The Hindu festival of Thaipusam in January or February celebrates Lord Murugan, the Tamil god of war. Some devotees pierce their bodies with swords, skewers, and hooks while carrying heavy shrines (kavadis) on their bodies through long processions. Thaipusam is celebrated by Hindu Tamil communities from Southeast Asia to California. Top 10 Asian Festivals: They Will Get You One With The Spirit Of Asia 1. Taiwan Lantern Festival, Taiwan. This is a 14-day festival which starts from February 8, 2020, and is held all over 2. Phi Ta Khon, Thailand. This is a peculiar festival that celebrates the ghosts and departed spirits in a Chinese New Year is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world. The first few days of the 15-day festival will certainly have an impact on all destinations in Asia. Many Chinese families travel to tourist destinations in Southeast Asia during this time. Expect accommodation to be pricier than usual; transportation often fills up. Untold Festival is a Romanian dance giant and one of Europe's most beloved electronic music festivals, welcoming over 300,000 fans each year to the city of Cluj-Napoca. richwood ramp festival 2022 . elac s10 2 subwoofer review frogpond haiku. twilight fanfiction possessive jacob. temporary road closures derbyshire. how to remove black marks on Nowadays, the Songkran in Bangkok is annually held from 13th to 15th of April. Hanami – Cherry Blossom Festival | Japan shore excursions Hanami is one of the biggest and most beautiful festivals that is held in everywhere in the whole Japan. The festival is an appreciation to cherry blossom trees – the trees represent the symbol of this country. Vay Tiền Nhanh. The most popular festivals in Southeast Asia originate from a wide variety of religious and cultural traditions. The Buddhist worldview inspires Songkran and Vesak. The Taoist tradition celebrates Chinese New Year and the Hungry Ghost Festival. The Muslims celebrate the month-long Ramadan fasting season and Eid al-Fitr at its end. As most of these traditions follow different calendars, the dates vary relative to the Gregorian calendar; we've included their dates through 2023. 01 of 09 Chinese New Year Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board / Goh Koon Peng The significant ethnic Chinese presence in Southeast Asia celebrates its biggest festival during the Chinese New Year. All across the region—but most especially in Penang, Singapore,​ and Vietnam—street bazaars, fireworks, and family reunions mark the changing of calendars. Penang, in particular, specializes in Chinese New Year foods that are rarely served at any other time of the year; in Singapore, families celebrate by preparing and eating the tossed raw-fish salad known as yu sheng. Dates Moveable feast, following the Chinese lunar calendar—January 25 2020, Friday, February 12 2021, February 1 2022, and January 22 2023Celebrated in Penang, Singapore, Vietnam, and in cities with significant ethnic Chinese communities 02 of 09 Thaipusam Chris McGrath / Staff / Getty Images The Tamil Indian community in Malaysia and Singapore celebrate Thaipusam to honor the Hindu god Subramaniam Lord Murugan; thousands of devotees carry painful-looking offerings called kavadi, attached to each devotee's skin with 108 metal skewers each. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thaipusam festivities take place at the Batu Caves, where the procession ascends 272 steps up to a cave chamber marked with a massive statue of Lord Murugan. A smaller procession takes place in nearby Penang, where the procession moves from the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple. Dates Moveable feast, following the Tamil calendar—February 8 2020, January 28 2021, January 18 2022, and February 5 2023Celebrated in Malaysia and Singapore 03 of 09 Songkran Kampee Patisena / Getty Images This traditional Buddhist new year celebration occurs around the end of the planting season, now codified to occur between April 13 to 15 every year. Historically, the region's farmers had a rare break in their busy planting schedules at this time of year and could take time to celebrate with their communities. The celebrations are marked with the act of throwing water on passersby, whether in Thailand's Songkran, Cambodia's Chol Chnam Thmey, Laos' Bun Pi Mai, or Myanmar's Thingyan. Devotees in each country believe that water washes away bad luck; thus anybody, on the streets is fair game to be drenched with water pistols or smeared in wet talcum powder. Dates April 13 to 15 annually Gregorian calendarCelebrated in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand 04 of 09 Vesak Jung-Pang Wu / Getty Images Buddhists in Southeast Asia celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha on Vesak. It's believed that good deeds done on this day will return more merit than any other time of the year. Buddhist communities redouble their efforts to do deeds of generosity on this day. The most scenic Vesak celebrations take place near Yogyakarta in Indonesia. Thousands of Buddhists from all over the world gather at Borobudur in a procession bearing sacred objects like holy relics, volumes of holy books, and offerings; after ascending to the pinnacle, monks release sky lanterns into the air to commemorate Buddha’s bringing enlightenment to the world. Dates Moveable feast, following the Buddhist calendar—May 6 2020, May 26 2021, May 16 2022, and May 6 2023Celebrated in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Continue to 5 of 9 below. 