CHIANG MAI, 17 June 2025: Chiang Mai’s appeal lies not just in what can be seen but in what can be felt. Its living traditions are carried forward by real people — artists, gardeners, chefs, and craftspeople — who see heritage as something to be lived, not exhibited. In their hands, the city breathes.
A Boat That Floats on Story and Spirit
Gliding elegantly along the Mae Ping River, cradled in the sounds of live traditional music, the Dibba Yana Chitta—or “Heavenly Boat” — is one of northern Thailand’s most spectacular vessels. Designed by Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat, famed for Chiang Rai’s White Temple, the boat’s figurehead is hand-carved into a mythical creature representing the passage of humans along the river to heaven—an expression of the artist’s lifelong devotion to preserving Thai identity through visual storytelling. With just 18 seats, this exclusive cruise blends sacred artistry with fine Thai dining. Each season, a new tasting menu is curated by leading Michelin-starred chefs, beginning with Chef Piyachart “Boy” Phudtawong of Saneh Jaan. Operated by Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, the experience is an immersion in culture — a passage through Chiang Mai’s artistic, spiritual, and culinary heritage.
The Wisdom of Trees: Chiang Mai’s Natural Archive
Spanning 12 lush acres in Chiang Mai’s San Phi Suea Subdistrict, Changthong Heritage Park is more than a garden—it’s a living archive of Thailand’s rare and historic green heritage. Visitors explore serene waterfalls, shaded woodlands, and a pioneering landscape that blends moss-filled paths with sustainable design, where century-old trees continue to thrive. The park is the vision of Boonrak Thanacharoenroj, a leading landscape designer with over 30 years of experience in transplanting and curating Thailand’s grandest trees. Under his stewardship, the park has become a sanctuary for more than 400 rare plant species — many native to Northern Thailand.
Changthong Heritage Park invites families, students, and nature enthusiasts alike to engage with Thailand’s botanical heritage — rooted in history and growing toward a sustainable future.
Ban Kang Wat: A Sanctuary for Handmade Stories
Nestled against the slopes of Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai, Ban Kang Wat is a lively artist village where every doorway reveals a craft in motion. Artists display their work in colourful showrooms and craft markets, while workshops invite visitors to explore ceramics, accessories and jewellery, watercolour, woodcut printing, papermâché, and more. Within a vibrant space, Note A Book invites guests to try their hand at journal-making, with local bookmakers guiding them through choosing cover materials, hand-binding pages, stitching patterns, and adding personal touches like hand-lettered titles.
A gentle reminder from the workshop: “When you read, you’re reading the writer’s heart—but when you write, you’re reading your own.”
Wisdom and Wellness Experience
Located in the Tai Khern community of San Kamphaeng District, Sahrey Chanta offers visitors a meaningful connection to nature and Northern Thailand’s cultural heritage. Guests can enjoy the healing power of food with a variety of nourishing dishes, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, and organic teas—including locally grown Assam tea and fragrant rose tea. The space also offers workshops and sessions as part of the experience, such as flower tea blending, yoga, and therapeutic massages. On-site shops offer a curated selection of spa and organic wellness products.
A homestay programme invites deeper engagement with the local community, offering a slower, more reflective pace of life. Sahrey Chanta was founded by Chiang Mai natives and siblings, Jumpol and Anchan Chaiwong, who were inspired to give back to and nurture their hometown.
