GetWiki

{{short description|Capital of Myanmar}}{{Use British English|date=June 2022}}{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}

factoids

}}| other_name = NPT| official_name = Nay Pyi Taw| pushpin_label_position = Bottom| pushpin_map = Myanmar#Asia| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Nay Pyi Taw, MyanmarCapital of Myanmar>Capital city| image_skyline = Nay Pyi Daw montage 2020.png| image_size = Uppatasanti Pagoda, Nay Pyi Taw Water Fountain Garden>Water Fountain Garden, Ministry Zone, Gems Museum, Union Parliament| map_caption = | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | subdivision_type = CountryMyanmar}}Administrative divisions of Myanmar>DivisionNaypyidaw Union TerritoryMY:တိုင်းခုနစ်တိုင်းကို တိုင်းဒေသကြီးများအဖြစ် လည်းကောင်း၊ ကိုယ်ပိုင်အုပ်ချုပ်ခွင့်ရ တိုင်းနှင့် ကိုယ်ပိုင်အုပ်ချုပ်ခွင့်ရ ဒေသများ ရုံးစိုက်ရာ မြို့များကို လည်းကောင်း ပြည်ထောင်စုနယ်မြေတွင် ခရိုင်နှင့်မြို့နယ်များကို လည်းကောင်း သတ်မှတ်ကြေညာWEEKLY ELEVEN>WEEKLY ELEVEN NEWSURL=HTTP://WWW.NEWS-ELEVEN.COM/INDEX.PHP?OPTION=COM_CONTENT&VIEW=ARTICLE&ID=4375:2010-08-20-12-39-51&CATID=42:2009-11-10-07-36-59&ITEMID=112LANGUAGE=MYARCHIVE-DATE=11 NOVEMBER 2014URL-STATUS=LIVE, | subdivision_type2 = Subdivisions| subdivision_name2 = 8 townships| unit_pref = Metric| area_code = 067TITLE=BURMA'S 'SEAT OF THE KINGS'PUBLISHER=AL JAZEERA ARABIC >DATE=20 NOVEMBER 2006URL-STATUS=DEADARCHIVE-DATE=23 NOVEMBER 2006, | area_total_km2 = 7,054.37| population_total = 924,608| population_density_km2 = 131.1| population_density_sq_mi = 339.5| population_footnotes = Department of Population, Myanmar.| population_note = | established_date = 2005| established_date2 = 2008| established_title = Settled| established_title2 = IncorporatedPUBLISHER=MYANMAR CONSOLIDATED MEDIA ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20060627090843/HTTP://WWW.MYANMAR.COM/MYANMARTIMES/MYANMARTIMES16-309/NEWS_BRIEF.HTM ARCHIVE-DATE=27 JUNE 2006 ACCESS-DATE=1 APRIL 2006, | leader_name = Myo Aung (Mayor)| leader_title = Chairman19519654type:city_region:MM-18|display=it}}| elevation_ft = 377| elevation_m = 115Myanmar Standard Time>MMT| utc_offset = +06:30| governing_body = Naypyidaw Development Committee| seat = Nay Pyi Taw City Hall}}{{Contains special characters|Burmese}}Naypyidaw, officially romanized Nay Pyi Taw ({{MYname|MY=နေပြည်တော်|MLCTS=Nepranytau}}; {{IPA-my|nèpjìdɔ̀|pron}} {{Literal translation|Grand Capital}}), is the capital and third-largest city of Myanmar. The city is located at the centre of the Naypyidaw Union Territory. It is unusual among Myanmar's cities in that it is an entirely planned city outside of any state or region. The city, then known only as Pyinmana District, officially replaced Yangon as the administrative capital of Myanmar on 6 November 2005; its official name was revealed to the public on Armed Forces Day, 27 March 2006.JOURNAL,weblink Myanmar's New Capital City of Naypyidaw, Dulyapak Preecharushh, Engineering Earth, 1021–1044, Academia.edu, 20 October 2020, 1 June 2022,weblink live, As the seat of the government of Myanmar, Naypyidaw is the site of the Union Parliament, the Supreme Court, the Presidential Palace, the official residences of the Cabinet of Myanmar and the headquarters of government ministries and military. Naypyidaw is notable for its unusual combination of large size and very low population density.NEWS,weblink This 'empty' city is more than four times the size of London, 21 June 2017, indy100, 21 June 2017, en-GB, 10 November 2017,weblink dead, WEB, 2017-06-23, Inside Burma's ghost town capital city, which is 4 times the size of London with a fraction of the population,weblinkweblink 18 June 2022, subscription, live, 2021-10-01, The Independent, en, The city hosted the 24th and 25th ASEAN Summit, the 3rd BIMSTEC Summit, the Ninth East Asia Summit, the 2013 Southeast Asian Games and the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship.

