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.
Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar calendar for Singapore’s vast Chinese community. Inevitably, the best place to see the celebrations is in Chinatown, which is lit for 15 days by bright lights and decked with traditional red lanterns. There are also traditional parades, live music, dance shows and cultural exhibitions.
This three-day festival is celebrated by Malaysian Chinese throughout the country. Houses, temples and streets are cleaned and decorated, families come together for reunion meals, children receive red packets of money and there are dragon and lion dances in the street. Fireworks are set off and there is a festive atmosphere.
Visitors flock to Iloilo City for this celebratory day held in honor of the child Jesus and of the arrival of Malay settlers on Panay. There are parades of flotillas on the water and a carnival in the street where the locals dress in colorful costumes and perform energetic street dances to music and drumming.
The Dubai Shopping Festival is one month of retail heaven, which really kicks of the new calendar year in style. Alongside bargains on electronics and clothes, this government-organized festival includes street shows, mini films festivals, international fashion shows and fireworks over the iconic Dubai harbor.
Starting in January and concluding in March, the Dubai World Cup Carnival provides a great spectacle for avid punters and horse racing enthusiasts. The international racing event typically features a total of 32 races with both thoroughbred and purebred Arabian horses.
Duruthu Perahera is an important day for Sri Lankan Buddhism, as it is said that this was when the Buddha made a visit to the island country. Head to Colombo for the best taste of celebrations, where you’ll find locals performing rituals at Buddhist temples alongside lively parades in the streets creating a carnival atmosphere.
Eid Al Fitr is one of the most important religious festivals in the Islamic calendar and is widely observed in Qatar. Marking the end of Ramadan, the whole country comes alive and locals head out to celebrate with friends and family. Firework displays and festivities are held at Katara Cultural Village, while lights, banners, displays, and musical performances occur in various locations including the seafront, malls, and major souks. Travelers should note that almost all businesses close during this time though the festive mood and the chance to see locals in their best traditional clothing make it a special time to visit.
The Black Nazarene is a life-sized statue of Christ carrying the cross. On January 9th, Catholics flock to Manila to see it carried by barefoot men around the city to depict the stations of the cross. The people line the street to watch the procession and hope for the chance to touch the statue, believed to be miraculous.
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.
