The fluvial procession that takes place during the waxing of the moon until three days after the full moon of Thadingyut (from September to October) and takes these images around the stilted villages of Inle Lake is the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival. It is widely attended by thousands of devotees from the Shan state and around country. Because of Burma’s isolation in recent years, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is one of Southeast Asian festivals that mirror the people’s authentic celebration of their faith and local culture, an apt and colorful introduction to any travel to Myanmar.

Boat Races in Inle Lake (Photo by Mark Abel)


The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival 2013 will start on October 5 and end on October 22.

Fluvial Parade of Gold-Leaf Covered Images of Buddha

On the occasion of the festival, four out of five Buddha images are taken out of the pagoda for a fluvial procession. The fifth image is left behind to guard their resting places in the pagoda.

Each of the four images are placed on elaborate pagoda replicas aboard a barge that looks like a mystical goose or swan.

These elaborate barges are then towed by boatloads of famous Inle Lake leg-rowers in a clockwise fashion along the shores of the lake, making an impressive spectacle by the sheer immensity of the procession and the ornately decorated vessels. The gold-leaf covered images – which are themselves made of pure gold and very heavy – usually make lunch stops and even stay the night at the main temple of the villages along the shores of Inle Lake to allow people to pay homage to these holiest of Buddha images. The entire procession takes 18 days to complete.

Unique Boat Races of Leg-Rowers

The procession concludes as the images arrive back at the Phaung Daw Oo Monastery and received by a Myanmar government official (a role taken by a Shan royalty in the past). Many pilgrims travel far and wide to venerate these images as they arrive, but only male worshippers are allowed to cover the Buddha with gold leaf.

The last day of the festival is also celebrated with boat races near the home pagoda and participated by both men and women in their traditional costumes. These boat races are unique because rowers use their legs to propel the boat, much in the same way they do when they are out fishing in Inle Lake.

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Below is the list of Myanmar public holidays 2014 which surprisingly, leave plenty of businesses open, except for banks, and except when Maha Thingyan is celebrated (when everything is shuttered and it’s all just fun!). As with any event relying on the local sighting of the new moon, Buddhist festival dates may still be moved until confirmed by the local authorities.

Independence Day – Saturday, 4 January 2014

On this day in 1948, Myanmar gained independence from Britain. To mark this day, sports events, concerts and community fairs are held in most major cities in Myanmar, along with cultural performances that highlight the traditions of Burma before it fell under British rule. Events sponsored by the government are not as widely celebrated.

Union Day or Unification Day – Wednesday, 12 February 2014

On this day in 1947, Bogyoke Aung San (father of Aung San Suu Kyi) led the Myanmar state representatives into a unification meeting called the Panglong Conference. In this meeting, state representatives agreed to enter into the Union of Burma, a transitional government headed by Gen. Aung San. The Union was formed in order to seek independence from British control, which eventually took place a few months after. Now that the Myanmar junta has welcomed (positive) changes, certain sectors of the Burmese society particularly those marginalized, can now openly celebrate with flag-raising events and even military parades.

Peasants Day – Sunday, 2 March 2014

As an agro-based economy, Myanmar has a large population of ‘peasantry’ engaged in farm work and supportive sectors. On this day, the peasants are addressed and honored by the president in mainstream broadcast and print media.

Full Moon of Tabaung – Friday, 7 March 2014

The Full Moon of Tabaung is the Burmese equivalent of (Thailand) Makha Bucha when 1,250 Buddhist disciples gathered spontaneously before Buddha to hear his sermons. Tabaung refers to the last month in the Burmese calendar, which happens to coincide with the Gregorian month of March. On this day, people celebrate by building sand stupas and offering alms to the monks. This is also the start of the season, which coincides with post-harvest, when pagoda festivals take place in major monasteries like that of Shwedagon, Kek-Ku and Inn-Daw-Gyi.

