Foreign diplomats who were taken on a tour in Myanmar's conflict-torn northern Rakhine state have called for a stop to violence that has led to the exodus of over 500,000 Rohingya Muslims.

"We saw villages which had been burned to the ground and emptied of inhabitants," diplomats of 20 countries said in a joint statement after the visit. "The violence must stop."

"We saw on our visit the dire humanitarian need. We call once more for unimpeded humanitarian access to northern Rakhine and resumption of life-saving services without discrimination throughout the state," they said in the statement.

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Diplomats call to stop violence in Rakhine

"We reiterate our condemnation of the ARSA attacks of 25 August and our deep concern about violence and mass displacement since," they said.

"This was not an investigation mission and could not be in the circumstances. Investigation of allegations of human rights violations needs to be carried out by experts."

"As friends of Myanmar we remain ready to work with the Myanmar Government to help Rakhine reach its potential. We sincerely hope that our visit is only the very first step in an urgently needed opening up of access for all, including to media, to all parts of Northern Rakhine."