Experience Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

Yi Peng Lantern Festival, also called Yee Peng, is a culturally significant activity of Lanna peoples in Northern Thailand. Yi Peng in Thai language means “the second full moon” of Lunar calendar, on which the celebration is held. It usually falls on a different date of November each year. The event originated in Lanna Kingdom, an ancient kingdom, to express gratitude and worship to Buddha.

To celebrate Yi Peng Festival, people will come to Chiang Mai on the full moon night of the twelfth month and join in plenty of activities. The most appealing practice is lighting up and releasing the lantern into the night sky. Thousands of lit lanterns flying into the night sky create a stunning, magnificent sight will remind you of the Floating Lantern Festival famous scene in “Tangled” movie. You sure will be amazed by how magical and glorious it is! Launching lanterns is also thought to be an activity to let go of misfortunes as well as negative energy and wish for new year’s luck.

In Chiang Mai, you can seek some popular spots for releasing floating lanterns such as Nawarat Bridge and Iron Bridge. Besides lantern releases, there are other activities during the celebration like traditional Thai dance performances, flower garlands workshop,… that you can join in.