Rakhine reveals itself on different scales: as a coastal region with offshore islands, as a river landscape around Sittwe, and as a setting for Buddhist architectural history in Mrauk U. Several rivers meet in Sittwe; in Mrauk U, temples and pagodas with their own historical dates take centre stage. These contrasts offer different ways to get to know Rakhine through its landscapes and architectural history, rather than reducing the region to a single attraction.

Islands and Landscapes

Among the larger islands off the coast of Rakhine State are Cheduba Island and Myingun Island. Cheduba Island is a visitor destination and is inhabited mainly by Arakanese and Burmese people. Myingun Island is mentioned as an excursion destination; it lies five kilometres south of Sittwe and is separated from the mainland by a strait two kilometres wide. These figures help convey its location from two perspectives: one gives its distance from Sittwe, the other the width of the strait separating it from the mainland.

The Arakan Mountains separate Rakhine State from central Myanmar and reach 10,049 feet at Victoria Peak. Alongside the islands, this brings mountains and elevation into focus as another way of looking at the region.

Sittwe Between Rivers and the Gulf

Sittwe lies on an estuarine plain at the confluence of the Kaladan, Mayu and Lay Mro rivers. The city also has a viewpoint overlooking the Bay of Bengal and the mouth of the Kaladan River. Sittwe Pharagri Monastery is considered important and is sometimes regarded as the centre of Buddhist life in Sittwe. Sittwe thus offers two points of interest for different travellers: waterways stretching from the confluence to the gulf, and the monastery’s Buddhist significance.

Temples and Traces of Time

The ruined city of Mrauk Oo dates back to the 15th century. In Mrauk U, the Koethaung Pagoda is the largest temple; King Dikkha had it built between 1554 and 1556. The Shittaung Pagoda, also known as the Shrine of 80,000 Images, was built in the 16th century. The Le-myet-hna Temple stands at the northwestern corner of Shite-thaung Temple and has four entrances with eight seated Buddha statues. The historical reference points also differ in how precisely they are dated: centuries are given for Mrauk Oo and Shittaung, while Koethaung’s construction period is specified more precisely, from 1554 to 1556.

The Kaladan as a River Route

The journey from Sittwe to Mrauk U is described as a slow boat trip along the Kaladan River. It is said to take five hours; the route passes agricultural land and fishing villages, while sailing junks are a feature of the landscape. The focus is therefore on the course of the river and the scenery along its banks. This differs from the viewpoint in Sittwe, which looks out over the Bay of Bengal and the mouth of the Kaladan River.

Discover more destinations: Thandwe District, Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, Mrauk-U, Munaung, Chin State, Tanintharyi Division, Ayeyarwady.

For the main travel overview: Myanmar.