Etymology

Naypyidaw is Burmese for "abode of the king", and is generally translated as "royal capital","An Introduction to the Toponymy of Burma (October 2007) – Annex A" {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031143028weblink |date=31 October 2008 }} p. 8, The Permanent Committee on Geographic Names (PCGN), United Kingdom "seat of the king", or "abode of kings". Traditionally, it was used as a suffix to the names of royal capitals, such as Mandalay, which was called Yattanarbon Naypyidaw ({{my|ရတနာပုံနေပြည်တော်}}).

History

Naypyidaw was founded on a greenfield site near Pyinmana, about {{convert|320|km|mi}} north of the old capital, Yangon. Construction started in 2002 and was completed by 2012.Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2007). World and Its Peoples: Eastern and Southern Asia. Marshall Cavendish. p. 650. At least 25 construction companies were hired by the military government to build the city.WEB,weblink Buki Yuushuu, YouTube, 28 June 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180724213319weblink">weblink 24 July 2018, dead, It is estimated that the planned city development reaches US$4 billion.WEB,weblink The lights are on but no one's home in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, 4 April 2015, WEB,weblink Burma's bizarre capital: A super-sized slice of post-apocalypse suburbia | Cities | the Guardian, 20 October 2022, 20 October 2022,weblink live, On 27 March 2006, more than 12,000 troops marched in the new capital in its first public event: a massive military parade to mark Armed Forces Day, the anniversary of Burma's 1945 revolution against the Japanese occupation. Filming was restricted to the concrete parade ground, which contains enormous sculptures of Kings Anawrahta, Bayinnaung and Alaungpaya. The city was officially named NaypyidawWEB,weblink Naypyidaw: Burma, Geographical Names, 6 December 2011, 5 May 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130505060357weblink">weblink live, during these ceremonies,NEWS,weblink Burma's new capital stages parade, BBC News, 27 March 2006, 6 April 2006, 3 December 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20181203065423weblink">weblink live, and the official, albeit mostly administrative, capital of the country was relocated from Yangon to Naypyidaw.On April 4, 2024, the People's Defense Force launched an unprecedented drone attack against Aye Lar airbase, the main Tatmadaw headquarters, and Min Aung Hlaing's residence. Almost 30 drones were deployed; junta forces claimed 7 were shot down.NEWS, Myanmar's military-ruled capital attacked by drones,weblink British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, 4 April 2024, NEWS, Myanmar Resistance Drones Target Junta Chief's Residence, Military HQ and Airbase in Naypyitaw,weblink The Irrawaddy, 4 April 2024,

Rationale behind moving the capital

There are several assumptions why the capital was moved: Naypyidaw is more centrally located than the old capital, Yangon. It is also a transportation hub located adjacent to the Shan, Kayah, and Kayin states. It was felt by governmental and military leaders that a stronger military and governmental presence nearby might provide stability to those chronically turbulent regions.McGeown, Kate (8 November 2005). Burma's confusing capital move {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106233825weblink |date=6 January 2009 }}. BBC News. The military's purpose appears to have been to build an impregnable citadel, able to withstand foreign invasion or popular uprisings.NEWS, 2023-04-16, Myanmar civil war: 'We wish we could go back', en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2023-04-17, 17 April 2023,weblink live, The official explanation for moving the capital was that Yangon had become too congested and crowded with little room for future expansion of government offices.

Geography and climate

Naypyidaw is located between the Bago Yoma and Shan Yoma mountain ranges. The city covers an area of {{convert|7,054|km2|abbr=on}} and has a population of 924,608, according to official figures.NEWS, Construction of Myanmar new capital continues, People's Daily,weblink Xinhua News, 24 December 2009, 25 December 2009, 15 October 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121015103255weblink">weblink live, Chaungmagyi Dam is located a few kilometres to the north of Naypyidaw, while Ngalaik Dam is a few kilometres to the south. The Yezin Dam is farther away in the north-east.Naypyidaw has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Climate Classification Aw).{{Weather box|location = Naypyidaw|collapsed= N|metric first = yes|single line = yes|Jan high C = 32|Feb high C = 35|Mar high C = 38|Apr high C = 39|May high C = 37|Jun high C = 34|Jul high C = 33|Aug high C = 33|Sep high C = 34|Oct high C = 35|Nov high C = 34|Dec high C = 32|year high C = 34.5|Jan low C = 16|Feb low C = 17|Mar low C = 21|Apr low C = 25|May low C = 26|Jun low C = 26|Jul low C = 25|Aug low C = 25|Sep low C = 25|Oct low C = 24|Nov low C = 22|Dec low C = 18|year low C = 22.5|Jan mean C = 23|Feb mean C = 25|Mar mean C = 29|Apr mean C = 32|May mean C = 31|Jun mean C = 29|Jul mean C = 29|Aug mean C = 28|Sep mean C = 29|Oct mean C = 29|Nov mean C = 27|Dec mean C = 24|year mean C = 27.9|precipitation colour = green|Jan precipitation mm = 5|Feb precipitation mm = 2|Mar precipitation mm = 9|Apr precipitation mm = 33|May precipitation mm = 154|Jun precipitation mm = 160|Jul precipitation mm = 198|Aug precipitation mm = 229|Sep precipitation mm = 186|Oct precipitation mm = 131|Nov precipitation mm = 37|Dec precipitation mm = 7|Jan precipitation days = 1|Feb precipitation days = 0|Mar precipitation days = 1|Apr precipitation days = 3|May precipitation days = 14|Jun precipitation days = 21|Jul precipitation days = 23|Aug precipitation days = 24|Sep precipitation days = 19|Oct precipitation days = 12|Nov precipitation days = 4|Dec precipitation days = 1|unit rain days = 0.2 mm|source 1 = Weather2Travel.com. Retrieved 26 March 2013}}