Armed Forces Day – Thursday, 27 March 2014

On this day, members of the Armed Forces of Myanmar perform military parades in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, in honor of the servicemen, both fallen and in active duty, and as an opportunity to showcase the country’s military might. Apart from speeches given by the commander-in-chief and other high-ranking military officials, there are no flag-hoisting events taking place in Yangon and anywhere else, as the day’s celebrations are often subdued and limited to the capital. This year, iconic leader and daughter of the general who established the Myanmar Armed Forces, Aung San Suu Kyi, attended the Nay Pyi Taw celebrations.

Water Festival (Maha Thingyan) – Sunday to Wednesday, 13 to 16 April 2014

The Burmese equivalent of spring festival falls in the same month as the celebrations of the Burmese New Year Water Festival, or Maha Thingyan, the most important festival in Burma. Cultural performances and legendary floats feature prominently in the festivities, although it is the water dousing up to the second day before last that takes the spotlight. In this respect, Maha Thingyan is similar to Thailand’s Songkran.

Myanmar New Year – Thursday, 17 April 2014

Maha Thingyan culminates on the celebrations of Myanmar New Year. On this day, young people visit their families and offer water in a terra cotta pot and shampoo to their elders, sometimes performing hair-washing using traditional beans and bark. This is also the time when devout Buddhists make food offerings in various places, listen to Dharma teachings in monasteries, and give alms to monks and to those who join the New Year festivities.

Labor Day – Thursday, 1 May 2014

On this day, Myanmar joins the international community in honoring the social and economic contributions of the workers to their society.

Check out the best hotel offers when planning your trip to Myanmar.

Full Moon of Kason – Monday, 5 May 2014

The Full Moon of Kason is more famously known as Vesak, or the day of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. On this day, Burmese Buddhists take part in the ceremony which involves the watering of the Bodhi tree in various pagodas throughout the country, the sacred tree under which Buddha was said to have achieved enlightenment.

Martyrs’ Day – Saturday, 19 July 2014

After the Panglong Conference in February, the transitional government of the Union of Burma headed by Bogyoke Aung San and other leaders decided to secede from British control and were working to achieve independence when they were assassinated on this day in 1947. The major events take place at the Martyrs Mausoleum underneath the Shwedagon Pagoda where wreath are laid to the tombs of General Aung San and eight others who were killed on that same grim event. The Myanmar junta’s relaxed grip on censorship lately has opened the mausoleum to the public where they could pay tributes to the fallen leaders of the Union of Burma who worked to achieve independence which they themselves did not live to see.

Full Moon of Waso (Beginning of Buddhist Lent) – Saturday, 2 August 2014

The Full Moon of Waso coincides with the start of the Buddhist Lent when monks would gather in monasteries and retreat centers all over Myanmar to reflect on the teachings of Buddha and engage in meditations. The Full Moon of Waso also marks the start of the monsoons, so the monks spent the rest of the season, usually three months long, in monasteries. The devout take this time to offer monks new robes, and gather wild flowers to be offered in pagodas.

Full Moon of Thadingyut (End of Buddhist Lent) – Thursday, 30 October 2014

The Full Moon of Thadingyut marks the end the Buddhist Lent and is celebrated in a similar fashion to Deepavali or the Festival of Lights. Houses, monasteries, public buildings and streets are illumined on the occasion of this festival, to mark and welcome the descent of Buddha from the heavens to his earthly abode. It is also customary for young people to pay homage to their elderly and to seek forgiveness from them for perceived or actual transgressions.

Tazaungmone Full Moon Day – Friday, 28 November 2014

On this day, Buddha returned back to earth after his visit to his mother’s reincarnated spirit in the heavens. Lighting candles to welcome Buddha back also marks this occasion, but the more prominent event is the robe-weaving activity that happen overnight, a tradition that was started when Buddha’s stepmother offered him a robe she had made. A more compelling sight is when people send up fire balloons to commemorate a prince’s journey to become Buddha.

National Day – Monday, 8 December 2014

The National Day is usually on the 10th day after the full moon of Tazaungmone, and this commemorates the start of bitter student protests against British policies. The National Day has not been openly celebrated in Burma for a long time (as the Myanmar junta policy is to request permission for any gathering of a large number of people) but amidst waves of political reforms, people have begun to gather, celebrate their cultural heritage and share food in celebration of this day.

