Myanmar is a unique country that has only recently opened its doors to tourists, and if you want a truly amazing experience, look no further than Myanmar. The Buddhist culture is very colourful and if you would like to experience some of the best Myanmar festivals, here is our pick of the very best Myanmar festivals that you are sure to enjoy.
The Thingyan Water Festival
There’s no better way to see in the Myanmar New Year than taking part in this unique event. Similar to the amazing water festival of Songkran in Thailand, people throw water at each other, which is great, as April happens to be the hottest month of the year. As a mark of respect, the elderly and Buddhist monks are not targeted by the water throwers, but everyone else is fair game, and if you want to join in, buy a water gun from one of the many shops and you too can get wet.
The Kachin Manaw Festival
The first week of January sees the arrival of the Kachin Manaw Festival, which is to celebrate the traditional New Year. Manaw poles are finely decorated and people dance around the poles, wearing very colourful costumes, and the Kachin people love to celebrate this festival, especially in the presence of tourists. Kachin is the northernmost province in Myanmar, and by booking one of the private Burma escorted tours, you can enjoy a few days in Kachin and experience the most colourful festival in Myanmar.
The Ananda Pagoda Festival
Witness the many Buddhist rituals in one of the most important festivals in Myanmar, which is held in the last week of January. The festival is held at Bagan in Mandalay, and this is a perfect opportunity to try the many delicious local dishes that the region is known for.
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Shittaung Pagoda Festival
Celebrated by the Rakhine people, this festival involved long boat racing and boxing contests, where good spirited competition is eagerly cheered on by the locals. The boat racing really is an amazing spectacle, and if you ask, perhaps you will be allowed to compete in one of the teams. This festival happens in the last week of April and it offers a chance for the people to let their hair down and party like there’s no tomorrow, a must if you happen to be in Myanmar during the month of April.
Kason Festival
This festival celebrates the birth of the Lord Buddha, and there are many processions that walk around pagodas, with Buddhist monks sprinkling holy water on the people as the procession passes by. A deeply spiritual time, May is the month for this national festival and it is also a time for the people to pay respects to their ancestors.
Myanmar offers the tourist many things, and if you like colourful festivals, talk to your tour operator, who can incorporate specific festivals that coincide with your trip. Don’t forget to take your camera, so you can record the amazing experiences that Myanmar is famous for, while you immerse yourself in these fun activities.
This post was written in collaboration with Media Buzzer.