Cityscape

Naypyidaw is organized into a number of zones.(File:NPDAerial22.jpg|thumb|Naypyidaw Aerial Image)

Residential zones

(File:Naypyitaw Apartment.jpg|thumb|Apartment building in Naypyidaw)The residential areas are carefully organised, and apartments are allotted according to rank and marital status. The city has 1,200 four-story apartment blocks.NEWS,weblink The New York Times, Myanmar's Remote Capital Is Still a Work in Progress, Grant, Peck, 5 October 2007, 20 May 2010, 16 January 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180116120758weblink">weblink live, The roofs of apartment buildings are colour-coded by the jobs of their residents; Ministry of Health employees live in buildings with blue roofs and Ministry of Agriculture employees live in those with green roofs. High-ranking government officials live in mansions,weblink{{dead link|date=August 2015}} of which there are about 50. However, in 2019, quite a few of the ministerial mansions were reported to be unused and left in a neglected state in overgrown compounds.Handa and Ye Mon, 'Official residences in Nya Pyi Daw left to ruin' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221014726weblink |date=21 December 2019 }}, Frontier Myanmar, 20 December 2019.

Ministry zone

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the President of Myanmar, Mr. U. Htin Kyaw, at Presidential Palace, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on September 05, 2017 (2).jpg|thumb|Presidential Palace, during the meeting between President of Myanmar U. Htin Kyaw and Prime Minister of India Narendra ModiNarendra ModiFile:Ministry Zone, Naypyitaw, Myanmar (Burma) - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|Union Parliament ]]The city's Ministry zone contains the headquarters of Myanmar's government ministries. All the ministry buildings are identical in appearance.The Australian. "A monument to junta's fear {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508183052weblink |date=8 May 2013 }}". 16 October 2007 A parliamentary complex consisting of 31 buildingsNEWS,weblink Reuters, As poll looms, Myanmar still building parliament, 17 January 2010, 1 July 2017, 22 October 2021,weblink live, and a 100-room presidential palace are also located there.weblink" title="swap.stanford.edu/20091019043715weblink">Living in a ghost town. Bangkok Post. 18 October 2009. The zone also contains the city hall building, which has many characteristics of Stalinist architecture, but with a Burmese-style roof.

Military zone

High-ranking military officers and other key officials live {{convert|11|km|abbr=on}} away from regular government employees in a complex said to consist of tunnels and bunkers; this area is restricted to the public. The city also hosts a military base, which is inaccessible to citizens or other personnel without written permission.

Diplomatic zone

The government has set aside {{convert|2|ha}} of land each for foreign embassies and headquarters of United Nations missions. The Chinese embassy formally opened its interim liaison office in 2017. The liaison office is the first foreign office to be permitted to open in Naypyidaw.NEWS,weblink China embassy opens interim liaison office in Naypyidaw, The Myanmar Times, 27 May 2018, en, 28 May 2018,weblink live, Bangladesh and Malaysia have also signed agreements to open embassies in Naypyidaw. The government confirms that proposals have been put forward by 11 other countries to move their embassies to Naypyidaw, namely Russia, China, the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and Kuwait.NEWS,weblink Govt urges Naypyidaw move for embassies, but obstacles remain, Mon, Su Myat, Frontier Myanmar, 27 May 2018, en, 28 May 2018,weblink live, In February 2018, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi chaired a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Naypyidaw where she urged foreign governments to move their embassies to the capital.(File:Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium.jpg|thumb|Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium)

Hotel zone

The Hotel zone has a handful of villa-style hotels on the hilly outskirts of the city. There are twelve hotels located in or near Naypyidaw. Eight of these are located within the Naypyidaw Hotel Zone, and two are located in Laeway (Lewe) on the Yangon-Mandalay Road.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120302042137weblink">weblink dead, Myanmar Yellow Pages: Naypyidaw Listings, 2 March 2012, Forty villas were constructed near the Myanmar Convention Centre in preparation for the 25th ASEAN summit conducted in Naypyidaw in November 2014. Construction of the villas was begun in 2010 by the government. However, funds were limited, so the project was later put out to tender for completion by private sector investors. A total of 348 hotels and 442 inns were constructed to house the athletes and spectators of the 2013 Southeast Asian Games, which was hosted in Naypyidaw.NEWS,weblink New hotels rise in Naypyidaw ahead of SEA Games, 10 October 2012, Weekly Eleven, 22 October 2012, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121113183502weblink">weblink 13 November 2012,

Shopping

(File:Naypyidaw -- Myoma Market.JPG|thumb|Myoma Market)Naypyidaw Myoma Market is the commercial centre of Naypyidaw. Other shopping areas include Thapye Chaung Market , Junction Centre Naypyidaw and Naypyidaw Wholesale. Junction Centre is the city's first privately operated shopping centre. There are also local markets and a restaurant area.

