Lokananda Paya


You can’t miss this big golden pagoda between the airport and the city centre. Its cavernous gilded worship hall, held aloft by decorated pillars, is pretty spectacular. On the western side of the compound is a small ordination hall, which houses the intriguing Sachamuni Image, a bronze buddha with its surface entirely encrusted with mini-buddhas. Apparently the image dates from 24 BC and is said to have been found by Mrauk U fishermen.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

2. Shwezedi Kyaung

1.12 MILES

Partly housed in a picturesque, ramshackle colonial-era building on a backstreet, this was the monastery of U Ashin Ottama (1880–1939), a leader of the…

3. New Clock Tower

1.19 MILES

Sittwe's newish clock tower sits at the southern end of Main Rd.

4. Fruit Bat Trees

1.23 MILES

Hundreds of noisy fruit bats migrate from these trees on Main Rd every evening at dusk, having spent the day jostling with crows for space in the trees…

5. Jama Mosque

1.33 MILES

This impressive 1859 building – the oldest mosque in Sittwe – could have been lifted out of the pages of Arabian Nights. Sadly, since the 2012 sectarian…

6. Rakhine State Cultural Museum

1.35 MILES

This museum is grand looking from the outside, but much less so inside, and features two floors of dusty Rakhine cultural goodies. On the 1st floor are…

7. Old Clock Tower

1.4 MILES

Sittwe's old clock tower is more notable than its newer counterpart and is close to the market.

8. Central Market

1.55 MILES

Focused on the 1956 municipal market building, Sittwe's market has lots of action from dawn to noon and beyond – it’s well worth popping by before your…