Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Festival set for November 9, expected surge in foreign visitors
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Lynn/ Yoon (NP News) - Oct 28
The Association of Traditional Balloon Makers from Southern Shan State has reported that this year, the Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place on November 9th, and a significant increase in the number of international tourists is anticipated.
The festival will be held from November 9th to 15th, lasting for a total of seven days at the Awayar hot air balloon site.
In the Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival held in 2023, not only domestic visitors but also international tourists visited. This year, it is anticipated that the number of foreign tourists will also increase significantly.
A spokesperson from the Association of Traditional Balloon Makers from Southern Shan State stated to the NP News, "This year, since the Tazaungdaing Full Moon Day falls on the 15th, the festival will be earlier than usual. There won’t be any special arrangements; it will be similar to previous years. Tourists come every year, and now the water level down at the Phaungdawoo pagoda. In Taunggyi, the roads were congested even in Thadingyut festival due to the influx of visitors. Some accommodations are fully booked. We expect international tourists to join the Tazaungdaing festival this year as well. The government is overseeing everything closely, so I believe the number of tourists will increase. I also expect the government to ensure security measures are in place."
During the festival, hot air balloons will be launched during day-time, including two-legged, four-legged, and puppet-shaped balloons, while in the night, night light fire balloons and traditional firework balloons will be released.
The total number of balloons participating in the festival is still being compiled, and further announcements will be made by the end of October.
The Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival was suspended for three years starting in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic and was successfully resumed in 2023.