Recreation

(File:Safari Park Naypyitaw 001.jpg|alt=|thumb|Safari Park)Ngalaik Lake Gardens is a small water park situated along the Ngalaik Dam, near Kyweshin Village on Ngalaik Lake (about {{convert|11|km|mi|0}} from Naypyidaw). Opened in 2008, facilities at the Ngalaik Lake Gardens include water slides, natural resorts, lodging and a beach. The gardens are open to the public during Thingyan holidays.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120302042624weblink">weblink dead, Briefing on construction of Naypyidaw Ngalaik Lake Gardens, 2 March 2012, Also opened in 2008, the {{convert|81|ha|acre|adj=on}} National Herbal Park has exhibits of plants having medicinal applications from all of the major regions of Myanmar. There are thousands of plants at the park, representing hundreds of different species.WEB,weblink National herbal Park, 2010, tours in Myanmar, toursinmyanmar, 13 May 2017, 28 May 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180528052105weblink">weblink live, Behind the city hall, there is a park with a playground and water fountain complex, which hosts a musical light show every night.The Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens opened in 2008 with 420 species and now with 1500 animals. The main attraction of the zoo is the climate-controlled penguin house. The animals were shipped to it from the old one in Yangon.NEWS,weblink Built to Order: Myanmar's New Capital Isolates and Insulates Junta, 24 June 2008, The New York Times, 22 February 2017, 4 November 2020,weblink live, NEWS, Myanmar unveils zoo in remote new capital {{!, MACAU DAILY TIMES |url=http://macaudailytimes.com.mo/archive-2007-2009/myanmar-unveils-zoo-in-remote-new-capital.html |work=Macau Daily Times |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044152weblink |url-status=dead }} The Naypyidaw Safari Park officially opened on 12 February 2011.JOURNAL, Safari Park (Naypyidaw) to open on 12 February, Bi-Weekly Eleven, 26 January 2011,weblink dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110430205812weblink">weblink 30 April 2011, weblink {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914172641weblink|date=14 September 2011}}Naypyidaw also has two golf courses, Naypyidaw City Golf Course and Yaypyar Golf Course, and a gem museum.

Landmark

Similar in size and shape to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Uppatasanti Pagoda was completed in 2009.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120225082202weblink">weblink dead, Than Shwe offers golden lotus to Uppatasanti, 25 February 2012, This new pagoda is named the Uppatasanti or "Peace Pagoda". The stake-driving ceremony for the pagoda was held on 12 November 2006.Uppatasanti Pagoda, replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Nay Pyi Daw {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427131032weblink |date=27 April 2011 }} The invitation card for the ceremony opened with a phrase "Rajahtani Naypyidaw (the royal capital where the king resides)".BOOK, Burma/Myanmar: What Everyone Needs to Know, Steinberg, David, 2009, Oxford University Press, 978-0-19-539068-1, 133, The pagoda is just {{convert|30|cm|abbr=on}} shorter than the Shwedagon Pagoda.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100811212455weblink">weblink dead, Naypyidaw's Version of Shwedagon Pagoda Nears Completion, 11 August 2010, Uppatasanti translates roughly to "Protection against Calamity". It is the name of a sūtra prepared by a monk in the early 16th century. It is to be recited in time of crisis, especially in the face of foreign invasion.Weekly Eleven News Journal, Vol. 1, No. 44 (16 August 2006), p. 9.

