1 Day Taunggyi & the hot air balloon festival (L)

Over 1,430 meters above sea-level, is the capital of Shan State in the eastern part of Myanmar. A hill station known for its scenic beauty, Taunggyi is cool and pleasant all the year round. There are pines, cherry and eucalyptus trees growing all over the town and the whole area is green and pleasant. The busiest part of Taunggyi is the Myoma Market, a place where people from the environs used to flock only once every five days to buy and sell their regional products. Now it has become a daily market and is constantly crowded with people. It is also the gathering point of different national races residing in Taunggyi. Another interesting place to visit in Taunggyi is the Cultural Museum where cultural objects, musical instruments, traditional dresses, household and farm implements, paintings, sculptures, arts and crafts of the different national races residing in Shan State can be seen. There are also 'Hawnans" (palatial residences) where the Shan Sawbwas (Shan Chieftains) used to live can also be observed. In the afternoon, you will have enough time to take part in the Taunggyi Hot Air Balloon Festival. The hot air balloon festival is celebrated once a year as the second festival of lights after the Buddhist fasting period and runs for seven days. The festival is traditionally used by local people to pay homage to the Sulamani Temple by flying decorated hot air balloons in the sky. The paper balloons are between four, five and six metres tall and decorated on the outside with colourful cellophane lanterns. The lanterns have lights attached to them, which give each balloon a different pattern. A flame is used to heat the air inside the balloon and the hot air balloon rises rapidly - a one- to three-metre-long tail with various (constantly exploding) fireworks trailing along behind it. You will also see how the small children’s balloons are made, as well as the competition between the various groups, who compete for the honour of having the most beautifully decorated and highest-flying balloon.