Sittwe (formerly, Akyab) is the capital of Rakhine State, Myanmar (Burma). Sittwe, pronounced site-tway in the Rakhine language, is located on an estuarial island created at the confluence of the Kaladan, Mayu, and Lay Mro rivers emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The city has 181,000 inhabitants (2006). It is the administrative seat of Sittwe Township and Sittwe District.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The largest ethnic group in Sittwe is the Rakhine people. Alongside, there are some Burmese from other parts of the country. The vast majority practices Theravada Buddhism, Hinduism or Animism. The Muslim quarter used to be called Aung Mingala, until the Muslims were driven out during the 2012 riots in October.
There was a tension between Rakhine and Muslims started with dispute on contracted taxation of a market in May-Jun 2012. A Rakhine mob tried to besiege a Sittwe police station. Police crushed down with gun fires and at least 10 people were hurt and 9 people were detained.
CLIMATE
Sittwe's climate is classified as a tropical monsoon climate (Am), according to the Köppen climate classification system. The city experiences a dry season from December through April, and an extraordinarily rainy wet season covering the remaining seven months. Sittwe sees average rainfall in excess of 1 metre (40 in) per month during June, July and August. Conditions are noticeably cooler and less humid in the months of December, January and February than during the remainder of the year.
ATTRACTIONS
Viewpoint or more popularly known as Point is perhaps the most well-known attraction in Sittwe. It is at the end of the Strand Road and looks out into the Bay of Bengal and the mouth of the Kaladan River.
The hundred year old Shwe Zedi Kyaung is a famous monastery in Sittwe. It was the monastery of U Ottama, who was the first political monk in Myanmar.
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. At sunset, visit The Point at the end of the Strand (50 kyat admission fee) for a glimpse of the sun setting over the Bay of Bengal. Walk back along the Strand to the City Point Restaurant for some beer and music by the water. The city is also known for its fruit bats which take wing by the hundreds at dusk. Swing by the lively Central Market near the bus stand. A Fish Market operates in the early hours next door to the Central Market if you like seeing fish by the thousands. Sittwe is also a much better place for trying Rakhine food than Mrauk U.
Eat
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 favorite, 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.
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