NAGA New Year Festival will take place from 15 to 17 January in Lahe, Naga Self-Administered Zone on a grand scale, said U Aung Htut, chair of the Naga Traditional Literature and Culture Association (Central). Leshi, Lahe and Nanyun towns of the Self-Administered Zone rotate their turns to host this annual festival after the harvest season.
“The festival is held in Naga’s three towns in turn. The festival is hoped to strengthen ties of Naga ethnic people, promote culture and effectuate socio-development. Naga traditional dance, music, performance and Naga feast will be included,” U Aung Htut elaborated.
Naga traditional dance and performance with distinctive traditional clothes decorated with silver bangles, hornbills, plumes, goat’s tails, boar teeth and buffalo horns enhance the visitors and tourists with its rich and unique culture. The opening day of the festival coincides with the 35th anniversary of the Traditional Naga Literature and Culture Association. The Naga Traditional New Year Sports
competitions are being held between 7 and 14 January to mark the Jade Anniversary. — ASH/KK

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The opening ceremony for Ayeyawady Shukhintha Resort in Myitkyina marking the 77th Anniversary of Kachin State Day that falls on 10 January 2025 was held at the resort yesterday.
The event was attended by State Administration Council Member Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister at the Prime Minister Office Admiral Tin Aung San and SAC Member Daw Dwe Bu, Union Ministers Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, U Maung Maung Ohn, U Min Naung, U Hla Moe, U Nyan Tun, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, State Chief Minister U Khet Htein Nan, Northern Command Commander Brig-Gen Aung Zaw Htwe, Deputy Minister Daw Nu Mra Zan and relevant officials.
The state chief minister first the establishment of Ayeyawady Shukhintha Resort, and the Admiral and party cut the ribbon to inaugurate the archway.
Then, they observed the decoration, collective exercise section and performance of students in the resort, and gave cash prizes to them. They also enjoyed the performance of students marking the 77th Kachin State Day at Sitapur Manaw ground.
The Admiral and party attended the opening ceremony of the Manaw festival. They also participated in the Manaw dance together with all the participants happily. They observed the local agricultural products, goods, instant foods, traditional clothing, bamboo and cane products, and cultural and educational galleries.
During the awarding ceremony of the horticultural show, the Admiral and party presented prizes to the winners. They then proceeded to the opening ceremony of the first phase of the Kachin State Cultural Museum in Ayeya Ward, Myitkyina, marking the 77th Kachin State Day.
After the opening ceremony, the state chief minister, deputy minister and state head of department explained the construction of the newly extended museum building and displayed booths and a digital museum hall. The extended building is 60 feet in length, 120 feet in width, and 32 feet in height and it is a two-storey building. The Department of Buildings under the Ministry of Construction built it using K994.880 million of the Union budgets in the 2023-2024 financial year.
The Admiral and party arrived in Myitkyina on 8 January to attend the 77th Kachin State Day and were welcomed by the state chief minister and wife, and relevant departmental officials at Myitkyina airport.
After the greeting speech of the chief minister at the lounge of the airport, he presented Kachin’s traditional costume, knife, bag and turbans to the Admiral and party. — State IPRD/KTZH

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

CHAUNGTHA Beach, located in Chaungtha Town of Pathein District, saw an influx of visitors from various regions on 25 December for the Christmas holiday.
According to a street vendor U Ko Ko Naing, “Visitor numbers vary daily, but holidays like Christmas bring significant crowds. Hotels and guesthouses receive bookings, and with the New Year approaching, the beach is becoming increasingly lively”.
Chaungtha Beach usually attracts visitors on regular weekends and public holidays. However, it is more crowded on the days of special significance and during long holidays.
To ensure a pleasant and safe experience for all, township authorities, under the supervision of Township Administrator U Thiha Aung are actively managing security, cleanliness, and traffic flow.
Vendors are required to adhere to regulations to maintain order and hygiene along the beach. — Kyaw Kyaw (IPRD)/KZL

