Agoda Spotlights Lantern Festivals Across Asia to Brighten the Year
Lantern festivals have long been a favorite for travelers, offering a unique blend of tradition, artistry, and community spirit. For those who marveled at earlier festivals this year, like China's Spring Lantern Festival or Taiwan's PingXi Lantern Festival, there's good news—there are still plenty of opportunities to catch more lantern-lit magic in the months ahead.
Monthly: Hoi An Lantern Festival, Vietnam
Hoi An's Lantern Festival transforms this charming riverside town into a glowing wonderland every full moon. Visitors can expect the streets to be bathed in the warm glow of colorful lanterns, while the Thu Bon River sparkles with floating lights. This monthly celebration is a tribute to Vietnam's rich heritage, offering travelers a chance to release their own lanterns and make a wish. The festival's intimate atmosphere and timeless beauty make it a must-see for those seeking a serene yet magical experience.
August 2025: Nara Tokae Lantern Festival and Obon Festival, Japan
August in Japan is a double delight for lantern lovers. The Nara Tokae Lantern Festival lights up the historic city of Nara with thousands of candle-lit paper lanterns, creating a captivating illumination amidst ancient temples and deer-filled parks. Meanwhile, the Obon Festival, celebrated nationwide, honors ancestors with floating lanterns and traditional dances. Together, these festivals offer a harmonious blend of reflection, celebration, and cultural immersion.
October 2025: Mid-Autumn Festival, China
China's Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is a time for family reunions and moonlit festivities. Lantern displays take center stage, with intricate designs ranging from mythical creatures to modern art. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai host grand celebrations, but smaller towns also offer a more intimate charm. Mooncakes, storytelling, and lantern parades make this festival a feast for the senses and the soul.
November 2025: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai's Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival is a breathtaking spectacle of light and water. Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, while floating krathongs (decorative baskets) are set adrift on rivers. This dual celebration symbolizes letting go of misfortunes and welcoming good luck. The sight of illuminated lanterns ascending into the night sky is a memory that will linger long after the festival ends.
December 2025: Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines
The Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, is a dazzling display of craftsmanship and community spirit. Known as the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines," San Fernando showcases massive, intricately designed lanterns that light up the night in a kaleidoscope of colors. This festival is a testament to Filipino creativity and a joyful way to usher in the holiday season.
Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director at Agoda, said, "Lantern festivals are more than just a visual treat; they're a window into the heart of a culture. Agoda is here to help travelers experience the magic firsthand and make their journeys as seamless as possible. Whether you're floating a lantern in Hoi An or Chiang Mai, Agoda's got your travel plans covered."
With over 5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities to choose from, Agoda makes it easy to plan a lantern-lit adventure. Visit Agoda.com and find the best deals on the Agoda mobile app.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
6 hours ago
- Korea Herald
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Unlocks a Season of Discovery with New Summer Offer
PHU QUOC, Vietnam, July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- There's a certain kind of magic in Phu Quoc – Vietnam's most celebrated island: golden mornings, long sun-drenched afternoons and the luxury of time spent together. This season, JW Marriott Phu Quoc invites travelers to the island's serene southern coast with Summer Retreat, an exclusive package designed for families, foodies and seekers of inspired escapes. Located along the prime stretch of Khem Beach, one of the world's most private and beautiful beaches, JW Marriott Phu Quoc isn 't just another beach res ort. Dreamed up by the legendary Bill Bensley, this fantastical beachfront property takes the form of a whimsical 19th-century academy: Lamarck University , setting it apart among numerous prestigious resorts. 'Summer Retreat' Offer As one of the rare resorts to incorporate storytelling art into its design, JW Marriott Phu Quoc stands as one of the world's most iconic works by the renowned Bill Bensley. From the grand facades to the handpicked curios inside, the resort reads like a novel you can walk through. Nowhere is that more true than the Turquoise Suite, inspired by the calm waters that lap just beyond your balcony. Designed in soothing tones of seafoam and pearl, this suite offers uninterrupted views of the bay, with a generous balcony that stretches from bedroom to living area — the perfect perch for your morning coffee, sunrise included. Private pool and garden upgrades are also available. With the exclusive 'Summer Retreat' offer , the resort welcomes guests with attractive privileges, including daily complimentary lunch or dinner, a variety of entertainment activities, and the Family by JW kit for families traveling with children. Art on the plate by a Michelin Master Hiding behind a pink façade and wrapped in Belle Époque glamour, Pink Pearl by Olivier E. is the resort's crown jewel. Once the seaside villa of Madame Pearl Collins, the mansion is now a stage for celebrated chef Olivier Elzer , who brings with him the weight of 30 Michelin Stars from kitchens across the globe. Here, guests are served with a menu that weaves together coastal French classics, local ingredients, and seasonal vegetables from the island. Sundays are reserved for the Pink Pearl Brunch, inspired by finest Riviera dishes , DJ sets and free-flowing good cheer — a little Gatsby, a little Mediterranean summer. While the adults may lose themselves in design details and long lunches, the little ones have adventures of their own. With the unique storytelling design, JW Marriott Phu Quoc is not just perfect for families but also awakens the nature - born curiosity in any child. True to the spirit of Family by JW, the resort's children's programs are anything but ordinary. From craft workshops to traditional Vietnamese games, the resort's Kid Club invites young guests to explore, imagine, and play in a world built just for them. Famous for its breathtaking sunrise views, the resort is just a 10 minutes ride by double decker bus from Sunset Town – renowned as the "best place to enjoy the sunset in Vietnam". This vibrant complex is also home to unique attractions such as the Kiss Bridge, "Kiss of the Sea" show, the world's longest sea-crossing Cable Car, and Aquatopia Water Park. Guests staying at JW Marriott Phu Quoc enjoy complimentary tickets to the Kiss of the Sea show , Kiss Bridge , along with unlimited cable car access to Sun World Hon Thom when purchasing a one-way ticket.
