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.
Visitors are able to swim around the Samosir, party at the Sigale-Gale Carnival, take a ride on a Solu Bolon Royal Boat, paraglide, dance at a live concert and more at the week-long Lake Toba Festival. Traditional workshops and games help promote Indonesian culture as the festival strives to preserve the area’s cultural creativity.
The day before the full moon, young women from the surrounding villages bring offerings of fruits and cakes to the Manuha Pagoda and the men march in a grand carnival procession with paper statues of gods and animals. During the evening there are traditional performances and in the morning, monks are invited and presented with alms.
This three-day festival includes a one-day public holiday and is celebrated throughout China. Traditionally observed to give thanks to the moon for the harvest, nowadays it is often referred to as Moon Cake Festival and families celebrate together, eating cakes, sending up lanterns to the full moon and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
The Mid-Autumn Festival brings with it the famous ´moon cakes´ (originating from the Yuan dynasty), fiery dragon parades and a spectacular lantern exhibition in Victoria Park.
On this public holiday, businesses throughout the DPRK are closed and families enjoy time relaxing together. There are rallies, ceremonies and performances on a huge scale in public areas as well as sporting competitions and displays, to celebrate the withdrawal of occupying foreign forces and the founding of the nation in 1948.
Our Lady of Penafrancia is a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and every year, devotees visit Naga city for nine days of festivities to honor her. They attend mass and enjoy street processions, feasts and fireworks. On the ninth day, the people line the banks of the river to see the statue sail past on a barge in a huge fluvial procession.
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda lies in the middle of the Inle Lake and is home to five gold leaf-covered statues of Buddha. Every year, four of the Buddhas are placed in the royal barge which is led by boats driven by leg-rowers. The barge procession visits the surrounding villages and the statues are housed in the monasteries overnight.
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.
A nationwide celebration of the country’s unique wine culture, this harvest festival is an important autumn holiday for all Georgians, featuring traditional music and feasting. Rtveli lasts for several days and events are held at large and small vineyards and wineries throughout the country, during which many guests can take part in the wine harvest.
This annual holiday commemorates the renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by royal decree of King Abdul Aziz Al Saud in 1932 after he conquered and unified the state. This day was made a national holiday in 2005 and is celebrated with folk dances, songs, and traditional festivities. Roads and buildings are decorated with Saudi flags and people wear the national colors of green and white.
