Sittwe, called Akyab by the Bengalese and Saitway by
the Arakanese, is and has always been an important entrepot on the
way to the Indian Subcontinent. Situated where the mighty Kaladan
enters the Gulf of Bengal, Sittwe always benefited from its
favourable geographical position. At the dawn of the British
Colonial Empire, Sittwe profited from the trade with Chittagong (and
on to Calcutta) and thus became quite important. Today not much is
left of its Golden Age. However, Sittwe is the gate to Mrauk Oo and
also the gate to the beaches of Ngapali. Accommodation in Sittwe has
medium standards.
Mrauk Oo
A boatride on the mighty Kaladan takes about 5 to 6
hours to reach Mrauk Oo from Sittwe. This place was once the centre
of the glorious medieval kingdom by the same name. The formidable
Shittaung Temple, dating back to those times, is one of the many
imposing stone temples still to be seen. A visit to Mrauk Oo can be
highly recommended! Excavations in Vesali, 2000 years old, as well
as excursions to the villages of the people of Thet and Chin
complete the picture of our Mrauk Oo program. Good accommodation is
available.
The beaches
Ngapali, Ngwe Saung and Chaungtha are the key
destinations for delightful beach holidays in Myanmar. Sand
beaches
skirted by palm trees, as far as the eye can reach and as backdrop
the deep blue sea with all its manifold shades of the colour blue –
today this paradise can be savoured by all tourist coming to
Myanmar. Beach hotels of all categories are available, new ones
continuously being built. Best known are presently the beaches of
Ngapali which can be reached after a short transfer from Thandwe/Sandoway
Airport. From Sittwe it takes a 30 minutes airtravel to reach
Thandwe, from Yangon it takes one hour and it can also be reached
easily from Heho. Hotels of all categories and for all purses are
available.
Silver Beach, the white beaches of Ngwe Saung, is
located 45 km west of Pathein. It takes a 5 hour bumpy road drive to
reach this paradise. The alternative is traveling by river boat (1
night on board). Silver Beach offers very good accommodation.
Chaungtha, close to Ngwe Saung, is the newcomer on
the list of the Burmese Beach worlds and already it has adequate
accommodation.
Sittwe, called Akyab by the Bengalese and Saitway by
the Arakanese, is and has always been an important entrepot on the
way to the Indian Subcontinent. Situated where the mighty Kaladan
enters the Gulf of Bengal, Sittwe always benefited from its
favourable geographical position. At the dawn of the British
Colonial Empire, Sittwe profited from the trade with Chittagong (and
on to Calcutta) and thus became quite important. Today not much is
left of its Golden Age. However, Sittwe is the gate to Mrauk Oo and
also the gate to the beaches of Ngapali. Accommodation in Sittwe has
medium standards.
A boatride on the mighty Kaladan takes about 5 to 6
hours to reach Mrauk Oo from Sittwe. This place was once the centre
of the glorious medieval kingdom by the same name. The formidable
Shittaung Temple, dating back to those times, is one of the many
imposing stone temples still to be seen. A visit to Mrauk Oo can be
highly recommended! Excavations in Vesali, 2000 years old, as well
as excursions to the villages of the people of Thet and Chin
complete the picture of our Mrauk Oo program. Good accommodation is
available.
beaches
skirted by palm trees, as far as the eye can reach and as backdrop
the deep blue sea with all its manifold shades of the colour blue –
today this paradise can be savoured by all tourist coming to
Myanmar. Beach hotels of all categories are available, new ones
continuously being built. Best known are presently the beaches of
Ngapali which can be reached after a short transfer from Thandwe/Sandoway
Airport. From Sittwe it takes a 30 minutes airtravel to reach
Thandwe, from Yangon it takes one hour and it can also be reached
easily from Heho. Hotels of all categories and for all purses are
available. 
