Naypyidaw Royal City of the Sun

The capital of Myanmar is Naypyidaw and is administered as the Naypyidaw Union Territory, according to the Constitution. The capital city was built on scrub ground among rice paddies, villages, and small towns. Naypyidaw translates as “Royal City of the Sun”. Today it is a most modern city.

The Myanmar International Convention Centre (MICC) was built by the People’s Republic of China and completed on March 15, 2010. The center has a plenary hall that can accommodate 1900 people. This building has listening rooms, holding rooms, meeting rooms, a VIP summit room, a news briefing room, and a singing room. The Banquet Hall can seat 720 people.

One of the prominent landmarks in the city is the City Hall. The Naypyidaw Development Committee has established its headquarters here. State occasions are held here accompanied by the tune of the National Anthem.

The Naypyidaw Parliamentary Complex is an impressive landmark and a significant government complex. It is not typically open to the public. It serves as the seat of Myanmar's legislative branch and is comprised of two main buildings:

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Building is the primary structure where the sessions of both houses of Parliament are held. Its design reflects the cultural heritage of the country and features a traditional Burmese architectural style.

Zabuthiri Hluttaw Building houses the offices and meeting rooms for parliamentary committees and administrative functions.

People's Square is a large open area surrounded by lovely gardens, walking paths, and lawns. This is a gathering place for events, festivals, and celebrations hosting cultural performances, concerts, and community activities. Here people can enjoy strolling, picnics, or relaxing in nature. There are statues and monuments depicting historical figures and symbols of cultural heritage.

Among the highlights is the Naypyidaw Water Fountain Park with water fountain displays to choreographed music and colorful lights.

Uppatasanti Pagoda rises up 325 feet high. It was consecrated on March 9, 2009. Here visitors can see impressive religious edifices like Maha Hsutaungpyae Buddha image in the Maha Pasadabhumi Gandhakuti Chamber, four jade Buddha images in the cave of the pagoda, and the garden of 108 Sacred Bo Trees.

Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi is a lovely pagoda with a name that translates to “the pagoda that enshrines the revered Buddha's relics”. The pagoda is believed to house the sacred relics of Lord Buddha so it has become a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. It features a towering stupa adorned with intricate carvings, statues, and golden embellishments.

The National Museum is dedicated to preserving the historical, archaeological, and artistic treasures of the country. Displays include ancient artifacts, religious relics, traditional art, historical documents, and ethnographic items. Visitors can learn about Myanmar's past from prehistoric times to the present.

Among the highlights is the Lion Throne. The gilded throne was used by Myanmar's kings and queens during royal ceremonies.

Water Fountain Garden has a steel-structured archway. There is a main pond with three fountains, small ponds with fountains, a 30 ft. high clock tower, recreation centers, small gardens, stone gardens, and a ten-foot wide buggy road and footpaths.

The Gems Museum is decorated with large glass walls and lovely modern designs. Here visitors can see gems such as rubies and sapphires. On display is the largest pearl in Myanmar.

The National Landmark Garden stretches for more than 400 acres. It is the largest recreational park in Myanmar. The booths here reflect the cultural heritage of the people and foster the Union Spirit. The garden depicts the replicas of the famous pagodas, stupas, caves, river crossing bridges, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, and islands in states and divisions in Myanmar.

Naypyidaw Zoological Garden is situated on 1062 acres of land. Here visitors can see 29 species of mammals, 30 species of birds, and 12 species of reptiles. This is the largest zoo in Myanmar and is home to over 420 animals. Visitors can see such animals as elephants, tigers, leopards, kangaroos, and white tigers. Black-footed and Humboldt penguins live in an air-conditioned pool house and the zoo also has a planetarium.

There is a Safari Park that can be toured from electric canopy-covered buggies. It has been divided into sections that showcase the fauna of Africa, Asia, and Australia.

The National Herbal Park has exhibits of plants with medicinal applications from all of the major regions of Myanmar. The park has thousands of plants that represent hundreds of different species.