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TAUNGGYI TAZAUNGDAING

 
FIRE BALLOON FESTIVAL

What could go Wrong?

3 Weeks in November - Taunggyi MYANMAR

INFORMATION

The Wildest and Most Spectacular of them all 

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2023-11-15 11_49_40-create a realistic cartoon image of a hot air balloon carrying a fried

   HIGHLIGHTS - balloons & bangs

 

 

  • Yangon 4N to Yangon 1N via Overnight Sleeper Train 1N -  Thazi 1N - Kalaw 2N - Inle Trek 2N -                               Inle Lake Resort 2N -  Nyaungshwe 4N and Taunggyi 4N

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  • Shwedagon Pagoda

  • Royal Myanmar Teamix

  • Mohinga for Breakfast

  • Burmese Cheroots

  • Fermented Tea Leaf salad

  • Resort on the Lake

  • Shan Cuisine

  • Hot Springs

  • Kalaw Hill Station

  • Overnight Sleeper Train

  • High Tea at The Strand

  • Hand Rolled Cigars

  • Hoop junping Cats

  • Inthar Heritage House

  • Shan Cooking School

  • Fir Balloon Festival

  • Most Scenic train to Kalaw

  • The most interesting lake in the World

  • One-leg Rowing Intha Fishermen

  • Scenic Trek or Scenic Train to Inle Lake

  • The Most Beautiful Scenery in Myanmar

  • Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery

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                                  All travel information including hotels etc is at the bottom of this page

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  • Start off in the capital Yangon (Rangoon). The government changed the names back to the local versions back in 1989. It always was Myanmar we just used the English name Burma. Get your train tickets when you arrive as they sell out quickly. It can be tricky handling bookings due to poor internet around the country. But fear not I will introduce you to the ever reliable Thiri.

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  • If you've spent a bit of time in Asia you will notice something a bit strange in Yangon. It may take you a while to work it out. There are no motor bikes. They have been banned since 2003 and nobody knows why although there are many theories. You might also notice that most of the vehicles are right hand drive but they drive on the wrong side of the road. This is because the generals decided to swap sides. Overnight. With out any warning. What is weird though is this happened in 1970 and nothing has changed. Other overnight surprises have been to declare large bank notes are no longer legal tender effectively wiping out peoples life savings. These facts will give you a bit of an insight into this enigmatic country. George Orwell's Burmese Days is worth getting hold of as well. 

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  • For many years Rangoon was a stagnant city and a visit was like stepping back in time half a century. But now Yangon is a city on the move with a lot of new investment and buildings going up. The number one attraction to see here is the Shwedagon Pagoda which is supposedly covered in all of the gold looted from the Thai capital Ayutthaya when the Burmese sacked that city. Shwe means gold and it is a word you will see a lot of in Myanmar. Yangon is a pleasant city with lakes and parks, the Circular Train, High Tea at the Strand, Chinatown, BBQ Street, nightlife, street food and plenty of historical interest to keep you busy. 

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  • Catch the overnight sleeper train up to Thazi. This is always a good way to get to know some locals and get an insight into the culture. You could get straight on your connecting train if things are running on time. But it would be much better to have an overnight rest in Thazi so you can enjoy the next leg better.

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  • Not many travellers come here. usually it is only ones who have missed their connecting train. So that gives it some appeal from the start. Every place is worth seeing at least once. Stay at the friendly Moon Light Guest House a short walk from the train station. Stroll around town and explore. Find a great bakery, teashop, restaurant and some where to have a beer. Catch up on your diary or reading. Make some new friends.

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  • Up early to catch the slow train from Thazi to Kalaw. The guest house will give you a breakfast bag if you like. This is a wonderfully scenic journey that features the genius of British engineering to get your train up the hills. Numerous switchbacks, loops and even reversing up some sections. Equally interesting is the culture that exists around the line. People earning a living selling snacks and drinks. The comings and goings of a variety of people at the stations. Kids waving along the way. Traffic held up at road crossings. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

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  • Kalaw was founded as a Hill Station by the British during Colonial rule. Some were disappointed they couldn't take it home with them when they left. It has churches, English rose gardens, tennis courts and Tudor style buildings. It is surrounded by colourful Hill Tribe Villages, Pine forests and bamboo groves. 

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  • You can explore the area by foot or bicycle. There is a quaint village with a big cave you can ride to. Wander around the colourful market in the middle of town. Every one is very friendly here. Head to the Spa for a massage. Or do an off road motorbike or mountain bike tour. The mountain bike can be an alternative way to get to Inle Lake and the company will transfer your pack. 

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  • Start discovering the delicious, healthy and unique Shan cuisine. Succulent curries, tasty noodles and soups and unusual salads. The best place to try them is Aung Nyein Chan Aung. This town goes to bed early but there are a few spots where you can enjoy a beer or three. Look for the "Waving Lady" at the Smile Bar on the main road. The local lager is a pretty good drop.

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  • The trek to Inle Lake is relatively easy and most people should be able to finish it. If you're not up to trekking you can catch the wonderfully scenic train from the Mock Tudor Station to Inle Lake. You will have a couple of days up your sleeve to spend anywhere you like. If you are up for trekking you're in for a real treat. It will be one of, if not THE highlight of your trip. It last's for 3 days and two nights and goes for 57 kilometers through the most scenic area in Myanmar.

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  • There is also a two day option which skips the first part of the trek. If you're not sure if you can make it you can get a back up motor bike to follow you for a reasonable price. There are five or more routes to pick from and many companies and prices. Remember you only get what you pay for. The itinerary will have the best companies highlighted.

