Top places to visit in Naypyidaw

• Uppatasanti Pagoda

  golden pagoda · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  zoo · 4.1 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

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

• Myanmar Gems Museum

  gems museum · 4.0 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  heritage park · 3.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  national history museum · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

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

• Ngalaik Lake Gardens

  Nature · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

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

• National Herbal Park

  Nature · 3.9 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

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

• Thapye Chaung Market

  Market · 3.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

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

• Myoma Market

  Market · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Naypyidaw

Airport: Naypyidaw (NYT)

How visitors arrive in Naypyidaw

• Bus from Yangon By road from Yangon · common

  Buses run along the expressway from Yangon to the capital and arrive at Myoma Bus Station; Wikivoyage says locals mainly travel this way. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight to Naypyidaw airport By air from Bangkok · common

  Domestic airlines serve the airport, with a direct flight from Bangkok; mainly foreign visitors and wealthier locals fly. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train from Yangon By train from Yangon · possible

  Trains run from Yangon to Naypyitaw Central station, which is far from the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Bago By road from Bago · possible

  Buses also run from Bago. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Train from Yangon

  The railway station is far from the centre and the hotels, further out than the bus station, so plan onward transport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Highway bus to Myoma bus station

  Buses from Yangon and Bago arrive at Myoma bus station in the north of the city. This is the option most locals use. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bicycle
• Car With Driver

  Distances in the capital are long, and hotels can help arrange a taxi for getting between places.

• Tuktuk

  Tuk-tuks, known locally as thaw lar gyi, are among the transport options in the capital alongside taxis and motorbike taxis.

• Walking

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.

Best time to visit Naypyidaw

• Jan 29°C
• Feb 33°C
• Mar 36°C
• Apr 37°C
• May 33°C
• Jun 29°C
• Jul 28°C
• Aug 28°C
• Sep 29°C
• Oct 30°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 29°C

More in Myanmar

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

Frequently asked questions about Naypyidaw

How many days do you need in Naypyidaw?

A typical trip to Naypyidaw is 1 day.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Naypyidaw?

The highest-rated places in our Naypyidaw guide are Uppatasanti Pagoda, National Museum of Myanmar Naypyidaw, Naypyidaw Zoological Gardens, Myanmar Gems Museum, Myoma Market.

Where should I stay in Naypyidaw?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Naypyidaw: Hotel Zone, Museum & Zoo Quarter.

How do I get around Naypyidaw?

Ways to get around Naypyidaw covered in our guide: Bicycle, Car with driver, Tuk-tuk, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Naypyidaw?

Scams reported to us for Naypyidaw include Unofficial photography "fine" collection; Unlicensed "official" tour guides. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Naypyidaw?

Average daytime highs in Naypyidaw run from 28°C in Jul to 37°C in Apr.

Which airport is nearest to Naypyidaw?

The nearest airport to Naypyidaw has the code NYT.