Sittwe lies close to the mouth of the Kaladan River, empties into the Bay of Bengal. It was founded by the British in 1826 after the "First Anglo-Burmese War". The British called Sittwe (pronounced "Site-Tway" in Rakhine) "Akyab" after the three relic pagodas known as A Kyat Taw Cetis.
During the days of British Rajs Sittwe was the second largest port in exporting rice to India and Africa. Many Akyabities went to Calcutta and Britain for their further studies and served as administrators under the British government.
After Burma won independence in 1948, th inhabitants of Sittwe shifted to Yangon for greener pastures. The communication between Sittwe and India has stopped and Sittwe has to depend on Yangon than before. The new airfield was constructed and people have to rely on air travel. Beginning from 1990, a new highway between Yangon and Sittwe was paved and now people can travel to other cities and towns by road, When the promotion on tourism was implemented some years ago, more airlines have been operating bringing more tourists form all over the world. Sittwe is now a tourist town for Mrauk-U bound trips.
Getting around Sittwe there are many interesting locations where tourists cam roam about. The weaving village near Sittwe making Rakhine traditional clothing is worth visiting. A cruise along the majestic Kalandar River and visiting fishing village would be a fun.
Sittwe itself has many places to go around such as Pyi Lone Chan Tha Shrine and monasteries close by. The two museums, Rakhine National Museum and Maha Kuthala monastic Museum on the main road exhibit ancient artefects and give information on Rakhine history and culture.
Sight seeing at the Sittwe market thrills many visitors for its enormous catch from the sea, the scenic views of the Kaladan River and the old light house on the Leshintaung Island is panoramic. A stroll along the Sittwe beach or playing football in a fun. Restaurants serving fresh sea-food will be a delight for tourists before leaving Sittwe to other destinations in Myanmar.
During the days of British Rajs Sittwe was the second largest port in exporting rice to India and Africa. Many Akyabities went to Calcutta and Britain for their further studies and served as administrators under the British government.
After Burma won independence in 1948, th inhabitants of Sittwe shifted to Yangon for greener pastures. The communication between Sittwe and India has stopped and Sittwe has to depend on Yangon than before. The new airfield was constructed and people have to rely on air travel. Beginning from 1990, a new highway between Yangon and Sittwe was paved and now people can travel to other cities and towns by road, When the promotion on tourism was implemented some years ago, more airlines have been operating bringing more tourists form all over the world. Sittwe is now a tourist town for Mrauk-U bound trips.
Getting around Sittwe there are many interesting locations where tourists cam roam about. The weaving village near Sittwe making Rakhine traditional clothing is worth visiting. A cruise along the majestic Kalandar River and visiting fishing village would be a fun.
Sittwe itself has many places to go around such as Pyi Lone Chan Tha Shrine and monasteries close by. The two museums, Rakhine National Museum and Maha Kuthala monastic Museum on the main road exhibit ancient artefects and give information on Rakhine history and culture.
Sight seeing at the Sittwe market thrills many visitors for its enormous catch from the sea, the scenic views of the Kaladan River and the old light house on the Leshintaung Island is panoramic. A stroll along the Sittwe beach or playing football in a fun. Restaurants serving fresh sea-food will be a delight for tourists before leaving Sittwe to other destinations in Myanmar.
