As we turned the corner a glinting golden stupa came into view. It literally took my breath away and I clearly remember thinking “How lucky am I?!” This was my first visit to Thailand and I instantly fell in love with its people …its temples …its food ..its philosophy. And its gold! Golden stupa. Golden Buddhas. Golden monks.

This is the first in a new series on ‘Travel With Kat’, from my travel memories as seen on Instagram.

Join me on Instagram to follow my journey as it happens, mixed up with a few travel memories. Spoiler alert! Next stop Japan.

Welcome to Chiang Mai and the beautiful @na_nirand Resort. This is my first visit to Thailand and I can’t wait to see more of the country. Scroll to see more pictures, including the view of the river. Cracking hotel! Follow the link in my bio for more photos and to read about my visit to #thailand #chiangmai #luxury #travel #boutiquehotel —————— #travelpic #hotel #igersthailand #pool #swimmingpool #luxurythailand

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Mar 20, 2017 at 8:41am PDT

Wat Pra Singh, Chiang Mai… my first sight of a Buddhist temple took my breath away and peeked my curiosity about Buddhism. Follow the link in my bio for more photos and to read about my visit #chiangmai #thailand #buddhism #temple #travelpic #travel #breathtaking #beautiful #travelphotographer #travelblogger #traveladdict

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Mar 22, 2017 at 6:56am PDT

Viharn Lai Kham in the Wat Phra Singh temple complex in Chiang Mai is considered one of the finest examples of Lanna architecture. The Lanna Kingdom covered most of Northern Thailand as well as parts of Myanmar (then Burma), China and Laos. The Viharn Lai Kham was built at the end of the 14th century to house the highly revered Phra Singh Buddha. I felt such a sense of gratitude to be there and see it for myself. Follow the link in my bio for more photos and to read about my visit #WatPraSingh #chiangmai #thailand #buddha #buddism #temple #trravel #travelpic #travelphotography #travelblogger #travelphotographer #stunning #breathtaking #beautiful #gratitude #lppathfinders

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Mar 28, 2017 at 11:51am PDT

Walking on towards the Viharn Lai Kham in the Wat Phra Singh temple complex in Chiang Mai (featured in my last post) my first sight of these shining golden stupa took my breath away. I’d seen photographs of them before but the experience of seeing them for myself went above and beyond my expectations. Follow the link in my bio for more photos and to read about my visit #WatPhraSingh #chiangmai #thailand —————— #buddha #buddism #wanderlust #temple #travel #travelpic #travelphotography #travelblogger #travelphotographer #stunning #breathtaking #beautiful #gratitude #lppathfinders

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Mar 29, 2017 at 4:44am PDT

Wandering around the Wat Phra Singh temple complex in Chiang Mai with very few people around was magical. Ever since I’ve felt so much calmer and contented. Hope it lasts. Follow the link in my bio for more photos and to read about my visit #WatPhraSingh #ChiangMai #Thailand

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Mar 30, 2017 at 4:31am PDT

Another solitary moment at Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai. Ten monks remembered, their different characters showing on their faces in ten golden statues. Each one said something different to me. Scroll through the images and you’ll get a glimpse of what I mean. Follow the link in my bio for more photos and to read about my visit to #ChiangMai #watphrasingh #thailand #temple

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 6, 2017 at 11:52am PDT

A delicious rice paper wrap stuffed with green and red oak, carrot, sunflower sprouts, pineapple mint, French tarragon, roses and other aromatic flowers with Northern Thai Style Pork. Delicious an so pretty! #BadBoyValley #ChiangMai #Thailand

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 9, 2017 at 10:52am PDT

Loved exploring the lush countryside around Chiang Mai. My first blog post from Thailand is up! Follow the link in my bio to find out more. #chiangmai #thailand

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 12, 2017 at 9:58am PDT

Mesmerised by gold! I keep getting drawn back to my images from Wat Phra Singh #ChiangMai #thailand Follow the link in my bio to read all about it and see more photos.

