{"id":2307,"date":"2023-02-14T22:56:29","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T11:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/worlds-best-lantern-festivals-top-5-cities-to-witness-the-magic\/"},"modified":"2024-10-04T10:30:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T00:30:48","slug":"worlds-best-lantern-festivals-top-5-cities-to-witness-the-magic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/worlds-best-lantern-festivals-top-5-cities-to-witness-the-magic\/","title":{"rendered":"World\u2019s Best Lantern Festivals: Top 5 Cities to Witness the Magic\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Celebrating hope and joy from Thailand\u2019s busy streets to Hawai\u2019i\u2019s golden shores, these lantern festivals around the world will lift your spirits and illuminate your soul.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beloved tradition of lantern festivals first began in China as a celebration meant to promote prosperity, peace and forgiveness. Often aligning with a particular day of the lunar calendar, the festivals see thousands of lanterns lit in unison to drive the darkness away and shed light on a bright future. Meanwhile, cultural performances, lantern riddles, delicious food and more adorn this celebratory night \u2013 a true revelry of life. Even though the Chinese Lantern Festival steals the show, there are some places around the world that have their own delightful versions of this luminous celebration.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to see our picks for the best lantern festivals around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng, Thailand <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Letting<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In northern Thailand\u2019s Chiang Mai, two impressive lantern festivals \u2013 Loy Krathong and Yi Peng \u2013 combine to turn the city into a twinkling spectacle. Taking place on 28 November 2023, the magical festival is celebrated by lighting up the city to pay respect to Buddha and give thanks to the water goddess for an abundant year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Yi Peng, sky lanterns called khom loi <\/em>are released into the air, while during Loy Krathong, the rivers are ablaze with thousands of water lanterns called krathongs, <\/em>made of either the trunk of a banana tree or baked bread. While Loy Krathong is celebrated across Thailand, it\u2019s only in the north that the festivals are celebrated concurrently, making for a truly enchanting experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hoi An Lantern Festival, Vietnam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the 14th<\/sup> day of every lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, Hoi An Ancient Town in Vietnam lights up with colourful, candlelit lanterns lining the banks of the Hoai River. Locals and tourists alike come together to light the lanterns, which are said to bring prosperity, health and happiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditional folk dances and melodies of bamboo flutes, fiddles and drums resonate in the air, along with the delicious smell of foods like banh bao (steamed buns filled with mushrooms, pork and more), banh dap (baked rice paper cakes with onions and green beans) and banh xaoi (mango cake). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Browse our Vietnam escapes here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\n\t
\n\t\t