Administration

File:Hluttaw Complex, Naypyidaw.jpg|thumb|Pyidaungsu HluttawPyidaungsu Hluttaw(File:Lobby of Zeyathiri Beikman, Naypyidaw.jpg|thumb|Lobby of Zeyathiri Beikman, the government guesthouse for high level delegations)The Naypyidaw Union Territory is administered at both the State/Region level, and as a municipality at the local level under two different governing bodies. Naypyidaw is one of three cities in the country to have municipal governance, the others being Yangon and Mandalay.WEB, MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE IN MYANMAR: AN OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT AFFAIRS ORGANIZATIONS,weblink The Asia Foundation, 23 November 2021, 3 December 2021,weblink live, Naypyidaw Council (NPTC) is the regional administrative body of the territory, and is under the direct supervision of the President of Myanmar.WEB, The Nay Pyi Taw Council Law (The State Peace and Development Council Law No. 18 /2010 ) The 13th Waxing of Thadinkyut, 1372 M.E. (21st October, 2010),weblink Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU), United Nations Development Programme, 23 November 2021, 23 November 2021,weblink live, The council is appointed by the President, and must have no less than 5 and no more than 10 members and include both civilians and military personnel. The Chairperson becomes the ex-officio Mayor, and the Head of the General Administration Department (GAD) of the territory becomes the Secretary of the council.WEB,weblink Archived copy, upload.wikimedia.org, 15 January 2022,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110427121736weblink">weblink 27 April 2011, dead, Matters under the jurisdiction of the Council include: general planning, coordination of internal security, nature conservation, emergency management, oversight of civil service organizations within the territory, and any other duties assigned to it by the constitution or law.Naypyidaw Development Committee (NPTDC) is the local government body of the territory. The committee is appointed by the President, and must have at least 5 members, but no more than 9.WEB, The Nay Pyi Taw Development Law ( The State Peace and Development Council Law No. 4 / 2009) The 14th Waxing of Pyatho, 1371, M.E.(29 December, 2009),weblink Online Burma/Myanmar Library, Burma Peace Foundation, 23 November 2021, 9 March 2022,weblink live, The Chairperson of the Committee becomes the Mayor of Naypyidaw, the vice-chairman becomes the Vice-Mayor, and the Head of Office becomes the Joint Secretary of the committee. Because both laws make the chair of the Council and Committee the mayor, the same person holds both offices. Matters under the jurisdiction of the Committee include: urban planning, land-use planning, planning permission, traffic management, various public works (sewage treatment, water supply, sanitation, roads, bridges, drainage, etc.), and other local competencies. Unlike the NPTC which must request funding for its budget from the Union government, the committee is permitted to levy taxes to fund its work.The current mayor is Dr. Maung Maung Naing, appointed as the Chair of Naypyidaw Council on 2 February 2021.WEB, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, State Administration Council Order No (12/2021), 6th Waning of Pyatho 1382 ME, 2 February 2021, Appointment and Assignment of Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council,weblink mitv, Myanmar International Television, 23 November 2021, 23 November 2021,weblink live, Dr. Myo Aung of the National League for Democracy party served as Mayor from his appointment on 1 April 2016, until his arrest on 1 February 2021, during the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.NEWS, Swan Ye Htut, New Nay Pyi Taw Council chair meets staff,weblink 23 November 2021, The Myanmar Times, Thein Tun, 5 April 2016, 23 November 2021,weblink live, NEWS, Closing argument for section 505 (b) charge against President, State Counselor, Nay Pyi Taw Council chair in next trial,weblink 23 November 2021, News Eleven, Eleven Media Group Co, Ltd, 3 November 2021, 23 November 2021,weblink live,

Administrative divisions

Naypyidaw Union Territory consists of 2 districts subdivided into 8 townships. Pyinmana, Lewe, and Tatkone townships were all formerly part of Yamethin District in Mandalay Region. Ottarathiri, Dekkhinathiri, Popphathiri, Zabuthiri, and Zeyathiri are all new townships under construction. Like the townships in the rest of the country, they are governed by a development affairs organization (DAO) which includes a Township Administrator appointed by the General Administration Department, and an elected Township Development Affairs Committee (TDAC).

• Ottara District
  • Ottarathiri Township ({{my|ဥတ္တရသီရိ မြို့နယ်}}, from Pali )
  • Pobbathiri Township ({{my|ပုဗ္ဗသီရိ မြို့နယ်}}, from Pali )
  • Tatkone
  • Zeyarthiri Township ({{my|ဇေယျာသီရိ မြို့နယ်}}, from Pali )
• Dekkhina District
  • Dekkhinathiri Township ({{my|ဒက္ခိဏသီရိ မြို့နယ်}}, from Pali )
  • Lewe Township
  • Pyinmana Township
  • Zabuthiri Township ({{my|ဇမ္ဗူသီရိ မြို့နယ်}}, from Pali )

There is sometimes some controversy about land use and changes in land ownership related to the urban spread of Naypyidaw. In late 2014, for example, there were suggestions in parliament that land grabs were occurring near the Dekkhinathiri Township and that existing laws needed to be amended to provide better protection for farmers.'Call for amending Naypyitaw Development Law' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230041weblink |date=3 March 2016 }}, The Nation, 12 December 2014. There has also been criticism from some members of parliament about the size of the Naypyidaw Union Territory and the fact that money is being spent on urban infrastructure (such as lighting around lakes) although the facilities do not attract much use.'Naypyidaw Union Territory Should Be Shrunk, Says MP' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213122923weblink |date=13 February 2015 }}, Eleven, 11 February 2015.