Christmas Day – Thursday, 25 December 2014

Despite the country’s steep adherence to Theravada Buddhism, Myanmar celebrates the birth of the Christian savior, albeit with a subdued atmosphere. Christmas services are held on the day itself, and only in (infrequent) chapels that have (small) Christian populations.

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Unlike the well-trodden traveler circuit of neighboring country Thailand, Burma’s trails are yet to be scuffed up by tourists looking for something authentic. Decades of self-imposed isolation (and embargoes sanctioned by international authorities) left Burma’s indigenous culture relatively unsullied by outside influence.

Burma’s isolation is good news to travelers who have become tired of multinational chains and brands following them even in the remotest corners of the globe. It’s time to see a country that has not yet succumbed to the imperialism of McDonald’s or Starbucks. To ease yourself into this new world of wonders, take a look at how other travelers saw Burma before its recent breakthrough.

Former Burmese capital Yangon (Photo by McKay Savage)

Yangon, despite the transfer of capital to Nay Pyi Taw, is still the gateway to the rest of Burma. Founded in 1755 by King Alaungpaya, the “Garden City of the East” is the bustling center of commerce where degrees of outside influence can be felt.

Street food in Burma (Photo by McKay Savage)

Street food in Burma is just as ubiquitous and cheap as they are in neighboring Thailand. Burmese cuisine, in particular, often comes with helpings of condiments to customize taste.

The Shwedagon Pagoda, a sacred site for Buddhists
(Photo by Arian Zwegers)

The most visited and photogenic attraction of Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, a 2,500-year-old temple which contains the relics of Buddha.

Bodhi Tataung in Monywa, a city in Northern Burma (Photo by McKay Savage)

Stupas, or conical mounds that contain relics of Buddha, are featured prominently in Burmese Buddhist temples. Golden stupas like these found in Bodhi Tataung usually number in thousands in one temple complex.

Bagan temples by the thousands (Photo by Stefan Munder)

Long before Burma fell into the hands of its British colonizers and the junta, it was a country of divided kingdoms, and the kingdom that unified what constitutes modern Burma rose in the Mandalay region which we now know as Bagan. That ancient kingdom of “Pagan” built about 10,000 pagodas, temples and monasteries. The remains, about 3,000 strong, are now enlisted in the Bagan Archaeological Zone, a hotspot in Burma’s nascent tourism.

Burmese rubies are some of the most coveted gems in the world (Photo by Azmil77)

Burma is rich in mineral resources. Flawless – and therefore expensive – rubies are mined in Burma, which is one reason why international jewelers are eyeing to gain entry into this country.

Sunset over Ngwe Saung Beach (Photo by stephen_khine)

Burma has 2,000 kilometers of coastline that face the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. This means that like Thailand, beaches in Burma are just as sumptuous and sunsets are just as dramatic.

Mergui archipelago on the western border of Thailand (Photo by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

If there is one thing that describes Burma’s beaches best, it is “undertouristed.” The dearth of traveler-sourced images suggests that Burma’s beaches are indeed yet to be explored. So far, this is the best (NASA) view of Mergui Archipelago, a collection of about 800 islands inhabited by the Moken who still live the hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

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Such is the case of Burma, whose censorship board has only been recently dismantled. Thanks to travelers who made it through Burma’s tough entry policy and brought back images of this exotic country, we are better able to keep the suspense to a minimum when we finally come face to face. Here’s hoping that these glimpses prepare us for this unique encounter.

A Karen girl with a “long” neck (Photo by Steve Jurvetson)

The Karen people were originally from southern and southeastern Burma and only got displaced when they were driven by the Myanmar junta (Burmese military government) out of their domains. They now mostly live in Thailand-Burma border as stateless citizens. Their necks are not long; brass coils that are fitted in their childhood depress the shoulder bones, giving an illusion of elongated neck.

