Top 5 Things To Do In Chiang Mai

The former capital of Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai is blissfully calm with its misty mountains and colorful hill tribes. Being the home to more than 300 temples, Chiang Mai is considered the spiritual capital of Thailand awakening the divine spirits in each of its guests.

Promulgated as the ‘Rose of the North,’ Chiang Mai is beautifully steeped in history and surrounded by splendid architecture, lush greenery, pristine rainforests, and peaceful country villages. Perennially enveloped in high spirits and caught in the whirlwind of merrymaking, Chiang Mai trip is a treat for the soul.

From admiring the alluring beauty to getting a bamboo tattoo from a monk, here is our list of 5 absolute not-to-miss things to do in Chiang Mai.

1. Visit the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep:

For awakening and immersing your soul in the holiness of Thailand, take a visit to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai province. Offering magnificent panoramic views from its mountain throne, it is one of the oldest and sacred temples of northern Thailand. The copper plated Chedi is the holiest place in this temple where Thai folks and travelers gather to meditate and embrace peace. The temple harbors the model of Emerald Buddha and Hindu Lord Ganesha thus making the place a heavenly site to experience the godly feelings. Also, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, both Buddhist temples in the historic town of Chiang Mai are great spots to invoke the spirituality within.

2. Trekking At Doi Inthanon:

Chiang Mai is popular for many reasons, but its remarkably beautiful landscapes deserve special mention. Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand and is popularly known as “The Roof of Thailand.” With surroundings having impressive waterfalls cascading down and Doi Inthanon national park providing shelter to exotic wildlife, trekking the trails of Doi Inthanon is an experience worth living. As you hike the breathtaking Doi Inthanon trails, you come across terrace rice-fields, lush verdant valleys, and hill-tribe villages triggering your abounding love for nature and wildlife to the core.

3. Participate In The Loi Krathong Festival:

May the light of sky lanterns floating across the horizons illuminate your life. In the month of November, Chiang Mai celebrates the Loi Krathong festival– the enchanting festival of lights. During the festival, to show respect to the Buddha, the residents of Chiang Mai floats lotus-shaped basket–Krathong with candles in the center in the water that surrounds part of Chiang Mai. And, at the same time, as the candles float in the water, you can see the sky sparkling with bright lanterns. Also, people assemble in royal costumes for predicting their mystical alter egos.

4. Devour Traditional Khantoke Dinner:

When in Chiang Mai, treat your taste buds with the healthy delicacies nurtured with deep flavors that makes you fall in love with the food. The Chiang Mai cuisines contain intense and nourishing ingredients like lemongrass, chilis, turmeric, coconut, and makrut lime. As Chiang Mai is regarded for its Lanna culture, during your stay at this place, have the traditional Khantoke dinner. When you arrive for the dinner, you are made to sit on the floor at a roundtable and traditional Thai food is served to you. During the meal, you are treated with Lanna entertainment. The dish of Khao Soi is another Chiang Mai specialty prepared with red curry, splash of coconut milk, chicken, and crunchy noodles. If you are a food lover, one of the things to do in Chiang Mai is to eat a hundred-year-old egg at Somphet market.

5. Heal The Body With Thai Massage By A Prison Inmate:

The Thai massage needs no introduction. It is an ancient healing technique combining the wisdom of acupressure, Ayurveda, and Yoga perfectly designed for deep healing and rehabilitation of body and mind. In Chiang Mai, the massage parlors are like tuk-tuk, there are everywhere. This town is the home to Women’s Correctional Institution, where Thai massage training programs are conducted leaving the people in a relaxed and blissful stature.

In the breathtaking land of Chiang Mai, make sure you take up these five things along with the endless list of tasks for the truly rejuvenating, inspiring, and charismatic expedition.

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