Transport

Roads

(File:Naypyidaw -- Wide Boulevard.JPG|thumb|An empty boulevard in Naypyidaw)The four-lane, {{convert|323.2|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} Yangon-Naypyidaw highway links Naypyidaw with Yangon directly and is part of the {{convert|563|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} long Yangon-Naypyidaw-Mandalay Expressway. There is a 20-lane boulevard; like most roads in the city, it is largely empty.NEWS, Tun, Aung Hla, 16 January 2010, As poll looms, Myanmar still building parliament, Reuters,weblink 1 July 2017, 22 October 2021,weblink live, NEWS, 2011-12-13, Surrounded by Poverty, a Lifeless Capital Stands Aloof, en-US, The New York Times,weblink 2021-10-02, 0362-4331, 17 June 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170617034154weblink">weblink live, Naypyidaw has four-lane roads and multilevel, flower-covered roundabouts (traffic circles).(File:YangonMandalayExpy.jpg|thumb|Yangon-Mandalay Expressway (Near Ywathit, Naypyidaw.))

Air

File:Naypyidiaw Airport - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Naypyidaw International AirportNaypyidaw International AirportNay Pyi Taw International Airport, also known as Ayelar Airport, opened in December 2011 and is {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on|order=flip}} south-east of the city, between the towns of Ela and Lewe. It has been served by all domestic airlines—Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Myanmar National Airlines, FMI Air and Yangon Airways—with regular flights to Yangon and other cities across the country.WEB,weblink News Briefs (New air destinations), 12 June 2006, The Myanmar Times, Myanmar Consolidated Media, 29 June 2006, 20 February 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120220000654weblink">weblink live, According to the Transport Ministry, the airport has a {{convert|3.6|km}} long runway, a control tower {{convert|69|m}} high and handle up to 65,000 flights annually.NEWS, 19 December 2011, Myanmar opens international airport in new capital, en-US, Reuters,weblink 27 May 2018, 28 May 2018,weblink live, Bangkok Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Qingdao Airlines, and Donghai Airlines have also served the airport with international flights to and from Bangkok, Kunming, Nanning, Xi' an, and Shenzhen.

Buses and taxis

Public transport services are limited between neighborhoods. Government ministries run shuttle buses in the morning and evening to their respective buildings.Varadarajan, Siddharth (21 January 2007). weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20071012015739weblink">In phantom capital, a city slowly takes shape. The Hindu.The city has a central bus station and one taxi company, which is operated by the military. Motorbikes are banned from some roads in Naypyidaw city limits, including sections of Taw Win Yadana Road, as a result of hundreds of traffic accident-related deaths in 2009.NEWS,weblink Motorbike ban to be expanded in NPT, Win Ko Ko Latt, 21 March 2011, Myanmar Times, 18 August 2011, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110716182726weblink">weblink 16 July 2011,

Railways

{{further|Myanmar Railways}}(File:Naypyitaw Railway Station 002.jpg|thumb|Naypyidaw Central Railway Station)Naypyidaw Central railway station was opened at milepost No. (233/0), between Ywataw station and Kyihtaunggan station on the Yangon–Mandalay Railway with a station area of {{convert|9000|x|4000|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} and a covered area of {{convert|826.5|acre|ha|order=flip}}. Construction began on 8 December 2006 and Naypyidaw railway station was opened on 5 July 2009, even though the overpass, locomotive shed, concrete road leading up to the station, parking lot, passenger lounge and platform were not completed.WEB, New railway station reflects dignity of Naypyidaw, The New Light of Myanmar, Ministry of Information,weblink 24 November 2009, 22 July 2010, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110427124118weblink">weblink 27 April 2011, Before the opening of Naypyidaw railway station, Naypyidaw was served by Pyinmana and Lewe stations, though only Pyinmana station is on the main rail line (which extends from Yangon-Bago-Naypyidaw-Thazi-Mandalay). Lewe station is on the way from Pyinmana to Kyaukpadaung. It takes nine hours by train to get from Yangon to Pyinmana; trains leave at 12:00 and arrive at 21:30 local time.WEB, Import, export licensing moving to Naypyidaw, The Myanmar Times, Myanmar Consolidated Media,weblink 29 May 2006, 29 June 2006, 20 February 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120220000654weblink">weblink live, In August 2011, Russian news media announced that a Russian-based firm would be constructing a {{convert|50|km|mi|adj=on}} metro line, which would be the country's first underground rail system, underneath Naypyidaw.NEWS,weblink Moscow exports the metro – to Myanmar, Nikishenkov, Oleg, 5 August 2011, Moscow Times, 8 August 2011, Russia & India Report, 15 March 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120315074410weblink">weblink live, NEWS,weblink Russia to build metro in Naypyidaw: reports, Wade, Francis, 2 August 2011, Democratic Voice of Burma,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150223222904weblink">weblink 8 August 2011, 23 February 2015, However, the Rail Transportation Ministry then announced that the plan had been cancelled due to lack of demand and budgetary limits.NEWS,weblink Subway plan for Naypyidaw too expensive, says minister, Sann Oo, 5 September 2011, Myanmar Times, 3 March 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120204131521weblink">weblink 4 February 2012, dead,

Education and research

Higher education

Yezin(a few kilometers north-east of Naypyidaw and Pyinmana)

