Each year, the central valley of Bumthang witnesses a unique event of sorts. Hundreds of Bhutan’s nomadic highlanders bring together herders of the north eastern and north western Himalayan frontiers in celebration of their unique culture and traditions, giving visitors the ideal opportunity to peek into their authentic way of life. Survival in the wilderness is hard. These nomads live under some of the harshest conditions closer to the snow capped mountains and it is interesting to see how they get by. The nomads of Bhutan depend on yaks for their livelihoods and therefore feature largely in their celebrations, traditions and customs. Although these communities are gradually entering the cash economy, they are still seen to be largely dependent on bartering practices. The ways of …

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 …