05 of 09 Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr vm2002 / Getty Images Throughout the fasting month of Ramadan, the Muslim communities in Southeast Asia come together to feast after dark. Tourists can chow on Ramadan food at the pasar malam or night markets that populate the streets—take your pick from curries, rice cakes, and other Malaysian street foods; or browse through clothes, souvenirs, and CDs on display. The end of Ramadan—Eid al-Fitri, or Hari Raya Puasa in Malaysia—is met with joy, as families stage get-togethers and congregate at the mosques for Thanksgiving. Places like Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia come alive with exultant devotees join them if you like, just observe proper mosque etiquette. Singapore's significant Malay Muslim population can be found partying mainly in Kampong Glam, Singapore. Dates Moveable feast, following the first sighting of the crescent moon—Eid al-Fitri falls on May 24 2020, May 12 2021, May 2 2022, and April 21 2023Celebrated in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore 06 of 09 Galungan Sheldon Levis / Getty Images The Balinese celebrate the victory of good Dharma over evil Adharma during the festival season known as Galungan. Following the 210-day Balinese Pawukon Calendar, Galungan takes a full 10 days to celebrate, within which the spirits of the ancestors are believed to be visiting, thus encouraging the Balinese to show their gratitude to the divines in different ways. Families offer bountiful sacrifices of food and flowers in their family altars and at local temples. The sides of houses sprout tall bamboo poles called "penjor," and villagers welcome the mythical beast known as the "barong" into their homes, in an exorcism ceremony known as Ngelawang. Dates Moveable feast, following the Balinese pawukon calendar—February 19 to 29 and September 16 to 26 2020, April 14 to 24 and November 10 to 20 2021, June 8 to 18 2022, and January 4 to 14 2023Celebrated in Bali, Indonesia 07 of 09 Hungry Ghost Festival NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images Following the Taoist belief in the afterlife, the Hungry Ghost Festival marks the seventh lunar month, when the afterlife momentarily allows the spirits of the dead to roam in the world of the living. For Chinese communities in Malaysia particularly Chinatown and Singapore particularly Penang and Melaka, the Hungry Ghost month is a time to make offerings of food and burnt prayer money to the deceased to appease them. Stages are set up to entertain the ghosts and the living as well with music and theatrical performances. Dates Moveable feast, following the Chinese lunar calendar—September 2 2020, August 22 2021, August 12 2022, and August 30 2023Celebrated in Singapore, Malaysia, and in cities with significant ethnic Chinese communities 08 of 09 Deepavali Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board Known elsewhere as Diwali, the Tamil Indian community in Singapore and Malaysia celebrates Deepavali to commemorate Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura, cementing the victory of good over evil. Deepavali is also the Hindu equivalent of the new year; Indian families take time to hold reunions through the season. In the Singapore ethnic enclave of Little India, street markets flourish outdoors, dispensing spices, flowers, fine clothing, and traditional dishes to locals and tourists alike. Dates Moveable feast, following the Tamil calendar—November 14 2020, November 4 2021, October 24 2022, and November 9 2023Celebrated in Malaysia and Singapore Continue to 9 of 9 below. 09 of 09 Christmas Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board The Christian population in Singapore and the largely Catholic Philippines throw the biggest Christmas celebrations in the region. Singapore's Christmas in the Tropics coincides with massive street light-ups, shopping specials read about shopping in Singapore and parties ramping up to the New Year festivities in Sentosa and Marina Bay. In the Philippines, the capital Manila experiences massive gridlock leading up to Christmas—families hold reunions during the Yuletide season and hang up lanterns called parol outside their houses. The Giant Lantern Festival shows off the biggest and brightest of these parol. Dates December 25 annually Gregorian calendarCelebrated in Philippines and Singapore The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in several Southeast and Northeast Asian countries, especially among those of Chinese descent. The celebration is on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which is the middle of the autumn season the autumn season being the seventh, eighth, and ninth lunar months. In the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls sometime around mid- to late September, or early October. Let's take a look at how this holiday is observed in different countries. China Zhongqiu Jie The festival is set aside to enjoy the "successful reaping of rice and wheat in a busy agricultural year." Originally, it was an outdoor festival for thanksgiving and pleasure after heavy farming labors. Altars were set up in family courtyards under the moon. Offerings of melons, cakes, and pomegranates and other fruit were presented in honor of the moon. Today, it is a time for friends and families to gather together, to enjoy a big dinner, to eat moon cakes Yuebing, to sip tea, and to watch the moon with a perfectly round shape symbolizing "familial harmony and unity." There have been many well-known poems, paintings and writings about the clear and bright moon of the Mid-autumn Day, expressing homesickness from travelers or those far away from home. The round shape of moon cakes is another symbol of family fillings of moon cakes include date paste, smashed bean, walnut, cassia bloom, egg yolk, salted meat, melon seeds and lotus seed paste. In Chinese mythology, Goddess Chang E lives lonely in the lunar "Palace of Great Cold." She was separated from her husband Hou Yi after she swallowed the elixir of life, which her husband received from the Queen Mother of the West. Her rabbit accompanies her and is pounding the elixir of immortality with a mortar and pestle. Another inhabitant of the moon is the wood cutter Wu Gang. He was sentenced by the Jade Emperor to chop down a cassia tree seen as the giver of life which can magically heal itself and thus he can never make any progress. Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts by ISBN 0835124819Publication Date 1992-01-01An outstanding introduction to the variety of popular Chinese festivals, including Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, Qingming, and many more. Illustrated throughout, this book contains color photos, appendices, glossary, bibliography and index. Vietnam Tet Trung Thu The full moon of the eighth lunar month symbolizes fertility. Originally, people prayed for a "bountiful harvest and a multiplication of all living things." In early twentieth century, this festival was an opportunity for young men and women to find their future life companions, or for young ladies to exhibit their handiwork and talents. Over time, the festival transformed into a celebration for children. Children receive gifts of toys, and enjoy cakes, fruit and rice paste molded in the shapes of animals. They parade with lanterns in the form of five-pointed stars like those on the national flag, or with masks