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Thailand is one of my true travel loves. It\u2019s a country I never get tired of visiting and I\u2019m always excited to return. That being said, I haven\u2019t actually seen a lot of it. Mostly I spend time in Bangkok and nowhere else. On my most recent trip to the Land of 1,000 Smiles, I decided to finally visit a city I\u2019ve long wanted to see, Chiang Mai. It still seems incredible to me that for so long I had somehow missed visiting Chiang Mai, the second largest city in the country and the unofficial capital of Northern Thailand. While my trip may have been long overdue, I more than made up for lost time and over the course of a few days experienced the best that Chiang Mai has to offer. There are a lot of options when it comes time to plan your first trip to Chiang Mai, so I want to share those experiences that meant the most to me as I explored this colorful Thai city.<\/p>\n
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Where to Stay<\/strong><\/p>\n
I was honestly worried that the city would be inundated with 20-something, longyi-wearing backpackers. I\u2019ve been to places like that before and while I don\u2019t have anything against backpackers, it\u2019s not me, it\u2019s not my style and I was frankly looking for something different on my trip. I needn\u2019t have worried though because, while there are indeed plenty of backpackers and budget travelers floating through Chiang Mai, the visitor base is actually a lot more varied than I had anticipated but, ultimately, I shouldn\u2019t have been shocked at that. The city is home to some of the best hotels and resorts in the world, and amongst those unshaven backpackers there were folks like me, there to explore and learn, but to also enjoy some much needed R&R. My oasis in the sea of chaos was the world famous 137 Pillars House<\/a>, a true haven of peace and tranquility if there ever was one. Located in a quiet neighborhood, its prime location means that the city is easily reached, and yet the property feels like it\u2019s a million miles away. Add in outstanding comfort and service, and it\u2019s the luxury break I needed.<\/p>\n
Half-Day Tour<\/strong><\/p>\n
Elephant Nature Park<\/strong><\/p>\n
Just Wandering Around the City<\/strong><\/p>\n
The post First Time in Chiang Mai \u2013 How I Experienced the Perfect Getaway<\/a> appeared first on LandLopers<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"