The landscape of today’s digital age has a major influence on the way travelers make decisions and gone are the days where we could only read about a place leaving the rest to our imagination. Whether it’s choosing a location to vacation or adding to your bucket list, social media has changed the game, and trips are being inspired solely off a post to Instagram. Should we embrace this new age of discovery? Will the destination be reflective of the extraordinary images you’ve encountered and will you have the same amazing experience portrayed by the content creators?
It’s all subjective and up to the traveler to decide. But we should always remember that everyone’s journey is different and if you never go, you’ll never know. We too have found ourselves drawn to locations through wanderlust over the gram, and one thing is for certain, regardless of the outcome, there is no denying the surreal feeling and sense of accomplishment when you finally make it to that desired location after drooling over photos on a screen for so long. We never know what surprises travel has in store for us, and experiences may turn out to be what we least expected, even for the better.
It was early November and we were having a classic case of sensory overload in one of the hottest capital cities in the world, Bangkok. Being our second time here, we were eager to return to the land of smiles with open arms and embrace all the culture Thailand has to offer. A rough outline was mapped to maximize our 30-day Thai tourist visa, and our timing was lining up nicely for us to head north to Chiang Mai.
Thanks to Instagram, we were ready to tick off a bucket list check we never knew we even had until just a few months prior, The Yi Peng (or Yee Peng) Lantern Festival. Mesmerized by photos of thousands of lanterns flying in the full moon sky, the lure of the enchanting images was too strong to pass up. When the opportunity to take part in something so magical presented itself, we couldn’t resist. Eager to witness the event through our own eyes and release a lantern or two, we were headed to Yi Peng.
The Yee Peng Lantern Festival is celebrated on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month every year which usually falls around mid-November. (This year’s Festival = November 11-13, 2019) The official dates are released just a few months out and it typically coincides with Loy Krathong, a whole different festival. Yee Peng is celebrated strictly in North Thailand and Loy Krathong is celebrated throughout the country. However, if you are in the right place at the right time, you can experience both celebrations at once, in none other than Chiang Mai.
Loy Krathong is celebrated to demonstrate gratitude for the goddess of water Pra Mae Khongkha and symbolically float away anger, grudges and negative energy you have been holding on to. Translated, “to float a basket” the Loy Krathong tradition consists of hand-making Krathong, a mini lotus-shaped basket raft decorated with candles, incense, and flowers which are then released and floated on a river. Both Loi Krathong and Yee Peng repent for pollution, though ironic with the amount of waste produced by the aftermath ensuing post-festival. Nonetheless, these Thai customs provide a stimulus to the local economy and make for a one of a kind night to remember.
There are many conflicting reasons out there as to why Yee Peng is celebrated, but all have a common denominator, to make a wish for the new year while asking forgiveness for the faults of the last. We were informed by Nestle, a local we met, that Yee Peng is celebrated to thank the gods for the rain and the rice harvest. Dating back hundreds of years, community members would go to the temple to offer gifts and follow Buddhist traditions while listening to prayers and meditating. However, the most common known practice of the festival that has been made famous as of late through social media is the launch of paper lanterns known as khom loy, into the starry night sky.
Vendors line the streets during the festival selling beautifully crafted krathongs, but since it’s customary to design your own we wanted in on the action. Luckily enough we were staying at the awesome Brick House Hostel which provided us with all the necessary materials to make our own and we joined in on the fun. Wherever you’re staying, you’ll want to book your lodging in advance as the festival is one of the busiest times of the year and hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Chiang Mai during this time.
After Vito took second place in the hostel’s Krathong creation contest we were ready to partake in the celebration. The sun had set as we hit the streets to take in the sights and set our krathongs and khom loy on their maiden voyage. First stop, the Mae Ping River.
