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Chiang Mai
While few subjects elicit more impassioned debate than elephant tourism, there are ethical ways to see the gentle giants up close. Travel company Contiki offers a 14-day “ Total Thailand” trip, covering Bangkok, Phuket, and <anchor>Chiang Mai</anchor>. (Accommodations range from twin-share hotel rooms to jungle cottages.) The Chiang Mai leg includes a visit to the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation center that allows visitors to feed the animals without exploiting (or riding) them.
The Perfect Weekend in Chiang Mai, Thailand | Condé Nast Traveler
# The Perfect Weekend in Chiang Mai, Thailand

First-time and repeat visitors to Thailand all beeline for Chiang Mai in the north—for good reason. It's possible to have an immersive, authentic experience in just a few short days. Here are the meals, markets, and day hikes to temples you shouldn't miss.

January 28, 2015

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## Check into... Rachamankha Hotel

Rachamankha, a 25-room boutique hotel within Chiang Mai's old city, is blocks from the beautiful Wat Phra Singh—one of the most renowned temples in Chiang Mai. Courtyards and a breezy, indoor/outdoor architectural style allow guests to relax in the sunshine (and by the pool) after a busy day of sightseeing and temple hopping.

All photos by Leela Cyd.

## Have dinner at... Rachamankha

Meals at Rachamankha are prepared with local ingredients and served al fresco on a tree-lined patio, where red roses set off bright blue and white porcelain dishes. The chef's focus is on the regional cuisine of the Lanna people (Northern Thai) and includes nearby Burmese and Shan cuisines as well.

## Learn to cook curry at... Thai Kitchen Cookery Centre

Enjoy a half (or full) day with the young, lively team at Thai Kitchen Cookery Centre, located in an enclosed outdoor kitchen in the old city. In addition to getting your hands dirty with garlic, ginger, and kaffir lime leaves—while making extraordinary coconut curries—participants visit the neighborhood produce market to gather the meal's ingredients. Asking questions of the vendors is highly encouraged; this is the time and place to learn about Thai food culture.

## Hike to... Wat Palad

The 30-minute hike through the forest to the Wat Palad temple complex wakes up all the senses, with its lush foliage, bejeweled buddhas, and festooned bodhisattvas. Cross a stream on a jute rope bridge to get to this sacred space. With an amazing view of the city, Wat Palad is the ideal place to watch the sunset.

## Shop housewares at... Warorot Market

Chiang Mai is a shopper's paradise with many souvenir-stuffed street markets—but Warorot Market is where the locals go to get their day-to-day supplies. You'll find clothing, beauty products, and—my favorite—housewares of all shapes and sizes. There are plastic and enamel dishes, patterned and plain, in all in the signature pastel colors so ubiquitous in Northern Thai restaurants. Little spoons and tin lunch pails are available here, too—just prepare your suitcase for a picnic.

## Feast at Huen Muan Jai

Huen Muan Jai is the recommended lunch joint of James Beard award-winner Andy Ricker. (The man knows Northern Thai food, serving up regional dishes at his restaurants in Portland, Oregon, and New York City.) Here families celebrate, friends gather, and business associates break up the day with little dishes that come tapas-style. Highlights include charred eggplant, fried bamboo shoots stuffed with aromatic pork, chicken coconut soup with egg noodles—all topped with lime, shallots, and chilies.

## Get a Lanna massage at... The Dhara Dhevi

Traveler Gold List pick The Dhara Dhevi is a spectacular hotel in its own right, built to feature the architectural influences of historic Lanna culture. But we travel to the outskirts of town for its wonderful global spa program: Lanna massages, Chinese reflexology, Ayurvedic treatments. Each experience is set in its own villa and begins with herbal teas made from dried ginger, hibiscus flowers, herbs, and honey.

## Take a day trip to... Wat Pratat Jomkiti

This temple, about a 30-minute drive into the countryside east of Chiang Mai, is the site of intricate golden spires, a gleaming temple, and a giant white Buddha—who, set against the blue sky, is positively celestial, radiating peace and thoughtful contemplation. This is an inspiring place, with nary a tourist in sight. It's also fairly off the grid—seek out a local guide to find it.



[Leela Cyd] (http://LeelaCyd.com) is a photographer, [recipe developer] (http:..teacuptea.com) and writer based in Santa Barbara, CA. She also teaches photo workshops around the world, hosting one this summer in [Cinque Terre] (http://www.italianfix.com/travel/cinque-terre-photoly/). Her greatest passions are traveling and cooking, so often combines the two by creating food related stories for... Read more

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