Wellness Trip: Worth Life Balance in Chiang Mai

27–29 August 2025

This special trip is organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), bringing together tour operators and influencers in the country to experience the inspiring Wellness Trip – Worth Life Balance. With the time of 3 days and 2 nights in Chiang Mai, participants will discover the perfect blend of relaxation, cultural immersion, and wellness activities designed to restore harmony and balance to life.

Wednesday, 27 August 2025

The journey began as the group gathered at Don Mueang Airport and boarded an AirAsia flight to Chiang Mai, arriving around 10:30 AM. Our first stop was a delightful lunch at Ekachan Restaurant, a traditional Thai-style house that specializes in authentic heritage Thai cuisine.

The restaurant takes pride in using organic ingredients sourced from local communities, with Chef Ekpol creatively crafting dishes that are innovative yet remain true to the essence of Thai flavors. Adding to its prestige, the restaurant has been recognized in the Michelin Guide and awarded the Bib Gourmand, a distinction that highlights it as a must-try culinary destination for both locals and travelers.

After lunch, our journey continued to Mae Taeng District, where we checked in at our accommodation for this night – Lisu Lodge by Asian Oasis. This charming lodge, built in traditional wooden style, is surrounded by lush rice fields and stunning mountain views. The property embraces eco-friendly design, using natural materials such as bamboo and teak, and is located within a Lisu hill tribe village.

The lodge’s mission is to promote community-based tourism, ensuring that local people, especially the Lisu tribe, benefit directly from tourism while preserving their culture, traditions, and the natural environment. Guest rooms are simply yet beautifully decorated with bamboo and natural elements. While modern comforts such as air conditioning and fans are provided, there are no TVs or refrigerators—encouraging visitors to disconnect from distractions and truly reconnect with nature.

After checking in and settling into our rooms, we prepared for our first activity of the trip: Forest Bathing. Riding a local community songthaew, we traveled for nearly an hour along scenic routes through breathtaking landscapes until we arrived at the starting point of our forest bathing journey. Leading the activity was Khun Mint, an officer from the Department of Forestry and an expert in guiding this rejuvenating and mindful experience.

Guided by Khun Min invited us to take off our shoes and walk barefoot, allowing us to truly fully connect with nature from the ground. Before beginning the activity, we joined in a mindful practice of exchanging energy with the natural world, allowing it to sense our presence.  We started our mindful walk along a lush green trail surrounded by various of trees. We heard the sounds of flowing streams, rustling leaves, birdsong, and even the gentle crunch of our footsteps on leaves, stones, and soil created a symphony of nature that guided us along the path.

After about half an hour, we reached a serene resting spot where smooth boulders met a crystal-clear stream. The cool water against our feet instantly refreshed us. We played by the stream, shared laughter, and felt a sense of release and relaxation, as if nature itself was embracing us with positive energy.

Here, we enjoyed a cup of warm herbal tea brewed in bamboo. The aroma of the herbs blended beautifully with the subtle scent of bamboo, making this simple moment deeply fulfilling—a true recharge for both body and soul.

Then, we returned to the lodge for dinner. The hospitality here was beautiful and genuine, as all staff members are from the Lisu community. Dinner was a delightful feast prepared with fresh, locally grown vegetables and full of flavor. Every dish was delicious with warm atmosphere together.

The evening continued with a traditional Lisu cultural performance, featuring music and dance in vibrant tribal costumes. Guests were invited to join in, making it not only a performance but a heartfelt welcome. The atmosphere was filled with joy, warmth, and unforgettable impressions.

After the show, we returned to our simple comfortable rooms but complete with nice bathrooms. Surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature, we drifted into a restful sleep—ending a truly meaningful and memorable day.

Thursday, 28 August 2025

We woke up refreshed to the gentle sound of morning rain. Breakfast was served on the spacious terrace overlooking rice fields, mountains, and mist rising softly from the greenery. Guests could choose from comforting rice porridge or a light cereal set, along with homemade bread, butter, and jam. This refreshing morning filled us with energy, perfectly preparing us for the exciting activities ahead.

