Myanmar traditional hot air balloon festival underway

01/10

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Members of a hot air balloon team dance under fireworks as their balloon is successfully launched.

02/10

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Shan youths walk with paper lanterns on the platform of Sulamuni Pagoda before the traditional hot air balloon festival in Taunggyi.

03/10

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Shan youths walk with paper lanterns on the platform of Sulamuni Pagoda before traditional hot air balloon festival in Taunggyi, Myanmar.

04/10

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Shan youths walk with paper lanterns on the platform of Sulamuni Pagoda before traditional hot air balloon festival in Taunggyi, Myanmar.

05/10

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A young girl carries paper lanterns to decorate.

06/10

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A hot air balloon with 2012 Southeast Asian Games mascot character is seen during traditional hot air balloon festival in Taunggyi.

07/10

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Members of a hot air balloon team wait to decorate paper lanterns during the traditional hot air balloon festival.

08/10

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Members of a hot air balloon team cheer and dance as their balloon is successfully launched.

09/10

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People enjoy fireworks from a hot air balloon during a traditional hot air ballon festival.

10/10

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Fireworks from a hot air balloon burst in mid-air during a traditional hot air balloon festival.

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The traditional hot air balloon festival is the one of the famous seasonal festivals in Myanmar. It is a festival held annually to pay homage to the Sulamuni Pagoda in heaven by sending up decorated balloons in Taunggyi, capital of the Shan State.

Traditional hot air balloon festival is the one of the famous seasonal festival in Myanmar. It is a festival held annually to pay homage to the Sulamuni Pagoda in heaven by sending up decorated hot air balloons in Taunggyi, capital of Shan State.

Hot air balloons are made out of bamboo and locally made mulberry paper (Shan paper) in various shapes and sizes.Most of them are at lease 15 to 20 feet tall. Hot air balloons are decorated and hung with paper lanterns, fireworks and fire sticks which are exploded in mid-air. Every year, more than 200 hot air balloons participate in the festival and makes it Myanmar largest hot air balloon festival.