By now you may have read about several abandoned cities existing in various countries around the world. The most intriguing aspect of some of these countries is the fact that a small percentage of people still live in them, some out of compulsion and some out of desire. But this particular modern city nearly abandoned seriously takes the cake. It happens to be the capital of Burma!!
Napypidaw is the curious capital of Burma created to honor the military Junta who has ruled the country since WWII. With all the sights and infrastructure of a modern city, Naypyidaw is impressive with immaculate public gardens, skyscrapers, endless of hotels and established highways. It only lacks PEOPLE.
In November 2005, the military Junta moved the capital of Burma from Yangon to Naypyidaw which was at the time a barren wasteland. The people, of course weren’t allowed an explanation as it was an arbitrary act by one of the world’s most repressive of military regimes. The time for resettling and relocation was even chosen by government astrologers.
Rumors were ripe that the reason for the move was a strategic one to prevent any amphibious attack by the US which is why the capital was oven more inland and away from the coast.
Image Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Poverty is rampant in Burma and thus Naypyidaw was a paradox of sorts where media labeled it as the ideal representation of two contrasting worlds living side by side. Naypyidaw was a bizarre modernized city in the midst of a poverty-stricken country. Take a look at the lavish parliament buildings. Wonder where the money came from.
Image Source: www.travelnaypyitaw.org
One of the residents revealed that the buildings and domestic houses in Naypyidaw were exclusively for government representatives and staff. The local sparse population lived there only to earn money. At night the can be seen living in shacks that line the river side a common occurrence in Burma. Take a look at this young girl who only 14 is a construction laborer.
Image Source: www.diply.com
The airport which opened in 2011 has no population except for a few workers living on the site. It has never even been used. Although the city’s recorded population is set at 1 million, many insiders reveal that this is a gross exaggeration. Surprisingly though, Naypyidaw is six times larger than New York City, yet it is a barren ghost city. The image below shows the other side of Naypyidaw and what the government wouldn’t like you to see.
Image Source: www.wikimedia.org
Naypyidaw was originally meant to be a world class tourist center but this of course did not happen. Today the apartments that were built in Naypyidaw exists without people living in them. They have turned shabby and remain vacant. The most eerie aspect of Naypyidaw is its empty streets and vacant shops, restaurants and shopping centers.
Image Source: www.panos.co.uk
With the stepping down of General Than Shwe who ruled Burma from 1992 to 2011, residents have expressed that there may be some change but overall the military is still a growing power with general thein sein at the helm. However hope remains in the form of the NLD party led by Aung San Su Kyi the Nobel peace prize winner and Burma’s most famous activist who holds a post similar to that of a prime minister.
Perhaps with continued elections and the step towards total democracy, there will be changes and Naypyidaw won’t be the modern city nearly abandoned but a thriving bustling city well worth a visit. But as of now, the population is steadily dwindling and Naypyidaw is still a ghost town.
Image Source: www.dailymail.co.uk