Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai light festival. Photo Credit to JaeWalk

Popularly known as the 'Rose of the North', Chiang Mai is a city built on the rots of a traditional heritage that dig deep into the soil of time. It's a city with a beautiful cultural personality of its own. In addition, it's been blessed with much majestic beauty in nature. Now considered the cultural center of the North, and it is the second largest metropolis in the country, next to Bangkok.

Photo Credit to J Catlett

There are few options to get to Chiang Mai.

• By car

a: From Bangkok, drive on Highway No.1 (Phahonyonthing) to Highway No.32 passing the provinces of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, and Nakhon Sawn, then take Highway No.117 to Phitsanulok and drive on to Highway No.11 to Lampang, Lamphun and Chiang Mai. This route is 695 kilometers long.

b: From Bangkok, drive to Nakhon Swan and then take Highway No.1 passing Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Lampang and Chiang Mai. This route is 696 kilometers.

• By Bus (From Bangkok)
There are ordinary, second class and first class air-conditioned buses leaving for Chiang Mai daily from 8am to 9pm from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal). For more updates regarding the bus terminal, call 02 936 3600, 02 936 2852 or 02 937 8055. Private buses can be conveniently booked in tourist oriented places in Bangkok are also available. However, the public buses from the Northern Bus Terminal are generally more reliable. It takes approximately 10-12 hours, depending on traffic.

• By Train
Express and rapid trains operated by the State Railways of Thailand leave for Chiang Mai from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station 6 times a day from 8am to 10pm. The trip takes about 11-12 hours for express trains. For more information, please call 1690, or 02 223 7010, 02 223 7020. Chiang Mai Railway Station contact number: (053) 242 094, 244 795, 247 462 and 245 3634.

• By Air
Domestic airlines including Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Nok Air, Orient Thai Airlines, Air Andaman and Phuket Air operate several flights daily between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

As Chiang Mai is one of Thailand's most famous destination, there are all kinds of accommodations to cater for everyone.

• Hotels in Chiang Mai
There are categories of hotels in Chiang Mai such as;-

The Chedi Hotel, Chiang Mai. Photo Credit to DanielKHC

i. First Class Hotel/ Boutique Hotel
Room rates are from 1600 baht above per night. Rooms are air-conditioned, private bath, dining outlets and swimming pool.

ii. Tourist Class Hotel
Room rates start from 800 baht to 1200 baht above per night. Rooms are air-conditioned/fan-cooled, private bath/shower, dining outlets and swimming pools.

iii. Family Class Hotel
Room rates are from 450 baht to 1000 baht above per night. The room comes with basic air-condition. The higher the raters the better the standard will be.

• Guesthouse in Chiang Mai
Rates for each room starts from 350 baht to 500 baht per night. The room ranges from spartan to average comfortable type. Most rooms have private bath and fan cooled. Some are with air-cond.

• Resort in Chiang Mai
Most resort are located outside the City of Chiang Mai especially in the area of Mae Rim, Chaiprakarn and Hang Dong District. There are also a few resorts located at District of Mae Tang, Chiang Dao, Chom Tong, Hod, Sameong, Mae Chaem, Mae On, Doi Saket and Sarapee.

Standard to 5 stars resort are available here. For the Standard Resort, rates aer from 450 baht to 1800 per night. Executive unit to 5 stars resort could range from 2000 baht to 50 000 baht per unit/night.

• Serviced Apartment/ Condominium in Chiang Mai
Rates are from 600 baht to 6500 per night. Room range from spartan to average comfortable type. Most room comes with private bath and fan-cooled. Some are with air-conditioned.

Golden View at Mae Klang Luang, Chom Thong. Photo Credit to Nobythai

Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains "doi", waterfalls and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality which makes the visits more memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

This is the place where you'll find nature at it's best.

• Doi Ang Khang
Doi Ang Khang is on HIghway No.107 (Chiang Mai-Fang). Turn left in the intersection around KM 137 (at Mae Kha Market) and proceed to Doi Ang Khang for a slightly futher distance of 25 kilometers.

