Nestled in the midst of the majestic mountains of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai radiates with seamless energy. From its golden temples to its thriving markets and bazaars known for hill tribe crafts along with richly embroidered Thai silk and fabrics, this Thai city is undoubtedly a unique cultural hotspot.
What’s not to love about Chiang Mai? Inspired by the northern city’s rural surroundings, several cafes and bars cater to the growing number of savvy travellers descending on this majestic city. Everything is available in Chiang Mai’s trendy hangouts, from herbal rice drinks to alcohol served with soda and coke on ice buckets, along with farm-to-table authentic Thai dishes.
Known as the ‘Rose of the North,’ Chiang Mai is steeped in history. With cooler temperatures and calmer vibes, it has several outstanding attractions. The historical capital of the Lanna Kingdom has much to offer; if you venture out of the city, you will come to discover its charming elephant farms, hill tribe villages, orchid farms, and Thai silk factories.
Elephant Farms
Elephants have long played an important role in Thai culture; there is no better place than Chiang Mai to get up close and personal with them. Allow yourself to be captivated by nature’s most powerful creature at the Patara elephant farm. At Patara, you can feed the elephants, bathe them and even enjoy a mud bath with them in the river. Experienced elephant handlers, known as mahouts, will familiarize you with how to treat and react to them. This fascinating experience will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on your memory.
You can also capture unique snapshots with the elephants, ride them, and walk them through the jungle. The more you learn about these majestic creatures, you will quickly fall in love with their sincerity, loyalty, and gentleness.
Hill Tribes
Upon trekking through the hills and forests of Chiang Mai, whether on an elephant expedition or hiking trail, you will come to enjoy the unique scenery of Chiang Mai’s majestic mountains as you pass by local farms with fresh produce and waterfalls within a stone’s throw. One of the best ways to experience the local way of life is to visit a hill tribe village.
There are several hill tribe communities in Chiang Mai; these include the Karen, Hmong, Akha, Mien, and Lisu. The hill tribes live between the border of Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, also known as the golden triangle. They live in small village encampments away from civilization, visiting a hill tribe village is a quintessential Chiang Mai experience.
The Karen is the largest hill tribe group in Thailand, while the Hmong primarily reside in northern Thailand and southern China. The Akha villages are renowned for houses situated on low stilts with steeply pitched roofs. They like elaborate headdresses adorned with silver balls, seashells, and red taffeta attire. Originally from China, the Mien are known for their silversmithing and embroidery. While the Lisu prefer to live in bamboo houses, originally from eastern Tibet, they live between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, a neighbouring Thai province near the Burmese border.
Each hill tribe village has fewer than 20 households. Once you visit a village, you can talk to the villagers, capture a few photos with them and purchase some of their local unique handmade souvenirs. Most of the hill tribe villages are about an hour’s drive away from Chiang Mai’s city centre.
Orchid Farms
Chiang Mai is known for its mountainous beauty, lush green fields, and abundant orchid farms. In Chiang Mai, orchids, commonly called Gluay Mhai, are displayed everywhere in hotel concierges, restaurants, and residential gardens and patios. With so much value and beauty, it is not surprising that orchids are the Kingdom’s national flower.
The season for growing orchids usually begins in January and lasts as long as the cool weather permits until late August. Orchids are grown in many farms, even in warm and humid Bangkok, where constant exposure to hydrant conditions, sunlight, and other needed nutrients provide the ultimate growth setting.
Visitors can readily take a morning or afternoon trip to an orchid farm within a short distance from Chiang Mai’s city centre to explore the breeding process. Sai Nam Phueng Orchid farm is considered Chiang Mai’s largest; others include Mae Rim Orchid farm and Suan Bua Mae Sa. Once there, you will have the opportunity to see various species with distinctive colours; experienced farmers will advise you on how to breed orchids and provide helpful tips on acclimating them.
Silk Factories
The Thai silk industry has an age-old heritage thanks to pioneering expert businessmen like Jim Thompson, who played a pivotal role in developing the Thai silk industry by introducing permanent chemical dyes and employing women in the workforce. Jim Thompson is credited with giving Thai women the opportunity to work from home and choose their working hours while retaining their position in the household and becoming breadwinners. The Thai silk industry has come a long way since then, and there is no better place than Chiang Mai to learn more about this unique fabric.
The Thai silk village in Chiang Mai gives you a first-hand experience on the process of making Thai silk. The staff at the factory guide you through various showrooms where the process of making silk is explained in detail. The factory has its farm where you can see the mulberry leaves silkworms feed on. You will also get to see how silk thread is made, dyed, and woven using large handlooms resulting in an exceptional fabric of high quality.
