From the mist-shrouded temples of East Asia to the turquoise waters of Thailand’s Andaman coast, for millennia, humans have held lantern festivals to transform nights into ethereal displays of light and hope. These celebrations, steeped in tradition, offer travelers a glimpse into the spiritual heart of Asia in all its diversity.
In Vietnam’s ancient trading port of Hoi An, home to Karma Song Hai and Karma Cay Tre, the monthly full moon festival bathes the UNESCO-listed Old Town in a warm glow as thousands of silk lanterns illuminate the Thu Bon River. Local families release candlelit paper boats into the current, while temples welcome visitors with traditional music and games.
Thailand’s island festivals are more spontaneous affairs. During November’s Yi Peng and Loy Krathong celebrations, the night skies above Koh Samui and Phuket fill with floating lanterns, while below, tourists and locals alike release flower-crowned krathongs onto the gentle waters – a mesmerising spectacle that turns the Andaman Sea into a constellation of flickering lights. Karma Royal Boat Lagoon in Phuket and Karma Panalee in Koh Samui offer the perfect portals into the island’s rich cultural traditions.
Each February, in the mountain town of Pingxi, Taiwan’s Sky Lantern Festival creates a river of light in the heavens as thousands release their paper lanterns in synchronised waves, each one carrying handwritten wishes skyward. The Nagasaki Lantern Festival features intricate Chinese-style lanterns illuminating entire streets and the ancient Sofukuji Temple. Korea’s Jinju Festival takes place along the Nam River, with floating installations that recreate historic battles and folk tales alongside massive lantern displays on the riverbank. Finally, China’s Yuan Xiao Festival marks the final day of lunar new year celebrations as cities like Nanjing and Chengdu erupt in a blaze of red lanterns.