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

During the trekking season of Mount Taungwine located in Mawlamyine resumed in December, the arrival of walkers and pilgrims has reached even over 2,000 on weekends, according to the Sasananwe Foundation. On 21 and 22 December, there were 1,200 and 2,000 walkers respectively and around 1,500 on some days. It is expected that the visitor arrival will be larger during coming long holidays, said residents. “Taungwine is like Mandalay Hill. We can view our town, Mawlamyine from the top of Mount Taungwine so people enjoy visiting here. The trekking path is crowded from 5 am,” said a resident. Recently, the weather has become cold at the foot of the mountain and walkers are advised to get dressed warmly. The three-month trekking and pilgrimage season, which is designated in December, January and February, started on 1 December, said the Sasananwe Foundation. 

Source: Myawady Web Portal

Preparations are in progress in Hpa-an, Kayin State, for the Kayin New Year celebration, scheduled for 30 December 2024, which coincides with the first waxing of Pyatho. The first waxing day of Pyatho in the Myanmar lunar calendar marks the Kayin New Year. This year, 11 January also fell on the first waxing day of Pyatho, making the upcoming celebration the second Kayin New Year in 2024. “According to the Myanmar calendar, this rare occurrence happens every four or five years. During the last New Year, a large frog drum and a buffalo horn sculpture were crafted in the field of Taungkalay. This year, preparations are underway to create a large Kayin national flag,” shared a resident of Taungkalay village in Hpa-an Township. At the upcoming Kayin New Year Festival, food will be served to attendees of the unveiling ceremony for the ‘Kayin National Flag.’ Additionally, sports competitions and traditional Don Yein dance contests will take place across Kayin State on Monday, 30 December, to celebrate Kayin New Year 2764.SK

Source: Myawady Web Portal

LAVENDER plantations near Pinlaung in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone of Southern Shan State have become a popular destination for domestic tourists. According to local sources, the plantations attract 300 to 500 visitors daily, primarily from Taunggyi and Kalaw.
Located near Phayaphyu Village in Naungtaya of Pinlaung Township, the lavender patches were originally cultivated as part of Thailand’s Mae Fah Luang project.
Efforts are now underway to develop the site into a Photo Sightseeing Tour destination to draw more visitors. Travellers from Taunggyi can reach the plantations by taking the Taunggyi-Aungban-Naungtaya route and turning off at the Nyanpin Village junction before arriving at Phayaphyu Village. Visitors from Kalaw can use the Kalaw-Tikyit-Naungtaya route to access the site. — ASH/KZL

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE 17th ‘Floral Fantasia’ flower festival, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the National Kandawgyi Garden (PyinOoLwin) in PyinOoLwin Township, Mandalay Region, will feature an entertainment programme titled ‘Floral Song of a Century’.
The flower festival will be held from 14 December 2024 to 14 January 2025, and the programme will begin on the opening day, 14 December. “On the morning of the opening day of Floral Fantasia 2024, 14 December, flower lovers will be entertained by cultural dances organized by Phoe Chit, along with performances by famous singers Phoe Thauk Kya, Ye Yint Wai Lwin, Ei Ei Chun, and Mae Chit Thet. In the evening of the same day, famous singers Thar Dee Lu, Nya Lin Htel, and others will also perform,” said U Zaw Min Tun, warden of the PyinOoLwin National Kandawgyi Garden.
During the month-long celebration of the 17th Floral Fantasia, musical performances and other entertainment programmes will take place on busy days, including the opening ceremony. In addition, during the weeks of Christmas, New Year, and Independence Day, there will be musical performances, magic shows, and dancing performances.
The flower festival will also feature a market selling consumer goods and food, as well as an exhibition area displaying local products and plants that support the local economy. — ASH/TKO

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE number of vacationers who come to visit Mount Mongshu in Mongshu to enjoy the view of the cloud sea has visibly increased this year compared to last year and it is expected to be larger in December when the scene of the cloud sea is the most beautiful, said the developer of the destination.