representing animals or characters from movies, comic books and anime. Handcrafted shadow lanterns used to be an important part of the festival displays. But many have been replaced by batter-powered plastic ones. Paper scholar, a figure "dressed in the cap and robe of a court official" from ancient times, is a traditional gift to children, intending to inspire the kids to "achieve great things in life." Singapore People gather at home to "admire the full moon while drinking tea and sampling mooncakes." Chinese Singaporeans exchange moon cakes as gifts. In additional to traditional moon cakes, some new varieties have emerged, such as the Bloody Mary Snow Skin and Cranberry Cheese. At night, children will roam around with lanterns of different shapes and sizes. Tourists can visit Chinatown to enjoy street lightings and bazaars and get immersed in the festive atmosphere. Korea Chuseok Harvest Moon Festival is a three-day holiday in Korea and is often called the Korean version of Thanksgiving Day. It is a time when rice and other autumn crops are harvested, and fruits ripen. Koreans will visit the graves of their ancestors in their hometown and present a bountiful offering table filled with rice cake, rice wine and fresh fruits. They will remove weeds around the graves that have grown over summer, a ritual named "Beolcho." After dusk, families and friends will gather and enjoy the beauty of the full harvest moon or play folk games such as Ganggangsullae Korean circle dance. Gifts are exchanged among friends and relatives. Traditional Chuseok food includes steamed rice, rice cakes, and liquor, made from newly harvested rice. Malaysia Family gather under the full autumn moon to celebrate unity and enjoy moon cakes. Varieties of moon cakes are sold in special counters of shopping malls. Dragon dance, lion dance, float parade and lantern procession activities are held. Thailand Moon Worship Festival At the night of the 15th of the lunar eighth month, the statues of Guanyin Godness of Mercy, กวนอิม and the Eight Immortals โป๊ยเซียน are set up on the altars. Offerings include peach-shaped cakes and moon cakes. People believe the Eight Immortals will bring peach-shaped cakes to the moon and celebrate Guanyin's birthday there. After birthday celebration, Guanyin and the Eight Immortals will descend a lot of blessings to people living on the earth. Chinese communities are decorated with lanterns and children will play and stroll around with lanterns in their hands. Egg-yolk lotus seed paste moon cake is the most popular variety in market. Durian moon cake is a very unique variety that deserves a try. Philippines The Moon Festival or Autumn Festival is celebrated by moon cake exchanges among friends, relatives and neighbors. China towns and Chinese communities are decorated with lanterns and colorful banners. Dragon dance, lantern procession, and float parade are popular activities. A game of chance/dice named the mooncake game is played by both Chinese and Filipinos. Japan Tsukimi. 月見 Japanese Moon-viewing Festival has a recorded history of more than one thousand years. The ceremony serves as a prayer for a rich harvest of crops, an admiration to the moon, and a nexus between the aesthetic and spiritual. Japanese pampas grass is used for decoration and and dango rice dumplings are used in the ceremony. Image attributions Must-See Cultural Festivals in Asia main image Today sees the launch of the QS Asia University Rankings 2019, and to celebrate, we thought we’d take a look at the incredible things the region has to offer for study abroad students. From world-leading universities and growing economies to mouth-watering cuisines and exciting student cities, there’s plenty to welcome you if you decide to study in Asia. The region offers a distinctive cultural experience, with underlying tropes and traditions taking on new life and interpretations within each nation’s unique historic and contemporary contexts. From celebrating Chinese New Year in Singapore to Hindu Thaipusam in Malaysia, the following is our pick of 10 must-see cultural festivals in Asia roughly organized chronologically – leave a comment below to add your own favorites! 1. Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival China The annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is perhaps the largest ice and snow festival in the world. Taking place in the winter months, this unique festival showcases beautiful ice sculpture artworks, ranging from small mythical creatures and beautifully lit ice lanterns to awe-inspiring 250-feet monuments in an amazing display of craftsmanship and light. The first ice lanterns were a winter-time tradition in northeast China, hand-made by local peasants and fishermen by pouring water into a bucket, letting it freeze outside then gently pulling out the resulting bucket-shaped ice from its container. Then, they would chisel a hole in the top, creating a hollow vessel in which a candle was then placed, creating a windproof lantern to use while out on the lake. When to go The festival is officially held from January 5 to February 5, but exhibits may open earlier and stay open longer. The winter travel season begins in mid-November, but exhibits first start forming in mid-December. Top tip We’re betting you’ll want to take lots of pictures when you get to the festival, but keep in mind that the average January low in Harbin is 13°C 9°F, which can sap battery life faster than usual. Bring extra batteries, or try warming your battery now and then to keep it going. Where to study Chinese universities dominate the QS Asia University Rankings, led by Tsinghua University at joint third. A further eight institutions join the top 50, while a total of 113 Chinese institutions feature in the top 500. China is also featured in the QS BRICS University Rankings, taking seven of the top 10 places. 