Naypyidaw is a city that few travelers to Myanmar take the time to visit. Yet it is the capital of Myanmar! A capital so recent that many mistakenly believe Yangon or Mandalay still holds that title. Its peculiarity is that it is said to be… almost deserted! Yes, you read that correctly—Naypyidaw is a ghost city, despite being the country’s capital.
It is certainly not an essential stop on your trip to Myanmar, but the city is so surprising that it fully deserves a short article!
A Bit of History About Naypyidaw
The city of Naypyidaw was chosen as the new capital of Myanmar in November 2005, replacing Yangon, the much better-known city that remains the country’s economic capital.
If the government decided to move the capital, the official reason was primarily the city’s location, right in the center of the country, making it supposedly easier to access for the population. This argument does not seem very convincing, given that Naypyidaw is located in the middle of nowhere.
Secondly, it appears that the permanent traffic congestion in Yangon made life difficult in the city center: administrative institutions were therefore relocated in order to relieve Yangon (although the results remain debatable!).
The third and often-cited theory is that former general and dictator Than Shwe, who was very superstitious, moved the capital to avoid his downfall. An astrologer allegedly predicted the end of his rule if the capital were not relocated. As it turns out, this changed nothing: he was removed from power in 2011 and the military dictatorship came to an end.
Following its designation as the capital, Naypyidaw was equipped with vast highways and received a very substantial budget to improve the city’s infrastructure. It is also home to a large, heavily guarded military zone. Finally, the city features numerous buildings and houses intended to welcome citizens who might wish to settle in this brand-new capital.
Naypyidaw, a Ghost City
Yes indeed! Despite the colossal budget invested by the Myanmar government, few residents have actually moved there: the city center on a Friday evening feels like a ghost town. Moreover, Naypyidaw covers an area of nearly 5,000 km² (by comparison, Paris covers about 100 km²) and is organized into small districts and dormitory towns connected to one another by massive highways.
Yet the city is also home to some rather impressive monuments. The Uppatasanti Pagoda, for example, inaugurated in 2009, is a full-scale replica of the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. It houses beautiful frescoes depicting the life of the Buddha.
The Myanmar government officially claims a population of 1 million inhabitants. However, upon visiting, it is hard to believe these figures. Most buildings and streets are empty, as are shopping malls and hotels. The few locals you may encounter are often gardeners working along the roads to maintain the greenery. The nickname “ghost city” therefore suits Naypyidaw perfectly.
As you will have understood, Naypyidaw is a very strange city with the appearance of a ghost town, standing in stark contrast to the crowded cities found elsewhere in the country, such as Yangon or Mandalay. Yet this new capital also reflects the country’s development and the constant improvement of its infrastructure.
If you would like to learn more about Myanmar and its wonders, contact Paul, our destination expert, who will be happy to advise you and help organize your tailor-made trip to Myanmar, a preserved country of contrasts that is deeply captivating.
