Travel

Updated September 2026. My recommendation for Elephant Nature Park is to choose the visit by how much time you want to spend watching elephants. The morning programme suits a shorter stay in Chiang Mai; SkyWalk adds a second viewing area and a fuller day. Neither should be booked with the expectation of riding an elephant

Chiang Mai, a picturesque city in Northern Thailand, offers a captivating blend of ancient history, stunning landscapes, and modern amenities. This unique destination has become a favorite among travelers seeking a taste of Thai culture, cuisine, and hospitality. One of the most important aspects to any travel experience is the choice of accommodation, and Chiang

Updated September 2026. I recommend Chiang Mai Night Bazaar for an easy evening of shopping and dinner, especially when your stay does not include a weekend. My suggested visit starts with the stalls on Chang Khlan Road, includes a look inside Kalare and ends with food at Anusarn. You can shorten that route whenever you

Updated September 2026. I recommend choosing a Muay Thai gym in Chiang Mai around your accommodation and training goal. A convenient class near the Old City makes sense during a sightseeing holiday. A camp outside town makes more sense when training will shape the whole trip. The best-known name is not necessarily the easiest place

Updated September 2026. Chiang Mai began as the capital of a kingdom of its own. That is the most useful fact to know about Lanna before looking at the city’s temples: their patrons were northern rulers with their own political ambitions, religious connections and artistic traditions. Bangkok’s authority over the region came much later. I

Updated September 2026. I recommend Malin Plaza for dinner and everyday shopping on the Chiang Mai University side of town. Thai food stalls, Japanese and Korean snacks, restaurants with tables, and shops selling clothes and accessories give you plenty to choose from in one evening. It is a particularly useful option when you are staying

Updated September 2026. Khao soi is the bowl I recommend when someone wants an introduction to Chiang Mai food: wheat-and-egg noodles, coconut curry, chicken or beef, and a tangle of crisp noodles on top. The pickled mustard greens, shallots, lime and chilli served alongside it give you room to adjust the meal. My advice is

Updated September 2026. I recommend Mae Ya when the waterfall itself is the reason for the outing. Its broad, stepped rock face gives you a different view from the more compact falls beside Doi Inthanon’s main road. Mae Ya has its own approach from the Chom Thong side of the park. Put it into the

Updated September 2026. For a first Thai breakfast in Chiang Mai, my choice is a bowl of jok with pork and an egg, followed by a few pieces of freshly fried pa thong ko to share. The porridge gives you a straightforward introduction to a savoury breakfast, while the fried dough adds something crisp. If

Updated September 2026 For a Karen village visit from Chiang Mai, my starting point is Mae Klang Luang on Doi Inthanon: rice terraces, locally grown coffee and a walking trail led by village guides give the trip a clear purpose. Pha Mon, on the same mountain, is the stronger choice for an arranged stay centred