By Guest Blogger Meagen Collins
The 2013 Burma season has kicked off and is already in full swing! Tourists will be roaming the streets looking to try new undiscovered street food, viewing ancient temples and riding some of the most horrible bus routes ever encountered by man!
The days will be hot and sweaty and with frequent blackouts; the heat is something that is difficult to escape unless you plan your Myanmar trip around the one event which is sure to keep you cool on those Hot Burmese days: The Thingyan Festival (April 13th to 16th).
Thingyan is somewhat similar to Thailand’s Songkran, and if you’ve never heard of either of them you’re about to find out about one of the craziest, fun and most memorable festivals in South East Asia.
Thingyan is a Buddhist holiday and celebration to wash away the sins and burdens of the previous year, and they do this by having a countrywide water fight! People hit the streets with hoses, water bottles, there are even little kids with cups of water which they spill on themselves more than anyone passing by! No one is safe!
Not only do you have to watch out for ground hits, but there are frequent air attacks from people on the balconies of their homes, and, of course, the jeeps which come around to give everyone a drive by soaking!
We went to both Songkran in Bangkok and Thingyan in Yangon in April of 2013 to experience both festivals and see which was better.
Our video shows how ‘off the chain’ this festival is, and how much fun you didn’t even know you were missing out on!
If you’re planning a trip to Myanmar in 2014 then incorporating Thingyan is a MUST! For our money, it’s way crazier than Songkran!!
Featured photo by John Shedrick
8 Comments
Nice post! I loved celebrating Songkran this past year in Thailand. It was such a fun and joyful celebration :)
I also really want to get to Bunyol in Spain for the town wide tomato fight – instead of being drenched in water by the days end I’e heard you’re just covered and knee deep in tomato juice!!
Nicely done. Definitely learned how much fun I didn’t even know I was missing out on! :-D
You and me both!
I have to admit that’s the first time I heard of Thingyan, is it also the New Year ?.
April for Thingyan :) Was April 13 – 16 last year. Meet you there!
Thingyan sounds awesome – I’m very jealous as I always seem to end up missing amazing festivals like this – I should plan my trips more and pay attention to timing I guess
We would do the same thing – always miss out on amazing festivals by like a week!
Now festivals play a big part of our research as well as what’s on in nearby destinations around the same time – it’s always fun planning little side day/weekend trips to take in a fun festival!