Korea Herald
8 hours ago
- Korea Herald
TCEB Highlights High-Value Offerings Enriched Wellness, Diverse Venues through Bangkok-Hua Hin MICE Showcase
BANGKOK, July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) reaffirmed its commitment to delivering high value for business events. Leveraging TIME 2025 to demonstrate new possibilities, TCEB showcased how a city-pairing destination, Bangkok–Hua Hin, brings together an exclusive train ride, enriched wellness options, and diverse venue settings, all showing value for maximisation and memorable and meaningful MICE experiences. Mr. Puripan Bunnag, Acting President of TCEB, said, "Thailand Innovative Meetings Exchange (TIME) is TCEB's annual event connecting overseas MICE buyers and planners with Thai suppliers to showcase value-drive approach to business events in Thailand. The 2025 edition, held from 16 to 20 June, welcomed 51 overseas buyers and 3 overseas media from 15 markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US. We are proud that TIME 2025 has introduced a wealth of memorable and meaningful experiences that meet the sophisticated needs of the MICE industry. It is in line with our vision "Meet in Thailand, Your Success, Your Moment" campaign, where the 3M elements — Maximization, Meaningful, and Memorable — will help planners unlock new potential in Thailand." Highlights of TIME 2025 Bangkok–Hua Hin City Pairing: The city-pairing destination, Bangkok–Hua Hin, was designed to demonstrate the possibility of well-connected destinations in one trip. Delegates experienced a dynamic blend of the capital's urban energy and Hua Hin's coastal charm. The pinnacle was the Royal Blossom Train Ride from Hua Hin to Bangkok. Operated by the State Railway of Thailand, this exclusive service became a memorable experience as it offered amenities such as retractable wide seats, USB ports, worktables, a small bar, elegant interiors, large windows for scenic views and space for networking, activities or relaxation. Wellness-Focused Programming: Recognizing the growing demand for memorable and meaningful well-being in business travel, TCEB featured: Diverse and Unconventional Venues: Enhanced venue options tailored to diverse business needs included: Cultural and Community Immersion CSR Contribution: Reinforcing TCEB's commitment to community impact, well-balanced and meaningful programme, TIME 2025 included a CSR initiative to make where delegates donated sports equipment, school supplies, stationery, and bicycles to the Education Division of Cha-am Municipality in Phetchaburi Province, supporting local youth and education access. Thailand MICE – Meet the Magic About TCEB A LEADING AGENCY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAILAND'S MICE INDUSTRY Established in 2004, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB – the government agency under the supervision of the Prime Minister – has been assigned a role to promote, support and develop business events industry – corporate meetings, incentive trips, conventions, exhibitions, mega events and world festivals. Serving as a strategic partner, TCEB helps deliver creative ideas and solutions to bring success and fulfill the requirements of business events. The overarching goal is to drive Thailand to become a global MICE and mega events destination that can drive the country's strategic industries and national economy.
Korea Herald
15 hours ago
- Korea Herald
World's Best Glacier Photos Launch in Global "Walk of Water" Exhibition
Beauty and Peril of Vanishing Glaciers Taking Centre Stage in Onewater's Global Photography Exhibition, Urging Climate Action NEUÖTTING, Germany, July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Breathtaking glacier photography features in the international exhibition "Walk of Water", which launches simultaneously this June in Almaty, Delft, and Manila. Amid predictions that up to two-thirds of Earth's glaciers will vanish by 2100, this exhibition offers a stunning visual journey into melting ice worlds, highlighting critical water stories, ingenious local solutions, and the urgent need for global action. Organised by German non-profit Onewater, with support from UNESCO's World Water Assessment Programme, MPB, the Asian Development Bank, and the City of Burghausen, the 2025 "Walk of Water" showcases a curated collection from highly decorated artists, including World Photography Awards winners and National Geographic explorers. Their powerful images span Alpine peaks, Himalayan communities, and polar expanses, capturing not only the stark reality of receding ice but also vibrant water festivals, indigenous adaptation strategies, and the profound cultural ties to these frozen landscapes—all threatened by a warming planet. The loss of glaciers means rising sea levels, endangered drinking water and food production, and the disappearance of unique plants, animals, ecosystems and cultural heritage. " Through these powerful visual narratives, we witness firsthand the challenges faced by the Earth's cryosphere and the richness of cultural heritage tied to water and ice," said Frantisek Ficek, Onewater's Senior Creative Specialist. " It's an alarm bell calling for urgent safeguarding of our glaciers and mountains. We must appreciate them and the nature and people that dwell within them while we still can."
