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.
Moginakan festival has a special significance to the Kadazandusun Murut community as it marks the anniversary of their original settlement and the crowning of their leader, Huguan Siou. Members of the ethnic group and visitors from all over come to Ranau for the bazaar, sporting competitions and traditional performances.
Translating directly to "The Fire and Violence Festival," this notable celebration takes place in Noto Peninsula. Majestic kiriko lanterns light up the night sky. Brave men climb into the sea to light three torches as the pinnacle of the festival. Celebrated throughout the summer, this collection of festivals is a delight for the eyes.
Ranked among the most famous festivals in Tokyo as well as one of the three largest – the Sendai Tanabata Festival celebrates the colorful Shogun culture. Reminiscent of the Edo Period (1603 – 1867) visitors enjoy stepping back in time as they observe intricate floats and extravagant parades for two full days.
A vibrant cultural festival held in the rarely visited region of Shatili, Shatiloba takes place in the highlands region of Khevsureti near Chechnya, featuring horse races, traditional music, Georgian wrestling and folk dancers. Attended by very few outsiders, the rugged region is famous for its adventure sports.
Celebrating Indonesia’s cultural, beautiful local fabric, the Solo Batik Festival in Solo-Central Java is a colorful affair. Declared a masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2009, the unique, rare handicraft is worn and sold throughout the street carnival celebrating the country’s heritage.
Goris Regional Park holds the annual Syunik Mulberry Festival where each community in the Syunik province come to display their best mulberry dishes and products. Festival-goers can expect to try dried mulberries, mulberry molasses, and other tasty mulberry treats. The highlight of the festival is the famous mulberry vodka from Karahunj. The festival begins with mulberry gathering in the park, and showcases the full process of vodka-making, then tasting.
Celebrated by the Khas women of Nepal to promote the wellness of their husbands, Teej is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Parvati. This three-day festival involves fasting and feasts. Both married and unmarried women participate, the latter group in hopes of being blessed with a good husband in the future.
This millenium-old summer festival takes place over two days at Tenman Shrine in Osaka, and features performing arts, a land procession with some 3,000 people, as well as a boat procession around Tenmabashi Bridge. The boats are lit up by fire in the evening, creating a warm glow on the river, and fireworks are set off.
This three-day festival is of particular importance to the Yi people of Yunnan province who honor Atilaba, the hero who used fire to drive locusts from the area. There are bull and goat fights, horse races and torch parades culminating in huge bonfires where the people sing and dance and pray for a good harvest.
This beautiful and quaint candle festival marks both the start of rainy season and the Buddhist Lent period. On Asanha Bucha day, candles (which are supposed to dispel gloom with their light) are decorated and then paraded through town, eventually ending up at various temples. Expect celebrations around town for two weeks in July.
