CHIANG MAI: A TRAVEL GUIDE

I have gotten numerous inquiries around our agenda in Chiang Mai, so I’ve selfishly put this itinerary together to avoid going through my files and forwarding the same email over and over again in the future!

We almost didn’t go to Chiang Mai because of the “smoky season” that takes place between March and April, as they burn their rice crops for the next harvest and the air quality is…not ideal. I am so grateful that we decided to go last minute, as it was one of our favorite places we visited while in Southeast Asia, and we got lucky as the burning season was coming to an end.

Chiang Mai is exquisite. You get a real taste of Thailand’s culture, and the layout of the city is very easy to navigate. The Old City still retains vestiges of walls and remnants of its original structure dating back to the 1200s, and it is home to hundreds of Buddhist temples and amazing night markets.

What to do:

• Visit an Elephant Sanctuary

  • Elephant Sanctuaries can be found all over Chiang Mai. Travelers must be extremely cautious around which sanctuary they choose to go to, as many are not upholding to ethical standards and are not caring for elephants in proper ways. There is a huge need for volunteers as elephants require a lot of treatment after being held as captives. A highly recommended elephant sanctuary is the Elephant Nature Park (specifically do the Karen Experience).

  • Vicki Brown, editor at Responsible Travel, says that “captive elephants should be allowed to live as naturally as possible, so if they are forced to display unnatural behaviours – such as dancing, painting or playing football – this is being done for the tourists’ benefit, not the elephants’. Don’t visit these places.” Educate yourself on ensuring that you are visiting a proper elephant farm that treats these beautiful animals properly.

• Cooking Class

  • Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School was one of the funnest cooking classes we have ever been a part of. Will and I love to cook, and this was a very hands-on, informative class (and we left SO full!). You’ll make many dishes and have great conversations with other participants. We honestly felt like we became better cooks from this class, and also received a complimentary cookbook that we have used several times since returning home.

• Thai Massage

  • We were unaware of what a real Thai massage was like until visiting Chiang Mai, and after experiencing a few painful massages, we were determined to find a place that didn’t leave us hurting rather than relaxed. Lila Thai Massage (several locations) has a very clean atmosphere and offers many massage options and packages. Also, this massage parlor supports newly released inmates, and helps to bridge the gap for those that have difficulty finding jobs after being released. It is a really amazing institute that we highly recommend.

Must-eats:

• Khao soi

  • We went all over Chiang Mai and ate the famous Khao Soi at multiple places. Our top two favorites were at Woo Cafe and Kao Soy Nimman. Woo Cafe is a chic venue that is a little more upscale (but worth it). This cute cafe also offers home goods and art for sale that we loved. Kao Soy Nimman is located in a really neat, hipster part of Chiang Mai (go to iBerry afterwards for some delicious ice cream!).

• Mango Sticky Rice

  • Don’t be deceived by the thought of eating rice for dessert; mango stick rice truly is a Chiang Mai staple that everyone must try!

• Fish sauce and noodles

  • Will and I were really skeptical to try out this local dish, but we both loved this authentic offering (our favorite was at the Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market).

• Chang beer

  • This paired with all food in Chiang Mai & is a must when dealing with spicy meals! Not to mention, the chang is a good bang for your buck! Our other beverage of choice is coffee, and Akha AMA did not disappoint. This was our absolute favorite coffee place - and several locations exist in Chiang Mai.

Where to stay:

• Rachamankha - Although we didn’t get the chance to stay here, this should be noted that a friend recommended this as a favorite hotel during their travels throughout Thailand. $$$

• Anantara - We have had several friends stay here that absolutely loved their experience at this luxury resort. $$$

• 137 Pillars - While we also didn’t stay here, this hotel came highly recommended. $$$

• Dharma Dhevi - Little further out from the Old City but came highly recommended - get a drink here if anything. $$$

• Kate & Hasu Boutique - This is a budget friendly boutique hotel that is in a great location & offers free breakfast. $$

• Diva Guesthouse - If you’re looking for a hostel in a great location, Diva is your place. The staff is very accommodating and for a hostel, this is a good place to meet others. $

Our favorite guide book for visiting Southeast Asia- shop here:

>> Read about one of our other favorite cities here.

I hope you found these recommendations helpful. If you have any additional recs, please let me know, or if you have any other questions!

All the best,

To see what inspired CoCo Zentner to create a series around her travels to South East Asia, visit her Pinterest Page here or check-out her Instagram page at @cocozentner_art to stay up to speed with what inspires her.