Photo by Greg Holland
The energy of the Taunggyi Balloon Festival is similar to what is elicited in April’s Thingyan Water Festival. Except instead of water, the balloon festival has fire.
“Absolutely mad, only way to describe it. Fireworks going off into crowds. Almost everyone was drinking, many speaking odd tribal languages. Just mad”, says Charlie Artingstoll, a British expat who attended last year.
The balloon festival is part of Tazaungdaing, the buddhist full moon also known as the light festival, which celebrates the end of monsoon season. Taunggyi is the capital of Shan State, a region of several ethnic groups and languages, many of whom are represented at the event.
Corporate sponsorships line the edges of the festival now, from mobile phones to energy drinks, yet this festival has retained much of its traditional charm.
Daytime Taunggyi is quieter, but still busy. You can sit on the lawn and watch massive shapes inflate into various animals or a fantastically decorated hot-air balloon.
The fire mentioned earlier can be seen at night, follow the sound of deafening music if you can’t find the venue. There were no reported deaths last year, an improvement from 2014 which had two. But those attending this year should still be careful, especially around the balloons with fireworks in them. Accidents tend to come from large piles of fireworks weighing down the balloon from reaching a safe distance from the ground… Or if they hit the gas-filled ballon itself.
Joining the Festival
It will be nearly impossible to find a bus for the remaining days of the festival. If you’re keen, you should think about finding a bus to Kalaw. Alternatively you could fly into Heho airport which is an hour taxi ride away.
Lodging will be the main issue. More expats join every year, making accommodation sparse. It is illegal for foreigners to lodge outside of a hotel, this is especially enforced in the countryside.
Last minute lodging may be near impossible to find in Taunggyi but you can find places to stay in Nyaung Shwe which is about a 40,000 Ks cab ride away. Kalaw will be a bit more than that.
The festival technically began on the 6th of November. But most folks come right before the weekend. Here is the schedule for the event according to MyanmarTravelBlog.
Similar to Thingyan, the final days are considered the most wild… something to consider depending on what type of traveller you are!
Read more about the Taunggyi Balloon Festival from a 2013 account from Greg Holland
