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.
On the eve of every full moon, the quaint town of Hoi An switches off its lights. However, this doesn’t mean it plunges into darkness. Instead, the town is lit up by candles, and glowing lanterns are released into the sky. Popular amongst both tourists and locals, the spiritual atmosphere really makes for an unforgettable experience.
One noteworthy festival of the remote H’mong ethnic group is Gau Tao or San Sai Festival, which roughly translates to ‘walking on the mountain’. This is a chance for all the villagers to dress up, showing off their best clothes and new costumes over the course of three days. Elsewhere, you'll see games, singing and traditional ceremonies.
This lively two-day dance festival in Sapa District (Lao Cai Province) is held as part of Vietnamese New Year (Tet). The elaborate dance styles on show represent heavenly figures who are supposed to come down to earth to join in the Tet celebrations. Vibrant colors and statue bathing are also on display throughout the village.
As part of the Tet New Year celebrations, villages hold rice cooking contests on the first day of the lunar year. You won’t find any electric rice cookers here; contestants must use dried sugar cane for fire whilst floating in bamboo boat. Expect the action to start at sunrise, with over 200 people all cooking to the sound of a drum.
The three-month Yen Tu Festival, held within a majestic mountain range in northeastern Vietnam, starts on the 10th day of the first lunar month. After holding a small ritual at the base of Yen Tu Mountain, tens of thousands of pilgrims journey to a shrine at the summit in an effort to realize personal dreams or get rid of sorrow.
