Lantern fest, Yee Peng fest, Loy Krathong fest
All these are pretty much happening at the same time and same same, not so different. It's just that, the Loy Krathong fest is happening all over the countries (a few other neighbor countries as well) but Lantern fest (or Yee Peng fest) happens only up in northern Thailand like Chiang Mai and Lamphun for example.
Yee means November in northern Thai language
Peng means the full moon period
You guessed it, the November full moon! This year is happening on Nov 8, 2022 but most places hold their events before and after which is awesome so we can explore even more places for longer period of time.
Yesterday, a Mexican friend who's been living in Chiang Mai, Thailand called me up and asked if I'd like to go explore the festival together. Without any thoughts, I was just 'f* yeah' to that and there we went.
We met at the Three King Monument and started from there. A lot of people all in one spot so that was a little overwhelming but it got better. Where we met, there are a good bunch of Thai traditional dancers performing around the monument, sword dance show, and so on.
A lot of lanterns, candles, and baskets of flower everwhere. Super pretty! Another good thing is that, in the old city area (where the Three King Monument located) is all walkable distance everywhere so we walk from there to other places and enjoy the lights.
If you're here in the city or planning to be here for the festival upcoming years, here's the epic route that might be useful to check out the Lantern festival:
Khlong Mae Kha > Ancient House Chiangmai > Khua Lek (Iron Bridge) > Warorot Market (Kad Luang) > Pratu Tha Phae > Wat Chedi Luang > Three Kings Monument > Suan Dok Gate > Wat Lok Moli
These 9 places should cover your night(s) pretty good for the Loy Krathong fest. All in walkable distance too if you feel like strolling around in stead of scooting place by place. With a few beers would be real chill.
The place we went to last, last night, was lit! Wat Chedi Luang, a pagoda with missing top as it's ruined by the Burmeses way back then. They have the projector and lasor going on so you can actually see the whole pagoda. That was really cool!
**The cafe I was working from yesterday even set up the lines of candles on the stairs when the sun went down. That was also pretty and got me all excited about the fest!
Totally loving it so far and tonight I will be checking a bunch load of places and share with you Hivians here!