Ring in the New Year again and again
Much of the world has already waved goodbye to the festive season and welcomed in 2017 but the Lunar New Year is yet to be celebrated by millions across Southeast Asia. A holiday by many names, families throughout Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar will be taking part in the joyous festivities and auspicious rituals around the first full moon in April.
Whether you’re in the bustling city or in the quiet countryside, experience New Year festivities unfold with sprays of water – quite literally! This popular tradition symbolises the cleansing of the old and ushering in of the new with a seemingly endless flow of water.
In stark contrast to these lively celebrations, Bali also celebrates its own version of New Year with the completely quiet Nyepi in March.
Songkran (Thailand and Laos – 13-16 April 2017)
Perhaps the most renowned New Year’s celebration in Southeast Asia is Songkran, which is jubilantly celebrated by both Buddhist Thais and Laotians alike (though often call Pii Mai Lao in Laos). The holiday historically centred around the younger generations respectfully drizzling and sprinkling flower-scented water on monks and their elders as a symbolic gesture of washing away past sins. Today, this festival is fun for all ages as they playfully splash water at each other, fuelled by adrenaline and glee.
Songkran is also a time where local temples hum with activity as people make merit. Inside these places of worship are beautiful flower garlands draped around Buddha statues and shrines, candles flickering on table tops and window sills, and wisps of incense smoke drifting toward the sky. People clean house and graciously exchange gifts while celebrations ensue with music, dancing and beauty pageants.
Where to stay for Songkran 2017 in Thailand: Thais typically celebrate the holiday from 13 – 15 April. Though celebrated throughout the country, Chiang Mai and Bangkok tend to be two of the best destinations to experience Songkran up close and personal. Try booking your stay amidst the simple elegance of Rachamankha in Chiang Mai or The Cabochon Hotel in Bangkok.
Where to stay for Pii Mai Laos 2017 in Laos: Lao people typically celebrate the holiday from 14 – 16 April. Celebrate the New Year from the charming UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang at Satri House.
Thingyan (Myanmar – 14-16 April 2017)
In the more reserved and lesser-explored country of Myanmar, Burmese people celebrate their New Year festival, known as Thingyan, with just as much gusto as their eastern neighbours. This four-day holiday incorporates the age-old tradition of dousing each other with water to cleanse one other of last year’s sins, similar to the Songkran holiday. Towns come alive as bamboo pavilions spring up practically overnight and crowds of locals spill out into streets to partake in dancing, parading, singing folk songs and wearing colourful costumes.
Where to stay for Thingyan 2017 in Myanmar: Experience Thingyan from the watery world around Inle lake staying at Inle Princess Resort or Inle Heritage Stilt Houses.
Choul Chnam Thmey (Cambodia – 14-16 April 2017)
The Cambodian New Year is called Choul Chnam Thmey and represents the end of the harvest season when the farmers can unwind and enjoy their bounty before the rainy season begins. People burn candles and incense at shrines, pay homage to Buddha and conduct special ceremonies for their ancestors. There is also the symbolic bathing with perfumed water to bring about longevity, happiness and prosperity to all.
Where to stay for Choul Chman Thmey 2017 in Cambodia: Ring in the Cambodian New Year at the seaside Samanea Beach Resort in Kep or in the culturally rich town of Siem Reap at The Samar.
Nyepi (Bali – 28 March 2017)
Bali celebrates a starkly different Hindu New Year holiday at the approach of the vernal equinox in March. Nyepi is intriguing in that it is not a day of loud celebration and merriment, but a day of hushed self reflection. Appropriately called the ‘Day of Silence’, there is no music, no entertainment and, for some, no talking. It is a tranquil time when many people fast and meditate. Streets are quiet and people stay indoors as they contemplate the importance of values such as kindness and patience. Visitors are not exempt from the restrictions, as the island shuts down even guests are expected to stay in their accommodation, however it’s still a fascinating experience for those who are visiting Bali.
Where to stay for Nyepi 2017 in Bali: Often a somewhat surreal experience for foreigners, the best way to spend Nyepi is in the comfort of a unique sanctuary, such as Villa Mathis in Seminyak or Hotel Tugu Bali in Canggu.