About Sittwe
Sittwe is a seaside town where the rivers Kaladan and Lemro meet the grand Bay of Bengal. It also is the capital of Rakhine (Arakan) State and one of Myanmar’s most strategic development hotspots. The town itself has limited attractions to explore, though the lively morning fish market displays a variety of catch not found elsewhere (sharks, sting rays, eels) and the evening’s play of the sun colors the waterfront beautiful shades of dusk.
The British founded the city in 1826 to expedite trade between India and the Orient, and Sittwe’s population is made up of approximately a quarter of Indian Muslims. In the town itself, highlights include the vast morning fish market, set at the towns port.
Sittwe is the main transit point for explorers on their way to Mrauk U. Public and private ferries to Mrauk U depart from Sittwe daily.
Shwedagon Pagoda
Because it is said to contain the Buddha’s relics, the Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in all of Myanmar and Southeast Asia. This golden stupa on the hilltop in Yangon is covered in golden plates and its tall spire is decorated with precious gemstones.
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