New Year Water Festival in Myanmar is also called Thingyan Festival which is the most important holiday of the Myanmar people and usually falls around mid-April (13 to 16 April).

In Burmese, Thingyan means “change”, the change of the Old Year to the New Year, old circle to new circle, old life to new life. During this festival, people throw water at each other in all kinds of ways, pots, water guns and even bamboo tubes! From jeeps and trucks, people use water canons to people on the streets and sidewals, and all in general euphoria! 

Local people believe that through this festival and the use of water, they can wash away their sins from previous years.

The Burmese people celebrate this practice during the four days leading up to the New Year by throwing huge parties in various cities around the country; predominantly in Mandalay and Yangon.

During this time, the rice balls "Mote Lone Yay Paw" (filled with palm sugar) are traditionally donated. The cooking process involves throwing the rice balls into boiling water and taking them back when they re-surface. Another cooking masterpiece of Myanmar cuisine, the "Mote Let Saung", made from sweet syrup and coconut milk is served with grated coconut meatand sesame seeds on top at this occasion.

But please don’t forget!!! Buy waterproof folders / bags (available at every corner) for your phone and other belongings. Make sure you test them before! Easy-to-dry clothing is also advisable. It can be very hot these days so use sun cream with sunblock and wear a hat to protect you from the sun.

Off the main streets, it is all harmless fun with little children pouring buckets of water down your bucket. It is smiles and well-wishing. 

After Thingyan is the Burmese New Year Day. On The New Year Day, everything returns to normal. Wild and euphoric people who occupied the streets of cities and towns all across Myanmar totally disappeared, replaced by gentle, well mannered and politet individuals dressed traditionally in their longyi and heading to the pagodas and monasteries. A traveler can easily be shocked with this radical change of mood and environment but this is how the Thingyan festival in Myanmar has changed the behavior overnight of Burmese people for generations.

You can contact our expert Gerben Bloemendaal or look at our experience page for further information, activities and attraction in Myanmar.