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Sittwe
Also known as Akyab
Sittwe (, ), formerly Akyab (), is the capital of Rakhine State, Myanmar (Burma). Sittwe is located on an estuarial island created at the confluence of the Kaladan, Mayu, and Lay Mro rivers emptying into the Bay of Bengal. As of 2019 the city has an estimated population of over 120,000 inhabitants. It is the administrative seat of Sittwe Township and Sittwe District.
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Place details
- Locality
- စစ်တွေမြို့
- Region
- ရခိုင်ပြည်နယ်
- Country
- မြန်မာ
- Population
- 177,743
Travel guide
Understand
200px|thumb|right|The new clock tower 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.
Get in
Sittwe has been surrounded by Arakan Army forces since early 2024. As of mid-2024, it can not be entered by sea or road. The airport offers the only way in or out. The town is facing imminent attack as it is still under control of the military junta. This city, along with the entirety of Rakhine State is an active warzone and should not be entered. The following information is kept so it may be useful after the war ends.
Get around
200px|right|thumb|In the old days Most sights can be reached on foot if you stay in one of the guesthouses in the centre. Trishaws and motorbike taxis are readily available and the easiest way to get around for destinations outside this range. A private ride to Sittwe Bus Station is 1,000 kyat or more. Shared pickups are about 500 kyat for 10-15 km.
As always, you can also rent a bicycle for 1,000 kyat or more from most hotels and guesthouses.
See
300px|right|thumb|Shwe Zedi Kyaung, U Ottama Monastery
Do
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.
Eat
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.
Go next
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.
~10 min read
Article
15 sectionsContents
- Names
- History
- Climate
- Demographics
- Economy
- Attractions
- Education
- Sport
- Notable people
- Image gallery
- See also
- References
- Citations
- Bibliography
- External links
Sittwe (, ), formerly Akyab (), is the capital of Rakhine State, Myanmar (Burma). Sittwe is located on an estuarial island created at the confluence of the Kaladan, Mayu, and Lay Mro rivers emptying into the Bay of Bengal. As of 2019 the city has an estimated population of over 120,000 inhabitants. It is the administrative seat of Sittwe Township and Sittwe District.
==Names== The name Sittwe () is derived from the Burmese pronunciation of Arakanese , meaning "the place where the war meets". When the Burmese king Bodawpaya invaded the Mrauk U Kingdom in 1784, the Rakhine defenders encountered the Burmese force at the mouth of Kaladan river. In the ensuing battle, which was waged on both land and water, the Mrauk U forces were defeated. The place where the battle occurred came to be called Saittwe by the Rakhine and then as Sittwe by the Burmese. The name was initially anglicized as Tset-twe and Site-tway.
Gallery (16)
On the map
3 mapped locations