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  • A typical route will take you through many hill tribe villages. You will spend the night in a stilted family house in a village and a Monastery. The scenery changes from day to day. You will find yourself walking through Forest, tea plantations, rolling hills, Farmland, Orange groves, rice paddies, vegetable gardens and finally you will see that sliver of water that is Inle Lake. They once grew opium in this area but now it is cabbages, canola and other vegetables. One of the best things are the happy faces of the children as you pass through their village.

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  • The trekking company will drop your luggage off at Nyaungshwe but you still have a couple of nights before you get there. Spend a couple of nights at a resort out on the lake. Put your feet up enjoying the view from your balcony. Get an in room massage to sort out those tired muscles. Just appreciate doing nothing. Read your book, have a cocktail and spoil your self. Have a three course meal. You could do a tour of the lake but that is easily organised from Nyuangshwe and you have plenty of time.

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  • Fully recuperated, take a boat to Nyaungswe at the edge of the canal that leads to the lake. It was once the capital of the Shan Kingdom. If you can afford it stay at the Viewpoint one of my favourite hotels in the world. Otherwise there are other good places. Definitely eat at the View Point's Shan Restaurant as often as you can.

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  • Wine lovers and drinkers will want to go to Red Mountain Estate Vineyard & Winery. Once you've toured the premises and tasted the product it's time to get down to business. Have a long, lazy, boozy lunch at their scenic restaurant overlooking the winery, vineyards, Inle Lake  and a local village. It's a great spot for sunset so make that a really loong booozy lunch.

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  • Time to go back to the lake and see what it's all about. â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹Most lakes are just big expanses of water. Not this one. There are so many points of interest you'll need a few days if you want to see any of them in depth. In parts it is like an Asian Venice. They have floating market gardens that feed the population. There are factories that produce a range of goods in different industries. There are huge Pagodas and Temples, shops and markets , those over water resorts, fisherman who paddle with their legs, Cats that jump through hoops, bird watching, jewelry making, black smithing, excellent cigars / cheroots, you name it and it's probably here. Must stop for lunch is the Inthar Heritage House where they are reclaiming the Burmese Cat species. They also have a spectacular balcony restaurant with fabulous food.

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  • Back on dry land there is plenty to do around Nyaungshwe as well. Rent a bike and pedal out to the hot springs. There is a pool and a restaurant here so it's a pleasant place to hang out for a few hours. The ride is nice too, past rice paddies and water buffalos. Or how about a cooking class to learn how to cook Shan dishes. The culturally important puppet show is fun and you can buy one as a souvenir. There is an authentic day market and a Night Market that is a lot of fun. It has food, drinks, souvenirs and lots of tables and chairs. It has groovy music and entertainment for the kids.

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  • Time for the main event. Make your way to Taunggyi for the big festival. There is a choice of accommodation between in town and out on the golf course. The final night is the big one so time your visit for this. See the day time activities, the town's attractions and have a round of golf. Stay safe and have the time of your life in the evenings. See details below.

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  • While you're already here you might want to see some of the other major highlights of #30 Myanmar. There is a milk run flight that goes from nearby Heho to Mandalay - then Nyaung U Airport for Bagan and then on to Yangon. You can fly directly to Bangkok from Mandalay.

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Monk
Image by Mg Cthu
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Trek to Inle Lake
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Inle Lake

 Image by Martine Auvray from Pixabay 

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      TAZAUNGDAING

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DATE -

  • The full moon of the 8th month of Myanmar's Lunar calendar or late October early November

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LENGTH -

  • 7 - 10 days

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HISTORY -

  • It is a mixture of Hindu and Buddhist traditions to ward off evil spirits. It is to celebrate the Tazaungmon full moon.

  • The tradition of releasing hot air balloons in Taunggyi was actually started by the British although it was a lot tamer.

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WHERE -

  • Taunggyi the Capital of Shan state 645 kms NE of Yangon, Myanmar

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ABOUT -

  • One of a kind unlike any other in the world, it attracts over 20,000 spectators and marks the end of the rainy season.

  • The balloons are large versions of the floating lanterns commonly seen at festivals.

  • The first three days are only in the daytime and cater mainly to families with children.

  • On the last night there is a torchlight parade through the main streets of Taunggyi.

  • There are two types of balloons, pretty ones that are festooned with candles creating pictures or Burmese script as well as hanging illuminated billboards below them

  • and other ones that are full of fireworks. 

  • It is also a competition where the balloons are judged on size, speed, beauty etc, First prize is around $3000 but the cost of making the balloons runs from about $2,000 - $10,000.

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INCLUDES -

  • Lots of food and drink stalls, Illuminated temple,

  • Hundreds of multi shaped hot air balloons with fireworks attached

  • Pop music, A big Fair, Dancing,

  • Human powered ferris wheel, Clothing stalls, Free samples  

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HIGHLIGHT -

  • The launching of the giant balloons

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BRING -

  • Only essentials

  • Hat, Warm clothes (natural fabrics are best for errant sparks),  good footwear

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SAFETY -

  • Stand well clear, be warned their safety record is not good although they have brought in measures to try and make it safer,

  • But it is fun, spectacular and unique, try to avoid being in an area where you could be caught in a stampede or have fire and explosives rain down upon you,

  • There are a lot of drunks (friendly) around and a lot of fire (not usually a good mix),

  • if you take sufficient care you will be fine,

  • Don't be down wind of the balloon,


PARTY FACTOR -

  • Lots of booze and drunks, flying bombs, loud music and it finishes about 6 am. Yes it's a Party.

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TIPS -

  • There are special areas set up for foreigners safety,

  • There is also a VIP room surrounded by glass,

  • Fire fighters are on hand,

  • This is the Burmese version of Loy Krathong turned up a notch or two

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Art of the world and an aeroplane flying around the world
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