A sensual art experience - The Chiang Mai Erotic Garden and JOJO KOBE gallery
Chiang Mai, Thailand, is one of the friendliest cities I’ve ever traveled to. Everyone had an exuberant smile to share and a delightful story to unravel. It’s so inspiring to meet beautiful soul after beautiful soul living their life's purpose.
Today we’re going on a sensual afternoon trip that requires a driver. I highly recommend hiring Tatchit. He’s positive, bright, a local filmmaker with lofty goals, well-traveled, and a great conversationalist. You can reach him at 096.695.3030 or o.tatchit@gmail.com.
I will include a map at the end of this article to share with your driver.
But first, coffee!
Omnia Cafe and Roastery is known for having high-quality beans and the most educated baristas! They roast coffee beans every Wednesday and Sunday behind the cafe. Mmmm, I can smell the intoxicating aroma as I type this! They also teach SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) courses upstairs in their coffee research laboratory.
Omnia Cafe is open every day from 8am-4pm; please note they do not have food.
From here, you can walk to JOJO KOBE, a gallery and printmaking studio featuring local and international artists' work since 2013.
I had this gallery on my radar long before visiting CM but was extra excited to go here after viewing the Hysteria exhibition at Toot Yung Art Center. My favorite pieces were two soft and sensual nude figures of women’s bodies in eye-catching pink and red, delicately overlaid with outstretched arms of women touching women. The artist, Sirinapa Thongsuk, is the managing director of JOJO KOBE, hence my excitement!
When I walked in, her smile and warm personality quickly became the highlight of my day. She showed me around the gallery, explained the tedious process of their current exhibition (White Eel in the Dawn of the Exile by artist and social activist, ubatsat), introduced me to the fluffy white gallery cat, shared details for a gallery opening that evening, and invited me out for a coffee (the gem mentioned above)! I bought the small print she’s holding below for my art collection. I love it so much!
JOJO KOBE is closed on Monday. It’s open 10am-6pm Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-5pm on Saturday, and 10am-3pm on Sunday.
Now let’s drive 30 minutes north to The Chiang Mai Erotic Garden and allow Katai, the playfully flirtatious hostess, to escort you through her dreamy garden. She sensually introduces you to her collection of erotic plants by gently caressing feathery red calliandra flowers against your skin, encouraging you to smell her fragrant English roses, and pointing out how nature is overtly sexual.
The garden is abundant with suggestive sculptures commissioned from local students handpicked by Katai, often catapulting these young artists towards a flourishing art career. As you frolic through her garden of delights, seduced by voluptuous curves and phallic innuendos, Katai will make you giggle with her stories. It’s no secret that her passion for eroticism is something she enjoys celebrating.
The Erotic Garden is closed Monday and Tuesday. It’s open 10am-4pm on other days of the week. The entrance fee is 300b which includes a drink and private tour.
This is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon in Chiang Mai. But if roadtrips and breathtaking views excite you, you can add this two-hour scenic drive through the Samoeng Forest.
Samoeng Loop Scenic Route
Start with coffee at Omnia Cafe and Roastery, walk to JOJO KOBE, drive to the erotic garden, then drive along the insanely picturesque Samoeng Loop. The road goes up and down and all around. Enjoy rice terraces, expansive views, farms, temples nestled on mountaintops, luscious greenery, and viewpoint stops for photo ops.
At the end of the drive, stop by Alchemy Vegan. Their food is outstanding, their fresh churros are fun to dip, but their cakes are the best vegan cakes I’ve ever had! So good in fact, that I don’t have any photos… even though I went back, just for cake. Oops.
The chef is a former chemist turned vegan alchemist. This is definitely one of my favorite vegan spots in Chiang Mai. Alchemy Vegan is open every day from 9am-8pm.
From here, you can walk to Wat Sri Suphan (the Silver Temple), one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai, built around 1500, which served as the main temple for the silver workers in the traditional silver-making village. The entire temple, inside and out, is covered in silver by local artisans. The intricate details are captivating, and the stories pounded into the temple walls are sure to lure you in a bit closer.
This rare and unique temple is a showstopper, even if women aren’t allowed inside due to traditional Lanna Laws. Women are free to walk the grounds but not to step foot inside the temple. It’s open every day from 8am-6pm and from 8am-11pm on Saturdays because of the Saturday Night Market on Wualai Walking Street.
Maps
Important notes: Do not do this art adventure on Monday (both places closed) or Tuesday (Erotic Garden is closed).
Ideas for the Samoeng Loop scenic route:
*If you’re taking the scenic route you could go the opposite way too, start with The Silver Temple, have breakfast at Alchemy Vegan, drive through the forest, then see art. Just start the scenic route option a little earlier in the day.
*Or If it’s a Saturday and you want to include the Saturday Night Market on Wualai Walking Street by the Silver Temple you could follow the map below and start around 1pm.
Enjoy!
