Around the World: Chiang Mai

We had four nights at the tranquil Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai which is located about a 30-45 minute drive outside of the city. It is a nice option for those looking for a secluded retreat and to be amongst nature. Their residences are especially spacious and luxurious. It is a stunning property.

Watching the sunset procession from the pool

The villas

What to do in Chiang Mai:

1. Visit Wat Chedi Luang in the historic center of Chiang Mai. Women need to wear long pants or a skirt and cover their shoulders. You can rent a sarong if needed.

Wat Chedi Luang

2. Visit Wat Phra Doi Suthep and enjoy the views from this mountaintop temple. If you are up for it and perhaps do not have a two year old that limits you, you can arrange for a guided hike.

Wat Phra Doi Suthep

3.Take a tour in a tuk tuk. You can ask the driver to take you around the city for 30 minutes and it is fun! Remember to negotiate the price as they likely have room to do so.

4. Enjoy a Thai massage. They involve stretching and very firm pressure so be prepared for something different if you are familiar with only Swedish style.

5. Eat Khao Soi and Roast Chicken which are the specialty dishes for the region. We loved the Khao Soi at Khao Soi Nimman and the roast chicken and papaya salad at Cherng Doi.

Khao Soi

6. Drink Coffee and lots of it! Chiang Mai is known as the coffee capital in Thailand. In the Nimman area you will find numerous boutique options with fantastic coffee in creative spaces. 

A delicious coffee at Ristr8to 

7. The Four Seasons supports a local orphanage that we were able to bring some needed items to. Photos are not allowed of the children and we didn't interact with them but we were able to meet with some of the staff to drop off items and play on the playground.

James and Julia playing on the playground at the Government Orphanage

8. Learn how to plant rice. The Four Seasons Resort provided all of us, including our kids, with these adorable outfits when we participated in the complimentary session that they offer their guests. 

Ready to plant rice!

9. Visit the night market or the weekend bazaars. There is plenty of shopping in Chiang Mai with many artisans and products to purchase. 

Further suggestions during a stay in Chiang Mai include visiting Chiang Mai Women's correctional institution for a massage, experiencing Muay Thai training, interacting with elephants at a place such as Elephant Nature Park or Karen Tribe, Trekking to waterfalls, visiting the Queen Sirikit botanical garden, shopping, and more. If you are a guest at the Four Seasons Resort, the Director of Experiences, Ashok Nair, is incredibly helpful and can certainly help with suggestions and arrangements.

Useful Sayings in Thai:

Thai is a tonal language but don't worry too much as they will appreciate you as a foreigner even attempting to speak the language. Different polite particles are used depending on if a male or female is speaking. For men, they add "Khrap" at the end of the question or statement and for women they add "Kha". It is dependent on who is speaking instead of who is being spoken to.

Hello: Sawasadee. A male would say Sah wah dee khrap and women would say sah wad dee kha. 

Thank You: Khob khoon (add Kha at end if female and Khrap if male).

How are you: Sabaai dii mai

Travel Tips:

1. Thai food is delicious, inexpensive and spicy. Make sure to eat the fresh mango and the local specialties!

2. The Thai Wai is a greeting and an important part of the culture. It is basically a bowing motion with hands placed in prayer position. It is expected that you return a Wai with the same motion. The higher the hands are placed and the lower the bow indicate the respect level.