One of the biggest challenges for solo travelers is finding places where they can socialize and enjoy the local culture while also being able to relax in a friendly environment. While there are many places across Asia that offer a warm welcome to visitors, the excitement and friendly atmosphere of these festivals can really help you to encounter locals and other visitors to these destinations, while also having a wonderful time.


Asia is a diverse and fascinating continent to explore, so whether you are looking for musical, cultural or traditional festivals, there will be one to suit everyone somewhere on the continent.

 

Holi Festival Of Colors, India

This traditional festival is one that has been celebrated in India for centuries, and is a spring festival that begins with a large bonfire, and is famous for its friendly and fun atmosphere. During the festival, young and old alike will carry colored powders and water, along with water bombs and water pistols, with everyone getting involved in throwing water and colors all over each other, with visitors just as welcome as the Hindus. Feasts and the sharing of drinks are also a popular part of the festival, but the following day people will clean up and enjoy a calmer atmosphere where they meet friends and exchange sweets, with the traditions indicating that this is a period of forgiveness and harmony.

 

Rainforest World Music Festival, Borneo

Held every summer for over a decade in the Sarawak province of the Malaysian portion of Borneo, the beautiful Sarawak Cultural Village is a lovely place to relax and to enjoy music in spectacular surroundings.

The festival is one of the most popular music festivals in Malaysia, and draws around 30,000 visitors over the weekend, who are drawn by the relaxed and friendly atmosphere where music events are held alongside musical workshops and cultural attractions. The range of food and drink on offer also celebrates the local traditions, and the festival offers a great way to party and to enjoy local culture at the same time.

 

Songkran Festival, Thailand

This traditional festival is held on the New Year's Day of the local calendar, which usually falls in mid-April in the Western calendar. The tradition of throwing water began as a symbol of cleansing yourself and those around you of bad and evil influences, and over the years it has developed into a huge good natured water fight, with people of all ages joining the festivities to soak each other and to party. It is traditional for Thai people to return to their home areas to be with family and friends during this festival, while visitors will find events being hosted in almost every town and city throughout Thailand to celebrate Songkran.

 

Nyepi, Bali

This fascinating festival is a public holiday in Bali and throughout Indonesia, and the real celebration begins the night before Nyepi with the Bhuta Yajna Ritual marking the beginning of the festival, which is held in March every year. The creation of demonic paper sculptures will often have taken many weeks, and these are paraded through the town with plenty of noise and raucous celebrations, before being ceremonially burned at the end of the parade. The following day is Nyepi itself, which is a more solemn day of contemplation and meditation, when almost all services apart from the emergency services close, before everything restarts the next day.

 

Chinese New Year

Usually held in late January or February every year, the Chinese New Year is an event that is celebrated among Chinese communities throughout the world, with several fascinating traditions. Events are held over fifteen days, and culminate with the spectacular Lantern Festival, while solo travelers with a passion for cuisine will find that the Nian Gao New Year cake is one that is very tasty. If you are going to be traveling on Chinese public transport during this period, make sure you book well in advance and give yourself plenty of time, as many people are in transit as the Chinese people return to their families to celebrate.