Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand

On Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city, comes alive with thousands of glowing lanterns. The highlight of this festival is the release of 'khom loi' or 'khom loy'—floating paper lanterns—into the night sky, creating a beautiful sight as the heavens fill with a sea of warm, golden lights, as seen in today's image. Locals and visitors gather around temples and palaces to send their wishes skyward, hoping for good fortune in the year to come. In addition to the lantern release, the city is adorned with vibrant parades, traditional dance performances and stunning decorations.