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Parade for Dai New Year 1380 (2018) in Xishuangbanna

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Dai Water Splashing Festival, Xishuangbanna

西双版纳傣族泼水节 · Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China

Photo: 欣然 胡 · CC BY 3.0

The Dai New Year: watch lantern releases and a folk parade in Jinghong, then on the last day trade splashes of clean water and blessings at Water Splashing Square.

Know before you go

  • Splashing people with dirty water
  • splashing the elderly, monks or on-duty staff

This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.

Stories & people

Stories & people

History

First the Buddha, Then the Splashing

The festival peaks on its final day. People put on their finest clothes and gather at the temple; after the monks chant scriptures, a Buddha statue is carried into the courtyard and bathed with clean water, a rite called "bathing the Buddha". Only after the ceremony do people take to the streets to splash one another, passing blessings to neighbours and even strangers.

Source: China Highlights: Water Splashing Festival; It Is China: The Water-Sprinkling Festival of the Dai

Culture

Culture & customs

Background

The Water Splashing Festival is the Dai New Year and the most important festival of the Dai people of Xishuangbanna, usually held from April 13 to 15. For the Dai, water stands for purity and goodwill, and splashing someone is a wish for their good fortune. Legend has it that seven fairies joined forces to rid the land of an evil demon king, after which people splashed water on one another to wash away impurity, and so the festival began. The festival features dragon boat races, lantern releases and a folk parade. In 2026 the schedule was: a celebration on April 13, followed in the evening by mass sky-lantern releases at the Dragon Boat Square viewing platform, Gaozhuang Xishuangjing and the Lancang River viewing platform; a folk parade on the morning of April 14 and floating lanterns on the Lancang River that night; and the water splashing carnival at Water Splashing Square in Jinghong on April 15.

Local customs

  • Join the water splashing carnival at Water Splashing Square
  • release lanterns at Gaozhuang Xishuangjing and along the Lancang River
  • watch the folk parade
  • enjoy Dai song, dance and dress

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Don’t DON'T

  • Splashing people with dirty water
  • splashing the elderly, monks or on-duty staff

Locals appreciate DO

  • Wear dark quick-dry clothing
  • bring a waterproof phone pouch, a change of clothes and non-slip sandals
  • splash gently with clean water and know when to stop

Plan your visit

Practical info

2027 datesApril 13 – 15, 2027

Travel tips

The festival is fixed at around April 13 to 15 in the Gregorian calendar, with the exact schedule announced each year. The main venue is Water Splashing Square in Jinghong, and lanterns are released at Gaozhuang Xishuangjing and along the Lancang River. Accommodation is tight and prices rise during the festival, so book early, and remember sun protection. Tickets and transport arrangements are subject to official announcements.

2027 schedule

The 2027 festival is expected to run from April 13 to 15, with the exact schedule pending official announcement.

Sources & verification notes

China Highlights: Water Splashing Festival

Trip.com: Water Splashing Festival, Xishuangbanna

It Is China: The Water-Sprinkling Festival of the Dai

Festival Calendar

Other festivals in Apr

All festivals in Apr