Naypyidaw -- Bus stop.JPG

Naypyidaw, officially spelled Nay Pyi Taw (; ), is the capital city, 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, as it is an entirely Planned community, planned city outside of any Administrative divisions of Myanmar, 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.

As the seat of the government of Myanmar, Naypyidaw is the site of the Assembly of the Union, Union Parliament, the Supreme Court of Myanmar, Supreme Court, the Presidential Palace, Naypyidaw, Presidential Palace, the official residences of the Cabinet of Myanmar and the headquarters of government ministries and Tatmadaw, military. Naypyidaw is notable for its unusual combination of large size and very low population density. The city hosted the 24th and 25th ASEAN Summit, the 3rd Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, BIMSTEC Summit, the Ninth East Asia Summit, the 2013 Southeast Asian Games and the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship.

Etymology

''Naypyidaw'' is Burmese language, Burmese for "abode of the king", and is generally translated as "royal capital","An Introduction to the Toponymy of Burma (October 2007) – Annex A"
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 ().

History

Naypyidaw was founded on a greenfield site near Pyinmana, about 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 State Peace and Development Council, military government to build the city. It is estimated that the planned city development reaches US$4 billion.

On 6 November 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 (Myanmar), Armed Forces Day, the anniversary of Burma's 1945 revolution against the Japanese occupation of Burma, 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 Naypyidaw during these ceremonies, and the official, albeit mostly administrative, capital of the country was relocated from Yangon to Naypyidaw.

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 Transport hub, transportation hub located adjacent to the Shan State, Shan, Kayah State, Kayah, and Kayin State, 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
BBC News. 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 Pegu Range, Bago Yoma and Shan Hills, Shan Yoma mountain ranges. The city covers an area of and has a population of 924,608, according to official figures.

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.

Cityscape

Naypyidaw is organized into a number of zones.

Residential zones

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. The roofs of apartment buildings are color-coded by the jobs of their residents; Ministry of Health (Myanmar), 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,
/ref> 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.

Ministry zone

The city's Ministry zone contains the headquarters of Myanmar's government ministries. All the ministry buildings are identical in appearance. A Assembly of the Union, parliamentary complex consisting of 31 buildings and a 100-room Presidential Palace, Naypyidaw, presidential palace are also located there.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 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 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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

Shopping

Naypyidaw Myoma Market is the commercial centre of Naypyidaw. Other shopping areas include Thapye Chaung Market and Junction Centre Naypyidaw. Junction Centre is the city's first privately operated shopping centre. There are also local markets and a restaurant area.

Recreation

Ngalaik Lake Gardens is a small water park situated along the Ngalaik Dam, near Kyweshin Village on Ngalaik Lake (about 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.

Also opened in 2008, the 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. Behind the city hall, there is a park with a playground and Naypyidaw Water Fountain Garden, 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. The Naypyidaw Safari Park officially opened on 12 February 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. 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
The invitation card for the ceremony opened with a phrase "Rajahtani Naypyidaw (the royal capital where the king resides)". The pagoda is just shorter than the Shwedagon Pagoda. 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

The Naypyidaw Union Territory is administered at both the Administrative divisions of Myanmar, 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.

Naypyidaw Council (NPTC) is the regional administrative body of the territory, and is under the direct supervision of the President of Myanmar. 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 Tatmadaw, 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. 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. 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. Myo Aung, 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.

Administrative divisions

Naypyidaw Union Territory consists of 2 Districts of Myanmar, districts subdivided into 8 Townships of Myanmar, townships. Pyinmana Township, Pyinmana, Lewe Township, Lewe, and Tatkone Township, 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 governered 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 (, from Pali ')
** Pobbathiri Township (, from Pali ')
** Tatkone Township, Tatkone
** Zeyarthiri Township (, from Pali ')
*Dekkhina District
** Dekkhinathiri Township (, from Pali ')
** Lewe Township
** Pyinmana Township
** Zabuthiri Township (, 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. 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.

