Burma forum

Nay Pyi Taw

lukebp

longtail driver
Posts: 5

I'm just curious if anyone has visited the new capital of Myanmar. I wanted to go when I was there, but heard mixed reports of whether it was allowed for foreigners to do so. I did however pass through in the middle of the night during the bus journey, and it seemed like the strangest place in the entire world. Wide, empty streets, with hundreds of streetlights lighting up absolutely nothing, while the rest of the country was lucky to get a few hours of electricity a day.

Anyone?

#1 Posted: 24/9/2009 - 02:49
idreamofdur-
ian

som tam seller
Posts: 554
Located in:

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The official status is that it's off-limits, but I found these which suggest that it *is* possible to visit:

http://www.sequential-one.com/blog/?p=895

http://willthedutch.blogspot.com/2007/06/inside-naypyidaw.html

I didn't visit when I was there earlier this year -- I just assumed it was off limits like all the guide books say. If you go, can I come too? :)

#2 Posted: 24/9/2009 - 15:31

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idreamofdurian.com - the bloggings of a Canadian girl in Asia long-term
anotherlost-
soul

flashpacker
Posts: 34

You can go to some parts of the new city ... but there's precious little to see. I wouldn't bother.

#3 Posted: 25/9/2009 - 15:21
SBE

mahout
Posts: 1661
Located in:

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I was there about a month after the new capital became "official". All I remember is that there were lengthy middle of the night military checks when went past the town in a bus. Nothing to see but soldiers and administrators I expect.

Has anyone been to Pyin U Lwin recently? The road is very good from Mandalay (it gets a lot worse afterwards). There's a big military academy there and it was literally overrun with military when I was there. Army personnel were occupying all the "non governmental hotels" mentioned in LP so I had to find somewhere else non governmental to stay.

#4 Posted: 25/9/2009 - 17:24
lukebp

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Thanks for those links - very interesting photos.

I heard a rumour that the senior generals don't even live in Nay Pyi Taw, but in Pyin U Lwin. Maybe that's what that was all about?

#5 Posted: 26/9/2009 - 14:55
anotherlost-
soul

flashpacker
Posts: 34

There's a lot of development slated for the Pyin Oo Lwin area - lot's of money coming in.

#6 Posted: 26/9/2009 - 17:30
peaceinBURM-
Anow

longtail driver
Posts: 10

how about a shopping tour in Nay Pyi Taw?
http://business.globaltimes.cn/world/2009-08/458061.html

or this one:

"It is expected that Nay Pyi Taw will be further developed in the next decade to possess the characteristics of a city."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/24/content_12698450.htm

no seriously, I completely agree with lukebp, travelling through there at night was one bizarre experience. Not sure about being able to stay for Westerners

#7 Posted: 17/3/2010 - 23:09