Enjoying the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

Huanxin Celestial

November 19th marked the arrival of Thailand’s annual Lantern Festival, also known as Loy Krathong. On this day, we took a break from our usual routines to enjoy the festivities and immerse ourselves in the local culture. The charming city of Chiang Mai was adorned with colorful decorations, and the atmosphere was filled with the exotic charm of this unique celebration.

During the day, we visited a coconut market, though we arrived just after it had closed. Despite this, the area felt serene and natural, with rows upon rows of tall coconut trees bearing an abundance of fruit. It was the first time we had seen such a vast and impressive coconut grove, exuding the tropical essence of the southern region. The bamboo pavilions and intricate decorations added to the unique character of the place.

In the evening, Huiyi took us to the bustling sites at Tha Phae Gate and the Three Kings Monument. Although the festival’s scale was smaller this year due to the pandemic, and everything was kept simple, the city was still teeming with people, buzzing with excitement. It seemed that many were undeterred by the concerns of the pandemic.

During this traditional Chiang Mai festival, the locals displayed their creativity by crafting various colorful lanterns and floating water lanterns. The act of releasing a water lantern into the river symbolizes letting go of past troubles and sending out wishes for a brighter future. While we missed witnessing the awe-inspiring moment when thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, we still felt deeply content and grateful for the experience.

We ended the evening enjoying the vibrant parade floats, lanterns, and even elephants, all set against the backdrop of the pure and devout spirit of Chiang Mai’s people. Accompanied by the beautiful songs of the Loy Krathong festival, we spent a joyous night, thankful for the blessings of the season.

2021-11-22