Trip: November 2017

Below is our Top 5 Things To Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand, part of the Just Carrying On – Top 5 Things To Do series. These lists are favorite activities, eats, and drinks from our travels around the world—in no particular order.

We visited Chiang Mai for 4 days in November 2017 and spent most of our time in the old city and its immediate outskirts. We stayed outside the east wall and enjoyed the location, but the reality is the city is of a manageable size no matter where you stay. It is quite a touristy expat town, and while the Top 5 items below truly were impressive, much of what we tried was disappointing.

1. Coconut Shell

The Khao Soi here was so good! They have a flavorful and delicious vegetarian option that was really cheap. We found it by randomly walking by. Noticing the place was packed, we pulled a u-turn to give it a go. While there we heard they were known for delicious smoothies so we went back the next morning post-yoga and then again for dinner the next night. Easily our favorite meal in town, and one you can’t miss.

Google Maps / Trip Advisor

2. Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan with monk chat

We visited this beautiful temple because we heard that they also offered free opportunities to talk with the monks. We sat down in the shade with a group of 3-4 monks and were able to ask them about their experiences living as monks and about the tenets of Buddhism. We were interested to learn that for many who grow up in poverty, joining a temple is their best option to receive an education. This was an interesting experience that surprised us a bit and added a lot to our visits of the many temples in town.

Google Maps / Trip Advisor

3. GRAPH cafe

A teeny-tiny-super-cute cafe that can accommodate 6-8 people if everyone shifts around to make space. They have an inventive menu, including specialities that were new to us, such as charcoal coffee. We had our standard Americano and Cappuccino combo that were delicious, and fit the charm of the cafe.

Google Maps / Trip Advisor

4. Kanisorn Massage

Kanisorn massage was another place that was right outside our door and we fell in love with. Olivia returned for a massage all four days of our time in Chiang Mai for the Thai massage, which was less than $10 USD. The studio was local, small, and tranquil (which can’t be said for all the studios we have visited while traveling in Thailand). Beyond the peaceful setting, the specific masseuse we’d recommend was amazing (ask for ***).

Google maps / not on Trip Advisor

5. Wild Rose Yoga Studio

This was Olivia’s favorite yoga studio in Chiang Mai of the three she tried. It was a small space that comfortably holds 10-15 people. The atmosphere was calm and inviting. The owner was lovely as she greeted familiar and unfamiliar faces and the teacher, a Thai woman, did a great job leading the class. We also took a class at Blue Garden which we really enjoyed and a class at Freedom Yoga, which was ok.

Google Maps / Trip Advisor

Honorable mentions

• Thapae East: We loved going out for some local music in the evening to this small venue, drinking a cold beer and enjoying a Thai band perform Indie covers.
• A note on biking: until Chiang Mai, we’d loved biking in every city we’d tried it (Kyoto, Hoi Ann, Hue). But Chiang Mai was different: there was a lot of traffic, no bike lanes, and the roads were confusing to navigate. It was more work than it was worth to explore. Perhaps if you’re only staying/biking in Old Town it would be fine but then again you’d hardly need a bike because the town just isn’t that big. But Liv still has a great smile.

Top 5 Things To Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand is part of Just Carrying On – Top 5 Things To Do series, which offers our best travel recommendations from around the world.