Transport

Roads

The four-lane, Yangon-Naypyidaw highway links Naypyidaw with Yangon directly and is part of the long Yangon-Naypyidaw-Mandalay Expressway. There is a 20-lane boulevard; like most roads in the city, it is largely empty. Naypyidaw has four-lane roads and multilevel, flower-covered roundabouts (traffic circles).

Air

Naypyidaw International Airport, also known as Ayelar Airport, opened in December 2011 and is south-east of the city, between the towns of Ela and Lewe. It is 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. According to the Transport Ministry, the airport has a long runway, a control tower high and handle up to 65,000 flights annually. Bangkok Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Qingdao Airlines, and Donghai Airlines serve the airport with international flights to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Kunming Changshui International Airport, Kunming, Nanning Wuxu International Airport, Nanning, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, Xi' an, and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, 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)
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.

Railways

Naypyidaw railway station was opened at milepost No. (233/0), between Ywataw station and Kyihtaunggan station on the Yangon-Mandalay railroad with a station area of and a covered area of . 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.

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, Myanmar, Bago-Naypyidaw-Thazi, Meiktila, Mandalay Region, 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.

In August 2011, Russian news media announced that a Russian-based firm would be constructing a Rapid transit, metro line, which would be the country's first underground rail system, underneath Naypyidaw. However, the Rail Transportation Ministry then announced that the plan had been cancelled due to lack of demand and budgetary limits.

Education and research

Basic education

*No. 1 Basic Education High School
*No. 2 Basic Education High School
*No. 3 Basic Education High School

Higher education

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

*University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Yezin University of Veterinary Science
*Yezin Agricultural University
*University of Forestry, Yezin, Yezin University of Forestry

Research

* Forest Research Institute (FRI), Yezin
* Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), Yezin
* Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (SABRI)

Healthcare

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

Main sights

Pagodas

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

Museums and memorials

*Memorial to the Fallen Heroes (Nay Pyi Taw), Memorial to the Fallen Heroes
* National Museum (Naypyidaw), National Museum
* Defence Services Museum
* Naypyidaw Gems Museum
* Planetarium
* The Museum of Sport

Recreation

*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 Theatre

Arts and entertainment

The Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards are held annually in Naypyidaw given to the highest achievers in Cinema of Myanmar, Burmese cinema. 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 headquarter of the Ministry of Information (Myanmar), 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.

Radio

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

Television

Myanmar Radio and Television, MRTV, MRTV-4 and Myawaddy TV, 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 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. There are plans to turn the road into a six-lane highway for greater safety.

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'
''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 (2002 TV series), Top Gear'' during a two-part special event in Myanmar.

In 2018, Naypyidaw was on the TV show ''Dark Tourist (TV series), 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 sunset
File:Government luncheon reception in Naypyidaw.jpg, Government reception
File:Naypyidaw -- Uppatasanti Pagoda interior.JPG, Uppatasanti Pagoda interior
File:Zayyarthiri Stadium.JPG, Zayarthiri Stadium, Zayyarthiri Stadium
File:Naypyidaw -- Zoo.JPG, Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens, Nay Pyi Taw Zoo
File:Naypyidaw Zoo Planetarium.JPG, Planetarium
File:Buddha Gaya Naypyitaw 001.jpg, Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda
File:Maha Thakya Yan Thi Pagoda.jpg, Maha Thakya Yan Thi Pagoda
File:Naypyitaw Gems Museum-02.JPG, Naypyidaw Gems Museum
File:Seagame.jpg, Naypyidaw hosting the 2013 Southeast Asian Games
File: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 Naypyidaw
File: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.

Notes

External links

Nay Pyi Daw – A photo album
The Flying Dutchman blog, 15 June 2007 (one of first two tourists to visit Naypyidaw, includes many photos)
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

{{Authority control

Naypyidaw,
Populated places in Mandalay Region
Capitals in Asia
Planned capitals
Populated places established in 2005
Township capitals of Myanmar
2005 establishments in Myanmar
New towns started in the 2000s