2. Thaipusam Malaysia Attracting over one million devotees and tens of thousands of tourists, Malaysia’s celebration of the Hindu festival Thaipusam is an eight-hour procession that starts at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur and ends after a flight of 272 steps to the stunning temple at Batu Caves just outside Kuala Lumpur. Thaipusam is usually celebrated by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai January/February and in communities where there is a significant Tamil presence. What is perhaps unique about Malaysia’s celebration is the rare scene of people from different ethnic groups and faiths also bearing “kavadi” alongside the Hindu devotees. Kavadi is a physical burden through which devotees implore for help from the God Murugan in order to avert some great misfortune. While the simplest kavadi might entail simply carrying a pot of milk on their heads or carrying a semicircular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod on their shoulders, some devotees also engage in mortification of the flesh where the skin, tongue or cheeks of devotees are pieced with vel skewers – definitely not a sight for the squeamish! When to go Dates are decided by the Tamil calendar, and are projected to be January 21 in 2019 and February 8 in 2020. Don’t miss While watching the devotees might take up most of your time, make sure to also visit some of the impressive limestone caves in the Batu area. At the top of the 272-step staircase is Temple Cave, with architectural columns made of stalactites and stalagmites. Nearby are three indoor galleries the Valluvar Kottam, a reptile gallery and an art gallery. Where to study Malaysia has a strong showing in the QS Asia University Rankings, with 26 of its institutions making the Asian top 500. Malaysia’s highest ranking entry is Universiti Malaya, ranked joint 19th. 3. Chinese New Year Singapore Chinese New Year is among festivals in Asia celebrated across the region, but our pick is Singapore, which throws the best celebrations outside of China with a three-day party. Also known as Lunar New Year due to the lunisolar Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year is an important traditional Chinese holiday and the longest festival in the Chinese calendar it runs from Chinese New Year’s Eve up to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month. Singapore’s three-day party is one of the most anticipated events in the country, featuring dragon parades, fireworks, colorfully-decorated streets with intricate lanterns, nightly staged shows at Kreta Ayer Square and a lion dance competition, all of which are punctuated with the multicultural sounds of music from around the world. Of note are the street parties, the Festive Street Bazaar, the annual Chinga street parade with colorful floats, and the Fire Party with cultural performances and a traveling dance competition. When to go The event usually falls in January or February and is projected to be on February 5 in 2019. Did you know…? Traditionally in China, red envelopes or packets called hongbao in Madarin, lai sze in Cantonese, ang pow in Hokkien and fung bao in Hakka are passed out during the celebrations, usually from married couples to unmarried people. The packets will usually contain money, given in even numbers and in lucky’ denominations such as eight or six. Where to study The National University of Singapore NUS tops this year’s QS Asia University Rankings, while Nanyang Technological University NTU holds strong in joint third place. 4. Holi India Image credit Steven Gerner Flickr The Holi Festival of Colors also called the Festival of Love is an ancient Hindu religious festival usually held in March. Celebrated by all Hindus and particularly in India, Nepal and Pakistan, Holi has grown in popularity with non-Hindus across South Asia and all over the world wherever there is a large Hindu community. Holi known as Dhuli in Hindi is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar and is a fivefold celebration the beginning of spring, the beginning of the Hindu new year, a time for renewing old relationships and ending conflicts in current relationships, love signified by Radha’s love for Krishna, a Hindu deity and the triumph of good over evil, signified by the religious legend of demoness Holika’s death. Celebrations begin with the lighting of bonfires the night before Holi, in a ceremony known as Holika Dahan burning of Holika. This is accompanied by singing, dancing and general merriment to the sound of dholak drums. The next day, Holi, brings laughing and dancing crowds throwing colored powder abiror gulal and water at strangers, friends and foes in a celebration of joy and goodwill. After a day of play with colors, families then take the time to visit each other’s houses, exchanging sweets and Holi delicacies. When to go Dates are projected to be March 21 in 2019 and March 10 in 2020. Did you know…? The tradition of consuming bhang during Holi celebrations is particularly common in Northern India and standard practice across India. While an integral part of tradition and custom in India, bhang is an intoxicating drink made from the female cannabis plant. Where to study Of its 75 institutions in this year’s QS Asia University Rankings, India has four in the top 50, including its top-ranked Indian Institute of Technology Bombay IITB in 33rd place. Don’t forget India is also featured in the QS BRICS University Rankings – the most recent edition was launched on the October 17 this year. 5. Taiwan Lantern Festival Taiwan Image credit Jirka Matousek Flickr There are lots of different lantern festivals in Asia, but perhaps the most stunning and most renowned is the Taiwan Lantern Festival held in the Pingxi District. Hosted by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transport and Communications to celebrate the wider Lantern Festival also observed by the Chinese and Vietnamese, this cultural festival involves many activities all throughout Taiwan. In the Yangshui District, for example, Tainan Yanshui Fireworks Display meaning beehive of fireworks at the Wumiao Temple is one of the most important, originally signifying the warding off of evil and disease. Over in the mountainous Pingxi District, the sky lanterns were originally released to let others know that the town was safe. The two events are known together as the “Fireworks in the South, Sky Lanterns in the North”. While the event is celebrated with lantern making, lantern riddle games and displays of glittering decorative lanterns, the most magical, romantic and striking event happens when the lanterns are adorned with the wishes and dreams of each owner and then released simultaneously along with thousands of others. When to go Held on the first full-moon night of the lunar year, which usually falls in February or March. In 2019, the Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held between February 19 and March 2. Did you know…? This magical experience influenced the imagery in Disney’s Tangled and formed the basis of the storyline, where the Lost Princess Rapunzel’s birthday would be honored each year with the release of thousands of sky lanterns. Where to study Taiwan provides plenty of choice for students with 36 institutions in the QS Asia University Rankings. Its top-ranked National Taiwan University NTU is ranked an impressive 22nd place, with 10 other Taiwanese institutions in the top 100. 