We eagerly navigated through the crowds gathered at the side of the river to find a popular release point. With heavy mud adding to the struggle, we were unsure how to successfully set free our krathongs without falling into the river. Encouraged by the smiling faces of onlookers, thankfully, we were helped by locals wading in the river to ensure all krathongs would peacefully float away. Our krathongs were handed off and began to slowly drift downstream as the candles flickered in the distance.
We took a moment to metaphorically wave goodbye to all the bad energy and negative emotions to start a new beginning. It was a gratifying experience to participate in the deeper meaning of this long-standing Thai tradition especially with the help of locals. Though a bit chaotic, our first mission was complete and we had no idea what would be in store next.
Captivated by the sky filling with lanterns, we approached the Nawarat bridge greeted by thousands for the free event. The crowds became bigger and before we knew it, we were packed in with minimal room to move. This is a bit of an issue due to the valuable real estate needed to successfully release a lantern into the sky. But to our surprise, the large crowds didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s mood and rather invoked a sense of community to everyone there. It was a real treat to see people helping out one another and the joy on their faces as they released their lanterns, making wishes for good fortune.
Some participants went all out by attaching firecrackers and sparklers to their lanterns adding excitement and literal sparks into the air as they flew overhead. However, there was also a fair share of duds. Not all lanterns released would make it to their final destination and a handful had crashed and burned moments later. We couldn’t believe what was happening before our eyes. Lanterns burst into flames as they were halted in their paths by trees and power lines. Others simply lacked the necessary heat from the flame and fell to the ground. Lanterns stuck on power lines and trees, rice paper going up in flames all around us as we were surrounded by mobs of people…
What we were witnessing was far different from the idea portrayed through the photos we had seen online, which had initially attracted us to the festival in the first place (Turns out those iconic photos of thousands of lanterns being released was a private event at Mae Jo University but has since been shut down due to complaints from airlines).
After assisting our crew of hostel friends to launch their own lanterns, we managed to create some space and it was our turn. Holding the lighter to the torch for what seemed to be an eternity and slightly burning a thumb in the process, the anticipation built. Composure and a gentle touch are key here, or you’ll be just another failed attempt. Our patience paid off and our lanterns slowly took flight into the sky, adding the magic of the evening. Mission number two was complete, now we just needed the photo evidence.
After attempting to shoot a few photos of the night sky lit up with lanterns, we soon realized it would be extremely difficult to capture proper photos without a professional camera. The pictures we took seemed to resemble nothing close to the ones we saw online and that was okay. It was at that moment it dawned on us, Yi Peng was so much more meaningful than a photo opportunity and an event made famous through Instagram. There was a sense of being a part of something special and sharing that with so many strangers and new friends resonated with us. The festival was more of an interactive experience than we ever could have imagined.
That wouldn’t be the only preconception we would be wrong about. We expected the festival to be quiet, calm, peaceful and organized like was portrayed online and the imaginary idea created in our heads. Instead, it was a chaotic free for all that was loud and overcrowded. It was a huge party, in the best way possible! It far exceeded the misconception we had formed and was nothing like we assumed it would be, making it that much better. Tourists and locals alike, helping one another, taking photos, cheering each other on and celebrating together. Being able to witness first hand the sheer joy and stoke it evoked was a once in a lifetime experience.
Fireworks now joined the never-ending supply of lanterns filling the sky throughout the night as we continued with our evening still on a high from what we witnessed. Chiang Mai not only proved to be an escape from the urban jungle of Bangkok with its beautiful ancient temples, relaxed atmosphere and striking mountainous backdrop but, participating in the Lantern Festival created memories that will last a lifetime.
Though the festival was the complete opposite of what we expected it to be, we loved it for just the way it was and the unsuspected experience that came along with it. Sometimes in travel, we think we have an idea of a certain experience a place will give us, but the element of surprise is a gift that travel keeps on giving.
Backpacking Southeast Asia?…or around the world?! Check out our posts on Thailand, Laos & Cambodia!
READY TO ATTEND THE LANTERN FESTIVAL IN CHIANG MAI?
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