WESmile Magazine January 2020
The In-Flight Magazine of Thai Smile Airways
The In-Flight Magazine of Thai Smile Airways
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TRAVEL<br />
LUXURY BY DESIGN<br />
CHIANG MAI<br />
RIVERSIDE RESORT<br />
ANGKHANG<br />
Pink Floral<br />
Paradise<br />
บน : ทิวท ัศน ์ขึนดอย<br />
อางขางทามกลาง<br />
ดอกนางพญาเสี่ือโคูร้ง<br />
Top : The route<br />
leading to Doi<br />
Angkhang is scenic,<br />
with Himalayan<br />
cherry blooms.<br />
上 方 : 安 康 山 路 上 弥 漫<br />
着 野 生 喜 马 拉 雅 樱 花 的<br />
美 景 。<br />
ลาง :<br />
ผลสี่ตั้ร้อว์์เบอร์์รีีสี่ด<br />
ร้สี่หวัานฉำา<br />
Bottom : Sweet<br />
and succulent<br />
strawberries<br />
下 方 : 香 甜 新 鲜 草 莓 。<br />
WINTER BREEZE HAS NOW SPREAD ALL<br />
OVER THAILAND’S NORTH, CHARMINGLY<br />
FILLING THE REGION WITH SEAS OF FOG,<br />
FLOWERS AND CRISP AIR. ONE OF THE<br />
MOST BEAUTIFUL NORTHERN MOUNTAINS<br />
IS CHIANG MAI-BASED DOI ANGKHANG,<br />
WHICH IS BOASTING ALLURINGLY PINK<br />
HIMALAYAN CHERRY BLOSSOM.<br />
Famous as an agritourism destination, Doi Angkhang<br />
has had a long history as the site of King Rama 9’s<br />
1st royal project. At its heart is the ‘Royal Agricultural<br />
Station Angkhang’, which was founded out of<br />
the king’s caring concerns for his people and his<br />
country’s headwater forest. After King Rama 9 set up<br />
this station to discourage mobile plantations and<br />
opium farms, Doi Angkhang has transformed into an<br />
amazing park. The site becomes beautiful, fun and<br />
educational all at the same time.<br />
The best time to visit Doi Angkhang is between<br />
December and February. During this period,<br />
hundreds of floral species are in full bloom. Among<br />
them are peach, Asian pear, plum, daisy, iris and<br />
roses. With such floral blossoms, a trip to Doi<br />
Angkhang is always so delightful that tourists forget<br />
about time and get immersed in photo-taking.<br />
Doi Angkhang’s top highlight is ‘Himalayan cherry<br />
blossom’. In the middle of winter, Himalayan cherry<br />
trees that line along the road to the royal agricultural<br />
station blooms with gentle 5-petaled pink flowers.<br />
Morning is the perfect time to cherish the pink blossom<br />
as mild sunlight makes these flowers even more<br />
alluring. The scenery is especially picturesque when<br />
nearby maple leaves are also turning red in the face of<br />
increasingly cold weather.<br />
Kiew Lom and Khob Dong vantage points on Doi<br />
Angkhang are great spots to watch sunrise and sea<br />
of fog. Frozen dewdrops may be magically visible<br />
on some mornings too, if Mercury drops below zero.<br />
Nestled amid maple forest, the Angkhang Royal Villa<br />
and the Garden 80 that presents British-style floral<br />
beds rank among other tempting attractions.<br />
For an extra fascinating experience, stroll into the<br />
Garden of Fragrances whereby aromatic plants fill<br />
the air with their refreshing scents. Inside the garden<br />
are sweet olive, magnolia, lavender and many more.<br />
Bonsai Garden is also worth a visit.<br />
There are several hilltribe villages around the<br />
royal-project site. Norlae Village, whose residents are<br />
Palaungs, grow strawberry terraces. Populated by<br />
Lahu, Khob Dong Village boasts a simple way of life.<br />
Descendants of Chinese-ethnic people from Yunnan<br />
meanwhile have settled down in Ban Khum, Ban Luang<br />
and Ban Pang Ma. If you visit their villages, you can<br />
shop for souvenirs too.<br />
Whenever colourful flowers including Himalayan<br />
cherry blossom on Doi Angkhang beckon amid cool<br />
breeze, tourists truly head there with a so happy heart.<br />
X2 CHIANG MAI RIVERSIDE RESORT<br />
X2 Chiang Mai Riverside Resort is an elegant<br />
30 key property which runs parrallel to the majestic<br />
Ping River and has an uniterrupted vista of the Doi<br />
Suthep mountain range. With a luxury spa, rooftop<br />
infinity pool, steamrooms, gym, fine dining restaurant,<br />
bar and architecture which blend both traditional Lanna<br />
with modern elements, this resort has won several<br />
accolades and is at the top of its game in design, cuisine<br />
and service. Voted as Trip Advisors top hotel in<br />
Chiang Mai for two years, bestowed with a Michelin<br />
plate for <strong>2020</strong>, listed and highly rated in Thailand<br />
Tatlers coveted publication in the 'best restaurants in<br />
Thailand' catagory for three years consecutively<br />
No.1 hotel in Chiang Mai - Trip Advisor<br />
and awarded the best new hotel architecture in<br />
Thailand, this resort sets a new standard in Chiang Mai.<br />
The resort is built amongst a grove of ancient Tamarind trees and nature takes centre stage over the sprawling<br />
property. Either use the resorts bicycles, kayaks or shuttle services for an easy trip to discover the old city<br />
and temples.<br />
TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE<br />
Getting there : THAI Smile operates daily direct flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Each flight takes just one<br />
hour and 10 minutes. For reservations, visit www.thaismileair.com. In Chiang Mai, get a car rental and take Highway 107<br />
(Chiang Mai-Fang). At Hat Samran Temple, turn left into Highway 1249 that will lead you uphill to Doi Angkhang.<br />
More info : Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang Tel. 0 5396 9489, Angkhang Tourist Information Centre Tel. 0 5396 9492,<br />
www.royalprojectangkhang.com<br />
Address: 369/1 Thanon Charoenrajd, Wat Ket,<br />
Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000<br />
THAILAND<br />
E: book.cmr@X2resorts.com<br />
T: +66 5393 1999<br />
W: crosshotelsandresorts.com<br />
76 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />
77
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