6. Songkran Thailand Sawatdee Pee Mai! The Songkran Festival celebrates New Year’s Day in Thailand and also coincides with the New Year of many calendars of countries in South and Southeast Asia. As such, it might seem at times that the whole of Asia has descended on the streets of Thailand when Songkran – the world’s biggest water fight – begins in April. Perhaps Thailand’s most energetic and well-known cultural festival, Songkran brings reveling crowds to the main streets, rubbing brightly colored chalk or talc on each other and throwing water. Armed with buckets, bowls, water guns and even hoses, the young and old take part in this friendly war of waters, indiscriminately blessing’ all passers-by in the warmest month of the year. The throwing of water is symbolic of the spring-cleaning aspect of Songkran and is also seen as a way of paying respect to others, while the chalk was traditionally used by monks to mark blessings. While it’s not clear exactly how Songkran began, the festival has roots in Buddhism, with many Thais still honoring the festival’s origins. Locals celebrate the New Year by returning home to their families, spring-cleaning their houses, sprinkling water from silver bowls onto the hands of elders and monks as a sign of respect known as Rod Nahm Dum Hua, paying homage to Buddha and taking food and bags of sand to monasteries. When to go Originally dictated by the lunar calendar, Songkran was later fixed to take place between the 13th and 15th of April each year to reflect the week-long festival’s popularity with tourists. Chang Mai, the 700-year-old city in north Thailand, is the center of the Songkran festival. Top tip Wear appropriate footwear such as rubber-soled shoes or sandals – the flour/water combination can get extremely slippery! While we’re on the subject of clothing, there’s no dress code to the event – anything you don’t mind getting wet is fine – but do remember that some colors become see-through when wet. Where to study Thailand’s highest ranking institution Chulalongkorn University takes an impressive 44th place in the QS Asia University Rankings, and the country commands a total of 19 places in the top 500, including six in the top 150. 7. Rainforest World Music Festival Borneo/Malaysia Image credit Eugene Yong Flickr The Rainforest World Music Festival RWMF is a unique festival held in the Malaysian island of Borneo to celebrate music, nature and culture. While the main event brings renowned world musicians from all over the world to perform alongside indigenous musicians from Borneo, the three-day festival also includes a packed schedule of informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, intimate jamming sessions and mini concerts. The Rainforest World Music Festival takes place at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching and is one of the largest musical events in Malaysia. The main stage is situated in the midst of lush greenery in the heart of the Borneo Jungle and is accompanied by food and drink stalls offering local and regional Malaysian and Asian cuisine, an arts and crafts area to satisfy your sure-to-be-tingling creative senses and plenty of souvenirs and festival memorabilia to take home. Visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere as they spend their days learning about music, and their nights enjoying that music under a rainforest canopy. When to go Dates are announced on the website each year and are typically in June or July July 12 -14 in 2019 Top tip Arrive early to check out the cultural displays, demonstrations and workshops that are included in the entrance price. When it comes time for the evening performances, it might be worth bringing your own mat to sit on the grass, as seating tends to fill up pretty quickly. 8. Dragon Boat Festival China Again, there are many Dragon Boat Festivals in Asia, but this traditional holiday also known as a Duanwu Festival’ originates in China. It occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month of the traditional lunar calendar, earning it the alternative name of the Double Fifth Festival’. It is also called the Fifth Month Festival’, Fifth Day Festival’ and Dumpling Festival’ in Malaysia, Singapore and by the Taiwanese Hokkien. The traditional celebrations are to prevent disease or evil and promote health and well-being. Activities include preparing and eating zongzi sticky rice treats wrapped in bamboo leaves and drinking realgarwine. Celebrators also hang up icons of Zhong Kui a mythic guardian figure along with mugwort and calamus, take long walks and wear perfumed medicine bags. The game of making an egg stand at exactly noon on the day gives the successful player luck for the next year. The main event, of course, is the dragon boat race. The human-powered boat made with teak wood is brightly decorated, with the front end shaped like the head of an open-mouthed dragon and the back like a scaly tail. The boats vary in length, size and design and can hold up to 80 rowers. A sacred ceremony is performed before the competition to bring the boat to life’ and the first team to grab a flag at the end is declared the winner. When to go The event is based around the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so dates vary each year. In 2018, the festival was held on June 18, with June 7 scheduled for 2019. Did you know…? The event is said to commemorate the death of poet and minister Qu Yuan who served in the high offices in the ancient Chinese state of Chu during the Warring States period of the Zhou Dynasty. Qu was banished by the king for opposing his alliance with the powerful state of Qin and turned to poetry during his exile. Qu later committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River in reaction to the capture of Chu capital Ying by Qin powers. 