The Rakhine Yoma (Arakan Range) separates the Rakhine and Chin states from the central Ayeyarwaddy River plains. Much of the English-speaking World knows the regions as "Arakan". The main language spoken in the state is a dialect of Burmese.

MRAUK U ( MROHAUNG )
An important destination in Rakhine State for the cultural minded tourist is the town of Mrauk U. There can see some of the most beautiful medieval Buddhist temples in typical Arakanese style, which are completely different to those in Central Myanmar. Mrauk U can be reached from Sittwe after a 6 hours boatride on mighty Kaladan River.

SITTWAY ( AKYAB )
Formerly called Akyab, is situated in the Rakhine State, a long narrow coastal region to the west of Myanmar, separated from the mainland by the Rakhine Yoma (mountain range). Sittway is the capital of the state and a seaport with a rich hinterland producing crops, fish and Rakhine Longyis.Though Sittwe itself has few places of interest, a popular tourist destination in the Rakhine State, Mrauk Oo, can be reached only via Sittwe.

SANDOWAY BEACH ( NGAPALI BEACH )
Ngapali Beach, an unspoiled beach of white sand and swaying palms, lies about 6 kilometers away from Thandwe, former Sandoway in westernmost Rakhine State. Thandwe easily can ve reached by plane either from Sitttwe / Rakhine or Yangon. Ngapali is no Burmese word at all. During the British occupation following after the Anglo-Burmese War in 1826, some Italians arrived at this beach. As they liked it they named it after the Italian city of Naples, Napoli in Italian language. It only needed some slight transvocalisation to become Ngapali. The beach itself is truly spectacular and the turquoise water is shallow. Fresh seafood is a speciality of this region. Excursions to fishing villages, to the town of Thandwe and to Elephant head-island are exciting. The area of Ngapali soon might become one of the countries most important aqua-tourism centres.