3 THINGS TO DO IN CHIANG MAI: EXPERIENCES TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS CITY

It is the largest city in northern Thailand, with a population of about 127,000 inhabitants. As soon as you enter the city, you can feel its ancient history and strong spiritual devotion. Four canals surround the historical city center, where you will find low-rise houses, numerous temples, and lively markets.

It is a very safe and relaxing town. You can easily explore it on foot or by renting a bicycle. The pace of life is slow, and you may find yourself eager to try meditation, even if you had never considered it before. What to do in Chiang Mai then?

1. FINDING YOURSELF: If you have ever dreamed of an “Eat, Pray, Love” experience, this city should definitely be part of your plan. Chiang Mai offers a unique opportunity to connect with Buddhism.

Let yourselves be amazed by the intricate decorations of countless temples and lose yourselves in the iconographic storytelling of ancient battles among the Thai peoples that adorn the walls of pagodas, such as those of Wat Chedi Luang. I also recommend not missing the opportunity offered by some temples (for example, Wat Phra Singh) to have a chat with a monk. These are usually two-way conversations where you can learn about a young monk’s life and Buddhist philosophy, while they enjoy practicing their English. You may even feel inspired to try meditation yourself. Many monks offer free meditation sessions (usually for small groups, so you need to show genuine interest). For those already experienced, several temples offer longer meditation retreats that might be more suitable.

2. AWAKEN YOUR EXPLORING SOUL: The surroundings of Chiang Mai consist of vast stretches of tropical forest, inhabited by local minority groups, the Karen. There are various tours that can be booked through agencies you will find around the city, directly through your hostel, or online. The activities offered generally include trekking, rafting, and visits to elephant ‘’sanctuaries’’. If you are not sure whether it is a genuine rescue centre, I would advise against trips that include visits to so-called “sanctuaries” or elephant rides, as they often hide behind this name a condition of exploitation of these animals. Instead, there are other fun activity suitable for (almost) everyone, like rafting!

Treks vary from short walks to multi-day experiences with overnight stays in the jungle. We chose a full-day excursion (from 8.00 to 17.00), although the actual trekking time was about just 3 hours. We walked through rice fields (which reminded me of home in the Po Valley), swan in a small waterfall, and tasted local coffee.

Guides are often Karen, as they know the area best. Meeting this community is a heart-warming experience. Their kindness is remarkable, and even if they don’t speak English, their smiles will make you feel welcome.

The Karen people live in hill villages and mainly rely on agriculture. There are different subgroups, called by the colours of their traditional dressing: Red Karen are also known for the tradition of women wearing long neck rings, while White Karen are the only group originally from Thailand. The Black and Red Karen, instead, come from Myanmar.

Their history is complex, as many were forced to move to Thailand due to persecution in Myanmar. Today, around 400,000 Karen people live in northern Thailand, while the majority (about 4 million) remain in Myanmar. In recent years, many have moved to cities for work or joined monasteries to receive education. Some groups are still fighting for recognition and independence in Myanmar.

 3. ENJOY THE LOCAL CUISINE: Chiang Mai is the cultural and culinary heart of northern Thailand. Surrounded by mountains, the region developed somewhat independently and was once part of the Lanna Kingdom before joining Siam in the 19th century. Its cuisine reflects influences from Myanmar, Laos, India, and China.

If you are tired of eating Pad Thai for 15 days in a row, now it’s time to experience new flavours:

• Khao Soi: this is the most iconic dish of this region. It consists of a creamy coconut milk curry served with noodles and meat. It is usually topped with crispy fried noodles and local herbs.

• Sai Ua: is a streetfood speciality in Chiang Mai. It consists of a spiced grilled sausage made of ground pork, dried chilli, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, shallots and galangal.

• Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiew: if you want to try a typical Chiang Mai breakfast, you have to wake up and order this dish. Be aware, however, that it is a spicy noodle soup topped with pork, tomatoes, fried garlic, mustard, bean sprouts, a dried local flower called Dok Ngiew and pig's blood. Only for the braves.

• Naem Moo: another streetfood specialty of the city. You will find Naem everywhere in Thailand, but the sour flavour distinguishes this northern sausage. It is in fact made from fermented and seasoned pork (every part of the pork).

• Nam Prik Ong: a spicy sauce in name, but actually rather sweet, consisting of minced pork, chilli paste and tomatoes. Usually served with fresh vegetables for dipping.

• Kaeng Hungley: a tender, stewed pork curry made with pork belly and flavoured with ginger, turmeric and tamarind. A dish that reflects the culinary influence of neighbouring Myanmar.

• Kaeng Khanun: a dish served on festive occasions. A mixture of unripe jackfruit, cherry tomatoes, local herbs and pork. An intense taste that you won't find elsewhere (luckily).

• Tom Sab: a soup served hot and slightly sour, consisting of meat (chicken or pork), vegetables and herbs.

You can experience these dishes in the city's restaurants (I recommend Lucky Too), in the Warorot Market, located in the city centre of Chiang Mai, or during the Sunday night streetfood that livens up the city's main streets at night. You will also find the opportunity to take home some local culinary tradition, as an experience often offered to tourists are the Cooking Classes that can be found almost everywhere in the city.