Kyaukphyu ( ; also spelt Kyaukpyu) is a major town in Rakhine State, in western Myanmar. It is located on the north western corner of Yanbye Island on Combermere Bay, and is 250 miles (400 km) north-west of Yangon. It is the principal town of Kyaukphyu Township and Kyaukphyu District. The town is situated on a superb natural harbor which connects the rice trade between Calcutta and Yangon. The estimated population in 1983 was 19,456 inhabitants. The population of Kyaukphyu's urban area is 20,866 as of 2014, while Kyaukphyu Township's population is 165,352.
Etymology
The name Kyaukphyu () is the Burmese pronunciation. In Rangbre and Arakanese, the town's name is pronounced "Kyaukphru." The old Kyaukphyu is situated from the present town where two colossal white rocks exist.
History
Earliest traces of history dates back to the 8th century, during the reign of Sula Taing Chandra who founded the settlement.
The place where the present town is, was originally a small fishing village in the 17th century. After the first Anglo-Burmese War, the British established Kyaukphyu in 1837 on the spot of the fishing village. In 1852, Kyaukphyu became a district city.
On October 22, 2010, Cyclone Giri made landfall on the west coast of Myanmar just north of the town at category five strength.
Climate
Kyaukphyu has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am). Temperatures are very warm throughout the year, although the winter months (December–February) are somewhat milder. There is a winter dry season (December–April) and a summer wet season (May–November). Torrential rain falls from June to August, with over falling in July alone.
Demographics
The town is populated with Arakanese Buddhists. There are also small Indian group, Kameins and Chins at Kyaukphru.
Quarters or wards
Eastern Quarter
Western Quarter
Central Quarter
Mrit Nar Dan Quarter
Zayditaung Quarter
Asoera Quarter
Ararshi Quarter
Thanbanchaung Quarter
Rakhine Paikseik Quarter
Taung Rong Quarter
Toe Chayy Quarter
NgaLaPwee Quarter
Kanyin Taw Quarter
KaLaBa Taung Quarter
Zetiya Quarter
Pyinpyumaw Quarter
Sapyingwin Quarter
Attractions
Kyaukphyu Viewpoint, or more popularly known as Point is perhaps the best-known attraction in Kyaukphyu. It is at the end of the Strand Road and overlooks the Bay of Bengal and the mouth of the Thanzit (Kyaukphyu) River. Gant-gaw-taw, is one of the most sacred Buddhist shrine, believed to have built in the Vesali period. Kyauk-ta-lone phaya, built by King Min-ba in the Mrauk U period, is the focal point of Kyaukphyu's Buddhist environment, beside Gant-gaw-taw shrine. The Japan-Myanmar Relationship Pagoda, in the outskirts of the city, is popular among the city's small Japanese population.
Education
Teacher training college (TTC) was opened in Kyaukphyu in 1953. Now, this college is known as "Kyaukphyu Education College"and it was upgraded to "Kyaukphyu Education Degree College" in which academic subjects are taught. In 1954, Kyaukphyu Intermediate College for Arakan, the embryo of Sittwe University was opened in Kyaukpyu. Kyaukphyu GTI was opened in 2014 and upgraded to a Government Technological College in 2022, and from the 2022-2023 academic year, it started teaching courses that will provide the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (B.Tech).In 2023, it has become Technological University,Kyaukpyu.
Other
Maurice Collis, a famous British writer, lived in Kyaukphyu in 1920s. His house, situated outskirts of Kyaukphyu is maintained as a historic building.
Water ways is the main mode of transportation and traveling. There were boat accidents because of poor maintenance and lack of enforcement on regulation. Over 100 were assumed to be dead in Aung Takon 3 ferry accident of March 2015.
Naval base
Google Earth imagery dated 25 July 2020 shows an active naval base to be present 5.83 km east of the town at 19.4125, 93.60197. The base has permanent personnel accommodation, support buildings and a dedicated jetty. Several corvettes and patrol boats have been observed moored at this jetty.