Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012
This year, the event will be held from 15 – 18 March and the time will be from as early as 7.00 m right till 9.00 pm at night. If you have not been here, let me just give you a run-through about the balloon festival.
Firstly, you should expect a very large turnout as thousands of people from all over will be visiting the event which attracts international balloonists from all over the world.
These balloonists would bring their very unique shaped hot air balloons to participate in a balloon race and also showcase it to everyone.
Balloon (Netherlands), Ivi the Kiwi Hot Air Balloon (New Zealand), Heart
Hot Air Balloon (Switzerland), Tree Hot Air Balloon (USA), Birthday
Cake Hot Air Balloon (USA) and Felix the Cat Hot Air Balloon (Vietnam).
These are only some of the unique shaped ones while there will be many other balloons on show there. [See the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Map at the bottom of the page]
The best time to visit the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival would be early in the mornings on each day as you would avoid the massive crowds and also get a good parking spot around the area.
This area would be at the Putrajaya Boulevard where the main governmental ministries are located. One of the prominent landmarks would be the Ministry of Finance building here.
When you drive into the area, you would be able to spot the beautiful hot air balloons from a distance too.
Around the main ground area, you will find numerous food kiosks and stalls, souvenir stalls and even some fast-food chains participating in this event so food and drinks are easily sourced here.
Public toilets are also available while one of the highlights is an experience to ride in a hot air balloon for a small fee.
This ride takes the guest up to about a hundred feet in the air and then descend back down. Sorry as it is not a ride that takes you around Putrajaya.
You also need to be there early to buy your tickets for this ride as only 300 tickets are sold at RM10 per person.
Ticket booths are near the balloon rides and open at 7.30am for the morning session and 5.30pm for the evening session. Expect long lines here as many want to experience this.
Last year when I attended this show, it was pretty amazing as the balloons lit up to the tune of the music while fireworks decorated the night sky.
Great for kids and also photographers while it can be viewed from many angles.
For those wanting to learn more about hot air balloons, this would be the perfect chance for it. There are also helicopter rides for those wanting an experiencing flying in one of these metal birds.
This only is available on Sat and Sun from 9am to 4pm. But it comes with a price of RM130 per person.
Anyway, I hope to see you at this interesting event and below are some pictures from last year’s hot air balloon festival.
Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Area Map (Click to enlarge)
Final Thoughts on the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
My personal tip to this event, bring good walking shoes and a good camera to capture some of the beautiful images. Bring an umbrella, raincoat or poncho just in case.
If you are doing night photography, bring a tripod along. Come early to avoid parking and traffic jams.
If you are coming late, park much further and walk to the event as the main parking area can get pretty congested, especially on Sat and Sun.
Apart from that, it’s all good fun, a great experience and I hope to see you at the next Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
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