Will ‘Lonely Planet’ boost Thailand’s Chiang Mai tourism?

THAILAND 2025 VOYAGE- PART 1

Thailand is famous for some of the most stunning beaches and islands. With almost 1,000 islands and 2,400 km of coastline, its beaches offer relaxing, diving, nightlife, partying and romantic getaways. Israelies flock to those islands by the numbers all year round, enjoying the white sandy sceneries together with amazing cheap food adventures. They are embraced by the Thai people with a smile, turning the visit into a rewarding vacation to cherish.

However Thailand offers much more. In its northern parts it is also home to majestic Buddhist temples, heritage ancient culture, karst cliffs, tropical jungles, animal sanctuaries and awesome natural parks.

When I heard that recently Thailand captivated the world in Lonely Planet’s 2025 Best In Travel, naming Chiang Mai A Top Global City, I made up my mind. It was time for a visit. This travel guide book was founded 50 years ago with over 150 million books printed and dubbed as “the backpacker’s blue bible”. For decades Lonely Planet’s guide books and lately its website focused on unique destinations and budget travel, which made them a staple of travelers worldwide. Lonely Planet often made destinations, hotels and restaurants.

After 3 flights – leaving Tel Aviv, via Dubai and Bangkok – my spouse and I found ourselves in the promising Chiang Mai city. Soon we discovered what a dream destination it is, while learning about the intriguing ancient Lanna Kingdom.

Apparently next year Thailand’s second city will be celebrating its 730th anniversary. Ironically its name literally means – ‘New City’ – Chiang Mai. King Meng Rai the Great founded the city as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom that was at the time part of Greater India. The city became the center of Buddhism in northern Thailand. The temples we visited left us tongue-tied. The magnificent Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, is certainly the most important temple, looking majestically from above at Chiang Mai city. Its exquisite golden pagoda is an architectural gem. Wat Sri Suphan Chiang Mai’s “Silver Temple” is one of the most exciting and active ones, located outside its old walled city. The Wat Phra Singh golden temple is perhaps the largest Buddhist one in town.

The magnificent Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a renowned and important temple (photo by Motti Verses)

The one of a kind Wat Sri Suphan Chiang Mai’s “Silver Temple” (photo by Motti Verses)

The Wat Phra Singh golden temple in town – breathtaking (photo by Motti Verses)

Once in Chiang Mai, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is so much to discover, other than its beautiful and historic temples. The province’s breathtaking scenery makes Chiang Mai one of Asia’s most attractive tourist destinations. Our days were just breathtaking.

Doi Inthanon National Park is known as “The Roof of Thailand” and is famous for its thick jungles and trails. The King and Queen Pagodasㅤ and adjacent beautiful gardens here are just marvelous. This project symbolizes deep respect to the Royal couple, serving as a unifying emblem for the Thai people. Hiking under a maze of Bamboo, Coffee, Avocado, Teak, Sakura, Wild Banana, Orchid, Bird of Paradise and Rubber trees and enjoying stormy waterfalls assures an unforgettable visit.

Nicknamed ‘Sticky Waterfalls’ , the Buatong crick offers visitors to climb directly up the non slippery rocks into the oncoming cascading water. The jungle landscape changes into cultivated rice fields and we are at ‘Longneck Karen’, one of tribes that migrated here from Myanmar. Women from this small minority are known worldwide for wearing rings around their neck to elongate it. In the past, it was a protection from tiger attacks. Today it’s considered a symbol of beauty and a modern day accessory. The rings are heavy, but this doesn’t deter the women from wearing them. An experience.

At the Baifern Valley elephant sanctuary by the river we feed friendly female animals. The elephants demonstrated some tricks and were enthusiastic when we stepped into the water to wash them. Rafting on the river was an adventure to cherish in this part of nature Thailand, off the city.

