Thailand’s most-awaited holiday- Songkran- is approaching! This nationwide holiday celebrating the Thai new yr supplies us with an opportunity to have our much-deserved break whereas making reminiscences with our loved ones. Songkran means “to move forward” in Sanskrit. Where do you want to leap forward to the Thai new year? Why not welcome the model new 12 months in Chaing Mai, The Rose of the North?
Songkran is internationally known for the nationwide water warfare, where individuals playfully splash water at one another. Chiang Mai has all the time been a well-known vacation spot to take benefit of the water festival. However, authorities have recently introduced this year’s Songkran to be ‘dry’, with exceptions for some organizers to host the Songkran water splashing event with strict COVID-19 restrictions. But whether Songkran is basically going to be ‘dry’ still stays unclear. Nonetheless, even with the omittance of the water scene, we’ll let you know why you should spend your Songkran in Chiang Mai.
One of Songkran’s traditions is to gain benefit by gently pouring scented water on Buddha statues at residence or temples. Hence, visiting the temples should be in your Songkran agenda! Chiang Mai is home to more than 300 wats (places of worship). The history of those temples dates again to the thirteenth and 18th centuries when Chiang Mai was the capital city of The Lanna Kingdom, one of many capitals of Buddhism in Southeast Asia.
Visiting these temples is a must to immerse your self in Thai tradition. But which temples do you visit? We’ve got you covered! Wat Doi Suthep, the most extremely revered temple in Chiangmai, is situated on the Doi Suthep hill. The journey to the temple is sort of a enjoyable journey itself. Consider getting on the songtaew or renting a scooter as you go up the hill overlooking Chiangmai. Additionally, visit another highly revered temple, Wat Chedi Luang, in the middle of Old City Chiang Mai. Dating again to 1385, the eighty metres tall main chedi is a mesmerizing view to the eyes of the guests.
Of course, a super Songkran holiday has to come with nice meals. If you assume you’ve really experienced Thai meals by having Som Tam and Pad Kaprao, you haven’t tried Northern Thai food (also known as Lanna food). Chiangmai is the best vacation spot to bask in authentic Northern Thai dishes. Let us introduce you to the must-try meals which will bless your style buds!
You haven’t tried Northern Thai meals when you haven’t tried Khao Soi. Khao Soi is not any ordinary noodle soup- it is a hearty coconut milk base soup with a contact of fragrant red curry. Another most iconic dish is Gaeng Hung Lay, the Northern Pork Belly curry. The tender, fatty pieces of pork met with rich fragrant sauce go well with a heat plate of white rice. If you wish to discover ways to prepare dinner delicious and genuine Northern Thai dishes, we suggest that you just be part of the enjoyable cooking courses there!
Vegans and vegetarians, rejoice! You’ve come to Chiang Mai, the vegan capital of Asia. You will discover the purple and yellow vegan signal with Thai words pronounced ‘jay’ as you travel across the metropolis. Not solely you’ll find scrumptious vegan Thai food, however there are also all kinds of cuisines to pick from- Western, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Israeli, Burmese and more! Try vegetarian/vegan menus in Chiang Mai to your heart’s content material; we can guarantee you that you will not run out of dishes to try.
How does spending your Songkran bathing elephants sound to you? Yes, you can get close and pour water on these friendly and sumptuous mammals. Chiang Mai is residence to the vast majority of Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand. And, after all, it is important to choose moral elephant sanctuaries!
Let us recommend a few of the best elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. Feed and bathe with elephants at Elephant Day Care at Chiang Mai Mountain Sanctuary at 2,100 Baht. Otherwise, you can also visit the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai. Eye-opening ’s caretakers are local Karen folks, so learn their custom and culture as you may get wearing traditional Karen clothes. What’s extra, you get to watch elephants having fun with mud baths and even be part of them in the mud pit!
It’s Songkran, so you should not miss out on the water fun. Chiang Mai has it all! White water rafting? Tick. Climbing (yes, climbing) a waterfall? Tick.
Join a full-day rafting journey in Chiang Mai and deal with a few of Thailand’s finest white water rapids! But relaxation assured, expert guides secure your security. Have you ever climbed a ‘sticky’ waterfall? With nature’s magic, the stones have a lot grip it’s straightforward to climb up the waterfall. The Nam Toki Bua Tong (Sticky Waterfall Climbing) is an hour and a half away drive away from Chiang Mai, and it provides you with a one-of-a-kind experience.
Your escape to the magical flower land is only forty minutes away from Chiang Mai! Snap fairytale-like pictures or immerse your self within the magnificence and fragrance of the purple Marguerite at Mon Jam. There are numerous flowers and exquisite areas to explore, together with a pleasant alcove under the Sakura tree, a little cottage, many photograph cubicles, and a viewpoint from the high tower. Plus, the doorway fee is simply 50 baht!
Celebrate the Thai new 12 months from the highest point in Thailand! During Songkran, the warmth may be insufferable, even rising to 40 levels Celsius. The climate in Doi Inthanon National Park is substantially cooler than in different components of Thailand due to its excessive altitude. The 482-square-kilometre park is understood for its lovely nature paths, dense rainforests, gorgeous vistas, dashing waterfalls, and the breathtaking twin pagodas on the peak.
There isn’t any higher vacation spot to indulge in nature than the Doi Inthanon National Park because the National Park has so much to offer. Take the gorgeous nature trails and hike up the mountain as you cease to take quick breaks and peek into the wildlife. Also, the National Park is home to more than 500 animal species!
Click HERE to learn our information article on your Doi Inthanon National Park journey.
If you possibly can prolong your Songkran trip with little to no penalties, we highly advise you to journey to Pai and Chiang Rai!
Chiang Rai, a three-hour drive away from Chiang Mai, was formerly the bustling capital of Thailand. From one place along the Mekong River in Chiang Rai, you’ll find a way to feast on the view of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos all of sudden. On the opposite hand, Pai is a four-hour drive away from Chiang Mai. This small cosy city is thought for its laid-back atmosphere and wonderful hippy vibes. These two places must be your subsequent vacation spot. Get your finest flight deals on Skyscanner and let your journey start now!g