I had the opportunity to spend a few months in Chiang Mai, Thailand during the Winter months. If you are a digital nomad, it is a wonderful stop in your travels. The city is very walkable, including the ability to walk to the airport from the city (not many cities have that)! During my time in CM I took a mini trip to the edge of town to visit a labyrinth ! And then, a few days later I visited another ! Here is what I saw on those 2 trips:
Trip #1 - Seven Fountains Jesuit Spirituality Centre Labyrinth
Location:
97 Huay Kaew Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300
How to get there:
This is on one of the main roads in Chiang Mai, Huay Kaew Rd. Just grab a songthaew, or it is a 1 km walk west from Maya Lifestyle Center Mall.
The first thing you must know when visiting this labyrinth is it is part of a silent retreat center. You can plan a stay with them on their website if you are interested. So, if you visit, silence your phone, and do not speak on the premises. Here is the unassuming entrance:
Seven Fountains Jesuit Spirituality Centre entrance - Chiang Mai, Thailand
There will be a building in front of you with signs to information. I went there despite getting permission beforehand to walk the labyrinth. Inside feels like a very strict library - whispering is allowed here and I got directions to the labyrinth. It is easy to find. From the entrance, walk the pathway straight back into the complex and you will see a sign for the labyrinth. It is on the back right hand side, surrounded by hedges. When you approach the labyrinth the entrance will be apparent by 2 brick columns.
The labyrinth is an 11 circuit with gravel pathways separated by small bushes in 1 foot wide slightly raised beds lined with bricks. The outside of the labyrinth has large hedges to separate it from the other spaces. The center of the labyrinth features a large stone surrounded by small rocks to create the inner circle. My walk was pleasant and it was easy to reflect in the space. When I reached the center I snapped a photo of the tree kanopy above. The labyrinth is surrounded by many towering trees and it enhances the meditative experience.
Trip #2 - Rama IX Lanna Park Labyrinth
Location:
RXCH+773, Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
How to get there:
Located 4 km north of Chiang Mai on Chotana Road. It is walkable, but better to take a Grab, songthaew, or similar.
A few days after visiting the Seven Fountains Jesuit Spirituality Centre Labyrinth I made my way to the Rama IX Lanna Park to visit their labyrinth. I decided to walk there, but do not recommend that. Here is the entrance from Chotana Road and some of the gardens. bridges and statues you will see. The park is very peaceful and there are many places to sit and relax in the shade.
In the back part of the park, in the southwest is the “labyrinth”. This is actually a hedge maze shaped very close to a traditional labyrinth. The hedges are about 3 feet high with concrete pathways. If it was a labyrinth it would be a 5 circuit. I took photos of the entrance to the labyrinth, the labyrinth and the center fountain (not on when I visited)
The labyrinth is in an open space, so there is not much shade like most of the park. I would not describe the walk as peaceful or meditative, but I really enjoyed the park!
BONUS VIDEO:
About 90 minute drive outside of the city of Chiang Mai is the Pa Pae Meditation Retreat, in Pa Pae, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150. This is a meditation retreat run by monks that focuses on connecting with nature. While this is not a place to visit as a tourist, I did want to share this video showing their building of a labyrinth by the monks at the site because I thought it was so cool:
So if you are a labyrinth enthusiast and you are in Chiang Mai, you have options for a meditative walk.
This wasn’t my only labyrinth visit on this trip !