The best place to celebrate Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Lantern Festivals is around the city of Chiang Mai itself, and it is absolutely FREE.
It’s the festival season of Yee Peng again, the most charming festival celebrated in the Kingdom of Thailand.
This article will tell you the four locations in Chiang Mai city where you could release sky lanterns in the evening of the 8th, and 9th of November, 2022.
Each location mentioned here have different vibes and views. Just bring a lighter and some cash (to buy lantern), and have a fun and joyful night.
The act of releasing the lanterns symbolizes letting go of all ills and misfortunes in the previous year.
1. Thaphae Gate
At Tha Phae Gate, the spacious public square opposite Starbucks and McDonald’s is popular with tourists releasing sky lanterns.
Tha Phae Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in Chiang Mai and the spacious public square is the site of many cultural activities and festivals celebration.
2. The Riverside
The most happening place in Chiang Mai is around the river bank of Ping River. The area of Nawarat Bridge and the Iron Bridge are the best spots to watch the celebrations.
This is where the locals and tourists gather to release Krathong down the river and lanterns into the sky. If you like the crowd and party atmosphere this is the place to come.
3. Wat Lok Moli
Tourists can also release lanterns at temples with big garden ground such as Wat Lok Moli and Wat Suan Dok. If you don’t like the crowd a temple might be a better place for the spiritual factor and probably a little more organized.
The surrounding gardens of Wat Lok Moli will be decorated with hundreds of lanterns and lights for their outdoor ceremonies.
4. Khlong Mae Kha
There is a new tourist attraction in Chiang Mai city called Khlong Mae Kha (the Mae Kha Canal).
Khlong Mae Kha is a refurbished canal located behind a neighbourhood located just 700metres from the old city.
Shops and restaurants on both side of the canal decorated mainly in Japanese style.
