THE
ANCIENT
KINGDOM
OF
LANNA
Day 1 – Bangkok
Check-in at the Hualampong station to begin your journey on the Eastern & Oriental Express.
Stewards in exquisite Thai uniforms await to welcome you to board the train, their hands
pressed together in a gracious wai gesture – a promise of the memorable journey to come.
Settle into your private cabin and enjoy a refreshing afternoon tea as the train travels out of
Bangkok and heads north. As the sun sets, dress up for dinner, then make your way to the
Bar car for cocktails before proceeding to the Restaurant car to savour the delightful meal
presented by the team of chefs.
Day 2 – Lampang – Chiang Mai
After breakfast we arrive in Lampang, a northern Thai city rich in history and culture.
Disembark from the train and begin your excursion of the city by riding in its trademark
horse-drawn carriages. These delightful carts were originally imported from England for use
by Thai nobility in Bangkok but with the introduction of the automobile, were sent to the
provinces. The leisurely carriage ride brings you to Ban Sao Nak – House of Many Pillars –
which was built in 1895 by a prosperous teak merchant. A distinguishing feature of the house
is that it is raised on a base of 116 pillars. It is now a museum and is a remarkably wellpreserved structure of Burmese and Lanna architectural styles. At the front and on the lawn,
stands a huge 133-year-old Sarapee (Ochocarpus Siamensis) tree. Tour the house and enjoy
a morning tea break before returning to the train in the late morning.
Brunch is served on the E&O as we continue onwards to our next destination of Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai was the capital of the northern Thai kingdom of Lanna from 1296-1939, and
attained the height of its golden age in the 15th century. Today this charming and attractive
city bears the remnants of the historical architecture, and sections of the original great brick
walls and towering gates which protected the city from invading armies over 700 years ago.
Upon arrival in the central city you will proceed on the tour of your choice.
Discover the essence of Chiang Mai with a drive through the old town to view the four
bastions of the original walls surrounded by the moat, including a stop for a traditional
monk’s blessing ceremony followed by a guided stroll through a quaint residential soi. A
stop at a market will reveal a treasure trove for all things local, and where you will be met
by the owner of a famous dessert salon who will escort you around the myriad stalls
displaying fresh and dried foods, and introduce you to the unique ingredients that make
Thai cuisine so special. You will then continue on to the Wanlamun house for refreshments
and a culinary presentation of yum sum-o from a family recipe handed through the
generations for this authentic pomelo salad before you savour its delicious and distinctive
taste. Afterwards, whizz through the streets on a song thaew to return to the railway
station.
Alternatively, indulge in an afternoon of shopping with visits to a selection of Chiang Mai’s
many cottage industries, with its sheer variety of ethnic handicraft that will make ‘treasure’
hunting in this pre-eminent centre of arts and crafts a never-ending yet fulfilling attraction.
Your shopping tour will reveal the varied creations of the famous local artefacts and
decorative souvenirs that represent Chiang Mai’s Lanna heritage and the identity of the
people. At the umbrella village workshops, you will see the step-by-step processes of these
mulberry-paper parasols being crafted and elaborately decorated - each piece a unique work
of art. The traditional methods of wood-ash glazed celadon pottery can be observed next,
with the resultant array of pieces showcasing the delicate painting and carving of lively
designs that characterise Thai arts and culture. Wonderfully lustrous silk threads are
produced in a laborious process from silk worm to thread-colouring and weaving, and this
time-honoured craft produces the stunning selection of fabrics at the silk centre.
A visit to the Dhara Dhevi Tea House follows, and you have the option to relax here or
continue on the shopping trail and visit the Lanna-style Kad Dhara village. After a day of
taking in the sights and sounds of Chiang Mai, you will return to the train in the late
afternoon.
Once again, greeted by your steward as you board the train, relax and look forward to a
sumptuous dinner followed by an aperitif in the Bar to share your day’s encounters with your
fellow travelers.
Day 3 – Bangkok
Spend a leisurely morning onboard the train, and enjoy breakfast as the train travels
toward Bangkok. Lunch is served as you view the passing scenery and complete your final
packing before arrival and disembarkation. Step off the train and wave to the E&O staff as
they wish you a safe and pleasant onward journey.