![Chiang Mai](https://cdn.magzter.com/1658250773/1666512902/articles/zz-mETm_s1666861708281/CHIANG-MAI.jpg)
1 WAT UMONG
Take a THB200 US$5) taxi ride west from Chiang Mai’s center to this unique forest temple, built in the 13th century by a monk who taught the king meditation. The main chedi is surrounded by six hectares of woodland, but uniquely it stands on a broad knoll beneath which are a series of tunnels, supposedly built by the king with walls painted with jungle scenes, and Buddha statues at various dead ends. The murals have mostly faded away, but it’s an atmospheric place. The local city folk come often to meditate in the peaceful grounds, feed the many catfish and turtles in its lake, and wander the grounds where many old and broken sculptures lie. Curiously there’s also a replica of an ancient Ashok pillar from India, showing the bringing of Buddhism to northern Thailand by the Lanna dynasty’s King Mengrai. One of Chiang Mai’s least visited temples, but one of its most rewarding. templesinchiangmai.com
2 BLACKITCH ARTISAN KITCHEN
Tucked away in a tiny building in a nondescript alley just northwest of the old city you'll find Blackitch, a remarkable restaurant that purports to make local ingredients shine by integrating culinary science and local wisdom”. The restaurant has been highlighted in the Michelin Guide for good reason. Thai founder Chef Black unites Thai, Japanese and Chinese influences and creates a set 10-course tasting menu that introduces unusual and exquisite flavours in each small but succulent dish.
This story is from the October - December 2022 edition of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October - December 2022 edition of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Our guide to... VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/IqgI8JGDG1715847823583/OUR-GUIDE-TO-VPNS-VIRTUAL-PRIVATE-NETWORKS.jpg)
Our guide to... VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)
We all know that online activity needs to be private and secure. If you suspected that the business-critical information you're about to share with a colleague is at risk of being seen much more widely, you would hesitate to send it.
![Raffles London at The OWO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/tD1vyX5e41715847675135/RAFFLES-LONDON-AT-THE-OWO.jpg)
Raffles London at The OWO
BACKGROUND The first Raffles hotel in London, owned by the Hinduja Group and operated by Accor, opened in September 2023. It is housed in The OWO, a legendary Edwardian Baroque-style building, with the guest experience built around its exceptional history. The Grade II Old War Office was built for the British Army in 1906.
![Hilton Colombo](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/lqQdtlFxY1715847545107/HILTON-COLOMBO.jpg)
Hilton Colombo
BACKGROUND Hilton Colombo has been operating in Sri Lanka's capital since 1987. Given its long-standing status and rather dated design, renovations of its guest rooms are underway, with all 345 set to be complete by the time of going to press. Hilton has three more properties in Sri Lanka, including Hilton Yala Resort (see page 44).
![The Leela Palace Bengaluru](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/HsoXv0plJ1715847198956/THE-LEELA-PALACE-BENGALURU.jpg)
The Leela Palace Bengaluru
BACKGROUND The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts operates 12 properties in India, in locations including Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai and Udaipur, with hotels to follow in Hyderabad, Agra and Sikkim. The group is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, and Preferred Hotels and Resorts.
![Air France Boeing 777-300 premium economy PARIS-NEW YORK](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/sP6w2eqTS1715846974281/AIR-FRANCE-BOEING-777300-PREMIUM-ECONOMY-PARISNEW-YORK.jpg)
Air France Boeing 777-300 premium economy PARIS-NEW YORK
BACKGROUND Air France has been upgrading its Boeing 777-300 aircraft with its latest premium economy product, already seen on its A350. The 777-300 features 48 seats in the premium economy cabin, arranged in a slightly staggered 2-4-2 formation.
![Qatar Airways A330-300 business class DOHA-COLOMBO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/fJi5niijg1715846628742/QATAR-AIRWAYS-A330300-BUSINESS-CLASS-DOHACOLOMBO.jpg)
Qatar Airways A330-300 business class DOHA-COLOMBO
BACKGROUND Qatar Airways has eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft in its fleet, which are often used for the carrier's medium-haul services such as this Doha-Colombo flight.
![Pre-flight checks](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/ygwz89-5L1715846481717/PREFLIGHT-CHECKS.jpg)
Pre-flight checks
There's a familiar list of announcements when boarding a plane, but what do they actually mean? Our undercover pilot shines a light on pre-flight procedures
![Auckland](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/1b6jB1YZ41715846274375/AUCKLAND.jpg)
Auckland
Thrill-seeking activities, mind-bending art - and performing the haka
![Yearning for Yala](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/zhHtjTlEH1715845904031/YEARNING-FOR-YALA.jpg)
Yearning for Yala
Searching for leopards and nibbling wild sage in Sri Lanka's Yala National Park
![RISKY BUSINESS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27227/1688994/3Dz6hTT1i1715845532699/RISKY-BUSINESS.jpg)
RISKY BUSINESS
Business travellers need their wits about them more than ever these days - with strategies in place should the worst happen