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©Lonely Planet Publications Pty LtdWestern MyanmarRakhaing State . . . . . 270Ngapali Beach . . . . . .270Thandwe . . . . . . . . . . .274Sittwe (Akyab) . . . . . .275Mrauk U(Myohaung) . . . . . . . .279Around Mrauk U . . . . 286Chin State . . . . . . . . . . 287Mt Victoria(Nat Ma Taung) . . . . .287Kalaymyo (Kalay) . . 288Best Places toStay» Royal Beach Motel (p 272 )» Pleasant View Resort(p 272 )» Shwe Thazin Hotel (p 277 )» Mrauk U Princess Hotel(p 284 )Best Places to Eat» Pleasant View IsletRestaurant (p 273 )» Gisspanadi (p 278 )» Mondi stand (p 278 )» Moe Cherry (p 285 )Why Go?Travelling in Rakhaing (Arakan) State, bordering Bangladeshand cut off from the rest of Myanmar by a 600-milelong mountain range, almost feels like you’re in a differentcountry – which, in fact, it once was. The landscape is tropicallylush, proud locals speak the Rakhaing language, thefood comes with more chilli, and the mix of cultures reflectsthe Indian subcontinent.Few tourists head this way and most who do confinethemselves to the relaxing resorts of Ngapali Beach wherethe pristine sand is lapped by the turquoise waters of theBay of Bengal. The more adventurous head to the state’sscrappy, atmospheric capital Sittwe (Akyab) and the oldRakhaing capital of Mrauk U (Myohaung), an amazing archaeologicalsite, studded with hundreds of temples.Looming to the north is elusive, underdeveloped ChinState, a richly traditional area where travel requires governmentpermits, although it’s easy to get a taste of Chin life atriverine villages accessed on boat trips from Mrauk U.When to GoThose wishing to risk the heat or rains outside the highseason (November to March) will find that downpours orjellyfish will discourage much fun at Ngapali Beach. Sittweand Mrauk U receive more rain than most of the country– about 200in per year. Sudden rainstorms during the monsoonseason (mid-May to mid-September) are dangerous iftravelling by boat to Mrauk U, or between Sittwe and Taunggok.Cyclones and tropical storms tend to occur just beforeand after the rainy season.