Back to School

If spending time in monasteries makes you wonder about the lives of the monks, or if you find yourself so enthralled by delicious dishes that you want to learn how to prepare them, you're in luck. Chiang Mai has hundreds of schools offering classes in anything from aromatherapy to Zen Buddhism. Alternative medicine, cooking, and massage are the most popular courses, but by no means the most exotic. In three weeks at the Thailand's Elephant Conservation Center near Lampang you can train to become a fully qualified mahout.

Cooking: Chiang Mai has dozens of classes—some in the kitchens of guesthouses, others fully accredited schools—teaching the basics of Thai cuisine. Courses cost B800 to B1,000 a day. Among the best cooking classes is the Baan Thai Home Cooking Course (11 Ratchadamnoen Rd., Soi 5. 053/357339). Chiang Mai Cookery School (42/7 Moon Muang Rd. 053/206388. www.thaicookeryschool.com) is attached to one of the city's best Thai restaurants, The Wok. One of the city's most popular budget lodgings, Gap's House (4 Ratchadamnoen Rd., Soi 3. 053/278140), runs an excellent cooking school. A trek through the mountains usually involves eating simple meals cooked over an open fire. One Chiang Mai cooking course teaches how to prepare these simple, flavorful meals. The so-called "jungle course" is organized by Smile House (5 Rachamankha Rd., Soi 2. 053/208661) and costs about B800.

Dancing: Surprise your friends by learning the ancient art of Thai dancing at the Thai Dance Institute (53 Kohklong Rd., Nonghoy. 053/801375). A two-hour course teaching you a few of the graceful movements costs B900.

Jewelry: One- to five-day courses in jewelry making are offered at Nova Artlab (201 Tha Pae Rd. 053/273058. www.nova-collection.com). You can also study sculpture, leatherwork, painting, and photography—all for B1,100 a day.

Language: The American University Alumni (73 Ratchadamnoen Rd. 053/278407) has been around for more than 20 years. Charges vary according to the duration of the course and the number of pupils. Corner Stone International (178/233 Moo 7, Nhongkwai, Hang Dong. 053/430450) has both group and individual instruction.

Massage: Held at the Chiang Mai University Art Museum, the Thai Massage School (Nimmanhemin Rd. 053/907193. www.tmcschool.com) is authorized by the Thai Ministry of Education. Courses lasting two to five days cost B2,560 to B4,800. The Chetawan Thai Traditional Massage School (Opposite Rajabhat University, on Pracha Uthit Rd. 053/410360. www.watpomassage.com) is affiliated to Bangkok's famous Wat Po massage school. Courses cost B800 a day. The school has accommodation for female students.

Yoga: The Yogasala (48/1 Rachamankha Rd. 05/208452. www.cmyogasala.com) has a five-day yoga course that costs B1,500. The Yoga Center (65/1 Arak Rd. 061/927375) has five-day workshops costing B1,800. The 90-minute "open classes" on Tuesday, Thursday, and weekends cost B200.