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.
Sometimes referred to as the Winter Festival, New Year of Dong is celebrated by the Dong ethnic group in Guizhou province. The Dong communities come together to celebrate the harvest; wearing traditional dress, they entertain friends and relatives, share food and join the celebrations with Lusheng music, dancing and bullfighting.
To celebrate the start of the Christmas period, thousands of visitors flock to San Fernando to see this spectacular festival. Each barrio spends a year designing and making enormous colorful plastic lanterns arranged in beautiful, intricate patterns and lit with high-tech, computerized lights, competing for the top spot in the lights competition.
This 10-day annual festival in India’s northeastern region of Nagaland brings together a wide variety of local tribes, who perform their traditional dances and folk songs for all to see, wearing traditional dress. Held at Naga Heritage Village, constructed for the event, there are also fun competitions, a large market, and more.
This two-day holiday celebrated every December 16th and 17th is the most important day on the national calendar which commemorates the nation’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The day is marked by festivities in the presidential palace, traditional yurt tents are set up across villages serving local delicacies, and locals dress up in traditional dress.
Since 2007, the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open has been attracting golfers from around the world. The event is staged at the Phokeethra Country Club, just 15 miles from Siem Reap. Many golfers and spectators take advantage of the great location and head to nearby Angkor – when they’re not due on the golf course that is!
Mountain biking events, a carving workshop along with handicraft, textile and culinary exhibitions create an exciting festival in the breathtaking Sulawesi mountain landscape. Part of the series of events coined “The Lovely December Events,” the three-day festival celebrates the rich culture of Toraja.
Occurring annually in December, Qatar National Day originally celebrated the nation’s independence from Britain and now instead honors Sheikh Jassem bin Mohamed bin Thani, considered to be the father of Qatar. Several activities are organized throughout the week including fire works, a classic car show, heritage-themed events held at Katara Cultural Village, and the grand National Day Parade.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims make the lofty journey to the summit of Adam’s Peak, or Samanalakande (Butterfly Mountain). Starting from Poya Day (in December) and running all the through to Vesak Festival in May the following year, worshippers don their walking boots for the grueling 7,000-foot climb to the peak’s Buddhist temple.
22 Days of offerings paint the month of January with a sense of religious stoicism in Bagan. Monks wait in long lines as their alm bowls are filled with crops. Bullock cart-bearing pilgrims travel to the festival to peddle their goods, while market stalls and restaurants offer up delicious cuisine on the fairgrounds.
