Naypyidaw – the new capital of Myanmar – is located in the heart of the country, in a forested area 3 km west of Pyinman and about 320 km north of Yangon, between the Bago Yoma and Shan Yoma mountain ranges. According to astrological forecasts and the belief of the country’s leadership in lucky numbers, at 11 am on November 11, 2005, the property of 11 ministries was transported by 11 battalions on 1100 military trucks to a small village, which in March 2006 was proclaimed the new capital, whose name translates as ” The abode of kings.”
This is a showcase city, a rapidly growing metropolis almost from scratch, in which there are a lot of young people and so far there is practically no fuss of other Asian cities. See citypopulationreview for weather in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
How to get to Naypyidaw
By train: from Yangon (departure at 12-00, arrival in Naypyidaw at 21-00). Trains arrive at Laeway (tel. 303-780) and Pyinmana (tel. 22-508) railway stations.
By plane: The airport, located 16 km from the city, is served by local airlines – Myanma Airways, Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay and Air Bagan. However, only local generals fly on planes, and travelers usually get to Naypyidaw by bus.
By bus: The Yangon-Naypyidaw route is regularly served by Asia Express buses (tel. 38-266). Naypyidaw from Yangon can also be reached by car.
The Yangon – Naypyidaw highway is the only decent road in Myanmar, so for local drivers the opportunity to accelerate to unthinkable 100 km per hour turns into a real attraction, and each of them tries to squeeze the maximum speed on an almost deserted highway.
Transportation
You can get around the city by taxi (the only taxi company belongs to the military) and motorbike. There is a motorbike system on call. The bus service in the city is not very good yet – there is only one bus route.
Restaurants and hotels in Naypyidaw
Naypyidaw’s hotel zone has 12 hotels scattered across the hills around the city. Eight of them are located directly in the city, two – in the neighboring city of Laeway.
Many restaurants and cafes of the city are grouped on the tops of the hills. Here you can find an institution for every taste and at any price.
And fried grasshoppers here, by the way, are tastier than in Yangon.
Attractions and attractions in Naypyidaw
The city is clearly divided into specialized zones: residential, military, ministries and, finally, hotels. The roofs of houses in the residential area are painted in the colors of the ministries in which their inhabitants work, apartments are distributed in accordance with the status of an official.
Naypyidaw’s most notable attraction is its three huge sculptures depicting the Burmese kings Anawrahta, Bayinnaung and Alaungpaya, Myanmar’s main historical figures.
Naypyidaw’s most notable sight is three huge sculptures depicting Burmese kings.
Uppatasanti Pagoda (copying the proportions of Yangon’s famous Shwedagon Pagoda) was completed in 2009. The name translates as “Protection from disasters.” The pagoda is hollow inside, in the inner hall around the central column there are four jade Buddhas, oriented to the cardinal points. Buddhist shrines and treasures of King Mingdong are kept here.
On the outskirts of Naypyidaw there is a zoo (the largest in Myanmar). It is also interesting to visit the National Herbal Park, which presents thousands of species of local medicinal plants. Ngalaik Water Park, located near the dam of the same name, 10 km from the city, in addition to water activities, provides apartments for living.
Developments
Naypyidaw now hosts an annual awards ceremony for the local film academy.
The most exciting holiday in Naypyidaw is Tinjan, the New Year’s Water Festival, which usually happens in mid-April. Residents of the city pour water on each other from various containers and ingenious devices for five days.
