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Dai Water-Splashing Festival

The Dai new year, when washing Buddha images turns into three days of the whole town soaking each other.

Updated 4 September 2026

AI illustration

Typefestival

WhereYunnan

Nearest cityJinghong

Best seasonMid-April

Time to allowThree days

Getting thereJinghong and Dai towns across Xishuangbanna; flights and buses to Jinghong

EntryFree in the streets; some events ticketed

Songkran in Thailand, Thingyan in Myanmar and the Dai new year in Xishuangbanna are the same festival, marking the turn of the year in mid-April. It begins with temple ceremonies in which Buddha images are washed with scented water, a blessing, and the gesture extends outward: people sprinkle water on each other for good fortune, and over three days that becomes an unrestrained street-wide soaking with basins, hoses and water guns. Dragon boat racing on the Lancang, sky lantern releases, market fairs and Dai dancing fill the same days, and towns across the prefecture hold their own versions.

What's there

The Buddha washing - the temple ceremony that opens the festival.
The street soaking - three days of water thrown by everyone at everyone.
The dragon boats - racing on the Lancang river at Jinghong.
The lanterns and fairs - sky lanterns, markets and Dai dancing.

When to go

Mid-April, usually around the thirteenth to fifteenth; dates shift slightly by year and town. Accommodation books out well ahead. Xishuangbanna is hot and humid at that season.

What to expect

Nobody stays dry, and anything not waterproofed will be ruined. Crowds are dense and streets closed. Accommodation prices rise sharply during the festival.

Nearby

Wild Elephant Valley lies north; Menglun is east.

What to pack for Dai Water-Splashing Festival

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

Every-trip essentialsDocuments + digital copies · Universal travel adapter…Rainforest & tropicsStrong insect repellent · Long, light, quick-dry clothing…City & sightseeingComfortable walking shoes · A slim anti-theft daypack…Temples & sacred sitesModest clothing · A scarf or shawl…

Strong insect repellent - DEET or picaridin; the jungle is where bites and disease risk are highest. Find on Amazon
Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
Long, light, quick-dry clothing - Covers skin from insects and sun without cooking you in the humidity. Find on Amazon

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Plan your trip

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.