I’ve tried ziplining before – six years ago in Singapore – but I still remember how insanely fun it was! So, of course, I had to do it again, and what better place than Thailand, which is literally packed with crazy zipline adventures? And guess what? Thailand is also home to Asia’s longest zipline, which just happens to be in Chiang Mai. So, obviously, that was THE main reason I decided to spend a few days here. Asia’s longest zipline AND mountains? THE DREAM.
There are actually several zipline options around Chiang Mai, but the longest one is at King Kong Smile Zipline, located about 52 km northeast of the city. I had booked this for Wednesday, and let me tell you – I COULD NOT WAIT 😄
I had no other plans for Wednesday. None. This day was entirely about this zipline. No distractions, just me, some cables, and a whole lot of adrenaline 🤣
King Kong Smile offers two packages, both including transport to and from the hotel, plus lunch (which is a lifesaver – one less thing to worry about 😇). Here are the options:
1. Ultimate Program: 1 hour, 19 platforms, 9 ziplines (longest one: 700m)
2. Extreme Program: 2 hours, 38 platforms, 17 ziplines, including Asia’s longest – 1.2 km! Plus, abseiling, a glass bridge, a climbing net, six nature trails, five spiral staircases, and more random structures to make sure you get a full workout.
I mean… do I even need to say which one I picked? OBVIOUSLY the Extreme Program! Why else would I even be in Chiang Mai? 😅😂
And guess what? Asia’s longest zipline also happens to be the highest located in Asia. Oh. My. God.
The Calm Before the Chaos
I booked my zipline adventure for midday because the day before had been exhausting (a long day trip), so I really needed to sleep in. Also, I figured midday would be a quieter time with fewer people – and I was right. Great success.
But.
Even though I had planned to sleep in, my body had other plans. I woke up early. Super early. Probably because I had finally caught up on sleep after two nights of zero rest and a hyperactive brain 😂😅 But the good news was – I felt fully recharged.
Since I had plenty of time, I went for a morning walk to find a breakfast spot. Plot twist: most places weren’t even open at 8-9 AM. So I went back to my hotel and had breakfast there, which turned out to be amazing. They had a great selection, including delicious fruits and Thai sweets.
Okay, but listen.
I need to take a moment to talk about dragon fruit. OMG. The ones we get in Denmark taste like nothing because they’re picked unripe and shipped halfway across the world. But here? SO GOOD. And then… the coconut.
Fresh, soft coconut flesh – the kind you get after drinking the water. In Tamil, we call it “pooraan.” It tastes heavenly, and it’s super healthy too. Win-win! And of course, I had my classic morning cup of Milo. Yummm.
Honestly, just for the food and the warm weather alone, I’ve always dreamed of moving somewhere like Sri Lanka or Thailand. Omg. 😌
After breakfast, I still had way too much time, so I went for another walk and randomly stumbled upon a couple (I think?) doing a photoshoot in traditional Thai outfits. And let me just say – I LOVE traditional Thai clothing. So. Damn. Beautiful. I even considered buying a set when I got back to Bangkok… 😊
✨The Zipline Adventure Begins!✨
At 12:30, my ride arrived to pick me up. There were six other people in the group, and I was the last one to be picked up. The drive took about an hour, and soon we arrived – surrounded by mountains and stunning nature.
We got a detailed safety briefing and geared up. The staff at King Kong Smile Zipline were amazing – competent, funny, and super strict about safety.
But guess what happened?
I got a mini panic attack before the first zipline. Like, WHY? 😭 I made the mistake of looking down and realizing how high up we were. Honestly, the dumbest thing ever, considering I’VE BEEN SKYDIVING FROM 4KM. So, why was I suddenly scared?!? 😂
I almost backed out. ALMOST. But then I pulled myself together, took a deep breath, and just… jumped.
And just like that – the fear disappeared.
From that moment on, I was ALL IN! 😆 We flew from platform to platform, screaming and laughing, and it was the best time ever.
The views were insane, and the rush? 10/10.