The Queen Pagoda and adjacent beautiful gardens in Doi Inthanon National Park is just marvelous (photo by Motti Verses)

Gigantic Bamboo trees and stormy waterfalls in Doi Inthanon National Park (photo by Motti Verses)

The jungle landscape often changes into cultivated rice fields (photo by Motti Verses)

‘Longneck Karen’ tribe women are wearing rings around their neck to elongate it (photo by Motti Verses)

Washing elephants at the Baifern Valley sanctuary by the river (photo by Motti Verses)

With Lanna – the ancient Thai state heritage –  in mind, no wonder that our home away from home in the city would significantly highlight the culture. The luxurious InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping  was the ideal estate to stay. The property by the Ping river was inaugurated in 1999.  For years it was known as the legendary local Thai hotel chain, under the name Imperial Mae Ping. Before covid the owners decided to invest in massive renovation works in order to modernize and position it among the top hotels in the city. Their final decision not to run it as a local hotel anymore was part of a vision that Chiang Mai will soon attract a significant number of international visitors. A smart move, certainly long before Lonely Planet’s 2025 Best In Travel choice. According to the owners a global brand should be behind the wheels. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the British-American luxury hotel brand created in 1946 by Pan-Am Airlines founder Juan Trippe, was selected. In early 1947, Pan Am decided that InterContinental Hotels Corporation would more accurately reflect the chain’s eventual global goals for expansion, and the company was renamed. The brand features nowadays more than 200 hotels globally under that name, part of the IHG Group giant. The late Trippe would have been extremely proud of this new InterContinental in north Thailand.

“We officially rebranded and opened the hotel in November 2023, after the first phase of renovations was completed”, revealed charming Dutch General Manager, Peter Pottinga. “Our nature-ensconced hotel features 240 elegant rooms and suites overlooking the charming alleyways of the old city or the jungle-clad Doi Suthep mountain. The hotel is an open museum of the Lanna culture and guest rooms feature an inspired décor showcasing traditional crafts, and spacious zen bathrooms with bathtubs and separate showers. An additional wing is under construction and by next year we will offer our guests 289 rooms, including 18 suites”, says Pottinga.

Located in downtown Chiang Mai near the famous Night Bazaar, Tha-Pae Gate and Warorot Market, the hotel is ideally positioned. We loved this InterContinental. Our guest room was extremely comfortable with all the modern features combined with a sense of local cultural wisdom. Public areas are amazingly designed with the ancient Thai spirit in mind. The outdoor swimming pool is attractive and relaxing. The large garden is a venue for banquets and the pampering rooftop bar is recommended with beverages and food items. Do not miss the ‘Hong’s’ Chinese restaurant. Inaugurated with travelers of the giant neighbor, arriving from the north in mind.

With charming Dutch General Manager, Peter Pottinga(left):”we are constantly aiming to attract new markets” (photo by Motti Verses)

Impressive Lanna culture as presented in the main Lobby (photo by Motti Verses)

Guest rooms feature an inspired décor showcasing traditional crafts (photo by Motti Verses)

The spacious zen bathrooms feature both bathtubs and separate showers (photo by Motti Verses)

The outdoor swimming pool is attractive and relaxing (photo by Motti Verses)

The large garden is a venue for banquets (photo by Motti Verses)

“Chiang Mai is attractive to the Chinese market as it is a 5 hours drive from the border or a 1 hour flight. However, we are constantly aiming to attract new markets, mainly Americans, Australians, British and the Israelis as well”, says Pottinga. “Chiang Mai might surprise the newcomers. The airport is a 10 minutes drive and in 1 day you can enjoy 9 temples. No other destination offer such a variety. I am calling travelers to learn more about Thai culture and discover what the north has to offer. It is not enough to associate Thailand with the islands alone. Allow yourself to combine both islands sandy beaches and the Chiang Mai province for a unique experience”, he says.

Experts of Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel’ destinations for 2025 are without question and beyond doubt in favor. Past experience indicates that the travelers will certainly follow.