The Authentic Lanna culture and temples city
Founded in 1296, Chiang Mai (meaning in Thai “The new city”) was so named because it became the capital of the Lanna kingdom and from that moment considered as the commercial and spiritual centre of the country. Today, this alluring city often rightly called “The Rose of the North” is better known for its lush National Parks and wild jungle surrounding its city center famous for hosting over 300 Buddhist temples.
The city welcomes more than 5 million of tourists each year attracted by the medium size and relaxed modernity of the city, which nowadays is a meeting point for digital working nomads enticed by the attractive prices of accommodations, food and entertainment but also by the legendary Thai welcoming spirit of the inhabitants.
This location is an unusual yet perfect mix of ancient temples, traditional wooden teak houses, stylish restaurants and cocktails bars, endless and extraordinary economic and colourful night bazars where you can buy local handcrafted products and try the real dreaded Thai spicy and tasty street food.
Where else could you find a welcoming and lively city where on the same day you can feed and cuddle elephants in a sanctuary in the middle of the jungle, trek on the highest peak of Thailand, meet the Long Necks native tribes of the hills just outside the city’s doors, visit a coffee plantation, regenerate with a yoga or spa day or take part to a cooking class in the mountains and at end the day bargaining over your next purchase at the night markets?
Whether you are looking for a pampering spa holiday, an adrenaline day doing white-rafting on the river or zip wiring in the rainforest or a cultural trip exploring the astonishing and mystical Thai temples, Chiang Mai won’ t let you down!
Tips and recommendations
The best period to visit Thailand corresponds to the dry season which goes from Mid November to the end of March. The cheapest and quietest month to visit is probably November when the mass of tourists hasn’t arrive for Christmas and New Year period yet.
I travelled during February and although busy, it’s a month I would recommend to enjoy the spectacular Flower’s Festival in Chiang Mai, a three-day festival celebrating the end of the “cool” season and for the picturesque Chinese New Year’s Celebrations which included extra night markets, parades, music and traditional dragon dances and shows in the streets.
Rustic Guest House is the place to be if you don’t want to give up to comfort and be in the city centre: this cosy and hospitable B&B gives you a warm welcome and plenty of tour information on arrival and boasts rooms with teak parquets, comfortable traditional beds and including a Thai most welcomed breakfast with fried rice with eggs, pineapples and tea and coffee to support you through your busy day.
One the best part of visiting Chiang Mai is to have the chance to try out the best of the Thai cuisine at affordable prices. One warning: once you start it becomes truly addicting to try out all those tasty and appetising dishes such Pad Thai, Khao Soy, Tom Yum Goong, rice or noodle stir fries and other spicy delicious combinations. I am happy to share with you my “secret places”:
1. Aroy Dee: the owner is a passionate of international football, very chatty and friendly. He even gave me little china elephants as a gift before leaving. The kitchen opens on the road and you can’t see expert cookers preparing your meal with fresh ingredients and full of flavour spices. We came here multiple times for the good quality and honest prices, the pleasantness of the staff and the warm atmosphere! Five stars to Aroy Dee!
2. Cooking love is another great option near the night market: dishes are fairly priced, wonderfully presented, and delicious! The restaurant flower decoration and wooden tables make it a nice and cosy place both for lunch and dinner. The menu is extensive and the atmosphere is particularly enjoyable in the evening where lanterns create a warm light.
3. Tanita Coffee House is a gem of a coffee sop, hidden down a gravel drive on the riverside area of Chiang Mai. Food is delicious and top quality, the cosy and relaxing decoration is the typical teak wood one of northern Thailand and cute little crackers with flowers are served to everyone together with your order. A perfect place for coffee lovers serving great desserts and smoothies but also typical Thai main dishes for lunch!
The Home Spa Massage is a great traditional Thai spa that goes above and beyond for its clients: free taxi pick up from/to the hotel, qualified and professional massage therapists and a lovely swimming pool are only a few reasons why you should come here. If you are looking combining a relaxed atmosphere, competitive prices and blissful treatments then look no further. We had a traditional Thai couple 1 hour massage and we spent the rest of the day by the outdoor swimming pool. The staff takes food and drinks reservations for you and you eat in the bar area besides the swimming pool listening to the birds singing and to music. A real treat that fully regenerated us!
There are multiple ways to reach Chiang Mai from Bangkok: the quickest one is an internal economic flight with a local company a few months in advance and in one hour will it will take you to Chiang Mai. If you are fun of slow travelling and you like trains, then I recommend to take a night train that in “only” 14 hours will take to Chiang Mai giving you the occasion to travel cheaply with locals, make friends and see the landscape change slowly before your eyes.
This new wondrous modern train has been introduced in and leaves from platform 9: reservation is needed weeks in advance if you want to be sure to get that particular train leaving at 6.10 pm everyday and choose your seats (upstairs or downstairs) – I personally prefer downstairs as the lights is dimmer and you have more chances to sleep. Dinner has to be booked and paid as you get on the train, trains are equipped with air conditioning and the second class is very clean. Here is the link to book the tickets.
