This is Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province, a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna.

Chiang Mai has positioned itself to become a Creative City, and is considering applying for Creative City status with UNESCO. Chiang Mai is one of two tourist destinations in Thailand on TripAdvisor’s list of “25 Best Destinations in the World”, where it stands at number 24.

This CNX trip of mine was almost went to scratch during my planning stage. Because of my Myanmar trip which I am sure will be a bit of struggle because of the 3 overnight buses rides in a span of 5 days I almost decided not to do this trip. My work remaining vacation leave also became my main consideration in the end but luckily everything falls in a proper place.

I have heard so many good words about Northern Thailand especially that I have chosen a festive timing for Loy Krathong and Yee Peng. I am so excited for this final leg of my trip because of the Elephant Camp visit which I only came across online and the marvelous bucket list event of Yee Peng 10,000 lanterns in Mae Jo University.

I am just so thankful that I found all the exact details of this trip to go along with my plans. Almost four months before the event, because of the confidentiality there were some write up online saying that the main day will be on the 6th November but because of being too excited for this trip I came across a local travel agency selling tickets for the Yee Peng Lanna International on the 8th November. Based on my original schedule, I will no longer be in Chiang Mai that said date but luckily all things come together before I booked my flights in and out of Thailand.

The Elephant Nature Park is somehow the heart of my trip. it was a nice break to appreciate life and humanity towards everything around us. Seeing all those rescued elephants and dogs running freely far from human abuse. This is the only place in Chiang Mai where they don’t let tourists to ride on elephants back nor do a show. The activities are more on learning them and interacting with them.