Chewing tobacco, betel nuts and leaves is a national habit (Photo by McKay Savage)

“Kun-ya” chewing is fashionable in Burmese culture. Made from betel leaves, areca nuts, tobacco and slaked lime paste, “kun-ya” or paan is thought to have narcotic effects. Understandably, Western visitors consider this habit gross, as chewers spit on the streets and practically paint the town red. Among the Burmese, an offering of paan is a gesture of hospitality and goodwill.

A young Burmese girl with “thanaka” (Photo by Stefan Munder)

The ubiquitous make-up in Burma is “thanaka”, made from the bark of the tree of the same name (Limonia acidissima) believed to control oiliness, tighten pores and cool the skin. This paste has been applied by girls and women, and to a lesser extent men and boys, for over 2,000 years and has become a distinctive mark of the Burmese.

Mohinga (rice noodles and fish soup), a national dish (Photo by cumi&ciki)

The Burmese diet consists mainly of steamed rice, soup, meat, vegetables and fish which are all served at the same time and with so many condiments on the side. When eating in Burma, eat with the right hand, as the left is associated with hygienic duties and therefore considered unclean.

Selling produce in a traditional market (Photo by Brian Snelson)

Agriculture is still the major economic driver of Burma. Selling produce with the barest of fixtures keeps overhead to a minimum.

Burmese women in traditional clothing (Photo by Esme Vos)

“Longyi” is a piece of fabric sewn into a cylindrical shape so it can be worn around the waist and fastened in place by folding the fabric over (women fold the fabric on the sides while men on the front). The wearing of “longyi” is still a daily fashion. It is one thing that tourists can participate in without offending local sensibilities (although prepare to be snubbed when buying “longyi” in certain markets).

“Longyi” worn by Burmese man (Photo by Esme Vos)

In Burma, men wear “skirts”. Unlike the national (male) costume of the Philippines (Barong tagalog) which is only worn in formal and special occasions, the Burmese wear theirs on a daily basis. In public, the men often wear “longyi” with sensible underwear, but at home, they favor “free air-conditioning.”

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Angkor Wat remains Cambodia’s major tourist draw

Take for instance Fodor’s 7 Affordable Destinations for 2013. There certainly are plenty of places in Southeast Asia where a dollar goes a long, long way, and Cambodia is one of them. Throw in ancient archaelogical wonders like Angkor Wat and you have got a winner.

Then you have Conde Nast saying in its Destinations to Watch in 2013 that Maldives is out, Philippines is in! Those in the loop already know this, but given the massive campaign of the Department of Tourism that “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”, the country is indeed poised to invade the global beach scene.

Just 7 of the 7,107 islands (Photo by The Wandering Angel)

And Lonely Planet has a word to say: Palawan. Also named one of the Hot 20 Destinations of 2012 by National Geographic, Palawan is indeed revving up for the influx of tourists that has been arriving and and are yet to come. Despite the fact that it can get elbow-to-elbow when visiting the now world-famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan still has plenty to offer. There’s El Nido, Coron, San Vicente, Port Barton (Sabang), and Balabac Island. And if you dare to explore the 7,000 others, the list could as well be endless.

In its Best Trips for 2013, National Geographic names Myanmar, along with world-favorite Indonesia, in the top 20. Indonesia, of course, needs no introduction, but it is worth mentioning that Raja Ampat, off the coast of West Papua, is the oceanic sister of the Amazon. Philippines has it too (Tubbataha Reefs) and so does Malaysia (Sipadan).

But Burma has a different appeal.

A serene Myanmar countryside trapped in time

Largely ignored by mainstream travelers for the longest time, the country once named Burma took the spotlight once again when its homegrown champion of democracy, the house-arrested Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, earned a seat in the parliament. Today, because of its reclusion from outside influences, places outside Yangon and Mandalay seem frozen in time. Get ready for pagoda fatigue as you stroll along the banks of Ayeyarwady River.

Travel and Leisure still maintains that Philippines is more than just a side trip. You must have already heard countless times about Boracay, but what about the highlands of Nepal? Not technically Southeast Asian, Nepal is one of the favorite circuits of pedal pushers and summit seekers. Time to get to know it more this year.

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