Asian Geographic Passport 2017-2018 | Page 6

No. 128 • collectors’ edition 2017–2018 fESTIVALs of asia CONTENTS picturesque 12 The Heart of Vastness A photographic journey into the Mongolian steppe to document the iconic Golden Eagle Festival BY MANUEL LIBRES LIBRODO JR. festival highlights 20 You’re Invited! A calendar of Asia’s festivals in 2018 to help you plan your travels. From spiritual rituals to riotous celebrations, festivals provide a fantastic cultural experience east asia highlights 34 China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan southeast asia highlights 62 Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam east asia FEATURE 26 Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka north asia highlights 95 Russia west asia highlights 98 Armenia, Georgia, The Arabian Gulf, Israel, Jordan and Turkey southeast asia FEATURE Games of the Great Khan 48 The Naadam games in Mongolia send the country into a festive frenzy every summer as people revive the ancient glory of a lost empire south asia highlights 78 26 IMAGE © ZIGOR ALDAMA Spanish colonisation brought Catholicism to the Philippines, where the passion of Christ is honoured in the goriest of Easter festivals BY ZIGOR ALDAMA, MIGUEL CANDELA BY ZIGOR ALDAMA, MIGUEL CANDELA southeast asia FEATURE 40 Pachyderm Parade southeast asia FEATURE 56 The Surin Elephant Roundup is a nod to the region’s status as the “land of elephants”, and the bygone tradition of elephant hunts in Thailand BY BRENT LEWIN A Cross to Bear Baptism of Fire With exploding fireworks showering crowds in sparks and sometimes flame, the Taunggyi Fire Balloon Festival is not for the faint-hearted! BY JARED DOWNING, JEROEN DE BAKKER Chairman LIM Geok Khoon Publisher/Editorial Director Accounts Managers (Regional) John THET • [email protected] Ace W.M • [email protected] Desmond HO • [email protected] Anne LOW • [email protected] Editor Alex W. CAMPBELL • [email protected] associate editor Ian BONGSO-SELDRUP • [email protected] art director Shellen TEH • [email protected] WEB/IT Dutch CATALON • [email protected] events & marketing manager Berri TAY • [email protected] events & marketing executive Spencer NAH • [email protected] contributors Zigor ALDAMA, Miguel CANDELA, Jeroen DE BAKKER, Jared DOWNING, Mark ELLIOT, Sophie IBBOTSON, Brent LEWIN, Manuel Libres LIBRODO Jr. Editorial Submissions • [email protected] Subscriptions • [email protected] Feedback • [email protected] Senior Manager Victor OW • [email protected] Editorial intern Rachel CHIA • [email protected] ASIAN Geographic is published by Asian Geographic Magazines Pte Ltd, 20 Bedok South Road, Singapore 469277 Singapore Tel: +(65) 6298 3241 Fax: +(65) 6291 2068 • Email: [email protected] Printed in Singapore by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd