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.
Set in the spectacular surrounds of Bo Lu field in Bac Kan province, Long Tong is one of the largest agricultural festivals in northern Vietnam. Literally meaning ‘going to the field’, the day-long festival includes various religious rituals alongside stilt walking, archery, ball games and all the usual farm animals.
During the first month of the Tibetan calendar, Buddhist devotees visit the temples to pray, worship, burn incense and listen to scripture recitals. At this time, the monasteries’ greatest treasures are displayed, they are particularly spectacular in Jokhang and Labrang. The monks chant and perform ritual dances called Cham.
Both locals and tourists come to Colombo every year for Navam Perahera Festival. Perahera - meaning parade - is the focal point for all to see, with elephants, dancers and entertainers taking to the streets across two days. It’s held every full moon in February (sometimes March) near the glorious Gangaramaya Temple that overlooks the Beira Lake.
This three-day annual festival celebrates the nomadic communities in Bhutan as they gather together in the countryside of Bumthang to share their traditions and cultures. There is a ceremonial parade, traditional dances are performed and games are played. Crowds gather to cook, eat and socialize together, and sell their products and crafts.
This month-long tribute to Baguio’s status as the summer capital of the Philippines celebrates the city’s beautiful flowers. It was established in 1990 to help the residents recover from the Luzon earthquake. There are colorful floats and dancers decorated with flowers that parade through the streets in a city-wide carnival.
As part of Taiwan's nationwide Lantern Festival, the remote northern town of Pingxi provides the setting for one of the most spectacular shows. On the night of the first full moon of the first lunar month, the sky is lit up with tens of thousands of lanterns, all simultaneously released, creating an incredible spectacle.
The annual festival at Punakha is of particular importance as the district is the winter home of the Abbot of Bhutan; it was introduced in order to preserve Buddhist teachings and traditions. Over three days, people make a pilgrimage to the district to hear the monks chanting scriptures and to watch the traditional historical dances.
The Naxi people celebrate this one-day festival every year to honor the jade dragon snow mountain hero who protects the Lijiang area. They visit the Sanduo statue in the temple and make ceremonial animal sacrifices. The families of the community cook and share food, while playing games set to music and dancing.
Increasingly popular, the Sapporo Snow Festival attracts visitors from all over the world for seven days of snowy fun in Hokkaido. Ice sculpture contests and sparkling artistic ice creations create a stunning winter wonderland. Visitors enjoy several snow slides and snow rafting.
The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan and this two-day festival honors the creature, while celebrating the rich ecological heritage of the area. People travel from all around to Jigme Dorji National Park in Gasa, where they go on treks, bathe in the hot springs and watch the nomadic herders weaving with raw materials.
