The hot-air balloon festival in Taunggyi, Shan State, is one of the most significant events of Myanmar.
Happens every year in November, it usually takes 9 days as part of the Tazaungdaing Festival. The hot-air balloons decorated with various candles are launched and the attached fireworks explode mid-air.
The festival is beautiful yet dangerous since a slight miscalculation in gunpowder can cause the balloons to fall before it gets to a safe distance from the crowd. A shift in the wind direction can also lead the balloons to the residences nearby.
The untimely rain hardly hampers this year’s festivities as nearly 400 hot-air balloons of varying sizes have been launched at the Aweiyar Ground since 4 November.
The festival will end 12 November.
Photos by Khun Yar Zar (Taunggyi)
