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Visiting Chiang Mai in November this year offers you the opportunity to witness one of the most beautiful sights in the world as voted by Lonely Planet. The sky and water shimmer with thousands of lanterns during the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai.
November in Chiang Mai: A Fairytale Experience at the Lantern Festival
Yi Peng or Loy Krathong?
These are two names often confused by travelers seeking information about the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai. Although both translate to 'lantern festival' in English, they are two completely different festivals.
Loy Krathong, when translated literally, means 'float a basket'. 'Loy' signifies floating, while 'Krathong' refers to a lotus-shaped vessel. This festival is rooted in Buddhism and is usually held on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month according to the Thai calendar. On this day, locals create lotus-shaped vessels adorned with fresh flowers, candles, and incense, then float them along the river to show reverence to the Buddha. It is believed that by releasing these vessels, one can cleanse away the troubles and misfortunes of the past year.
Meanwhile, Yi Peng (or Yee Peng) is an ancient festival with significant cultural importance to the Lanna people in Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai, being the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, hosts the largest celebration of Yi Peng, marked by grandeur and solemnity. However, due to overlapping dates and similar observances with Loy Krathong, these two festivals are often confused.
During the Yi Peng festival, you'll witness one of the most magnificent scenes imaginable. As the rituals conclude, hundreds, even thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, symbolizing the devotees' reverence to the Buddha. It's a moment of enchantment as the warm glow of candles illuminates the dark velvet sky, resembling twinkling stars across the heavens. Witnessing such a spectacle is truly unforgettable.
This year, both Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals will be held on November 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2015. For detailed festival programs, refer to the schedule provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Vietnam.
Some Tips for Participating in the Lantern Festival:
• If you plan to join the festivities, book your accommodation and tickets early. Prices may skyrocket as the event draws near.
• The open field behind Mae Jo University, known as Lanna Dhutanka, is a prime spot for releasing lanterns in Chiang Mai. It gets extremely crowded during the festival, so arrive around 4 p.m. for a good spot.
• Typically, before entering the gate, you'll encounter many vendors selling sky lanterns. However, note that the organizers do not permit the use of these lanterns. The primary reason being that they are mostly made of non-biodegradable materials and would pose challenges for area sanitation after the festival. It's best to purchase lanterns sold within the festival area. They're usually affordable, around 100 Baht per lantern. You don't necessarily need one lantern per person; even a group may suffice with just one.
• Dress modestly when participating in the festival, as it remains a day of deep cultural significance for the Thai people.
• Lastly, don't get too caught up in taking photos. Of course, no one forbids capturing the magical moments of this festival. However, it would be a shame if you couldn't spare some time to truly savor these wonderful moments.
San San (Compiled from: Tourism Authority of Thailand/Vemaybay.vn)
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourOctober 15, 2015
