The capital of the Shan State is a little away from the popular tourist destinations of Myanmar. However, close to the end of the Buddhist Lent in November, the mountain city attracts dozens of teams from all over the country who come to launch balloons. An exciting competition takes place at a specially designated area in the center of Taunggyi. The festival attracts more than 20,000 spectators annually and marks the end of the rainy season. Taunggyi or Tazaungdaing Balloon Festival takes place during the full moon in November.
The Burmese people ward off evil spirits by launching thousands of balloons—a mix of Buddhist and Hindu traditions. The balloons are nothing more than enlarged copies of Chinese sky lanterns. These fragile paper structures, which take the form of animals, birds, and mythological characters, are propelled by the burner in their lower part.
Taunggyi Hot Air Balloon Festival Program
The first three days of the competition take place only in the daytime, and the participants are mostly families with children. During the day, the balloons are usually shaped like pagodas and animals, such as dragons, birds, elephants, tigers, and ducks. Also, cartoon characters that children and adults will love often appear in the sky.
Balloon competitions are held throughout the day and late into the night, where villages, neighborhoods, and families can display their homemade balloons and represent their community. Folks begin preparing their hot-air balloons for the competition five or six months in advance, investing significant amounts of both time and money into embellishments such as fireworks, lighting, and painting. The festival features two types of hot-air balloons: a candle decoration called Sein Na Pan and a fireworks display called Nya Mee Gyi.
On the last day, after sunset, a torchlight procession goes to the festival field through the central streets of Taunggyi. The culmination of the festival is the launch of giant balloons decorated with patterns of burning candles. The finals are followed by fireworks. The Balloon Festival in Taunggyi is a colorful and exciting spectacle that allows one to immerse oneself in Myanmar's culture and get acquainted with its traditions and history.
Location
The Taunggyi City is the capital of Shan State, Myanmar. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and landscapes, the city is known for its vibrant culture, diverse ethnic communities, and annual hot air balloon festival, which not only attracts locals but also avid travelers. However, apart from the amazing festival, guests can explore Taunggyi's bustling markets, visit nearby temples and pagodas, and enjoy trekking and hiking in the surrounding hills.
