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Best festivals in Asia

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Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
9.7
Asakusa, on the west bank of the Sumida River, hosts Sanja Matsuri each May. Sanja Matsuri sends about a hundred portable shrines through the streets with shouting crowds. The Sumida River Fireworks Festival fills the sky on the last Saturday of July. Koenji Awa Odori fills the streets with dancers each August.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
  • 🍣 Savour sushi at a local eatery
Hong Kong
Where East Meets West
9.3
Each spring on Cheung Chau island locals build tall bamboo towers covered in lucky buns. The festival honours the god Pak Tai. A parade carries children high on poles. Dragon boat races in late spring or early summer fill the water at Stanley and Sha Tin.
Highlights:
  • 🥢 Shop and eat street food in Mong Kok’s bustling markets
  • ⛴️ Sail across Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry
  • 🌇 Ride the Peak Tram and admire skyline views from Victoria Peak
Bangkok
The city of contrasts and chaos
8.6
Silom Road turns into a giant water fight each April during Songkran, the Thai New Year. Songkran also has a quiet side with water poured over elders' hands for blessings. In November people float small banana leaf boats with candles on the Chao Phraya River for Loy Krathong.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Watch the sunset over Wat Arun by the Chao Phraya River
  • 🚤 Take a boat ride through Bangkok’s bustling floating markets
  • 🏯 Visit the glittering Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple
Chiang Mai
Ancient temples and mountain escapes
8.1
King Mangrai founded this city as the Lanna capital in 1296 and its people still keep Lanna festivals. Yi Peng each November fills the sky with paper lanterns set loose at night. Loy Krathong falls on the same days and lit boats drift down the Ping River.
Highlights:
  • 🛕 Visit the sacred Doi Suthep temple atop the mountain
  • 🍲 Join a traditional Thai cooking class with locals
  • ⛩️ Explore the ancient temples of the Old City
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
9.2
Gion Matsuri floats are wooden towers up to 25 metres tall that roll through town each July. It began in 869 to calm a plague and is a UNESCO heritage event. Crews lash the floats together with rope and use no nails. The nights before, called yoiyama, fill closed streets with lanterns and food.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Climb the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • 🍱 Experience Japan’s beautifully presented Kaiseki dining at a traditional restaurant
  • 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
8.6
Thousands of glowing paper lanterns fill Jongno Street at night during the Lotus Lantern Festival. It marks Buddha's birthday in May with a night parade from Dongdaemun to Jogyesa Temple. Jogyesa Temple hangs rows of lanterns across its courtyard weeks before the parade. The Seoul Lantern Festival lights Cheonggyecheon stream each November.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Admire Seoul’s skyline from N Seoul Tower at sunset
  • 🛍️ Shop and eat street food in bustling Myeongdong
  • 🏯 Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch the royal guard ceremony
Dubai
Glamour, Adventure and Desert Charm
9.2
Fireworks crackle above Global Village while food stalls fill the air with smoke and spice. Global Village runs from October to spring with pavilions for dozens of countries. The Dubai Shopping Festival usually runs from December into January with sales. Dubai Food Festival adds chef events and street food in late winter.
Highlights:
  • 🏜️ Take a desert safari and ride camels over golden dunes
  • ⛷️ Shop and ski inside the Dubai Mall and Ski Dubai
  • 🏙️ Ascend the Burj Khalifa and watch the city from above
George Town – Penang
Street Art, Heritage and Food Heaven
7.0
On the northeast tip of Penang island this city packs many festivals into narrow streets. Thaipusam brings a silver chariot procession through the streets each January or February. Chinese New Year hangs red lanterns across the old town. The George Town Festival adds art and music across the old town each summer.
Highlights:
  • 🏠 Visit the historic Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion
  • 🎨 Discover vibrant street art along Armenian Street
  • 🏛️ Explore Pinang Peranakan Mansion's rich heritage
Kathmandu
Temples, chaos and Himalayan magic
6.9
Dashain lasts fifteen days and is the longest national festival in Nepal. Families receive a red tika mark and blessings from elders on the tenth day. Indra Jatra in September pulls the living goddess Kumari through Durbar Square in a chariot. Kites fill the sky above rooftops during Dashain.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Explore ancient palaces in Kathmandu Durbar Square
  • 🕉️ Visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of Asia’s largest stupas
  • 🐒 Climb 365 steps to the iconic Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Varanasi
India’s Timeless Spiritual Heartbeat
7.5
Dev Deepawali falls on the full moon about fifteen days after Diwali. Thousands of clay lamps light the stone steps called ghats along the Ganges. Every evening priests at Dashashwamedh Ghat wave fire lamps in the Ganga Aarti, a river ritual. Visitors watch from boats on the river or from the steps.
Highlights:
  • 🕌 Explore the ancient ruins of Sarnath Buddhist site
  • 🛕 Visit the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple
  • 🪔 Attend the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Harbin
Ice sculptures sparkle beneath winter’s glow
8.5
The Ice and Snow Festival opens around 5 January and runs until the ice melts. Workers cut huge blocks of ice from the frozen Songhua River. They build towers and palaces taller than houses and light them with coloured LEDs at night. January highs stay well below freezing so pack heavy layers.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Admire Saint Sophia Cathedral's stunning Byzantine architecture
  • 🐅 Walk through the Siberian Tiger Park, observe wildlife
  • ❄️ Explore Harbin's massive Ice and Snow Festival
Mathura
Sacred birthplace of divine love and devotion
7.5
Hindu tradition places Krishna's birth in this city and it marks the day each August or September at Janmashtami. Holi here runs for about a week with coloured powder, flower petals and temple songs. In nearby Barsana women chase men with sticks in Lathmar Holi. Vrindavan next door has a petal Holi in its temples.
Highlights:
  • 🎶 Attend a devotional bhajan in Krishna Temple
  • 🛍️ Explore the ancient streets of Mathura Bazaar
  • 🌅 Witness the sunrise at Vishnu Mandir
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