Originally a small fishing village, Sittwe was catapulted into modernity when the British moved the capital here in the early 19th century. Today the town is more often than not used as a stopover to get to the temples at Mrauk U, but those willing to explore will be rewarded. It’s in an incredible location, where the Kaladan River blends into the sweeping Bay of Bengal which is best seen at sunset along the waterfront with a drink and some live local music. A walk through the wild fish market is a raucous experience, and whilst much of the colonial architecture was destroyed during WWII raids, there are still a few charming buildings with Anglicised design features marking the town’s important past.
