An annual festival in the Chonburi festival of Thailand, the buffalo races are quite popular amongst not only the locals, but also the foreigners. While visiting, there are plenty of luxury hotel resorts in which you can seek accommodation amongst which Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas stand out from amongst the luxury hotels in the region. According to records, buffalo racing in Chonburi is an event that has been in continuation for 70 years during which King Rama VI has also been an ardent viewer. The event is usually held a day before the full moon day in October and is held in great festivity. The buffalos are colourfully decorated in vibrant cloths and garlands of flowers, a sight which is quite delightful to witness. The trick is to …

On the 23rd day of the third lunar month each year, the charming village of Le Mat near the capital of Hanoi, Vietnam, bursts in a celebratory profusion of joy at its Snake Festival to celebrate a local legend of heroism and magic. For ample enjoyment, ensure you check into one of the luxury apartments Hanoi has to offer you, with the Somerset Grand Hanoi presenting an excellent example of Hanoi accommodation for you to avail yourself. The village of Le Mat has long had serpentine ties that lend it an aura of mystery and enchantment. Its primary lures are the elements of snake-catching, the brewing of snake wine, snake breeding, and the list goes on. The emphasis on the hissy being stems from a local legend that tells …

Get ready for some wet ‘n wild fun when you visit Thailand in the middle of April, and prepare to get soaked during the famous Songkran Festival, which features three full days of water-based shenanigans, so pack waterproof clothing and prepare to get soaked! Get out and join the fun (bring your own water pistol!) or retreat to a stylish Phuket resort to relax and unwind in style. In particular, consider checking into a Phuket Beach Resort such as the tranquil Anantara Phuket, Thailand. But if the fun demon within propels you to venture into Phuket during April 13-15, best come prepared, as no one is exempted from the splashing of their lives. You will see huge trucks that park alongside the main roads, armed with barrelfuls of ice …

One of the most important annual festivals in Sri Lanka, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a colourful cultural event that is celebrated throughout the island. Look to embark on your Sri Lanka travel adventures during the month of April which is when this festival takes place. A great way to see the sights of this event is by taking Sri Lanka tours organised by Jetwing Travels which provide a truly authentic holiday experience. Generally falling on April 13th and 14th, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a time for family reunions, observing religious customs, making traditional sweet meats and of course engaging in fun community games. The observance of customs such as boiling milk and lighting of the traditional oil lamp are done according to a …

Xi’an was one of the earliest centers of Chinese civilization going back to the Zhou dynasty of the eleventh century. It was home to several emperors and most of the ancient dynasties of China were established in this city. It is the perfect location for those interested in history, Chinese culture and Chinese people. If you are a history buff you can keep yourself busy in Xi’an for over a week since there are so many historical sites to visit. Even if you are not the history type, Xi’an is probably the best place to experience authentic Chinese culture. The city sits in the Wei River valley surrounded by modern developments, and yet you get the feeling that the people of Xi’an have held on …

Home to a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, races and religions, the city state of Singapore is a wonderful place to visit especially during the festive season. However, given its communal diversity, this state is home to a fairly divergent collection of festivals and religious celebrations and thus, it is likely that whenever you visit the country, there will always be a festival being celebrated by the locals! Singapore cultural events kick off with the Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival and the Lunar New Year by the locals and is one event that is celebrated by all Singaporeans regardless of their ethnicity or religion. During this celebration, new clothes are worn to welcome the New Year, houses are cleaned, …

The People’s Republic of China continues to make headlines for more reasons than its economic growth could ever muster up. Its world travel hotspots which offer the traveller a diverse range of experiences, sights & sounds and gourmet delights are unrivalled in relation to any other place in the world. Beijing, the capital of China is one of the four great ancient capitals in the country with a diverse history stretching back to many centuries. With over a population of 17 million citizens, Beijing is the largest city in China. There is much to see in this colourful ancient city that is bound to mesmerise its guests creating lasting memories. From rolling valleys to mountain ranges, monuments, historic landmarks and colourful festivals this city is …

Doha is a cosmopolitan city popular around the world not only for the business benefits that one could achieve but also for its vibrant tourism. The variety of activities that one would find in this city is capable of keeping the visitor entertained for a long period of time. The massive shopping malls that reach high up to the sky are the best that any shopaholic could get. You can go on a desert safari with your loved ones and enjoy a truly Arabian touch to your vacation. Also amusement parks, museums, waterfronts and much more can be found in this amazing Arabian city. Apart from all this Qatari oriented fun filled and education activities there are many more things that a visitor could enjoy …

Hong Kong is very much a modern cosmopolitan city but its predominantly Chinese heritage means that a number of Chinese festivals are enthusiastically celebrated. Even in this modern age, the people of Hong Kong adhere to ancient customs, celebrating festivals by visiting temples, engaging in or watching lion and dragon dancing, and burning large amounts of incense. One of the most popular and widely celebrated occasions for the people of this city is the distinctive Tin Hau Festival. Also known as the Birthday of Tin Hau, this festive occasion occurs on the third month’s 23rd day on the lunar calendar; its date on the Western calendar in 2014 is the 22nd April. Tin Hau is in fact the Goddess of the Seas and is also …

As Good Friday and Easter Sunday are public holidays in Indonesia, Bali simply heaves with visitors both local and foreign who come here to enjoy the extraordinary packages offered by hotels and restaurants around the island. Flights from Australia to Jakarta are full to capacity as many try to get to Bali to enjoy the festivities as much as the sun, sea and sand. Since Bali has had Christian enclaves going back several hundred years there are many Catholic, Protestant and churches of other denominations in many parts of the island. Locals and visitors alike who are desirous of beginning the day with a religious ceremony can attend services both in English and Indonesian at St Francis Xavier Church in Kuta, St Josephs in Denpasar, …