The southwest province of Yunnan in China is home to the prefecture of Xishuangbanna, which offers a splendid cultural offering that is worth discovering. It is home to the Dai ethnic community, which accounts for 34% of the state’s population and the annual water-splashing festival in the month of April is a fun event celebrated and enjoyed to the fullest by locals and visitors alike. The best way to soak up the festivities is from a quality hotel Yunnan has to offer its visitors, such as the Anantara Xishuangbanna. With its elegantly-appointed interiors and scenic locale, it is an ideal hotel in Yunnan to host your stay. When you visit Xishuangbanna during the month of April, which coincides with the Chinese New Year, you are …

Located just south of the Indian peninsula is the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka. Also known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is nation with a rich heritage and multi-cultural society. It is also a popular tourist destination, as it is home to beautiful golden sandy beaches, magnificent mountains with lush greenery, renowned religious and historical sites, and a booming hospitality industry along with a wide range of recreational and leisure attractions. There are many religious and cultural festivals that are celebrated in Sri Lanka. One such festival which is of immense significance to the Hindu Tamils of the island is Deepavali. This festival, which is a celebration of good triumphing over evil, is also celebrated in India, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, …

A traveller planning to enjoy their holiday in Indonesia to the fullest should make it a point to make reservations at a Bali luxury spa resort. An ideal choice of a Bali spa resort is COMO Shambhala Estate Bali. An island rich in natural beauty, Bali has long been a famed tourist destination. Whilst there are numerous attractions for travellers to explore, local events and festivals offer a glimpse into the distinctive local culture. Some of these festivals celebrate the art of woodcarving whilst others include harvest festivals, harvest festivals, colourful parades, fasting ceremonies and more. Experience the wide range of vibrant dances, processions, purification and much more. When it comes to non-religious festivals, there is the country’s Independence Day. Thanuja Silva is a travel …

Yoga, music and dance comes together in festive form for five days in a row with the participation of international music artists, bringing Bali to life each year. The Bali Spirit Festival is based in the country’s cultural capital Ubud and visitors are therefore advised to seek out an Ubud hotel to lodge in during the festival. However, finding Ubud accommodation may not be very easy during this period and specially if you want a comfortable abode like Alila Ubud Bali, you may have to book well before hand. During these vibrant days of celebration, Bali sees hundreds of the world’s top dancers, musicians, artists, yoga instructors and the like bring together elaborate workshops, seminars, exhibitions, performances and concerts bringing the city to life. Soak up some culture and …

Phuket is known for its heavenly beaches and is a much loved tourist destination. However, few people realise that Phuket is actually a highly spiritual place. Although not very big in size, the Thai island is home to a fair number of temples and there is always some type of function going on. Travellers who are interested in learning more about foreign customs and cultures can do so by participating in the local celebrations. There are several interesting options depending on the time of the year. Those visiting between August and September may get a chance to take part in the Por Tor Festival. The Por Tor Festival, more popularly known as the ‘Hungry Ghost Festival’, is a Chinese festival that falls on the seventh …

Ramdan Majlis 2013 is an ideal time to visit Dubai regardless of the religion and many other preferences. This holy month is the time to share the peace and joy with your family and loved ones. Some of the unique ways to spend your Ramadan is at the Dubai World Trade Centre and this is the time to share the spirit of hospitality and experience the authentic Arabic culture. Travellers looking for a conveniently located Dubai hotel can head down to Copthorne Hotel Dubai for a comfortable stay and easily access the city’s many top attractions. This Deira hotel Dubai is one of the highly recommended accommodation options available for the travellers visiting the city. Travellers looking forward to try out authentic Arabic and oriental …