Naypyidaw

Naypyidaw

The new capital and seat of government was famous in these years. About 300 km north of Yangon, the former capital was announced on Armed Forces Day in March 2006. 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. It takes about nine hours by train from Yangon to Naypyidaw. The regular flights from domestic airlines fly to Nay Pyi Taw Airport, located 10 miles southeast of the city. A new highway from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw has been opened recently and now the travelling time from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw is only about 4 hours drive. City Hall is one of the prominent Land Marks of Nay Pyi Taw, in which Nay Pyi Taw Development Committee establishes its headquarters.Uppatasanti Pagoda, the replica of Shwedagon Pagoda from Yangon is the main pagoda from this capital. Water fountain Garden is the best picnic place for the people. The gem museum Naypyidaw is fully covered with the jade stones.

Geography

Naypyidaw is located between the Bago Yoma and Shan Yoma mountain ranges. The city covers an area of 7,054.37 square km and has a population of 924,608, according to official figures. Chaungmagyi Dam is located a few kilometers to the north of Naypyidaw, while Ngalaik Dam is a few kilometers to the south. The Yezin Dam is further away, to the northeast.

Recreation

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

Naypyidaw Water Fountain Garden

Also opened in 2008, the 200-acre (0.81 km2) National Herbal Park has exhibits of plants having medicinal applications from all of the major regions of Burma. There are thousands of plants at the park, representing hundreds of different species. The Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens opened in 2008 with some 420 animals and a climate-controlled penguin house. It is the largest zoo in Burma. The Naypyidaw Safari Park officially opened on 12 February 2011. Naypyidaw also has two golf courses (Nay Pyi Taw City Golf Course and Yaypyar Golf Course), and a gem museum.

Uppatasanti Pagoda

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.The invitation card for the ceremony opened with a phrase “Rajahtani Naypyidaw (the royal capital where the king resides)”. The pagoda is just 30 cm 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.