• Yezin University of Veterinary Science
• Yezin Agricultural University
• Yezin University of Forestry

Nay Pyi Taw

• University of Technology WEB,weblink အစိုးရနည်းပညာကောလိပ် (နေပြည်တော်) · P399+75Q, Myinttar Street, Naypyidaw, Myanmar (Burma), WEB,weblink Myanmar to open new university from academic year 2022-2023, 25 January 2023, 25 January 2023,weblink live,
• Naypyitaw State Academy

Research

• Forest Research Institute (FRI), Yezin{{CN|date=January 2023}}
• Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), Yezin{{CN|date=January 2023}}
• Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (SABRI)WEB, 13 October 2016, China-Myanmar Established Biodiversity Research Institute Unveiled in Naypyidaw—Chinese Academy of Sciences,weblink 19 October 2017, english.cas.cn, 20 October 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171020083642weblink">weblink live,

Healthcare

(File:Naypyitaw Hospital.jpg|thumb|Naypyidaw General Hospital)The city is served by five public hospitals: 1000-bed Naypyidaw General Hospital, Naypyidaw Women Hospital, Naypyidaw ENT Hospital, 100-bed Naypyidaw Traditional Medicine Hospital, and Naypyidaw Orthopaedic Hospital.NEWS,weblink EYE.ENT Hospital Naypyitaw, 9 March 2016, EyeMyanmar, 12 October 2017, en-US, NEWS,weblink Naypyidaw Hospital looks to boost hygiene, reception services, The Myanmar Times, 12 October 2017, en, 12 October 2017,weblink live, NEWS,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171012152429weblink">weblink usurped, 12 October 2017, Orthopaedic Specialist Hospital opens in Naypyidaw – Global New Light Of Myanmar, 21 July 2015, Global New Light Of Myanmar, 12 October 2017, en-US, BOOK, Myanmar Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Handbook – Strategic Information and Regulations, ((Inc)), IBP, Lulu.com, 2015, 9781312884472, {{self-published inline|date=February 2020}} There is also a 300-bed Obstetric, Gynaecological and Children's Hospital of Defence Services, which is one of the teaching hospitals of Myanmar Defence Services Medical Academy. The nearby towns of Lewe, Pyinmana, and Tatkone each have one hospital.

Sports

Naypyidaw F.C, a Myanmar National League football club, is based at Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Naypyidaw.

Main sights

Religious sites

File:Uppatasanti Pagoda, Naypyidaw.jpg|alt=|thumb|220x220px|Uppatasanti PagodaUppatasanti Pagoda

• Uppatasanti Pagoda
• Maha Thetkya Yanthi Buddha
• Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda (replica of Buddha Gaya)
• Maravijaya Buddha

Museums and memorials

• Memorial to the Fallen Heroes
• National Museum
• Defence Services Museum
• Naypyidaw Gems Museum
• Planetarium
• The Museum of SportNEWS,weblink The Museum of Sport in Naypyidaw is exhibiting more than 300 medals won by the nation's athletes., 13 October 2017, en-gb,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171014034050weblink">weblink 14 October 2017, dead, File:Memorial to the Fallen Heroes, Nay Pyi Taw.jpg|alt=|thumb|Memorial to the Fallen Heroes ]]

Recreation

File:NPT Water Fountain.jpg|alt=|thumb|Naypyidaw Water Fountain GardenNaypyidaw Water Fountain Garden

• Naypyidaw Safari Park
• National Herbal Park
• Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens
• Naypyidaw Water Fountain Garden
• National Landmark Garden
• Naypyidaw Hot Spring Resort
• Wunna Theikdi Stadium
• Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium
• Zayarthiri Stadium

Concert halls and theatres

• Myanmar International Convention Centre 1 (MICC-1)
• Myanmar International Convention Centre 2 (MICC-2)
• Open-Air TheatreWEB,weblink Venues & Rates, travelnaypyitaw.org, en-gb, 19 October 2017, 26 September 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170926175332weblink">weblink live,

Arts and entertainment

The Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards are held annually in Naypyidaw given to the highest achievers in Burmese cinema.NEWS,weblink Naypyidaw's Oscar Event, 12 February 2008, The Irrawaddy,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140819154522weblink">weblink 19 August 2014, dead, IPG, There is a movie theater in the Junction Centre Mall as well as in the Ocean Shopping Mall. There are two others in nearby Pyinmana, and one in Tatkone Township.

Media and communications

The headquarters of the Ministry of Information is located in Naypyidaw. Since 2009, Naypyidaw has had mobile phone coverage.

Print

The Myanmar Alin and the Kyaymon in Burmese and the New Light of Myanmar in English are available in Naypyidaw. Since 18 November 2011, the Ministry of Information has begun publishing a weekly journal called the Naypyidaw Times, to report on government policies.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120307215544weblink">weblink dead, 7 March 2012, Information Ministry launches 'Naypyitaw Times Journal', 7 March 2012, 28 May 2018,

Radio

There are a number of AM and FM stations broadcasting in Naypyidaw. The main available channels in Naypyidaw are Myanmar Radio (operated by MRTV), Cherry FM, Mandalay FM, FM Bagan, Padamyar FM, Pyinsawaddy FM, Shwe FM and City FM.

