Hot Air Ballooning Spots In Asia For Front Row Seats To Sunrise. Until recently, riding a hot air balloon wasnt on my bucket list, mostly because it was never one of those things people did on holidays. But thanks to the internet and friends showing off on Instagram, Im thoroughly convinced about being hoisted off the ground in a basket. If you cant afford a ticket to Cappadocia, the Disneyland of hot air balloons in Turkey, here are 1. Asia to witness see the first light and golden hour from up high. Were not talking about the lame ones with ropes attached to the ground these are the real deal. Myanmar Its hard not to fall in love with Myanmar. Earlier this year, we were taken by its rich culture, temples and ruins just waiting to be uncovered by mainstream tourists. If youve covered all its grounds, dont call it a wrap just yet. Hop on a majestic balloon and admire the sights from a different angle Balloons Over Bagan offers Classic and Premium services for their hot air balloon rides. If you prefer an intimate experience with only people you know, opt for Premium and travel with 8 others, instead of the usual 1. Rides are seasonal, so check out their website before planning your trip. Website Estimated Price and Duration 4. Chiang Mai, Thailand. Thailand isnt all about cheap massages and street food. Take a break from BKK trips and visit Chiang Mai for a change Its most beautiful in winter when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, with the perfect weather for zipline adventures and balloon rides. As the day breaks, youll cruise over rice fields and meadows to take in the panoramic views of Chiang Mais countryside. The sky will glow with amazing colors when hot air balloons are inflated for the Cave Creek Balloon Festival. Come to Cave Creek for an evening of family fun and. Craft Shows, Arts and Craft, Craft, Craft Fair, High Craft, Festival, Fairs, Shows, Music Festivals, Market. If the hot air balloon doesnt get you high enough, the customary champagne celebration after the 1 hour flight might. Website Estimated Price and Duration 3. Putrajaya, Malaysia. Hot Air Balloon Festival Activities For School' title='Hot Air Balloon Festival Activities For School' />Source. Source. If seeing Putrajayas landmarks on a tour bus sounds too mainstream, consider this mode of transport instead. Unlike most balloon adventures on vast expanses of nature, this takes you over the cityscape, giving you a birds eye view of hotspots like the Wawasan Bridge and Palace of Justice. Source. If youre trying to impress a first date or propose to your significant other, you can book a private hot air balloon ride for some alone time with that special someone. Website. Estimated Price and Duration 2. Vang Vieng, Laos. Source. Source. Hot air ballooning isnt the most affordable activity, but in the backpackers paradise that is Vang Vieng, its offered at a price below average. Plus, all that natural light would defo make your Insta photos look way better. Source. The views certainly arent compromised for its price point, with low lying villages and the Nam Song river coming into view from up high. Most tourists will see Laos iconic limestone formations from the foot of her mountains, but youll get a stunning perspective from the hot air balloon. Website Estimated Price and Duration 1. Furano, Japan. Source. If youve never seen snow all your life, this is going to be one heck of a first. Hot air ballooning in Japan will take you up above the unreal snow capped mountains and icy grounds. This tour is conducted only in winter for the best views and experience of Japans beautiful weather. Source All you have to do is bring yourselves and have fun all skiwear, snow boots and ski gloves are available for rental. Your flight might be delayed depending on the snow situation, so be sure to keep the entire day free. Website. Estimated Price and Duration 1. Siem Reap, Cambodia. Source. Of all the landscapes you can balloon over on this list, only Siem Reap comes with a chance of floating over ancient stone buildings. Explore the countryside of Siem Reap at sunrise and see the endless stretch of rice fields. If the stars and winds align, you might even get to fly across the temples. Source. The best time to hitch a ride is between early November and early February, when the air is cooler. If you feel like ballin, you can even charter an entire hot air balloon to yourselves for a private party in the skies. Website. Estimated Price and Duration 2. Yangshuo, China. Source. Just a bus ride away from Guilin is Yangshuo, a town in South China famed for its limestone mountains and outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, rock climbing and even bamboo rafting along the Yulong River. Source. A hot air balloon ride in this country brings you across paddy fields and near the mountain peaks, perfect for people whore lazy to hike up for a breath of crisp air. If youre afraid of heights, give the tethered flight which stops climbing at 1. Dont pass on the experience entirely Website Estimated Price and Duration 1. Sri Lanka. Source On your next visit to Sri Lanka, dont stop at visiting the national parks and religious sites. Take a more adventurous route and float over them They offer different balloons to accommodate your group size, so a memorable time is guaranteed whether youre going with your bae or squad. Source. At 1. 