Which city became Myanmar's capital in 2005, replacing Yangon?

Naypyidaw became Myanmar’s capital in 2005, replacing Yangon as the country’s administrative centre. The government officially moved much of its machinery to the newly built city on 6 November 2005.

Naypyidaw was constructed on a greenfield site near Pyinmana, roughly 320 kilometres north of Yangon. Its name was publicly revealed during Armed Forces Day celebrations on 27 March 2006. The Burmese name is commonly translated as “abode of the king” or “royal capital.”

The city was deliberately planned on a very large scale, with separated zones for ministries, housing, hotels, recreation, and military facilities. Its broad multi-lane roads and spacious government districts became internationally famous, especially because traffic was often light compared with the city’s enormous infrastructure.

Yangon remains Myanmar’s largest city and a major commercial and cultural centre, so it is still sometimes mistaken for the national capital. Mandalay, Mawlamyine, and Bagan are also historically important places, but none replaced Yangon as Myanmar’s administrative capital.