International media have been invited by Burma’s military rulers to visit Naypyidaw, the country’s new capital city. Like North Korea’s recent decision to allow U.S. citizens to visit, Burma’s move revolves around a huge, state-sanctioned event. In Burma’s case, it’s the country’s Armed Forces Day parade. According to the BBC’s Jonathan Head, it’s the first time outsiders have been allowed to see Naypyidaw since Burma made the confounding decision in 2005 to move the capital from Rangoon.
Head’s impressions of the city:
Naypyidaw is being built on a vast and extravagant scale in hundreds of square kilometres of tropical scrubland.
Shining new buildings rise out of tropical scrub like a mirage, separated by miles of broad highways and boulevards.
[snip]
Everywhere there is construction going on, much of it being done by manual labour.
But even after two years all that has been finished are the ministry buildings, hotels and some clusters of pastel-coloured apartment blocks.
Of course, the question remains whether travelers should even venture to Burma.
Related on World Hum:
* Burma’s Ongoing Cycle of Despair
* Big Brother in Burma
* Sleepless in Rangoon
* Iron Cross and Scott Carrier “Rock the Junta” in Burma
