Kyaukpyu ( ; also spelt Kyaukphyu) 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 Kyaukpyu Township and Kyaukpyu 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 Kyaukpyu Urban area is 20,866 as of 2014, while Kyaukpyu Township's population is 165,352. Etymology The name Kyaukpyu (lit. "white rock") is the Burmese pronunciation. In the local Rangbre pronunciation of the natives of Kyaukpyu and in standard Arakanese, the town's name is pronounced "Kyaukpru". The old Kyaukpyu is situated 7 miles 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 Kyaukpyu 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 Kyaukpyu 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 Paikseik (West) Quarter Paikseik (East) Quarter Taung Rong Quarter Toe Chayy Quarter NgaLaPwee Quarter Kanyin Taw Quarter KaLaBa Taung Quarter Zetiya Quarter Attractions Kyaukpyu Viewpoint, or more popularly known as Point is perhaps the best-known attraction in Kyaukpyu. It is at the end of the Strand Road and looks out into the Bay of Bengal and the mouth of the Thanzit (Kyaukpyu) River. Gant-gaw-taw, is one of the most sacred Buddhist shrine, believed to have built in the Vesali period.