THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 265

Next to the distinctive, flying-saucer-shaped Maniradanar Jade Hall exhibition centre, the
modest, one-room Gems Museum serves up a decent overview of Myanmar's gem produc-
tion. On show are assorted rubies, sapphire, lots of jade and the country's largest pearl, al-
though few visitors find it worth the inflated admission price.
Zoological Gardens and Safari Park
Zeyar Thiri, a 45min drive northeast of the centre • Zoological Gardens Tues-Sun 8.30am-8pm • $10 Safari
Park Tues-Sun 8.30am-4.30pm • $20 • A taxi to the zoo will cost around $25-30 return
Naypyitaw's modern Zoological Gardens and Safari Park make for a surprisingly enjoy-
able half-day trip, though since it's more or less in the middle of nowhere few people make
the effort. The twin attractions were opened in 2011, with animals housed in Yangon's crum-
bling old zoo being located to the new facility. A Burmese comedian, hearing that Yangon's
zoological attractions were following in the steps of the city's government officials, joked
that “All the animals are going to Naypyitaw” - and promptly found himself jailed for his
pains.
Occupying a sixty-acre complex, the Zoological Gardens are home to over six hundred
animals, with a good selection of international wildlife including white tigers, leopards, ele-
phants and kangaroos. The Safari Park next door offers tours in electric buggies and the
chance to spot further wildlife in three separate zones showcasing the fauna of Asia, Africa
and Australia.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: NAYPYITAW
By plane Naypyitaw's shiny new airport ( nptia.com ) is 16km southeast of the centre. A
taxi from here into town (there are no buses) will cost around K10,000.
Destinations Heho (1 daily; 40min); Mandalay (3 daily; 50min); Yangon (5 daily; 1hr).
By bus The main Myoma Bus Station is on Yan Myo Thant Sin Rd, around 6km northwest
of the hotel zone. Approaching from the south you may be able to hop off on Yaza Thingaha
Rd, where most of the city's hotels are located.
Destinations Hpa-An (2 daily; 9hr); Hsipaw (3 daily; 12hr); Kalaw (1 daily; 5hr); Lashio
(daily; 13hr); Mandalay (7 daily; 4hr); Mawlamyine (2 daily; 11-12hr); Meiktila (7 daily;
3hr); Pyin Oo Lwin (2 daily; 8hr); Taungoo (5 daily; 2hr 30min); Yangon (10 daily; 6hr).
Bytrain The hugerailway station isinamassively inconvenient location 14kmnorthofUp-
patasanti Pagoda, a $15 taxi journey from town.
Destinations Bago (5 daily; 7-8hr); Mandalay (2 daily; 6-7hr); Taungoo (3 daily; 2hr
30min); Thazi (3 daily; 3hr); Yangon (3 daily; 9-10hr).
GETTING AROUND
Bymotorbiketaxi Naypyitawiswaytoobigtoeventhinkaboutwalkingaround.Motorbike
taxis hang out around many of the hotels, Capital Hypermarket Centre, Junction Centre and