Naypyidaw City - The Capital of Myanmar
Naypyidaw city or Nay Pyi Taw is the capital of Myanmar since 2005. Travelers often call the city ghost town. When entering Naypyidaw it gets totally clear why... It is an empty city all over. Huge highways and brand new luxury hotels have been built up in a huge area but there are rarely people to see. The whole city looks totally different than any area of Myanmar.
Driving through the streets feels a little like driving into a big city in the US. Indeed you can find one of the biggest streets there: Yarza Htarni Road has 20 lines in total (10 on each side) but rarely traffic on it. You can stand in the middle of the street taking amazing pictures with no one around.
Prices in Naypyidaw
The overall prices are comparable to the rest of Myanmar however transportation and accomodation are relatively expensive here. In fact, there is no local public transportation yet and renting a scooter or motorbike is therefore comparably expensive. Expect a scooter to cost around 20.000 - 30.000 Kyat and you are lucky if you find a double room for around 25.000 Kyat. Indeed, Naypyidaw is not a city for backpacker but more for business people. Taking a taxi from the train station to the city center costs around 8.000-10.000 Kyat.
Is Naypyidaw worth a Visit?
The answer is 'yes!' If you want to experience a totally different perspective of Myanmar. Despite the high cost for accomodation there are nice places to visit as well. And it is a city which is not as touristic as many other known Myanmar cities such as Yangon, Bagan or Mandalay. Naypyidaw is also a good place for a 1 night stopover since it is centrally located in Myanmar. If you are travelling from Yangon to Bagan or Kalaw by bus or train you might think of splitting the long distance.
Nethertheless, the only chance to explore the area is by scooter or taxi.
Destinations or places to visit in Naypyidaw
If you search for attractions or places to go in Naypyidaw on the internet you probably won't find a lot... The two most obvious and popular destinations in the capital of Myanmar are the huge empty road in the government area (Yarza Htarni Road) and the massive golden pagoda (Ouparta Thandi Zedi or Uppatasanti Pagoda).
Indeed the city is not packed with things to do, but here are some more places to visit to fill a one-day-stopover at the Myanmar capital...
Ouparta Thandi Zedi or Uppatasanti Pagoda
If you wonder that you have seen this kind of pagoda once before, you are totally right! This impressive building looks very similar to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. On the first sight it looks exactly the same indeed. And in fact it was build after the example of the one in Yangon. However giving it a closer look, you will realize several differences...
First of all, be sure to have some suitable clothes (no short pants or shirts) - if not, you can borrow them at the elevator entrance for a little deposit). After taking either the stairs or the elevator up to the golden pagoda you can have a view 360 degree around the area.
Outside the Uppatasanti Pagoda there are several places where Myanmar people pray. Depending on the weekday of the people's birthday they prey into a certain direction / side of the pagoda. It is not unusual to see them pouring water over the little Buddha statues.
The biggest difference to the Shwedagon Pagoda is however, that you can enter the golden pagoda itself. Different as maybe expected there is no giant Buddha statue inside the building. Instead you will find symmetric set up quarters in the round green and gold shining area with 4 little Buddhas in total and a lot signs and Pictures at the walls.
Entrance fee: none (but deposit for appropriate clothes)
Right next to the Uppatasanti Pagoda there is an elephant house and a little further a pond with a little shrine in its center. Myanmar people go there for feeding fish. Right next to the water you can buy the fish food for a little money. Expect to pay 2000 Kyat for parking your car if you have one with you...
Mahasakyaransi Pagoda
Placed on a hilltop in the northern part of Naypyidaw the Mahasakyaransi Pagoda is definitely not a place known by tourists. There's only a few locals going up the hill to do a prayer or to take some pictures.
Even if you have seen plenty of pagodas already in Myanmar or South East Asia this one is very different ands the pictures show...
Mahasakyaransi Pagoda (Inside)
Naypyidaw Water Fountain Park
If you want to relax a little in Naypyidaw city plan some time to hang in the water fountain park. It is awesome green area with fountains and little water falls.
Have a walk in the park crossing bridges or relax under trees. The place is also very popular for locals and probably one of the more crowded places in the capital of Myanmar. For the romantics: take the swan paddle boat on the little river into the sunset or enjoy it from the park's viewpoint.
In the evenings there is a water show with light effects at the big fountain, locals dance to music and little children play.
In case you get hungry after visiting the park, check out the city's night market.
Entrance fee: 700 per person plus car parking fee.
In case you get hungry after visiting the park, check out the city's night market.
One more tip for your pocket in case you take a taxi from the city center to the train station: Get the Taxi driver down to 8000 Kyat. Even if he might argument with the weather or anything else to get his 10.000 😉
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