The destination was first developed in 2021 and it is located below the Ancestors’ Climbing Path Pagoda (PNO) and it just takes about 45 minutes from Mongshu. Mount Mongshu Cloud Sea Resort was opened to the public in September and the scene of Cloud Sea was beautiful in November and will look the most beautiful in December.

“Mongshu Cloud Sea was opened in September and the scenery looks incredibly beautiful in November. But the most beautiful time is December first week. The visitor arrival was just a few in the same period last year. In this year, nearly all rooms are occupied every night.

We have to create accommodation in the dining room for some visitors because rooms are unavailable. The visitor arrival has started increasing since Thadingyut and rooms are booked until 25-30 November,” she said.

Among visitors this year, the majority are from Tangyan and others are from Lashio and the surrounding area, at the same time there are many enquiries from Yangon Region.

Designated photo shooting spots have been provided and admission is K4,000 per person and will be raised to K5,000 in December.

Overnight visitors can stay at bungalows, which cost K 40,000 for double room and K100,000 for quadruple room. There are restaurants too. — MT/ZS

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

TRAVEL agencies are ready to provide the best climbing tours to ice-capped mountains this dry season, according to Puta-O Travel Agency.

Visitors can get to Puta-O from Yangon by a three-hour flight, and travel agencies in Myitkyina and Puta-O townships arrange tours to Kaunghmulon Pagoda, Mid-water Natkyun Pagoda and rocky plaque in the Malikha River, traditional culture and local food of ethnic people, Myoma morning market and Garhtu market.

“The tours being in open season. Although there are no visitors to Indawgyi Lake due to certain regional conditions, the trips to Myitkyina and Puta-O snow-draped mountains start. Four travel agencies in Puta-O arrange glacier-topped mountain trips. The main business in the local dry season is climbing trips to snowy summits,” said U Khine Oo, director of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

Puta-O is mainly packed with visitors and climbers. Although the number of travellers declined due to high prices of commodities and transport difficulties this year, local guides and luggage carriers can earn proper income from the regular arrivals of travellers.

“Traveller arrivals might decline this year more than last year due to difficulties, including air ticket fees. Those who eagerly want to visit here do come regardless of their difficulties this season.

We, the travel agencies, prepare to offer the best services,” said U Yaw Sett from Puta-O travel agency. Travel agencies arrange a 10-day trip to Mount Phonkanrazi for beginners and a 12-day trip to Mount Phonyinrazi.

Moreover, they prepare dry rations and gather luggage carriers and guides for trips in advance. People can enjoy the beauty and experience of scaling snow-capped mountains from November to April. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

THE Buddha Pujaniya Festival at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, will be held for seven months, from 17 October 2024 (Full Moon of Thadingyut) to 11 May 2025 (Full Moon of Kason), according to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

Trustees Board.

The board will provide free accommodation for pilgrims in the Pyaezone Community Hall and the 9,000 Oil Lamp Community Hall. In addition, paid accommodations, such as hotels and guest houses, are also available for pilgrims.

“The Buddha Pujaniya Festival at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda will begin on Full Moon of Thadingyut. We have conducted tests to ensure that the vehicles are fit to climb Kyaikhtiyo Mountain, with various mechanic groups working at the foot of the mountain. Pilgrims will be able to visit safely and happily. Arrangements are also underway for accommodation and meals for the pilgrims during the festival. Regarding the festival programs, as in previous years, the opening ceremony will be held,” said U Soe Hla, chairman of the board of trustees of the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda.

The board of trustees of the pagoda has issued guidelines for restaurants and souvenir shops at the pagoda’s base station and on the terrace to ensure that pilgrims receive convenient and healthy service.

Although it is currently the rainy season, pilgrims from all over the region visit Kyaiktiyo Pagoda every day, with approximately 50 buses providing transport up and down the hill. — ASH/TH

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar