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In Pictures: Myanmar festival rises high

The Tazaungdaing Lighting Festival sees hundreds of lanterns and hot air balloons take to the skies of Shan state.

A man stacks mulberry paper inside a hot air balloon during its construction.
By Htoo Tay Zar
Published On 6 Dec 2012

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Taunggyi, Myanmar – One of this country’s most famous festivals is celebrated each year here, the capital of Shan state.

The Tazaungdaing Lighting Festival pays homage at the Sulamuni Buddhist Pagoda, with hot air balloons made from bamboo and mulberry paper (Shan paper) – made locally in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The balloons, between 15 and 20 feet tall, are decorated with paper lanterns, fireworks and flares which detonate in mid-air.

Members of each balloon team perform traditional dances as their balloon begins to ascend.

Each year, more than 200 lanterns take to the skies in the festival, making this event Myanmar’s largest hot air balloon festival.

The hot air balloon contest is part of the Taung Gyi Tazaungdaing Festival, which sees team members making their own firecrackers with gunpowder, ensuring an explosive festival atmosphere.
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Men and women alike enjoy the spectacle in the capital of Shan state.
Hot air balloons are built of bamboo and locally made mulberry paper.
Teams warm the air inside the balloons to provide their creations with lift.
The balloons rise majestically into the crisp night air.
Members of each balloon team perform a traditional dance as their balloon rises. This team is performing the "Toe Na Yar" dance.
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A young girl lights the candles to be hung on one of the 200 balloons at the festival.
This balloon is decorated with paper lanterns, one of two classes of balloon at the festival.
Fireworks exploding from the rising balloons illuminate Ferris wheels and carnival tents.
People run for safety as fireworks accidentally detonate while still on the ground.
The spectacle is enjoyed by thousands of people each year.