The Chiang Mai cold snap guide: 6 ways to embrace the chill

If you’ve been putting off that sunrise trek or simply want to get that tent out and give it a good airing, then now’s the time. Much like in Europe when there’s only a few weeks of sun to really enjoy, Thailand’s cold spells are few and far between and they’re about the only time your tent doesn’t double as a sauna. 

Doi Inthanon is the one most are flocking to, with over 7,000 visitors last Saturday alone, and this weekend is looking to be equally busy. Accommodation might take a little more effort, but the upside? You’re far more likely to make new friends over a hot coffee or a campfire that’s definitely not ignoring the burning ban, right? 

There are a few times of the year you can order a hot coffee and not be looked at like some kind of lunatic. But with a thriving coffee scene and a nuance of taste that only comes with a hot brew, this is your perfect excuse to chase down the city’s best hot choc, chai or long-black.

One of our faves is Akha Ama, serving single origin brews sourced from the equally chilly mountain tops of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. With a few spots in and out of the city, they’re an easy choice if you like good coffee. Another one is Ristr8to, find it on Nimman and thank us later. 

Sure, you’ve only worn it once or twice but that old jacket in the closet has seen better days, so why not treat yourself to a new one instead? Sure you’ll probably only wear it a few times as well, there’s nothing that a bit of retail therapy can’t help keep you warm. 

While you could go to the big malls and spend a few thousand on a new North Face jacket or a designer garb from Central, we prefer to explore the second hand shops and pick up some Japanese imported bargains. I Found in Basket, Tiger Secondhand and Toro Clothing are easy and reliable choices, the latter found next to a ton of other clothing warehouses just north of the moat on Atsadathon Road.

There are hot springs all around Chiang Mai but the ones in Chiang Dao are worth checking out if you like to bathe in the chill of the morning. Unlike most springs that are locked behind a park entrance after 5pm, the public springs in Chiang Dao are accessible 24 hours a day, meaning you can mooch on over in the single digits of night and soak under the starry sky. They may not be the prettiest pools, but they certainly do the job.

Or, if you prefer to warm your innards with a strong shot of alcohol, then our friends at Choeng Doi Distillery have conveniently opened their doors to walk-ins starting this January – perfect timing for anyone needing a little pick-me-up on their adventures around the hills. 

Food glorious food, hot khao soi and mustard (greens). That’s right, we all know that hot soup on a hot day can be swelteringly uncomfortable, but now the cold has rolled in, what’s better than a steaming bowl of noodle soup to keep your internal organs working? 

Khao soi may be the obvious choice – you can check our ultimate list of khao soi in Chiang Mai right here – this winter season we’re opting for a taste that’s a little more, shall we say, developed. Head to the corner of Nimman soi 11 and you’ll find Ros-Yiam Braised Beef – Chiang Mai’s very own perpetual soup shop with a boiling vat of beefy goodness that’s been bubbling since before you were alive.

Keep to your New Year’s resolution and swap the hot toddies for a blood boiling workout session courtesy of Decathlon. Energetic zumba and aerobic classes happen every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 6pm-7pm, free of charge and guaranteed to keep your body temperature high.

While you’re there, you could pick up a tent for that weekend Doi Inthanon camping sesh you have planned or, if you prefer a party, one of the many festivals hitting every weekend of January this year. Gaia Beats, Marshmello and Chiang Dao Punk Fest to name a few.