A Visit to Thailand – Chiang Mai

Hi friends, I am back with another travel post. My first International Trip was to Thailand and that’s why it has a special place in my heart. It’s been 3 years now but the memories are still fresh. There are some famous and amazing places in Thailand which are always on the travelers’ itinerary. And one will need many days to cover all these places. Since we are a nature-loving family, my husband and I decided to visit the Beaches first. So, we chose to explore Phuket and Phi Phi Islands during our 6 days stay in Thailand. However, visiting other parts of Thailand is still on my bucket list. And the next place which I want to explore in Thailand is Chiang Mai.

I have heard from a few of my friends that if you are in Thailand, visiting Chiang Mai is an absolute must. And today I am going to talk about the top things you can do when visiting Chiang Mai. Known for being the spiritual Mecca of the country, you will be open to a spectrum of experiences, culture, and sights.

Chiang Mai is known for being a highlight amongst travelers, it is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Thailand after the capital. You will plan your own trip once you see what there is to explore and experience.

If you are planning something soon and want to live the life of luxury, there are plenty of boutique hotels in Thailand you can choose from. You can have a different type of experience that takes your explorations to a whole new level. Let’s see what all places you can visit in Chiang Mai.

1- Visit an elephant sanctuary

Instead of doing the cliche elephant riding experience which often fuels malpractice and mistreatment of elephants; try a sanctuary. Elephant sanctuaries allow you to be up close and personal with the majestic beings in their natural environment. You can bathe them, swim alongside them, feed them and see them in a way like never before.

Source – www.elephantjunglesanctuary.com

Be wary of tour agencies that sell cheap riding experiences as they are often the worst and submit elephants to hours of exhaustive work. A couple of great sanctuaries are Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and Elephant Natural Park.

2- Visit some stunning temples

You will be able to get your full dose of temple visits done when planned correctly. You can discover some of the top temples to visit with awe-inspiring architecture. Literally, hundreds are placed all over the buzzing city. So, if you are seeking a spiritual journey then this is the place.

3- See Doi Inthanon National Park

Nature Trail in Doi Inthanon National Park (Source – www.thainationalparks.com)

This national park is known as “The Roof of Thailand” for being the highest mountain in Thailand. And it’s a must visit place if you want to get close to some of the country’s breath-taking natural beauty. You are bound to be inspired as it’s spread in 48,240 hectares of land and the mountain reaching the height of 2,562 meters.

You may also want to read – A Trip to The Great Wall of China

4- Take a boat along Mae Ping River

Source – http://www.maepingrivercruise.com

Whether you go at sunset or on a chilled afternoon, this is a great & different way to discover the scenery. Some trip companies will also include lunch with the local farmers. So, you also get an insight into local life and culture.

5- Shuffle through night markets

No trip is ever complete without exploring the local markets. Street markets in Chiang Mai are spectacular and provide a number of take-home goods and gifts. This is especially the case with the Sunday Night Market which seems as though it goes on for miles. It’s on the main road in the old town. It’s as though the whole town gets shut down on Sunday evening.

With so much to enjoy and explore, you will never get bored in Chiang Mai. That’s why it’s on top of my list when I visit Thailand next. Have you been to Thailand? Tell me which is your favorite place? Hope you liked the post. Do share with your travel lover friends and family.

Disclaimer –  “This article is published in partnership with Mediabuzzer”