00. Theres no telling where the hot air balloon will land not even the pilot knows, but thats all part of the adventure in Sri Lanka Website. Estimated Price and Duration 2. Lonavala, India. Source. Located near Mumbai, Lonavala is known for its green valleys and azure lakes, and famous Buddhist shrines carved from rocks like the Karla and Bhaja Caves. You can choose to admire their intricacies on ground, or watch them become specks of a vast landscape from above. Source. Source. Besides their caves, not many know that Lonavala is also full of picturesque places and forts. If youre in need of a getaway from the city to immerse in nature again, check out Lonavala Website. Estimated Price and Duration 2. Jaipur, India Source. Ranked one of the places to visit in Asia for its architectural wonders, Jaipur has been a popular tourist destination within India. The city tells stories of a rich history through its historical forts and palaces, and well known religious sites like the Monkey Temple. The hot air balloon drifts over these sites, granting you an aerial view of the citys farms and villages. This is one flight operator that has received loads of positive reviews from tourists, and you wouldnt want to miss it when youre there Website. Estimated Price and Duration 2. BONUS Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival. Source. There arent any hot air balloon flights in Taiwan, but the Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival is held every summer with music performances and quirky renditions that offer 1. S2. 8 per person. If you happen to be in Taiwan during this time, pop by for a tethered ride or photo opportunities Source The skys the limit. Acdsee Pro 6 1 Build 197 X64 Processor on this page. Experience whats it like to be on the first form of aerial transport known to mankind, and remember to snap lots of selfies because picsoritdidnthappen. Nothing gets you closer to sky and its chilly breeze up there thats enough reason to check this off your bucket list. And if these cities are already familiar to you, admire the same landscapes from above and you might just fall deeper in love with them. Its your chance to feel like youre on top of the world. Also watch us on The. Smart. Local. TVHot air balloon, helicopter rides highlight Ypsi Heritage Festival. YPSILANTI, MI Les Heddle believes theres something special in the air for the revamped Ypsilanti Heritage Festival that could make the annual summer event better than ever. After two years of trimming down the festivals budget to pay off its debts and build up reserves behind the efforts of a half dozen volunteers, this years festival is aiming to bring back the fun elements of festivals past, Heddle said, with a number of new and returning activities. Two new major attractions for this years festival, which takes place from Friday, Aug. Sunday, Aug. 2. 7 at Riverside Park, are helicopter and tethered balloon rides held at Frog Island. The rides 2. 0 for helicopter rides and 1. Heddle said. Heddle was joined by Scott Virgo in continuing the annual summer tradition that nearly died in February, when its Board of Directors decided to end it during its meeting. This was despite paying off all of its debt over the past two years after it had lost roughly 6,0. Volunteers plan Ypsilanti Heritage Festival despite vote to end event. The festivals board, which has since increased to 1. In addition, the festivals Public Relations Chair Katy Riley said the board has raised more than 5. When Scott and I first talked about bringing this festival back, one of the things we agreed on was it was missing more and more of the fun aspects, Heddle said. Theres a serendipity that fills the air with the balloon and helicopter rides that are also going to draw a lot of attention being in the air all weekend. In addition to the rides providing a birds eye view up to 1. Six entertainment stages are provided throughout the festival venue, including the Ring of Steel action theatre and stunt troupe, which performs its brand Cirque du Soleil esque acrobatics. Overall, it has been quite a turnaround since the boards February meeting, Riley said, leaving festival organizers optimistic about the future. Our steering committee has put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this years festival trying to make it better, and our biggest hope is that people come out to see the improvements and enjoy themselves, she said. We want this to be a fun, family event that people look forward to again. The festival extends beyond its tents and Riverside Park into Depot Town, where Tiny Buddha is hosting free yoga sessions at 5 3. Friday and Saturday and 1. Sunday at 1. 9 E. Cross St. It also gives those in attendance at chance to learn about Ypsilantis history through the new Magical History Tour, which provides free bus tours from 9 a. Saturday. The tour has stops at Ypsilantis Parkridge Summer Festival, downtown Ypsilanti restaurants, the Ypsilanti Historical Museum, Michigan Firehouse Museum and Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, with the entire tour going in a half hour loop, Heddle said. For children, the bounce house obstacle course returns, with admission decreasing from 1. Riley said. The old standby fundraisers that have been a part of the festival throughout its 3. First United Methodist Church Italian Dinner on Friday night, Sunday mornings pancake breakfast and the Kiwanis Clubs Rubber Ducky Race at 5 p. Sunday to close out the festival. Virgo noted the festival also features a health tent, featuring 2. All of this has been made possible through securing sponsorships, Riley said, including its presenting sponsor Cueter Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, as well as volunteer support. We have managed to get some amazing sponsors this year from some of the local businesses in our community and we have had some amazing support from the City of Ypsilanti which has been great, Riley said. We are very grateful for all of our sponsors this year no matter how big or small, its nice to have the support of local companies. Heddle expects this years festival to put behind its recent financial woes with increased attendance and entertainment, giving organizers plenty to look forward to in the future that appears to be much brighter than it seemed even a few months back. We wanted to make this festival fun and something that would make people want to come, Heddle said. Weve got a lot of younger people under the age of 4. For more information on the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival, including times and locations of events, visit its website. The festival is free to attend, with optional charges for rides, beer and food.