9. Boryeong Mud Festival South Korea Image credit Jirka Matousek Flickr Since 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival has taken place every year in the summer months. Held in the Daecheon beach area in west South Korea, this cultural festival has grown to an excess of million visitors since its inception in 1998. While originally conceived as a marketing vehicle for Boryeong mud cosmetics, the two-week event has become popular Koreans and foreigners alike for its fun-filled, skin-friendly activities. Mud is taken from the mineral-rich Boryeong mud flats every year to use for the Mud Experience Land’ program, along with the many mud-related events, including mud wrestling, mud king contest, mud massage and acupuncture programs, mud sliding, mud skiing, colored mud body painting, swimming in a large pool of mud, a mud spa, and a photo competition, all ending in a spectacular mud fireworks display and dance parties. Visitors can also take part in the adventurous marine-type silt extreme training experience. When to go The event usually starts mid-July with the final weekend often the most exciting. Dates for 2019 are July 12 to 21. Don’t miss While in the area, take the time to explore the Chungcheongnam-do province’s other attractions, including Muchango Beach’s “mystic sea road” – a 1500-meter walking trail only accessible for two hours a day at low tide, or nearby Taean Haean National Park for an unspoilt South Korean coastline and delicious seafood. Where to study South Korea is home to the two of the top 10 institutions in the QS Asia University Rankings, with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology KAIST ranked eighth, while Seoul National University SNU is 10th. It boasts a total of 58 institutions in the top 500, including 18 in the top 100. 10. Winter Light Festival Japan Kuwana City is home to Nabana No Sato, a botanical theme park featuring meticulously landscaped gardens and impressive giant greenhouses. In the spring, the park is colorfully decorated in an array of flowers, blossoms and cherry trees, including row upon row of tulips, pansies, viola, stock and daisies. Come winter, however, and visitors to the park can enjoy one of Japan’s most impressive illuminations in the incredible Winter Light Festival. The fragrance of the flowers mingles with the cold winter air as bundled-up visitors arrive in their thousands to enjoy the famous Tunnel of Lights, and the accompanying elegant light shows and designs that blanket the entirety of the theme park and its waters. Created with over seven million LED lights charged using solar panels to reduce the impact on the environment, Japan’s biggest winter illumination includes themed light shows every year – previous shows included Mt Fuji at dawn’ and an aurora. When to go Open 9am to 9pm, the theme park itself can be enjoyed year-round, but the Winter Festival runs for four months from mid-October to mid-March. Top tip Wrap up warm in plenty of layers and go on a weeknight if possible as the weekends can get particularly crowded on the weekends. If you want to make a day of it, the park hosts a variety of restaurants including the Nagashima Beer Garden. Where to study Japan’s top universities hold strong positions in the top 20 of the the QS Asia University Rankings, with the University of Tokyo in 11th place, Kyoto University in 14th, Osaka University in 16th, and Tokyo Institute of Technology in 18th place. 11. BONUS Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures Australia Extending our coverage to the Asia-Pacific region is a great excuse to mention one of the most significant events in the Australian cultural festival calendar. The Garma Festival of Traditional Culture is held in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia. A celebration of the cultural inheritance of the native Yolngu people, the festival emphasizes the practice, preservation and maintenance of traditional dance bunggul, storytelling, songs manikay, art miny’ tji and ceremony Wangga. It’s also a platform for the education and training of indigenous youth. The festival is organized by the not-for-profit Aboriginal Yothu Yindi Foundation and aims to share the knowledge and culture of the Yolngu with non-indigenous Australians in order to foster greater understanding between the two. As such, the festival includes a Key Forum where you can attend talks with indigenous people, a Youth Forum with workshops for indigenous and non-indigenous students, Garma cultural workshops displaying the most unique traditional practices of Yolgnu culture, along with musical performances, a film program, exhibition stalls, the Gapan Gallery and visits to the local community and schools. When to go The Garma Festival of Traditional Culture is held every August and usually spans four days. Did you know…? The Garma Festival is held in Gulkula, a stringybark forest where the Yolngu ancestor Ganbulabula introduced the yiḏaki didjeridu or didgeridoo to the Gumatj people. While the didgeridoo is now a popular instrument throughout Australia, the yiḏaki is specific to the Yolngu people who now use the synonym mandapul to refer to the instrument, out of respect for a deceased Manggalili-clan man whose name sounds similar to yiḏaki. Where to study Australia has a strong showing in the most recent edition of the QS World University Rankings, with 31 institutions featured and its top-ranked Australian National University in 24th place. This article was originally published in June 2014 by Hasna Haidar. It was updated in October 2018 by Sabrina Collier. Want more content like this? Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed. This article was originally published in October 2018 . It was last updated in May 2023 Want more content like this Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed. + 6 others saved this article + 7 others saved this article The festivals in Asia are an intriguing mix of the local cultures, lifestyles and religion that have evolved in the countries with their rich cultural identities. They not just give you an insight into the cultures of the people of the many nations in Asia but also their lives. Most importantly, these festivals also guarantee a fun-filled and delightful time for the locals and the tourists alike. You just cannot miss such festivals on your trip to the Asian nations. Here are 10 Asian festivals that are full of adventure, tradition and diversity to explore for a lifetime memory. Taiwan Lantern Festival Phi Ta Khon Ice And Snow Festival Kandy Perahera Holi Chaul Chnam Awa Odori Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Naadam Festival Nowruz 1. Taiwan Lantern Festival, Taiwan Image Source This is a 14-day festival which starts from February 8, 2020, and is held all over Taiwan. During this period, the people of the country release lanterns into the night sky of Taiwan. The lanterns are electronic and it is symbolic of the blending of the pop culture and the traditional Taiwanese cultural icons or zodiac signs. The whole festival period remains an exemplary presentation of vibe and the culture of extensive enthusiasm. The locals take active participation in it but at the same time, a good chunk of tourists enjoy its fervour. Where All over TaiwanWhen 5 to 19 February 2023 Must Read 10 Things To Do In Taiwan That Will Have You Packing Your Bags Right This Minute! 