After breakfast and check-out, our next journey took us to Araksa Tea Garden for an exciting Tea Tour. The experience began with tea leaf picking, each of us carrying a small basket as we followed the staff into the lush tea plantation. He guided us on how to pick the tea leaf—one bud and two young leaves on the top—we enjoyed the hands-on activity before moving to the processing area. Here, we learned the delicate steps of tea-making: weighing, pan-firing, rolling, and drying to preserve both aroma and flavor. We also toured the tea factory and tasted the finished blends, each variety offering a unique character and taste.

After the Tea Tour, we joined a meaningful Sharing Circle: Relational Forest Therapy. Everyone expressed their feelings from the previous day’s forest bathing by drawing with colored pencils on a blank card. Each artwork carried personal emotions and reflections, which were then shared with the group before placing a card on a tree with a heartfelt wish—bringing the process to a beautiful close.

Lunch was served at the tea garden’s restaurant, with beautifully presented dishes full of local flavor. The highlights included the colorful Khao Yum (Thai rice salad) and fluffy Thai-style dishes, both delicious and distinctive.

In the afternoon, we continued to Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai, where wellness and cultural immersion awaited. At the Ayurah Spa & Wellness Centre, we experienced soothing therapeutic massages designed for deep relaxation. We also joined a Lanna Tung-making workshop, a mindful activity that combines traditional Northern Thai art with mindfulness.

The staff also gave us a tour of the beautifully designed rooms, blending modern comforts with Northern Thai artistic flair—each space warm, inviting, and fully equipped.

Dinner was served at The Garden Restaurant, featuring authentic Northern dishes such as Khao Soi Gai, Larb Gai, and Nam Prik Noom, thoughtfully prepared by the hotel’s chefs while beautiful Northern Thai dance performance completed the enchanting evening.

Later that night, we transferred to our accommodation at Cross Chiang Mai Riverside. Arriving in the evening, we were warmly welcomed with a refreshing drink, jasmine garlands, and a delightful surprise—personalized chocolates with each of our names printed on the wrappers, a thoughtful touch that left us all amazed.

Our stylish rooms, complete with modern amenities, offered the perfect retreat. Surrounded by comfort and care, we ended the day in total relaxation, ready for a restful night’s sleep. 

Friday, 29 August 2025

We welcomed the new day with a refreshing yoga session by the Ping River, surrounded by a breathtaking riverside view. On the lush green lawn, guided by two graceful instructors, we moved through postures that awakened the body, energized the spirit, and worked up a healthy sweat. At the end of the session, each participant received a certificate as a lovely memory of this mindful morning.

After yoga, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant before checking out. A group photo with the hotel management team marked a memorable farewell to our wonderful stay.

Our journey continued to Baannoi Retreat and Stay Chiang Mai, where we explored the world of Thai herbal wellness. We learned about the properties of different herbs and their benefits, before crafting our own herbal compresses and inhalers. We had fun choosing and blending herbs to create personalized scents. We also toured the accommodations here, which welcome both short- and long-stay guests that welcome all international guests.

For lunch, we headed into Chiang Mai’s Old Town to dine at Baan Landai Fine Thai Cuisine, a restaurant consistently recommended in the Michelin Guide for years. The elegant space, decorated in a charming mix of colonial and modern Thai style. The menu offers refined fusion dishes blending Thai and Chinese culinary traditions, crafted from fresh local and regional ingredients. Each dish beautifully balances authenticity with creativity while preserving the bold, true flavors of Thai cuisine.

In the afternoon, we discovered the artistry of natural textiles at Studio Naenna, a serene craft studio dedicated to handwoven fabrics and natural dyeing. Founded by Patricia Cheesman, the studio showcases her collaborations with local artisans to create exquisite textile designs. Patricia herself warmly welcomed us, sharing the studio’s story and guiding us through the creative process. Everyone had the opportunity to design and hand-dye their own unique fabric pieces—personalized souvenirs to cherish.

Our final stop was Jan Fong Dessert Café, a charming shop specializing in traditional Thai sweets that are rare to find today, beautifully paired with refreshing drinks. As we savored these delightful treats, we shared reflections and insights from our journey—gathering inspiration to introduce the Worth Life Balance experience to future travelers.

With hearts full and memories to treasure, we concluded this unforgettable trip and headed to Chiang Mai Airport for our return flight to Bangkok. The experience left us inspired, recharged, and deeply connected with the
Sessence of wellness and Thai culture. This wellness trip is waiting all visitors to come and have good time like us.

Special thanks to TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand)
Photos by Proud  Proud
Story by  Belle B.