Far southwest in China’s Yunnan province lies the city of Jinghong, the capital of the Xishuangbanna autonomous prefecture. Bordering Myanmar and Laos, the area is known for its Dai ethnic culture, Buddhist temples, and tropical climate. Every year, the city celebrates Dai New Year according to the Dai calendar. Usually, it takes place in April as a three-day celebration that brings thousands of people to Jinghong to take part in the riotous festivities.
西双版纳自治州首府景洪市位于中国西南边陲云南省。该区毗邻缅甸和老挝，以独特傣族文化、佛教寺庙风情以及热带气候景观闻名于世。景洪市每年都会以泰历时间为标准，通常是四月间的某三天，举行仪式庆祝傣族新年。成千上万的人慕名前来景洪市，参加这场狂欢庆祝活动。
The Water Splashing Festival happens during the hottest days of the year in the region, making it a perfect time to douse strangers and friends with buckets of water. The celebration also happens further downstream the Mekong river in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. In Yunnan, the festival is carnival-like, bringing dragon boats, lanterns, barbecue stalls, and tourists to the banks of the river.
每年的泼水节也是这里最炎热之际。沿着湄公河流域，包括其流经的老挝、泰国、越南和缅甸，人们都为之热情庆贺。在云南，这场嘉年华般的节日盛会上，龙舟游划，灯笼高挂，露天美食摊位应有尽有，两岸游人比肩接踵。
As with Thais, Laotians, and the Shan in Myanmar, the Dai people also practice Buddhism. High-ranking monks perform water rituals such as blessings in the temples and bathing Buddha with holy water. On the last day of the festival, monks bless the water from the Mekong river and bring it from the river banks to the city’s biggest public square, where thousands of people eagerly await the cue to start splashing.
与泰国人、老挝人和缅甸掸族人一样，傣族人信奉佛教。节庆上，位份高的僧侣会进行各种与水相关的仪式，比如寺庙祈福或以圣水“浴佛”。在节日最后一天，僧侣们在湄公河取水为之祈福，并带到市中最大的公共广场上，成千上万的人聚集于此，等待着泼水节的开始。
Traditionally, water splashing symbolizes good fortune, and getting splashed-on is meant to bring good luck. For one day, the main square in Jinghong transforms into possibly the biggest water fight in the world, with records of up to 100,000 people attending. The participants are armed with buckets, squirt guns, hoses, and water balloons. Even the local police and security personnels are fair game for a splashing during the festival.
在传说中，泼水是好运的象征，被水泼到更是代表了好运连连。在这一天，景洪市的主要广场已然变成了可能是全球最大的打水仗阵地。据数据统计，约有十万人到场参与其中。泼水节上，人们各拿装备：有的用桶，有的用喷水枪，有的用水管，还有的用水气球，见人就泼，即使是当地警察和维纪部队也不免俗。
Water is regarded by the Dai as a symbol of religious purification and goodwill. Washing away the year’s past dirt and sorrows, it helps to bring in prosperity and luck. In Yunnan, it’s a mark of the distinctive culture of the Dai minority in the region. Whether you’re old or young, male or female, tourist or local – all inhibitions can be tossed aside for a day of water-soaked debauchery.
在傣族文化中，水被视为一种宗教净化和善意的象征。水能洗过去一年的尘土和悲伤，有望带来富足和幸运。这是独属于云南傣族文化的人文风情。这一天，无论性别，不分老少，不管地域，所有禁忌都通通抛诸脑后，尽兴玩一场泼水节！
