Hey Guys! Welcome to another what RAFCARLOSAID!
I will provide a complete guide, tips, and schedule for your trip to the LANTERN FESTIVAL!
The Yi Peng Lantern Festival takes place every November during the full moon. When you plan a visit, remember to verify the official dates. The festival is mostly celebrated in Chiang Mai, where Loy Krathong is also part of the festival in which they pray for the water goddess.
To keep things exciting...
Day 1: Flight to Bangkok & to Chiang Mai
Arrive in Bangkok
Free Day in Bangkok (Suggested place: Icon Siam)
Temple Visit (Suggested: Wat Arun & Wat Pho)
Bus Ride Going to Chiang Mai
Day 2: 1st Day of Lantern Festival (City Tour)
Arrive at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal early Morning
Early Check-in Hotel and Rest
Temple Visit: Wat Bupparam, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Lok Moli
Explore the City: Release Loy Kratung near Nawarat Bridge
Day 3 : 2nd Day of Lantern Festival (+Elephant Sanctuary)
Pick-up at Hotel
Start of Elephant Sanctuary (Half-Day tour)
Visit Doi Saket for the Lantern release Watching
Visit City Center Food Market
Day 4: 3rd Day of Lantern Festival (Official Release)
Explore City Center: Visit Three King Monument, Tha Phae Gate
Go to the pick-up point at the Mall
Arrive in Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center
Start of Lantern Festival / Explore the Vicinity
Day 5: Free Day + Back to Bangkok + Flight
Visit a coffee shop
Leave Chiang Mai
Arrive in Bangkok
Free day in Bangkok
Flight back to home country
TIPS & GUIDE (with links)
BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI
You can book a flight for 1 hour or a Bus for 12 hours. Ensure to book an overnight bus if you are on a tight hours.
You can book flight tickets through Airasia website or bus tickets through 12go.Asia
Arrive at Mo Chit Bus Terminal hours before your trip. The terminal is a bit confusing since everything is in Thai. The ticketing for Chiang Mai is outside the departure area.
CITY CENTER DURING THE FESTIVAL GUIDE
The Lantern Festival is festively celebrated in Chiang Mai. It’s a 3-day event that happens during November. The 3-day event has different food stalls, concerts, cultural shows, parades, and more.
There are official places for releasing the Lanterns on the city's outskirts. You can visit Doi Saket District. However, you can still release some lanterns on the Nawarat Bridge. Fireworks are also free to use there.
You can also release Loy Kratung as it is simultaneously celebrated during these days.
Have time visiting the temples around the city as there are different rituals for good luck and fortune during these days.
CAD OFFICIAL YI PENG LANTERN RELEASE GUIDES
You can book in advance 10 months before the event. Or wait through third-party apps like KKDay. The link to the Festival from the KKDay app is, here.
Arrive in advance at the Pick-up point as both Standard and VIP tickets have long lines for Pick-up. Traveling to the event is about an hour.
VIP vs Standard Comparison (DISCLAIMER: This is my personal experience and may vary on your next visit.)
(Pick-up): Standard - longer Lines: VIP - Less longer lines
(Food & Seats): Standard - Long lines for food: VIP - Fewer lines for food and Drinks more seats available. NOTE: The food is buffet style but is placed like a food stall type.
(Lantern & Other privileges: Both have the same free 2 lanterns and can roam around the vicinity)
(Seating Arrangement): Standard - MORE advantage to see the full release of the lantern, far from the Stage: VIP - Near the Stage. If you are to take videos of the lantern you may not see the whole view since in front of you is the Pagoda.
NOTE: The seating arrangement is in a circle thus different colors do not differ. DISCLAIMER: This is my personal experience and may vary on your next visit.
ELEPHANT SANCTUARY & OTHER TOURS
Tours are operational during the event. Even Elephant Sanctuaries are open for half-day or whole-day tours. You can book within the City as there are different travel and tours available.
Add Chiang Rai One Day tour if you still have extra time. During the tour, you will visit the White Temple, Golden Triangle, and more.
ROAMING AROUND THE CITY
Chiang Mai is a walkable city. Since almost all of the famous spots & stalls are located to each other. Otherwise, you can use a hailing application such as Grab. For solo travelers, Grab Bike is also available here.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES (in Philippine Peso)
31,800.00 - Total Expenses for 5 Days
3,100.00 - 4 Day Hotel
7,200.00 - Standard Ticket for CAD Events (Booked through KKDay)
1,200.00 - Bus Bangkok to Chiang Mai
1,200.00 - Chiang Mai to Bangkok
5,000.00 - Pocket Money (Food 3 times a day, Transpo (Grab), buying of lanterns and others.
2,200.00 - Paid in Baht (1,400 baht) - Half-Day Elephant Sanctuary Tour.
6,100.00 - Manila to Bangkok (Air Asia) Not a promo price. 5,800.00 - Bangkok to Manila (Cebu Pacific) Not a promo price.
HOTEL, ACTIVITIES & LINKS
Chiang Mai Mountain Sanctuary (Facebook)
Chiang Mai Bus (12go.Asia)
Hotel: Mi Casa Thaphae (booking.com)
Chiang Mai Lantern Festival (KKday)
Yi Peng Lantern Festival (Official Website)
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