Television

MRTV, MRTV-4 and MWD are the main channels, broadcasting Burmese-language programmes in Naypyidaw. Privately owned enterprise Sky Net provides more than 70 pay-TV channels of local and international origin. MRTV broadcasts 19 free-to-air channels and MWD broadcasts 8 free-to-air channels. Other TV channels such as Channel 7, 5-plus and Myanmar International, the English-language channel that targets overseas audiences are also available.

Costs and issues

One estimate puts the cost in the range of $3–4 billion USD although only part of this estimate is for cash spending because non-cash investments were also reportedly involved in supporting the construction effort.There is now continual travel by vehicles along the {{Convert|300|km|mi|abbr=on}} highway from Yangon to Naypyidaw, which is four lanes for most of the way. There are relatively few vehicles for much of the time on the road. Most trucks traveling north from Yangon to Naypyidaw and Mandalay are prohibited from using the highway. The Asian Development Bank has estimated that allowing more trucks onto the road would save over $100 million per year in reduced traveling time and other savings.Thomas Manch and Kyaw Lin Htoon, 'The road rules costing Myanmar billions' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410170740weblink |date=10 April 2022 }}, Frontier Myanmar, 14 December 2017. There are plans to turn the road into a six-lane highway for greater safety.Construction on some sections of a six-lane highway are already underway (mid-2014) along the highway. Parts of the highway have already been widened to six lanes, and a number of bridges along the road are in the construction stage of being widened. For a discussion of safety concerns about the national highways to Naypyidaw, see the report about plans to improve the highway linking Naypyidaw and Mandalay at Kyaw Hsu Mon, 'Govt Calls for Foreign Investment in 'Death Highway' Upgrade' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016094104weblink |date=16 October 2015 }}, The Irrawaddy, 29 December 2014.The proportion of housing that meets expatriate needs is limited because the majority of existing apartments are for government employees.Kyaw Soe Htet, 'More time needed before expatriates consider relocating to Nay Pti Daw' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410170722weblink |date=10 April 2022 }}, Myanmar Times, 8 October 2019.

In popular culture

In March 2014, Naypyidaw was one of the locations featured on the British motoring TV show Top Gear during a two-part special event in Myanmar.In 2018, Naypyidaw was on the TV show Dark Tourist.

See also

• List of capitals of Myanmar
• Naypyidaw Victoria rape case

Gallery

File:Uppatasanti Pagoda.jpg|Uppatasanti Pagoda (western view)File:Naypyidaw -- Uppatasanti Pagoda Plaza at sunset.JPG|Uppatasanti Pagoda at sunsetFile:Government luncheon reception in Naypyidaw.jpg|Government receptionFile:Naypyidaw -- Uppatasanti Pagoda interior.JPG|Uppatasanti Pagoda interiorFile:Zayyarthiri Stadium.JPG|Zayyarthiri StadiumFile:Naypyidaw -- Zoo.JPG|Nay Pyi Taw ZooFile:Naypyidaw Zoo Planetarium.JPG|PlanetariumFile:Buddha Gaya Naypyitaw 001.jpg|Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi PagodaFile:Maha Thakya Yan Thi Pagoda.jpg|Maha Thakya Yan Thi PagodaFile:Naypyitaw Gems Museum-02.JPG|Naypyidaw Gems MuseumFile:Seagame.jpg|Naypyidaw hosting the 2013 Southeast Asian GamesFile:Myanmar-Lower-House-Parliament.jpg|Union Parliament (Interior View)File:Myanmar Foreign Minister San Suu Kyi Addresses Reporters during News Conference with Secretary Kerry following their Bilateral Meeting in Naypyitaw (27131739766).jpg|A press conference in NaypyidawFile:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inspecting the guard of honour, at the Ceremonial Reception, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on September 05, 2017. The President of Myanmar, Mr. U. Htin Kyaw is also seen (2).jpg|A ceremonial reception in Naypyidaw

References

• Dulyapak Preecharushh, Naypyidaw: New Capital of Burma, 2009, White Lotus. {{ISBN|978-9744801302}}

Notes

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

{{commons category}}{{Wikivoyage}}

• Nay Pyi Daw – A photo album
• Inside Napyidaw, The Flying Dutchman blog, 15 June 2007 (one of first two tourists to visit Naypyidaw, includes many photos)
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20071019020527weblink">Abode of Kings in a Derelict Kingdom, Disposable Words blog, 15 June 2007 (second of first two tourists to visit Naypyidaw, more photos)
• BBC Top Gear Series 21 Episode 6

{{Navboxes|title = Articles related to Naypyidaw|list ={{Naypyitaw|state=uncollapsed}}{{List of Asian capitals by region}}{{Most populous cities in Myanmar}}}}{{Authority control}}