Oh, and the best part?
I had my Insta360 camera attached to a selfie stick secured to my wrist (genius move, so I wouldn’t drop it 😆). I filmed the longest zipline of course, but I didn’t record everything because I wanted to fully enjoy the experience. And I’m so glad I did!
After two hours of pure adrenaline, we finished the course and walked through a beautiful nature trail to a peaceful rest area. We sat there, catching our breath, completely exhausted but so happy.
Then came the BEST SURPRISE: We were picked up in an open truck and had the coolest ride back down through the mountains, wind in our hair, feeling like movie stars. Such a vibe.
Back at the starting point, we returned our gear and had lunch. Was it great? No. I didn’t eat much, so by the time I got back to my hotel, I was STARVING.
I found a restaurant called Ging Grai after some quick Google Maps research. It was only 5 minutes away, looked clean, and had great reviews.
I ordered Kari Phanaeng (as it is called in Northern Thailand) with jasmine rice and a Berry Tango mocktail. And it was my first time trying thai food with sundaikkai (turkise berries). I was quite surprised, as I thought it was a tamil thing eating sundaikkai, and I LOVED it – sundaikkai adds some more hotness to the phanaeng 😍
For dessert, I had Khao Nook Nga Tod Kab Namtan Dip – crispy steamed perilla cakes with jaggery dip. PERFECT because I’ve cut down on sugar, and this dessert wasn’t too sweet. Love that for me😉
Then – massage time! 😌💆🏻♀️
I had booked a 120-minute session at Antique Massage (a high-end place in central Chiang Mai). Expensive? Yes. Worth it? ABSOLUTELY.
When I arrived, they served me fresh coconut water while I picked an oil for my massage. I chose “Old Town” because it smelled so soothing. Then, I got a foot soak, followed by deep tissue massage, head massage, and foot massage. Pure bliss 😌
Afterwards, I bought relaxing balms in the scent Midnight Nimman, which smelled SO GOOD.
Before heading to bed, I decided I needed something nice to drink, so I took a little evening stroll to find a good spot. But guess what I stumbled upon? Just two minutes from my hotel, I found a place called “Om Kanesha.” My first thought? What kind of quirky name is that for a restaurant? I was intrigued, so I stepped inside – only to be completely caught off guard!
Instead of a typical eatery, I walked into a hidden courtyard filled with charming little cafés, but what truly stole my attention was the breathtaking shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha right in the middle. The whole area was beautifully decorated – vibrant flowers, soft candlelight, and the sweet scent of incense filling the air. Despite being surrounded by cafés and people chatting over their drinks, the place had an overwhelming sense of peace. It was like stepping into a different world – one where everything just slowed down.
I couldn’t help but be drawn to the shrine. Something about the atmosphere felt divinely powerful yet incredibly calming. I decided to offer prayers, so I purchased an archanai thaddu (offering plate), complete with flowers, incense, and other sacred items. As I lit the incense and closed my eyes in prayer, I felt this deep sense of contentment and clarity. It was as if the whole day – the adrenaline rush, the laughter, the exhaustion – was leading up to this very moment of stillness.
I spent a good amount of time just taking it all in, admiring the intricate details of the Ganesha statue, the gold embellishments, and the beautiful garlands draped around it. People came and went, offering their prayers, but the peaceful energy of the place remained unchanged. It truly felt like a hidden gem in the middle of the bustling city, a little sanctuary of serenity.
When I finally left, I wasn’t just physically relaxed from the massage earlier – I felt spiritually recharged. It was one of those moments that reminded me why I love traveling: finding beauty and meaning in the most unexpected places.
And just to wrap up this magical night in style, I made my way to Go Green for a warm pink milk – yes, warm. I’ve only ever had it cold (our beloved sarbath), but I thought, why not try something new? And let me tell you – warm pink milk is an absolute game changer. It was so comforting, sweet but not overly so, and just what I needed to drift into a deep, peaceful sleep.
What. A. Day. So many perfect moments.
LIFE IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL ♥️