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 13, 2017 at 12:56pm PDT

Such a treat to have breakfast every morning look out across the river from our hotel in Chiang Mai, the Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort #chiangmai #thailand #travel #travelblogger #lppathfinders #travelpic #travelpics #traveladdict #travelphotography #traveltheworld #hotel #hotelview #boutiquehotel #romantiquehotel #river #asia #sunrise

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 14, 2017 at 10:33am PDT

Lovely lady from one of northern Thailand’s Hill tribes. I met her in Chiang Mai Provence, when she was selling traditional textiles. You can check out my first post from Thailand by following the link in my bio #chiangmai #thailand #hilltribe #travel #travelblogger #travelpics #travelphotography #travelphotographer #traveladdict #traditionaldress #globetrotter #smile #smiles

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 16, 2017 at 1:00pm PDT

Spent a wonderful morning in the village of Mea Kampong which tumbles down the hillside through the lush jungle, about 50km northeast of Chiang Mai. They have a number of home stays here – perfect for discovering local life #maekampong #chiangmai #thailand #homestay

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 17, 2017 at 6:26am PDT

Had a fabulous massage at @oasisspathailand Such a wonderful, relaxing place, right in the heart of old Chiang Mai, next door to the Wat Phra Singh. #spa #chiangmai #thailand

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 18, 2017 at 5:57am PDT

My favourite restaurant in Chiang Mai, Ginger & Kafe. From the top clockwise: Deep-fried sea bass with ginger, tamarind, sweet pepper and cashew nuts 490 baht; Tom Kha Gai, a creamy coconut soup with lemon grass, mushrooms, galangal and chicken, 190 baht; Stir fried chicken (I think!) and lastly,Crying Tiger (Neva Yang) Thai style grilled steak with barbecued mushrooms, vegetables and spicy chilli sauce, 390 baht (and that’s £8.86 or $11.35) so not cheap compared to what you can get but so worth it! #gingerandkafe #foodporn #chiangmai #thailand #amazingthailand

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Apr 23, 2017 at 6:00am PDT

Pin it for later!

Disclosure: I visited Thailand as a guest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, AmazingThailand.org.

Join my 'Behind the Scenes' newsletter

Delivered monthly to your inbox with all my behind the scenes news, latest posts and giveaways exclusive to my subscribers.

12 Comments

Chris on February 27, 2018 at 3:13 pm

Hi guys. I’m currently researching sustainable tourism development, for my dissertation project for university in the U.K. Sustainable tourism development is a very important topic at the moment! I would greatly appreciate your help so if you can spare 5 mins to fill in the survey please do! The survey coconsists of 12 questions and its design makes it easy to use and complete.

Regards

Chris

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqt4fl7N1NJF25mSjFO9_ycCU7o_ZKm-OJFs30liOPwtzHow/viewform?usp=sf_link
alison abbott on November 20, 2017 at 9:02 pm

I loved following along on your journey to Chang Mai, and it’s just as much a visual delight the second time around on Travel with Kat. I have yet to get to Thailand, and no one’s photos entice me quite as much as your’s do!
- Kathryn Burrington on November 23, 2017 at 2:27 pm
  
  Thanks, Alison! Thailand is very Instagrammable. I hope you’ll follow my posts from my next adventure. I’m off to Japan this weekend – super excited!
Jaillan Yehia on November 19, 2017 at 2:04 pm

Beautiful shimmering photos of Thailand, one of my favourite places to go on an actual holiday, as how can you not relax when surrounded by such beauty!
Anna Parker on November 18, 2017 at 8:48 am

I remember following this when you where there and loving that hotel! Excellent to see it again
- Kathryn Burrington on November 18, 2017 at 2:31 pm
  
  I wish I had had just a little more time there just to simply enjoy it. And I hope I find a way to go back again one day.
Lucy on November 17, 2017 at 9:43 pm

Such lovely colours, you have me longing to make it back to Thailand, it’s been far too long, but I have very fond memories of eating in the night markets in Chiang Mai and exploring so many stunning temples.
- Kathryn Burrington on November 18, 2017 at 2:32 pm
  
  I really do need to go back for a longer visit and I loved to see more of Thailand. Such lovely people too.
Sara @ Travel Continuum on November 14, 2017 at 7:59 pm

I love your Instagram posts! It’s like being able to transport, Star Trek-style from one moment to another. Chiang Mai looks absolutely stunning – and that’s coming from someone who usually prefers silver!
- Kathryn Burrington on November 14, 2017 at 8:05 pm
  
  Thank you! They’re fun to do.
  
  The food was equally mesmerising! I long to return.
Ryan Biddulph on November 14, 2017 at 3:54 am

Awesome snaps Kat! We love Chiang Mai; it is our favorite place in the world. We have spent nearly a year there between 5 trips. Or 7? I lost track. We are heading back to a house sit in February, the same sit we did last year by Doi Suthep National Park up in the hills around town. Adore the place.

Ryan
- Kathryn Burrington on November 14, 2017 at 8:25 am
  
  Thanks, Ryan. I have to admit I’m very envious. I’d love to be able to spend more time there. Have a fabulous time and I look forward to hearing all about it.