which take wing by the hundreds at dusk. Try this location for a good sight.
- Mya Yu Golf Club.
- Bayonga Island. A group of islands, which are used for oil production and by local fishermen. A chartered or regular boat can be used to get there, but you will need a permit to go there. The regular boat starts from the quai at Kaladan River.
The Point. At sunset, visit this point for a glimpse of the sun setting over the Bay of Bengal. Walk back along the Strand to the City Point Restaurant/Music for some beer and music by the water. 50 kyat.
Fruit Bat Trees. The city is known for its fruit bats which take wing by the hundreds at dusk. Try this location for a good sight.
Mya Yu Golf Club.
Bayonga Island. A group of islands, which are used for oil production and by local fishermen. A chartered or regular boat can be used to get there, but you will need a permit to go there. The regular boat starts from the quai at Kaladan River.
- Fish Market. 06:00 or earlier. This is actually more a See than a Buy. If you like seeing various kinds of fish by the thousands, this is your place. Busy and fascinating.
- Central Market. Swing by this lively town market.
Fish Market. 06:00 or earlier. This is actually more a See than a Buy. If you like seeing various kinds of fish by the thousands, this is your place. Busy and fascinating.
Central Market. Swing by this lively town market.
Sittwe is a much better place for trying Rakhine food than Mrauk U. Rakhine food is spicy and is a nice change from the blander Burmese curries. Mondi, the Rakhaing version of the Burmese mohinga, is thinner and spicier. Rakhaing fish curries, catfish is the local favourite, are fiery and can be enjoyed at several hole-in-the-wall (or rather shack-on-the-ground) eateries that dot the main street and side streets of Sittwe. Restaurants, such as City Point, Nyein Chan, and in the Shwe Thazin Hotel in Sittwe tend to serve blander Burmese or Chinese food, so forget about them.
- River Valley Seafoods Restaurant, Main Road (next to U Ottama Park. To enjoy the fresh fish you saw at the market, try this restaurant.
- Gisspanadi, +95 43 22385. Similar to River Valley Seafoods, but mostly cheaper. 1,500-6000 kyat per platter.
River Valley Seafoods Restaurant, Main Road (next to U Ottama Park. To enjoy the fresh fish you saw at the market, try this restaurant.
Gisspanadi, +95 43 22385. Similar to River Valley Seafoods, but mostly cheaper. 1,500-6000 kyat per platter.
City Point Restaurant/Music.
Road travel is becoming more and more popular. In the past it was only possible to fly into Sittwe and take a boat to Mrauk U, or the other way around, due to travel restrictions on tourists.
- Mrauk U – Famous for is ancient sights and traditional, surrounding Chin Villages, and 70 km away. Many buses leave from the Bus Station northwest of the city. But there are also local pickups and vans available, try the bus stand near the central market. 1.5 hr, 2-3,000 kyat. Also boats are available to Mrauk U. One leaves in the afternoon at 16:00, takes 3 hr and is 20,000 kyat. Try: 09 49660076, 09 421720296, www.mraukutraveler.com, www.mraukukyawmoe.com, email mraukukyawmoe@gmail.com. For more information on boats have a look at #Get in.
- Taungup – Is nothing special, but there exist some tourist accommodation options. It can be a convenient hub for road travel between Sittwe, Mrauk U, Pyay and Ngapali. There are at least two buses a day heading for Ngapali with a stop in Taungup. The trip is quite unpleasant due to the terrible condition of the road - expect to arrive very tired and make sure to get a decent seat in front. 14 hr, 17,000 kyat. Taungup also has a harbour where boats from Sittwe depart on Monday & Thursday, leave Sittwe at 06:00, arrive in Taungup at 15:00.
- Ngapali – Has the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar, but is mostly a resort place with few budget options available. There are at least two buses a day heading for Thandwe Bus Station, 6 km away from Ngapali at the highway, with a stop in Taungup. The road conditions are terrible. 17 hr, 20,000 kyat.
- Bagan – One of the most famous attractions in Myanmar. There are no direct buses available to Bagan, you will have to take a bus to Magway (07:00 & 10:00, 18 hr, 25-30,000 kyat) or Mandalay (similar times) and get off at Magway or Kyauk Padaung (19 hr, same price as Mandalay), respectively. From there it should be easy to catch onward transport, pickup/van or another bus. Check the bus does goes through there (Kyauk Padaung), especially when entering the bus. Often the ticket seller and the bus are different companies, because passengers are shuffled around depending on availability. The Kyauk Padaung route is preferable, because Kyauk Padaung is very close to Bagan and you can stop at Mount Popa on the way to enjoy the sunrise on top of the pagoda. 22 hr, from 30,000 kyat.
- Pyay – Famous for the nearby and ancient Pyu city. Mostly served by the morning buses to Yangon. 18 hr, 22,000 kyat.
- Mandalay – Famous for the U Bein Bridge, the Buddha face washing, as well as the nearby mountains by train. 07:00-10:00, 23 hr, 25-35,000 kyat.
- Yangon – Most buses to Yangon leave early morning between 06:00 to 09:00. You have to get to the bus station early, even at 05:30, to ensure you get a seat, or book sufficiently in advance. The last bus is around 12:00. All buses will make a stop in Pyay after 18 hr. Overall duration 26 hr, costs 25-35,000 kyat.
[[Bagan]] – One of the most famous attractions in Myanmar. There are no direct buses available to Bagan, you will have to take a bus to Magway (07:00 & 10:00, 18 hr, 25-30,000 kyat) or Mandalay (similar times) and get off at Magway or Kyauk Padaung (19 hr, same price as Mandalay), respectively. From there it should be easy to catch onward transport, pickup/van or another bus. Check the bus does goes through there (Kyauk Padaung), especially when entering the bus. Often the ticket seller and the bus are different companies, because passengers are shuffled around depending on availability. The Kyauk Padaung route is preferable, because Kyauk Padaung is very close to Bagan and you can stop at [[Mount Popa]] on the way to enjoy the sunrise on top of the pagoda. 22 hr, from 30,000 kyat.