Top places to visit in Naypyidaw

• Uppatasanti Pagoda

  Temple · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h

  An almost exact replica of Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda — also 98 metres tall — built in Naypyidaw in 2008. The interior houses royal gifts including a jade Buddha and elaborate Burmese lacquerware on public display.

• Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens

  Wildlife · 4.1 rating · about 3 h · entry MMK 3,000

  One of Southeast Asia's largest zoos — housing white elephants (Myanmar's most auspicious animals), white tigers, giraffes, and an extensive collection of native Burmese wildlife. The open-plan safari section is traversable by golf cart.

• King Statues, Naypyidaw

  Heritage · 3.9 rating · about 0.3 h

  Three giant bronze statues of Myanmar kings Anawrahta, Bayinnaung and Alaungpaya.

• Myanmar Gems Museum

  Museum · 4.0 rating · about 1.5 h · entry MMK 3,000

  A purpose-built showcase for Myanmar's world-famous gemstone industry — rubies, sapphires, jade, and pearls from Mogok and Hpakant — with displays on rough and polished stones, mining tools, and certification.

• Naypyidaw National Landmarks Garden

  Cultural · 3.9 rating · about 2 h · entry MMK 3,000

  An outdoor heritage park displaying scale replicas of Myanmar's 27 most iconic pagodas, palaces, and monuments in a beautifully landscaped setting. A quirky but effective way to survey the country's architectural heritage.

• National Museum of Myanmar Naypyidaw

  Museum · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · entry MMK 5,000

  The capital's main museum displaying Myanmar's national history, ethnology of 135 ethnic groups, traditional costumes, handicrafts, and royal artefacts. More comprehensive than the Yangon branch.

• Naypyidaw Safari Park

  Wildlife · about 1.5 h

  Open-range wildlife safari park adjoining the Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens, opened 2011.

• Ngalaik Lake Gardens

  Nature · about 1.5 h

  Resort park on Ngalaik Dam lake with a water park, slides and an artificial beach.

• Naypyidaw Water Fountain Garden

  Activity · 3.9 rating · about 1 h

  165-acre garden with 13 fountains and a nightly music-and-light fountain show.

• National Herbal Park

  Nature · 3.9 rating · about 1 h

  An 81-hectare park cultivating over 700 species of medicinal plants.

• Thapye Chaung Market

  Market · 3.8 rating · about 0.5 h

  Local produce and goods market in the Pyinmana area of Naypyidaw.

• Myoma Market

  Market · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h

  Main commercial and wet market serving Naypyidaw residents.

Things to do

• White Elephant Sanctuary Visit Wildlife · 2 h · from MMK 44,100 per person
• Naypyidaw Landmark City Tour Sightseeing · 5 h · from MMK 61,800 per person
• Naypyidaw Bicycle Heritage Discovery Cycling · 3 h · from MMK 35,300 per person

Day trips and tours

• Naypyidaw Wonders Full Day 10 h · from MMK 143,000
• Naypyidaw Highlights Half Day 4 h · from MMK 70,600

Where to stay in Naypyidaw

• Hotel Zone about MMK 7,000 per night

  The purpose-built hotel district of Naypyidaw lines Yaza Thingaha Road with international chain hotels, wide boulevards and the Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens. The only practical base for tourists in this vast capital.

• Museum & Zoo Quarter about MMK 6,500 per night

  The cultural precinct holds Myanmar's finest national museum, the gem museum and the zoological gardens. Walking distance between all three; a driver is still needed for the parliamentary and pagoda zones.

Hotels

• Kempinski Hotel Naypyidaw 5-star · MMK 200,000 to MMK 500,000 per night
• Royal Kaytumadi Hotel 4-star · MMK 80,000 to MMK 170,000 per night
• Hilton Nay Pyi Taw 4.5-star · MMK 140,000 to MMK 300,000 per night
• The Hotel Myat Taw Win 3.5-star · MMK 60,000 to MMK 120,000 per night
• Apex Hotel Naypyidaw 3-star · MMK 45,000 to MMK 90,000 per night
• Grand Amara Hotel 5-star · MMK 150,000 to MMK 320,000 per night

Where to eat

• MinGaLaBar Burmese · about MMK 4,000 per person
• Yadanarbon Restaurant Burmese · about MMK 5,000 per person
• Ocean Restaurant Naypyidaw Chinese, Seafood · about MMK 10,000 per person
• Royal Kaytumadi Hotel Restaurant International, Burmese · about MMK 18,000 per person
• Mandalay Paradise Food Corner Myanmar · about MMK 4,000 per person
• YKKO Kyay-Oh Myanmar, Chinese · about MMK 4,000 per person
• TAI KITCHEN Thai · about MMK 4,000 per person
• Shwe Si Daw Myanmar · about MMK 3,800 per person

Getting around

• Bicycle main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Car With Driver main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Tuktuk main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking

  Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unofficial photography "fine" collection

  Near ministry buildings and military zones, Naypyidaw

  Plain-clothed individuals approach tourists who have photographed restricted areas and claim an on-the-spot fine. Real photography violations result in police station processing, not cash fines from individuals.

  How to avoid it: Never photograph military buildings, checkpoints or government ministries regardless of who asks. If approached, stay calm, do not pay cash to individuals, and request to be taken to an official police station.

• Unlicensed "official" tour guides

  Hotel zone and tourist sites, Naypyidaw

  Individuals posing as licensed government tour guides offer assistance, then charge inflated fees or steer tours toward closed or restricted sites to justify the price.

  How to avoid it: Book guides through your hotel or the Myanmar Tourism Federation. Licensed guides carry a photo ID and credential card issued by the government. Ask to see it before engaging.

More in Myanmar

• Bagan
• Yangon
• Nyaungshwe
• Mandalay
• Kyaiktiyo
• Ngapali