Yi Peng (Yee Peng) lantern festival in Thailand is definitely one of the must see events every year. I was lucky enough to experience this one of a kind, unreal and out this world festival of lights last November 23, 2018.
Yi Peng is celebrated on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month every year, which is usually the third or last week of November.
I booked through Insight Thailand Tours as it was the cheapest with the best reviews I could find online. Make sure to book two months in advance as it tends to sell out really quickly.
EVENT FLOW
You will be picked up at your hotel/hostel at around 4PM. You will reach the location by 5PM or earlier depending on the traffic. The organizer will get in touch with you via email if there’s any changes.
When you reach the location you have to present your voucher to get the official entry pass. You will then be given souvenirs and can go straight to a local-market-themed food park with Authentic Chiang Mai Lanna food.
Lanna Food originated from the ancient Kingdom of Lanna (hence Lanna food) and many which are hard to find in other regions of Thailand.
At around 7:30PM, they will open the gate for the proper dinner. Again, all food are FREE and UNLIMITED and I swear they’re all so good. Not a single food disappointed me. Imagine you have every Thai food on your table and you can have as much as you can eat.
They will open the gate to the ceremony area at around 8:30PM. It will be followed by a 20-minute ritual and meditation.
The most awaited launching of lanterns will commence at around 8:50PM. Each person will get 2 lanterns. Be careful in lighting the lantern and make sure you don’t burn the person next to you.
I got chills seeing thousands of lanterns float up at the same time. Every second was unreal. It was an experience of a lifetime and definitely should be on everyone’s bucket list.
VIDEO
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- YI PENG LANTERN FESSTIVAL is part of ritual event. You are not allowed to bring alcohol inside the ceremony area.
- Participants are requested to dress in Lanna Thai costume Or Polite clothing such as long pants, short pants that cover knee, Polo or t-shirt that covers shoulder. Tank top is not allowed.
WHERE TO STAY
I highly recommend @Box Hostel. It is at the center near the walking street. There’s a local temple nearby and loads of restaurants and night market. The Hostel staff were really friendly and it’s just next to an amazing coffee shop. The Hostel was affordable and really clean.
HELPFUL PHRASES
| ENGLISH | THAI |
| Hello | Sawadee khrup(male)/ka(female) |
| How are you? | Sa bai dee mai (khrup/ka) |
| How much is this? | Ra ka tao rai (khrup/ka)? |
| Yes | Chai (khrup/ka) |
| No | Mai (khrup/ka) |
| Thank you | khop khun (khrup/ka) |
| Good Bye | La gorn (khrup/ka) |