Environment
 This port
city of the Rakhine State sits at the mouth of
the Kaladan River where it empties into the Bay
of Bangal. Off shore delta islands form a wide
protected channel that has served as an
important harbour for many centuries. The city
started as a trading port around 200 years ago
and further developed after the British
occupation of 1826. International trade alone
the coast bloomed during the British era. Two
huge cargo steamers a day plied back and forth
between Calcutta and Sittwe. Scottish
short-storywriter and novelist Hector Hugh
Munro, known by his pen name ‘Saki’, was born
here in 1870. There is a distinctive Rakhine
twist on standard Myanmar culture that includes
the enjoyment of much spicy food and brighter-coloured
clothing.
Payagyi
Temple
This
temple is situated in the centre of town and
features a large plain shed supported by pillars
decorated with glass mosaic. A large seated
Buddha image was cast in 1900 in the Rakhine
style with the royal costume common to many
Rakhine images. The face of the figure shines
with gold, while the rest of the body is of
bronze.
Buddhist
Museum
 This
modest two-stroey museum is the best place in
Myanmar to view Rakhine Style Buddha images. The
collection here represents a rare instance of
historical preservation. Most of the images are
under a meter in height with the royal attire
common to Rakhine Buddhas Images. The majority
dates to the Mrauk U period, while a few date as
far back as the Wethali era and are made of
bronze, silver, quartz or alabaster. There are
also some Indian Buddha images and Hindu deities
on display, a few Thai and Japanese Buddha
statues, silver coins from the Mrauk U era, clay
pipes, terracotta votive tablets and engraved
astrological charts. Entry is free.
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