2. Phi Ta Khon, Thailand Image Source This is a peculiar festival that celebrates the ghosts and departed spirits in a complete local spirit of Thailand yet seeking the attention of tourists alike. It is regarded as one of the most colourful of the festivals held in Thailand therefore it remains popular in Asia. The men dress up in bright costumes and masks to turn this festival into an exclusive one. It is an attempt to try to look like ghosts and remind people that death does not separate people. Besides local dances and activities that project a tradition that galore to the most, there are plenty of reasons for you to enjoy this festival. Where Dan Sai District, ThailandWhen 23 to 26 June 2023 Suggested Read Make The Best Of Your Southeast Asian Holiday By Planning A Snorkeling In Thailand 3. Ice And Snow Festival, China Image Source Glorious ice sculptures, skiing, ice golf, swimming, fishing, sledging, archery winter, this festival is all about these and much more to keep the participants and onlookers completely hooked. Around 2000 ice sculptures are put on display during this festival. Where Harbin, ChinaWhen December 20, 2023 to early March, 2024 Suggested Read China In September Know All About What To Do, Where To Go & More For A Fun Experience! 4. Kandy Perahera, Sri Lanka Image Source Also known as the Festival of Tooth, this famous festival commemorates the very first teachings of Buddha to his disciples. Street performers, acrobats, elephants and music are all a part of the procession that fills the streets. This festival is considered one of the popular ones to spread the message of Buddhism religion. It is perhaps the main reason that a large chunk of participants are locals and even the tourists enjoy participating in this festival. Where Sri LankaWhen August 2023 Suggested Read Sri Lanka In November A Handbook To Get The Best Of The Jewel Shaped Nation 5. Holi, India Image Source It is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and also seeks togive thanks for the good harvest. People begin bonfires at night and burn the effigies of Holika in hope that the evil is destroyed. It is followed by religious rituals and prayers. The next day people take to the streets to smear each other in vibrant colours and throw water at each other. Where All over IndiaWhen March 2023 Suggested Read Get A Whiff Of Royalty At Incredible India Rally Event That’ll Commence From Delhi! 6. Chaul Chnam, Cambodia Image Source This festival is a popular one for being the Cambodian New Year Festival that witnesses the participation of people from all parts of the country. It also marks the beginning of the rainy season and therefore people usually take to streets to celebrate this with ample fun and frolic. The markets are decorated, the streets are lit up and everyone gets in on the water fight with guns and buckets during this festival that brings a newer vibe and spirit in the masses. Besides locals, a good chunk of Cambodia travellers joins hands with them to celebrate this special occasion. Where All over CambodiaWhen April 2023 Suggested Read Cambodia In November A Handbook To Get The Best Of Khmer’s Land’ 7. Awa Odori, Japan Image Source This is a traditional dance festival in Japan where people from all walks of life take part in the dance rituals performed on the streets. They clad themselves in the traditional clothes, that is, cotton kimono and straw hats. People enjoy the occasion in unlimited fun and connect with each other for a new friendly gesture to showcase brotherhood and affinity. Where Tokushima, JapanWhen TBA Suggested Read Exploring Japan In July For A Perfect Experience Of The Summers 8. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival, Myanmar Image Source During this festival, a large boat is made with a bird motif which carries the statues of Buddha to be paraded from one village to the other connected by the Inle Lake. The people come around the lake and pay their respects and so do they enjoy the local food put up for sale near the banks of the lake. It is a two-month-long festival that seeks the attention of the majority of locals. A good chunk of tourists as well as indulge in this festival as keen observers. Many of them even join hands with the local people to enjoy the moment. Where Inle Lake, MyanmarWhen From September to October 2023 Suggested Read 10 Hidden Myanmar Beaches That You Must Visit 9. Naadam Festival, Mongolia This festival is an extraordinary display of sports and tradition in the region. It includes horse racing, archery and wrestling competitions along with folklore performances, music, food and much more that keeps both locals and tourists hooked. It celebrates Mongolia’s centuries-old nomadic culture as well as its independence. This festival seeks the attention of the masses in local yet remains a globally recognized one from the Asian region. Where Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaWhen July 2023 Suggested Read 28 Amazing Budget Beaches of South-East Asia 10. Nowruz, Iran Image Source Also known as the Persian New Year, this is a 7000-year-old tradition of celebrations with global popularity. Expect fireworks, camping, picnics and lots of food during this popular festival. It is also celebrated in many countries surrounding Iran. Where All over IranWhen TBA Further Read Iran Has Started Offering Visa-On-Arrival To Indian Nationals! More Power To Travel Asia, being a colourful continent offers an immersive travel experience. And, the above mentioned exciting festivals are a testament to that! Festivals in Asia are traditional, cultural and also religious so much so that they bound to make your trip to Asia breathtakingly surreal. So, don’t hesitate to align your holiday plan with these festivals. Try to be a part of such diverse celebrations that will make you feel one with the spirit of Asia. Disclaimer TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer. Please Note Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice. Frequently Asked Questions About Top 10 Asian Festivals What festivals are celebrated in Asia? Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival, Thaipusam, Chinese New Year, Holi and Taiwan Lantern Festival are some of the most popular festivals of Asia. Which country in Asia has the most festivals? Speaking both regional and national events, India has the most festivals. What can you do at the Naadam Festival in Mongolia? Some of the things one can do at the Naadam Festival are to witness the parade and sporting events, enjoy the local food and visit popular places situated nearby. Which is the most famous festival in China? The most popular and grandest festival in China is the Chinese New Year. At times, the Lantern Festival is also considered a popular one. Is Easter celebrated in Asia? There are millions of Christians in Asia and they do celebrate it. People Also Read Hawaiian Festivals Taiwan Festivals Argentina Festivals With the arrival of September and hints of cooler temperatures also comes one of most important traditional festivals in the Chinese calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Zhongqiu jie 中秋節, also known as the Moon Festival. At this time of the year, the Chinese store down the road from our home in Gainesville, Florida, is stocked with mooncakes, known in Chinese as yuebing 月餅. The same is true of Chinese stores around the world. There is even the option these days of buying these desserts from online retailers such as Amazon. These traditional delicacies are readied in anticipation of the festival, observed on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This is a time for family and friends to gather, watch the full moon and eat mooncakes and other delicacies. Other festivity highlights include public lantern displays, dance parties, traditional performances and worship of the moon goddess and other deities. Because of the central theme of family reunion, sometimes the festival evokes comparison to Thanksgiving in the The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time of gathering for families celebrating the holiday. Kong Ding Chek/E+ via Getty Images Mooncakes Tradition and innovation The gifting and eating of mooncakes is arguably the most emblematic feature of the festival. The round shape of the mooncake is meant to evoke an image of the full moon. The roundness of the full moon, in turn, symbolizes wholeness; by extension, it conveys a sense of spiritual contentment, coming together and reunion. Usually, mooncakes come with traditional fillings, such as red bean or white lotus seed paste. There are many regional variations, some of which contain a preserved egg yolk in the middle. The yellow egg yolk adds another layer of symbolism, as it resembles the round moon in the sky. Additionally, there are contemporary flavors such as chocolate, coffee or green tea. It is even possible to find ice cream mooncakes. These are created by commercial ice cream companies in order to tap into the lucrative mooncake market and cater to contemporary tastes. The egg yolk center of some mooncakes represents the full moon. insjoy/iStock via Getty Images Plus The legends behind the festival As a scholar of Chinese religions, I am especially fascinated by the legends associated with the origins of the festival. These are notable elements of popular lore, rooted in China’s long history and rich cultural traditions. Customarily, the Mid-Autumn Festival is associated with the popular legend about Chang’e 嫦娥, the goddess of the moon. The earliest versions of the story can be traced back to the Warring States, a significant historical period between 475-221 marked by recurrent warfare, bureaucratic reforms and political consolidation. Offerings are made to the moon goddess Chang'e during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Metropolitan Museum of Art Chang’e is said to have stolen the elixir of immortality from her husband, Yi, the great archer and hero of Chinese mythology. She then escaped to the moon, where she was condemned to a lonely existence. Later versions of the story, still told today, present a more flattering image of the goddess. She is described as a model of feminine beauty and elegance. She digests the elixir only in order to prevent it from falling in the hands of an evil person. She then chooses the moon as her immortal abode, to be close to her beloved husband. On his part, Yi makes sacrifices to his departed wife that feature cakes and fruits. The local people sympathize with him and also start making the same offerings. To this day, Chinese people continue this tradition, making offerings of mooncakes in commemoration of the goddess as they make wishes or pray for familial unity and harmony. Historical background In the agricultural society of premodern China, the Mid-Autumn Festival was linked with harvesting season celebrations. The term “mid-autumn,” which became the name of the festival, appears in “Zhou li” 周禮, or the Rites of Zhou. This is one of the early Confucian classics, the core texts that constitute the main canon of classical Confucianism. The earliest history of the festival is uncertain, but scholars have shown that its celebration already took place during the Tang era that lasted from 618-907 and increased in popularity during the later imperial period. Lanterns are a common symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Khanh Bui/Movement via Getty Images Celebrations in other Asian nations The Mid-Autumn Festival is also celebrated in Asian countries beyond China, as well as among the Chinese diaspora in other parts of the world. This is especially the case with Southeast Asian countries with large ethnically Chinese populations, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It is also an important festival in Vietnam. Called Tết Trung Thu, it is primarily celebrated as the children’s festival and is associated with unique Vietnamese legends. Besides moon watching and the ubiquitous mooncakes, among its unique features are the performances of traditional dances and the lanterns carried by children, as they walk under the glow of the full moon with their light illuminating the path. [Explore the intersection of faith, politics, arts and culture. Sign up for This Week in Religion.]

among the festivals celebrated by some of asian