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.
For just over a week, people from all over Myanmar come to the Shwe Sar Yan and neighbouring Po Kalar Gu pagodas to visit the relics of Buddha, see the painted murals and buy the traditional toys and crafts woven from palm leaves. Many also cross the Dot-hta-waddy River on small boats to visit nearby Pagodas.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most sacred to Buddhists in Myanmar and for a week before the full moon, hundreds of people make a pilgrimage to the temple to walk up the steps and listen to the monks who chant continuously. They give offerings and donations to the images and relics of Buddha and compete to weave holy robes over night.
The Kaohsiung Neimen Songjiang Battle Array Competition invites teams from across Taiwan to converge on the Zizhu Temple in Neimen for 12 days of martial arts demonstrations and contests. This 10-year-old event, held in March and April, also aims to promote this ancient art of battle whilst preserving its role in reflecting Taiwanese identity.
This increasingly popular festival brings together more than 25 ethnic groups from Tawau in Sabah as well as Johore Bahru and Sarawak. There are presentations and demonstrations of dance, music and poetry as well as examples of authentic food and costume and visitors flock to the festival to buy the handmade tribal crafts.
The Miao people are an ethnic minority of Guizhou province and those in Nankai come together to celebrate their culture in this one-day festival. They wear authentic traditional dress and put on plays and performances of Lusheng reed pipe music with folk dancing. Visitors flock to enjoy the food market and carnival atmosphere.
Launched in 2011, Tokyo’s innovative art fair celebrates Japan’s unique modern art from up and coming artist. A smash hit from the start, the creative program works with technology and tradition to incorporate clay works, media art and photography. The festival also offers several workshops on different styles of art.
Born from a fantastic legend, the Zalun Pyi-Taw-Pan Buddha Image Festival is a patriotic event in Myanmar. After the British removed the famous statue from the Zalun township, the statue refused to melt down. The Queen returned the statue and now the township celebrates its return during this eight-day festival.
Celebrated every April, this festival is dedicated to A-Ma, a Taoist goddess particularly revered in Macau, who was said to have saved seafarers and protect fisherfolk. Macao’s name came to be when Portuguese soldiers asked for the name of the place, and locals replied ‘A-Ma-Gao’ (Bay of A-Ma). During this festival, a grand ceremony is put on at the A-Ma Cultural Village, along with a parade, Chinese and Portuguese art troupe performances, and week-long Chinese opera performed at the A-Ma Temple.
April's Al Marmoum Heritage Festival is a chance to see a real show of Emirati culture - camel racing. One of the oldest sports in the region, this is an unforgettable experience. Expect cheering fans, huge TVs documenting the action, scorching desert heat, and mini robot jockeys (a modern adaptation to this long tradition).
Aluth Avurudda festival marks Sinhalese New Year, and is celebrated throughout Sri Lanka by both Sinhalese and non-believers. It coincides with many New Year events across Asia, falling on the 13th or 14th of April. On the first day of the new year, there are mass housecleaning sessions along with fire lighting, dancing and music.
