Asian Festivities

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Asian festivities

 These big Asian festivals may vary from place to place, but all share something in common: they're often
big, chaotic, and extremely memorable!

 With so many different cultures, religions, and reasons to celebrate spread across Asia, you'll probably be
close to an interesting festival no matter where you travel.

 That's a mixed blessing. Arriving in time to enjoy the festivities will make a great memory. But arriving in
the middle of a massive festival when hotels are full and transportation is shut down will be something you'd
rather forget.
AND HERE ARE 10 EXAMPLES OF
FAMOUS ASIAN FESTIVITIES!

Arat na!
. 1.Harbin International Ice & Snow Sculpture
Festival (China)
 Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture
Festival

 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.
2. Thaipusam (Malaysia)
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.
3.Chinese New Year (Singapore)
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.
4. Holi (India)
Holi (India)

 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.
5. Taiwan Lantern Festival (Taiwan)
Taiwan Lantern Festival (Taiwan)

 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.
6. Songkran (Thailand)
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.
7. Rainforest World Music Festival
(Borneo/Malaysia)
Rainforest World Music Festival
(Borneo/Malaysia)

 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)
8. Dragon Boat Festival (China)
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)
Boryeong Mud Festival (South Korea)

 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 2.2 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.
10. Winter Light Festival (Japan)
Winter Light Festival

 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.
 AND THAT’S ALL!
1 Peter 4:9 

And if you have more question, Show hospitality to one another

9 

without grumbling.
please know that discrimination
is not the best way to know an
information you are seeking for.

De jowk lang po