Chilling out in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai being one of the most relaxed places in Thailand, it's ideal for taking a long brake from your work, taking a 'sabbatical' or undertaking other activities. Chilling out is probably what most foreigners here do most of the time.

What kind of things can you do when staying in Chiang Mai for a long break?

Party

There aren't any Full Moon parties in Chiang Mai, like in the South (Koh Phangan) but party you can. Pick a place either in the more farang oriented bars or the Thai-style clubs.

Make trips

Chiang Mai is an excellent base for trips all across the North. Especially on a motorcycle you can experience the surroundings of Chiang Mai to the full extent.

Drive out of the city for just an hour and you can indulge in lush green hills

Study

You can study nearly anything, from part-time to full-time, although most foreigners probably take up some kind of part-time course.

• Thai language course: Thai language schools offer anything from a few hours per week to a full intensive course. Most people study part-time and use the education visa to stay in Thailand long term. Check out language schools.
• Thai massage course: Chiang Mai has a high number of Thai massage schools of good standing and you can do excellent courses from 1 day to several months practically making you a massage practioner. Check out massage schools.
• Yoga course: There are a great number of dedicated yoga centers, some of which provide several weeks courses even to become a yoga teacher. There is a distinct difference between the Thai yoga school, which focus more on plain exercises, and the western run ones, which emphasize spirituality. Check out yoga studios.
• Muay Thai training: learn how to fight in Thai martial arts style. Check out Muay Thai places.

Chiang Mai is an excellent place to do yoga and meditation. There are many yoga centers and temples.

Meditate

Thai traditional meditation is called Vippassana and is usually done inside a temple. There are many temples welcoming foreigners to stay there for a few days to a few weeks. They often have a program and a minimum period of stay. A few famous ones are Wat Chom Thong, Wat Umong and Wat Rampoeng.

Socialize

There are dozens of groups to satisfy everyone's hobby and passion. Check out communities.

Volunteer

It's nice to enjoy what you can in Chiang Mai and we're getting a lot for what we're spending, but how about giving something back to the society that you're enjoying the benefits of? There are many underprivileged groups in Thailand and in the North that receive scarce help from the government and there isn't any well-developed infrastructure or system to help charities.
Think for instance about:

• helping in an eco-friendly and elephant-friendly elephant park
• visiting and helping in an orphanage
• guest teaching at a school
• helping poor people in the mountains

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	Dawuid Posted on October 30, 2022 at 02:35:33 Couldn't find the "community" section. I myself will be traveling to Chiang Mai soon to stay for around a month, and will most likely be traveling from time to time to Thailand in the future. So feel free to hit me up for socialization of any kind.
	Regatta Posted on August 28, 2019 at 15:19:53 Thanks