So much in Asia depends on the calendar. In February in Beijing, more than 20 million people all set off fireworks to celebrate Chinese New Year. In Nagaland in India, tribes from all over the region meet to compete, dance, and celebrate. In Thailand, spectators look on as celebrants perform bizarre rituals at the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.
With an intimate and unique knowledge of Asian culture, Remote Lands knows the importance of experiencing culture the right way. Whether you want an up-close view of the Sing-Sing festival in the Asaro Valley of Papua New Guinea or a quiet walk through the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Remote Lands can give travelers the best possible experience on their celebrations throughout Asia.
This beautiful and quaint candle festival marks both the start of rainy season and the Buddhist Lent period. On Asanha Bucha day, candles (which are supposed to dispel gloom with their light) are decorated and then paraded through town, eventually ending up at various temples. Expect celebrations around town for two weeks in July.
During the ninth month of each lunar year, many Buddhists make a pledge to not eat meat in the hope of improved fortune. On the island of Phuket, this is excuse enough for an all-out celebration. Two action-packed weeks see huge parades and carnivals through the streets, fireworks and of course, plenty of delicious vegetarian food.
Over several nights in October, something mysterious happens along the Mekong River at Nong Khai. Crowds flock to see huge fireballs erupting out of the water, with many claiming it's the work of the mythical serpent ‘Naga’ (others suggest it's a build-up of methane). This is a truly unique phenomenon that even scientists can’t fully explain.
Loy Krathong (floating decoration) is undoubtedly the prettiest festival in the Thai calendar. On the full moon of the 12th lunar month, locals flock to the river to release their homemade floats, containing flowers and candles. Over the surrounding three or four days, the night skies are brilliantly lit by lanterns and fireworks.
If anybody has ever visited or traveled through Lopburi, just north Bangkok, they’ll have noticed one rather peculiar thing about this town: its abundance of monkeys! As an act of appreciation, one day in November sees over 6,600 pounds of fruit, veg and sweets being donated for the primates to well and truly gorge themselves on.
Also known as the ‘Rose of the North’ due to its abundance of plant life, Chiang Mai plays host to the country’s annual Flower Festival. Throughout February the city blossoms into life, with colorful displays and parades. Suan Buak Haad Park is also transformed into a huge flower expo, showcasing the pick of the bunch.
The Sak Yant Festival is a one-day tattoo extravaganza held at Bang Pra Temple, just outside Bangkok. Specifically for devotees, the event is a chance for many to get inked up with Sanskrit scriptures - all from the end of a sharpened bamboo stick. Expect to see some weird and wonderful, almost magical things!
In April, Thailand comes to a standstill for Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year. Armed with water-guns, people take to the streets for a mass water fight. Water symbolizes the end of the dry season and also its ability to cleanse the soul, though don't expect to feel too 'cleansed' after three days of this all-out water party.
At the start of the rainy season, many northeastern Thai provinces make, decorate and ultimately launch their home-made rockets into the sky. This is part of the three-day Bun Bangfai festival, in which rockets are used to symbolize a 'reach-out' gesture to the Buddhist Gods up in heaven, who hopefully will deliver good fortune in return.
From the weird to the wonderful, the three-day Pi Ta Khon festival in the picturesque Thai province of Loei showcases a wide range of unique Buddhist rituals for both locals and tourists to enjoy. Don’t be surprised if you witness muddy men roaming around, large phallus parades or bizarre dances in equally interesting costumes.
