Chiang Mai

We asked Korek Thepkusol and Jakkrit Sriprasert, Assistant Chef Concierges at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, to gather the savviest sightseeing suggestions they could find—not just their own but also those of other local connoisseurs, including some they work with every day at the Hotel. Known as “the Rose of the North” for its lush landscapes and its rich culture and traditions, Chiang Mai, Thailand, will inspire you with its ancient walls and abundant temples, its lively art and gallery scene, and the surrounding countryside of rice paddies and forest-covered mountains.

Best Buys

Although Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar is well-known, much better shopping can be found along Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 1, where stunning contemporary textiles are on offer at Kachama, along with other galleries and coffeehouses. On Charoenrat Road, shops such as Vila Cini offer sophisticated silks and furnishings based on traditional northern Thai designs. Last-minute shoppers can stop at the Central Airport Plaza, where vendors offer tasteful mementos whose proceeds benefit local hill tribes.

Blooming Dales

Even without leaving the resort, you can try rice planting, mountain biking, spa treatments and much more. Further afield, there’s hiking to waterfalls, visits to organic farms and a favourite among guests: a visit to the Royal Botanical Garden. Laced with streams on the side of a mountain, the garden is a wonderland of rare orchids, palms and ferns. The Resort will pack a lunch for you to insure a perfect picnic.

A Night on the Town

Chiang Mai has a booming restaurant scene, and one place not to miss is The House. Set in a beautifully restored old home, it’s an Indochine mix of antiques, silks, candelight and a terrace lounge right out of Scheherazade. The cooking is a careful mix of international styles, including smoked duck salad, lamb cutlets and miso salmon. There’s live music and a more casual tapas bar here too, along with a sophisticated clothing and home décor boutique called Ginger.

Lantern Festival

November 1st and 2nd, when crowds of people say goodbye to bad luck by sending candle-lit banana-leaf floats onto the Ping River and launching thousands of glowing white paper lanterns into the night sky—a sight never to be forgotten.