Chiang Mai is the hub of Northern Thailand and the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It was the former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna. It is 700 km north of Bangkok and is situated amongst the highest mountains in the country. The city sits astride the Ping River. With a population of over 170,000 it is Thailand’s fifth-largest city. Located on a plain at an elevation of 316 m, surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the capital and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat population, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this “Rose of the North”
Chiang Mai is a land of misty mountains and colorful hill tribes, a playground for seasoned travelers, a paradise for shoppers, and a delight for adventurers. On a trip to Chiang Mai, the curious traveler can expand their horizons with Thai massage and cooking courses. Others will be bowled over by the variety of handicrafts and antiques. The wild child will find plenty of lively nightlife, and the epicure can indulge in wonderful cuisine. Despite its relatively small size, Chiang Mai truly has it all.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) handles both domestic and regional international flights. Domestic and international flights arrive and depart from Chiang Mai International Airport. Schedules vary with the seasons and tourist demand.
The city can easily consume a week with sightseeing, holiday courses, outdoor activities, and of course eating. A few must do’s in Chiang Mai would be:
- Visit the beautiful Doi Suthep Temple
- Learn the art of Umbrella Painting at Borsang Umbrella making centre
- Pamper yourself at the spas with traditional Thai massage- Lanna Style
- Shop at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
- Visit the 3D museum/art gallery- Art in Paradise
- Enjoy the Scorpion Tailed river cruise
- Experience a traditional Khantoke Dinner with Lanna style seating. Must try Khao Soi!
- Enjoy traditional Thai classical dance performance
- Learn to cook Northern Thai food
- Bathe and feed elephants at the Elephant Orphanage
- Play a round of Golf
- Visit the beautiful Chiang Mai Flower market
- See various kinds of butterflies at Bai Orchid-Butterfly Farm
Chiang Mai is also a great destination for Indian wedding celebrations. It has become a growing hotspot for tying the knot, hosting an average of 10-15 Indian weddings each year. When it comes to location, luxury is key and nice cool weather year round is a major plus for Chiang Mai. Luxury resorts and hotels like the Dhara Dhevi, Four Seasons and the Shangri-La – have become the most popular locations for Indian weddings in Chiang Mai, their opulent style and old world glamour matching perfectly with the fantasy celebration that the clients have in mind. The warm Thai hospitality and personalized service in these luxurious properties also adds to the charm of hosting wedding celebrations there.
Apart from these, the spacious Chiang Mai Convention Center and the beautiful Royal Floral Rajapruek Park are also favorable venues to accommodate large number of guests at Indian weddings.
Health & Wellness in Thailand:
Thailand’s Health and wellness retreats are nothing short of transformative. These retreats — many with programs designed specifically for women — can be found across the country’s diverse landscapes, from Chiang Mai’s mountainous rainforest to secluded beaches on the island of Koh Samui. They tend towards a spiritual and holistic approach, which shouldn’t be a surprise in a mainly Buddhist country that’s also a top medical tourism destination. Pair all that with affordability, and Thailand is arguably one of the top places anywhere for discovering your best self.
Thailand is a world-renowned spa holiday destination and is guaranteed to delight. Often regarded as the finest country in Asia for spas, it combines some of the best ‘destination spas’ and ‘resort spas’ in the world.
As well as its popularity for idyllic beaches and warm sunshine, Thailand is a favourite destination among travelers for its sublime spa retreats, giving avid travelers the opportunity to not only explore, but relax, too. Holidaymakers visit Thailand spas all year round because they offer travelers the opportunity to truly relax, by sunbathing on the beach in the afternoon, following a morning of meditation and wellness training.
Offering everything from pampering to medical spas, health retreats and life changing philosophies, Thailand is where spa aficionados go year after year. For holistic health, grueling detoxes, yoga retreats, weight loss, stress management, sleep enhancement and much more, Thailand is the place to go. Thailand spas are nothing but extraordinary, which is why Thailand upholds its sterling reputation as Asia’s spa capital. So, what makes Thailand spas better than any other? That’s easy – the immaculate attention to detail.
Thai traditions are another reason spa retreats here are so popular, the key one being the ritual of your feet being washed with natural oils and relaxing scented lotions. This is carried out to properly prepare you for your planned treatments and ensure that you are completely relaxed before your luxury spa day ahead.
The destination spas promise results, long term and short term but not all of them are hard-core with some offering gentler programs than others. The focus is on health and enabling you to make life changes that can be taken away and followed.
With every treatment, meal, fitness regime and luxury accommodation stay, there is a high level of care, help and advice from the staff working here, that you simply won’t find anywhere else.
