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.
Independence Day commemorates the day Cambodia became independent from French rule in 1953. The celebrations are centered on Phnom Penh, where a ceremony takes place at Independence Monument, presided over by the King. There is a parade with floats and music in front of the Royal Palace and the people wave flags in the street.
This five-day festival is held at the Jambay Lhakhang monastery in Bumthang, an ancient temple deemed particularly sacred by Guru Rimpoche. Traditional dance performances common to most Tsechus take place but most popular is a remarkable sacred ritual held at midnight when monks take part in naked fire dancing.
Visitors will find the Kenu and Kundu Festival along the beautiful bay in the equally stunning town of Alotau, Milne Bay Province. As both drums and canoes play a significant role in the lives of locals here, expect to see them in rich supply during this 3-day cultural show. There’s also a host of arts and crafts, music and plays.
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.
Oman celebrates its National Day on November 18th, commemorating its independence from the Portuguese in 1650. The late Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s birthday was November 19th, so the country usually celebrates for two days in a row with parades, fireworks, camel races and bullfights throughout the country.
The four-day Ok Om Bok Festival in Soc Trang is a chance for Vietnam’s Khmer ethnic group to celebrate, whilst also thanking their Moon Goddess for any good fortune from the past year. Spiritual ceremonies are combined with mass lantern making sessions (and releasing), as well as the festival's highlight: a canoe boat race.
Water sports enthusiasts gather for this annual, two-day event, which historically celebrates peace between warring tribes. As well as racing traditional, decorated long boats, the teams of rowers from all over ASEAN take part in a range of other events, competing for cash prizes. There is also a food festival and golf tournament.
Also known as the Sonepur Cattle Fair, this fall event is one of the largest cattle fairs in the world. Visitors from all over Asia make their way to Sonepur, Bihar, on the banks of the River Ganges, for the ancient festival that can stretch from 15 days to one month. Farm animals from dogs, to rabbits and Persian horses are sold at the event.
A symbol of nationalism throughout Georgia, This holiday commemorates the torture and martyrdom of St. George on the wheel for refusing to make sacrifices to Roman gods. Accounts claim that Saint George had appeared to soldiers in the midst of battle and among the Georgian people St. George, or Giorgi, is regarded as a patron of the nation. Churches throughout Georgia hold remembrances in his honor.
