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.
This week-long celebration is held to honor Lord Buddha with joyful festivities. Early in the morning, the people gather at Drepung monastery to watch the unveiling of a huge embroidered Thangka of Buddha. This is followed by picnics, games and opera performances in ‘The Jewelled Park’ and at night, there are great bonfires and parties.
Dancers from all over Malaysia and the world converge upon Sibu Civic Theatre to showcase a diverse programme of dance. Many styles are represented, from classical Malay tribal dance and European folk dance to contemporary, modern and ballroom. There is a colorful opening ceremony and a day of workshops, followed by a two-day concert.
This day is a chance for the Lion City to celebrate everything Singapore. Held on the 9th of August each year (to commemorate independence from Malaysia in 1965), the city comes alive with parades, dances and an altogether feel-good atmosphere. The day is capped off with a spectacular fireworks show over Marina Bay in the evening.
The Taraz Festival held annually in Yerevan puts traditional Armenian clothing on full display. This exhibit of national dress is one of the brightest and most cultural festivals in the country. The event consists of two parts. The first part is an exhibition-fair, after which new collections of Armenian designers are presented.
To end the seventh lunar month, or ghost month, spectators and participants gather in the town of Yilan for a huge pole-climbing competition. Teams climb, shimmy and slide their way up greased poles and bamboo to capture a flag at the top. It symbolizes 'wrestling away' ghosts or demons, in what is the Taiwanese equivalent of Halloween.
Globally-acclaimed, the two-day Ubud Village Jazz Festival features 100 renowned international and Indonesian Jazz musicians performing on three stages spotting Ubud's green hillside. This is the first eco-friendly, community-based jazz event in the country. The plastic-free event involves local art and music groups.
Mewanna, The Goddess of Mt Popa is the mother of two powerful Nats (spirits) who were brothers. She is said to have stopped at the Yadana Gu on her way home from Taunbyon to her shrine at Popa and today, people commemorate her journey by traveling to the site in boats and celebrating her status as the protector of women.
“Come on over tonight” or “Yosakoi” in the local dialect, is a fun-filled festival taking place every summer in the vibrant city of Kochi. Created to dispel gloom after a severe recession in 1954, nearly 15,000 dancers, including the mayor and the governor, flood the streets as the festival sweeps over the city.
