Naypyidaw

Naypyidaw
Naypyidaw City Hall
Naypyidaw Location of Naypyidaw, Myanmar
Coordinates: 19°45′N 96°6′E / 19.75°N 96.1°E / 19.75; 96.1Coordinates: 19°45′N 96°6′E / 19.75°N 96.1°E / 19.75; 96.1
Country	Myanmar
Admin. division	Mandalay Division
Government [1]
- Mayor	Colonel Thein Nyunt
Area [2]
- Total	2,723.7 sq mi (7,054.37 km2)
Population [3]
- Total	930,000
	2007
Area code(s)	067

Naypyidaw (Burmese: ; MLCTS: nepranytau, also spelled Nay Pyi Taw; pronounced [nèpjìdɔ̀]) is the capital of Burma, also known as Myanmar. Nay pyi daw means "Great City of the Sun",^[4] but is also translated as "abode of kings".^[2] On 6 November 2005, the administrative capital of Burma was officially moved to a greenfield site 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Pyinmana, and approximately 200 miles (320 km) north of Yangon. The capital's official name was announced on 27 March 2006, Burmese Armed Forces Day. Much of the city is still under construction, which is set to be completed by around 2012.^[5]

History

During World War II, Pyinmana was the base of the Burma Independence Army (later renamed and reorganized into the Burma Defence Army by the Japanese).^[6] It was in Pyinmana that the army and its officers were trained. Later the Burma National Army changed sides, aiding the Allies with guerrilla warfare, and the operations were seen as a victory by the Burmese. Pyinmana became an icon in the Burmese Army where it was seen as the place where 'superior invaders' were defeated by the Burmese.

Naypyidaw itself has a short history, having been founded in late 2005. The military government began moving government ministries from Yangon to Naypyidaw on 6 November 2005 at the astrologically auspicious time of 6:37 a.m.^[7] Five days later, on 11 November at 11 a.m., a second convoy of 1,100 military trucks carrying 11 military battalions and 11 government ministries left Yangon. The ministries were expected to be mostly in place by the end of February 2006; however, the hasty move led to a lack of schools and other amenities which separated the government employees from their families for the time being. The government originally prohibited families of government workers from moving to the new capital.^[8] Military headquarters were located in a separate compound from the government ministries, and civilians have been banned from entering either. Vendors are restricted to a commercial zone near the government offices. For official works, officers use "NPT" as a synonym.

Naypyidaw is more centrally, and strategically, located than the old capital Yangon. It is also a transportation hub located adjacent to the Shan, Kayah and Karen states. It was felt that a stronger military and governmental presence nearby might provide stability to those chronically turbulent regions.^[9] 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.^[2]

However, this explanation seems illogical and unreasonable to most Myanmar people.^{[citation needed]} The moving of the capital has rather been considered a tricky political tactic by the government, possibly also a superstitious move,^[10] or a fear from attack by a foreign country.^[11] The move is also considered as one of the worst urban planning projects of the century. Indian journalist Siddharth Varadarajan, who visited Naypyidaw in January 2007, described the vastness of the new capital as "the ultimate insurance against regime change, a masterpiece of urban planning designed to defeat any putative ‘colour revolution’ – not by tanks and water cannons, but by geometry and cartography".^[12]

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—which is the anniversary of Burma's 1945 uprising against Japanese occupation. Filming was restricted to the concrete parade ground which contains three enormous sculptures—depictions of the Burmese kings Anawrahta, Bayinnaung and Alaungpaya who are considered the three most important kings in Burmese history. The city was officially named Naypyidaw during the ceremonies.^[13]

Geography

Districts

Located near Pyinmana town in Mandalay Division, Naypyidaw consists of the city proper (downtown) and three surrounding townships, Pyinmana, Lewe and Tatkon. Downtown is further divided into four wards: Zeya Theiddhi, Pyinnya Theiddhi, Bawga Theiddhi, Mingala Theiddhi.

Certain areas are set aside for civil servants in colourful apartment blocks.^[14] The military leaders of Burma live 11km away from regular government employees in a complex said to consist of tunnels and bunkers, which the public are prohibited from viewing.^[14] The city also has a military zone, which is also inaccessible to citizens or other personnel without written permission.^[5]

Facilities

There are little facilities in the new capital. A huge zoo was constructed with a climate-controlled penguin house, four golf courses and a gem museum.^[14] A hospital opened in 2006.^[5] The city also has little in the way of convenience stores, shops or restaurants – apart from Myowma market. A large pagoda is being constructed, modelled on the Shwedagon Pagoda in the former capital Yangon, as well as a new presidential house for the upcoming 2010 general elections.^[14] A "hotel zone", constructed allegedly due to insistence of the junta to attract tourism, consists of nine establishments.^[14]

Communications

There is no mobile phone coverage in the city, nor are there plans to introduce it. Private telephone lines to employees living in government apartments are not allowed, so public telephones must be used.^[8] Naypyidaw is the only place in Burma where electricity is avaliable 24 hours a day.^[14][15]

Transport

Public transport services are limited between neighbourhoods.^[14] There are wide, eight-lane motorways that approach the capital.^[16]

Rail

Naypyidaw Station is on Burma's main Yangon-Mandalay rail line. It takes nine hours by train to get from Yangon to Naypyidaw. Trains leave at 12:00 and arrive at 21:30 local time.^[17]

Air

Naypyidaw Airport, located 10 miles (16 km) southeast of the city, is served by all domestic airlines--Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Myanma Airways and Yangon Airways--with regular flights to Yangon and other cities across the country.^[18] Since April 2009, the airport is undergoing major construction to handle up to 3.5 million passengers per year.^[19]

Buses

Government ministries run shuttle buses in the morning and evening to their respective buildings.^[20]

Taxis

The city has only one private taxi company, which is owned by the military.^[14]

Entertainment

The Myanmar Academy Awards are held annually in Naypyidaw given to the highest achievers in Burmese cinema.

Footnotes

External links

• Nay Pyi Taw - A photo album
• Inside Napyidaw, The Flying Dutchman blog, 15 June 2007 (one of first two tourists to visit Naypyidaw, includes lots of photos)
• Abode of Kings in a Derelict Kingdom, Disposable Words blog, 15 June 2007 (other of first two tourists to visit Naypyidaw, more photos)