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Rakhine State Backpacking Trip to Sittwe, Myanmar
Backpacking Trip to Sittwe, Myanmar http://www.hotsia.com > Rakhine State > Backpacking Trip to Sittwe, Myanmar Information about traveling to Sittwe city, Rakhine State. Mr.Hotsia recommends hotels in Rakhine, Chin tattooed face villages, Air Mandalay flights to Sittwe, hair washing and facial massage in Sittwe, local Sittwe cuisine. Sittwe is a city in Rakhine State in the far west of Myanmar, formerly called Akyab, located on the island of the Kaladan and Myu rivers.
These rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal. The city had a population of 181,000 in 2006. Most residents follow Buddhism, but there is also a Muslim community. In 2016, I woke up at 5 AM and traveled to Yangon airport, arriving around 6:20 AM. I exchanged more Myanmar currency and waited for the Air Mandalay flight. The price through an agent near the Pagoda Mosque was 98 USD, but the ticket price was 76 USD. The flight was delayed by one hour and took about 65 minutes to reach Sittwe.
I arrived at Sittwe airport around 10:10 AM. The Rakhine people in Sittwe look somewhat like South Asians because the city is only 50 kilometers from Chittagong State in Bangladesh and about 200 kilometers from Mizoram State in India. Sittwe is known for its three-wheeled sidecar taxis, though the seats seemed a bit narrow for Mr.Hotsia. Riding one to tour the city was fantastic. Traveling to Sittwe by bus is possible but takes about 20 hours; improvements in roads could reduce this time significantly.
It is not advisable to travel the entire distance in one go due to fatigue; you might rest midway at Ma Gwa or Par, depending on whether your destination is Mandalay or Yangon. In summary, daytime bus travel offers a great view of rural Burmese life. Flying saves time but costs about 3,600 baht. Alternatively, you can take the bus back like Mr.Hotsia. Sittwe has many Burmese-style eateries selling food by the scoop.
On the main road opposite the old clock tower, there is a very delicious pork leg soup shop. I also tried a crispy pork salad shop on the same side as the clock tower. The red pork rice has a slightly Chinese style and is tasty. For breakfast, walking around town, there are noodle shops and a Rakhine-style salad shop. The tea and coffee shop with a city view where I sat was probably the best. Overall, Sittwe offers a wide variety of food both day and night.
I missed trying the wood-fired fried rice at one shop because I was full. Activities upon arriving in Sittwe city include visiting the morning fish auction market where fish are laid out on the street and auctioned; buyers carry the fish away by hand without carts. After the morning market, stroll around town to observe morning life. Riding a three-wheeled taxi to see local Arakanese village life is a great idea. In the afternoon and evening, try a facial massage and hair wash by Rakhine women for relaxation.
Outside the city, most visitors go to Mrauk U to visit temples and Chin tattooed face villages. Hotels in Sittwe are more expensive than in neighboring countries, with mid-range prices around 50 USD per night. I recommend staying at hotels on the main road near the market for easy walking. I suggest Shwe Thazin Hotel Sittwe and booking through Agoda in advance. Hotels here often fill up, and not booking early can lead to higher prices. Booking ahead ensures accommodation and better rates. Book your stay here.
My impression of visiting Sittwe is that I like the lifestyle of the people here, only 50 kilometers from Bangladesh. They look South Asian Indian, small and agile. Older women tend to be plump, giving a unique atmosphere. I enjoyed the unusual morning fish auction market and the city's rich cuisine. What I still vividly remember is the giant salted fish, with hollow eyes and swollen bellies, sold everywhere in Sittwe. Mr.Hotsia's exciting trip, March 2016. Atmosphere of Sittwe city.
Delicious Chinese sausage of this city. Flight schedules to Sittwe. The hotel where I stayed in Sittwe. GPS coordinates (POI): 20 8 35 N, 92 53 57 E; 20 8 36 N, 92 53 57 E. Delicious food spots in Sittwe: 20 8 39 N, 92 53 59 E; 20 8 34 N, 92 53 57 E; 20 8 41 N, 92 53 60 E; 20 8 33 N, 92 54 6 E; 20 8 31 N, 92 53 55 E; 20 8 33 N, 92 53 55 E. The Rakhine woman who gave me a facial massage: 20 8 23 N, 92 53 53 E; 20 8 28 N, 92 54 9 E. By the sea near Sittwe morning market.
20 8 44.249 N, 92 53 57.581 E; 20 8 30 N, 92 54 10 E; 20 8 30 N, 92 54 9 E; 20 8 45 N, 92 53 58 E; 20 8 42 N, 92 53 59 E. Sittwe breakfast food. Rakhine women of Sittwe.
