24 Hours in Nay Pyi Taw: Fun Things to Do and See
Travelling to Nay Pyi Taw—or Naypyidaw, as it is commonly misspelt—Myanmar’s administrative and political capital? You may be wondering where the interesting places to visit in Nay Pyi Taw are.
Most tourists would probably have heard of the two must-see Nay Pyi Taw attractions that everybody is talking about: Uppatasanti Pagoda, a replica of Yangon’s esteemed Shwedagon Pagoda; and the 20-lane Nay Pyi Taw highway, an oversized structure that serves only a smattering of vehicles on a regular day.
Fortunately, these are not the only Nay Pyi Taw places of interest that are worth visiting. Read on for PARKROYAL Nay Pyi Taw’s travel itinerary for a day or two in this unusual city, where you can enjoy the following:
- Tour the Most Famous Places in Nay Pyi Taw
- Visit Unusual Hidden Gems around Nay Pyi Taw
- Enjoy the Nay Pyi Taw Nightlife: Food, Shopping, and Fun
Sit back, relax, and make notes as you discover what you can do for your Nay Pyi Taw holidays!
1. Tour the Most Famous Places in Nay Pyi Taw
The sprawling city of Nay Pyi Taw isn’t made for walking, so your best bet would be to hire a taxi for the day. Taxis are fairly affordable in Nay Pyi Taw, albeit slightly pricier than other major cities in Myanmar—a single ride can cost about K5,000 (USD3.25) to K10,000 (USD6.50).
If you try to book a taxi on the street for the day, you may be asked to pay anything from USD50 to USD90. For better rates, check with your hotel concierge for recommendations. You can also consider hiring a tuk tuk (motorbike taxi), where the fare for a single ride typically begins at 1,000 kyats (USD 0.67).
Once you’ve arranged for transportation, begin exploring Nay Pyi Taw at its most popular attraction, the Uppatasanti Pagoda. Even if you’ve visited the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, it’s still worthwhile to make a stop at the Uppatasanti Pagoda—this monumental edifice lets you revel in its golden splendour without jostling with crowds. Who knows, you may even experience the true meaning of contemplative solitude here.
History buffs should also visit the Nay Pyi Taw Bagan. A 12-minute drive away from the Uppatasanti Pagoda and the site of ancient stupas, this attraction is said to contain remnants from Myanmar’s Pyu Era, dating back more than 2,000 years ago.
More of the city’s treasures await you at the National Herbal Park, home to over 20,000 herbal and medicinal plants that represent about 700 species from all around Myanmar. The herbal park is part of the government’s efforts to protect the herbs from extinction, and promote greater visibility of the country’s traditional medicines.
For lunch, head to the Daw Saw Ye Da Nu Phyu restaurant for a hearty meal of Burmese curries, or the Shwe Si Daw buffet restaurant for a sumptuous spread of Burmese specialities.
Round up your explorations by driving along Myanmar’s 20-lane highway to reach the Hluttaw (pronounced “lu taw”), Myanmar’s imposing parliament complex comprising 31 buildings. The number “31” is significant in Buddhism, the majority religion in Myanmar—Buddhists believe there are 31 realms that humans can be reborn into, subject to how you lead your existing life.
Note: To gain entry to the Hluttaw, you will need to ask a local contact (e.g. your hotel concierge) to apply for a permit on your behalf at least five days in advance.
Get directions to Uppatasanti Pagoda
Get directions to Nay Pyi Taw Bagan
Get directions to National Herbal Park
Get directions to Daw Saw Ye Da Nu Phyu Restaurant
Get directions to Shwe Si Daw Restaurant
2. Visit Unusual Hidden Gems around Nay Pyi Taw
If you are staying overnight in Nay Pyi Taw, or simply prefer to explore attractions known only to locals, arrange for your driver to take you to Mount Sin Phyu for a morning hike. Your hour-long drive will take you on a rustic route that passes through local villages.
Getting to the top of Mount Sin Phyu won’t be particularly strenuous—choose to hike up or take the stairs (a 20-minute climb) and be duly rewarded with a stunning view of the lush surroundings.
Up for a longer day trip to a less accessible—but infinitely more rewarding—location? Pack a picnic basket, grab your swim gear, and head to the Nant Mon Gyi waterfall. Hailed as Myanmar’s “blue lagoon,” the attraction has only recently become more popular, thanks to publicity by social media influencers such as a former Miss Myanmar.
A trip to the Nant Mon Gyi waterfall involves a three-hour drive from Nay Pyi Taw, as well as a ferry ride from the Pinlaung Township. Finding your way there on your own may be challenging because of the dearth of location information (in English) online. To arrange your visit, it’s best to check with your hotel.
For guests at PARKROYAL Nay Pyi Taw, our concierge can help to hire a car to take you to the waterfall. These are the rates:
Alphard car: USD120 (full day, 10hrs)
Crown car: USD80 (full day, 10 hrs)
You can also contact taxi services or tour operators that organise visits to the waterfall for advice, such as Happiness Car Rental and DORA Travels & Tours.
Get directions to Mount Sin Phyu
3. Enjoy the Nay Pyi Taw Nightlife: Food, Shopping, and Fun
It’s not well publicised, but there is a fledgling nightlife scene here in Nay Pyi Taw. Some bars (complete with “live” music) that you can relax and unwind in include Breeze Bar, the Royal Maharsan Bar & Restaurant, Angels Sports Bar, and the VIP Unplugged Bar & Restaurant.
For evening shopping, take a taxi to Myoma Market, which has all the bustle and colour you would expect of a local market. It’s also a great chance to try the local Myanmar street food. For a real bargain, look for melons, mangoes, and dry ingredients—you’ll hardly find such low prices elsewhere! Myoma market is open from 6:00am in the morning, while its night bazaar runs till about 9:00pm on most nights.
Prefer a more conventional shopping and dining experience? The three-storey Junction Centre shopping mall has everything you need—restaurants, shops, a supermarket, and even a cinema. If you are a guest at PARKROYAL Nay Pyi Taw, Junction Centre is just eight minutes away by car.
For guests at PARKROYAL Nay Pyi Taw who are also Black Pan Pacific DISCOVERY members, you can redeem a “Chef’s Special Dinner Menu with Traditional Dance Performance” experience during your stay. Spend a languid evening at the poolside with a companion, lingering over an eight-course meal that showcases the best of Myanmar’s cuisine—with dishes specially crafted by PARKROYAL Nay Pyi Taw’s executive chef. As you sip on the complimentary champagne, you will also be treated to a local dance performance with a unique emphasis on fast-paced and sharp, angular movements.
Get directions to Royal Maharsan Bar & Restaurant
Get directions to Angels Sports Bar
Get directions to VIP Unplugged Bar & Restaurant
Get directions to Myoma Market
Get directions to Junction Centre
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