Luke Duggleby

MYANMAR: THE HIDDEN CAPITAL

In early November 2011 I traveled to Myanmar's new and strange capital of Naypyitaw through an invitation from Government extended to the Wall Street Journal newspaper.

This highly organised and controlled trip gave me a chance, albeit brief, to see first hand the city that until 2006 didn't exist. Surrounded by paddy field and made-up of wide multi-laned roads and huge empty developments it is impossible to know if this city will grow to the a large Asian metropolis or will remain an isolated and lifeless city of a reclusive government.

The sign welcoming people to the city.
   
A new hotel development.
   
Sprinklers keep the manicured lawns green outside a shopping centre.
     
  
Government housing.
   
A cafe inside an airplane.
   
A soldier stands guard at the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda.
     
  
Inside the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda where a Buddha Tooth relic is currently being kept, a gift from Beijing.
   
  
A Government staff member relaxes with his son.
     
  
Cleaners sweep the empty car park of the new Capital Hypermarket.
   
The enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda.
   
Devotees coming to worship at the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda where currently a Buddha's tooth relic is being kept, a gift from Beijing.
     
  
   
The sign welcoming people to the city.
   
Worshippers at the Uppatasanti Pagoda.
     
  
Devotees coming to worship at the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda where currently a Buddha's tooth relic is being kept, a gift from Beijing.
   
A new hotel development.
   
Burmese Government officials where the national dress of a sarong and sandals to a meeting.
     
  
A cafe inside an airplane and large hotel development.
   
Devotees coming to worship at the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda where currently a Buddha's tooth relic is being kept, a gift from Beijing.
   
Devotees coming to worship at the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda where currently a Buddha's tooth relic is being kept, a gift from Beijing.
     
  
Inside the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda where a Buddha Tooth relic is currently being kept, a gift from Beijing.
   
A wide and empty road.
   
A conference centre built as a gift from China.
     
  
Devotees coming to worship at the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda where currently a Buddha's tooth relic is being kept, a gift from Beijing.
   
Police security at the entrance to the enormous Uppatasanti Pagoda.