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.
Preserving indigenous values and customs, the Sentani Lake Festival is a cultural celebration and provides visitors with unique insight into the remote region. Visitors enjoy traditional dance performances including the rare War Dance aboard a boat, folkloric tales, local cuisine and more at this five-day festival.
The month-long summertime Singapore Food Festival is really a chance for the country to show off its varied, multicultural and downright delicious cuisine. Comprised of a series of cooking workshops, weekly tasting sessions, competitions, films and exhibitions, this festival is a food lover’s paradise.
Souk Okaz was one of three major open-air fairs that served as commercial, social and cultural hubs in the pre-Islamic era. The Souk Okaz Festival of today is a modern rendition that takes place in Taif during summer. It combines various arts, literature, and serves as an occasion to honor writers and intellectuals from inside and outside Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince Camel Festival, one of the world’s largest and most important camel races, is a highlight of the festival.
The International Hot Air Balloon Festival on the Luye Plain in Taitung County is chance for both pilots and passengers to take to the skies over the course of two months in summer. Previous years have welcomed balloon pilots from across the world who come to enjoy the sweeping mountain landscape of northeastern Taiwan.
This important Buddhist festival has been established for 500 years and is hugely popular with pilgrims from all over Tibet. For three days, the Tashilhunpo monastery opens its grounds and displays a different Buddha each day. Finally, a giant painted mural is unveiled and there is a procession around the monastery compound.
The summer Tushetoba festival is held at Tusheti National Park, celebrating Tushetian cultural heritage and is traditionally opened with horse racing. While the horseracing is the highlight, other cultural shows and events take place, including traditional cheesemaking, shepherding, and embroidery. Tusheti National Park is one of Georgia’s most well-known hiking areas.
Yogyakarta celebrates art in all forms for a full month during the summertime during Indonesia’s famed Yogya Arts Festival. Over 2,000 artists bring the best of the country’s traditional and modern works. Unique dance performances, paintings, sculptures, cultural activities and more bring out the best of the country’s creative side.
The Ysyakh holiday is celebrated all over the Sakha republic in late June to honor the gods and the rebirth of nature after the winter. The biggest festival is held near Yakutsk with nearly 100,000 people from all over the region communing for two days and participating in horse racing, Yakut wrestling and tug of war, all night traditional dancing, and drinking fermented horse milk.