Doi Ang Khang is an exceptional and eye-catching natural attraction. It has spectacular scenery, invigorating mountain air, fresh cool climate as well as the general peace and quiet of the countryside. There are also guesthouses, an excellent small hotel and also not to mentioned other tourist amenities, so bird watching, mountain biking, trekking or just sitting and contemplating are all possible here.

Kid with long neck, part of the hill tribe.
Photo Credit to waynemethod

Some of it's attractions worth a visit or do would be the Royal Angkhang Station Project, mule riding, trekking, mountain biking, bird watching, cultural performances and experience the hill tribe culture (Muser, Palong, Thai Yai and Jean Hor).

Doi-Suthep-Pui Photo Credit to jmhouse

• Doi Suthep-Pui National Park (P.O Box 99, Mae Ping, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50001)
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is a great landscaped national park which covers an area of 262 sq. kilometers of Amphoe Mae Rim, Amphoe Hang Dong and Amphoe Muang. This park consists of verdant forests and mountain ranges.

Here, you'll be able to visit Phra Borommathat Doi Suithep temple, Phu Ping Ratchanivej palace, Phra Kru Ba Siwichai memorial and three other waterfalls at Huay Kaeo, Mon Thon Than and Mae Sa.

• Huai Nam Dang National Park
Huai Nam Dang National Park covers an area of 180 sq. kilometers of Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai and Amphoe Pai. It commands a breathtaking view of seas of mist, flower beds and Lisu tribal people. Points of interest are Doi Chang, Doi Kiu Rom, Pong Ron Hot Spring and Namtok Mae Yen.

For those who prefer to explore the city, Chiang Mai has many to keep your feet from standing still.

Chedi at Wiang Kum Kam. Photo Credit to Magical-world

• Wiang Kum Kam
Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient town founed by King Mengrai. The main historical remains are: Wat Chedi Liam, Wat Chang Kham and chedi's base at Wat Kum Kam-Wat Noi. Wiang Kum Kam is located on Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, about 3km from town in the area of Amphoe Saraphi.

Chiang Mai Art and Cultural Centre. Photo Credit to annt189

• Chiang Mai Art and Cultural Centre
Chiang Mai Art and Cultural Centre is located in the center of Chiang Mai city. This is the perfect place to learn Chiang Mai's history, tradition, culture, custom and lifestyle.

Opening Hours: 8am - 6pm, Thursday to Sunday.

• Buddhist Temples
To date, some 300 temples have been constructed in Chiang Mai as well as in it's outskirts. These temple display a mixture of architectural styles that reflect the varied heritage of northern Thailand.

Buddhist Temples in the city of Chiang Mai includes Wat Suan Dok, Wat Phar Sing, Wat Ching Man, Wat Chedit Luang, Wat Ku Thao, Wat Ched Yot and Wat U-Mong.

Not to forget, Chiang Mai is also capable to fulfill the outdoor type of people. Even if you're not one, there are some activities that is not to be missed.

Elephant riding. Photo Credit to akiko@flickr

• Elephant Riding
Natural is always good for relaxing. If serious and tired from working, try to visit natural place, especially enjoy riding elephant for natural sight-seeing. You will get the new feeling as a reward after your hard work.

• Trekking
A center for treks into the mountainous northern areas, especially home of hill tribes, Chiang Mai offers unique opportunities for the adventures. Lush hills and virgin forests are scenic backdrops that will make your trekking by foot or on elephant back truly memorable. The most popular trails are in Doi Inthanon National Park where over 300 bird species and a wide variety of orchids and other flowers can be seen.

Exotic birds only for your eyes. Photo Credit to perizen

• Bird Watching
Endowed with rich natural deposits, Chiang Mai has a lot to offer to bird lovers. Its forests, perfect wildlife sactuaries are good observation spots for bird watching activities. Among several popular places are Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep.

• Rafting
Chiang Mai also provides food opportunities for rafting using bamboo or rubber rafts, as there are lots of rivers and streams flowing throughout the province. Popular routes include Mae Kok, Mae Chaem and Mae Tuen rivers. All rivers flow through lush forests and hill tribe settlements.

• Mountain Biking
Chiang Dao provides some of the most spectacular trails in northern Thailand. Along it's many real off-road trails, visitors will enjoy the beautiful landscape as well as the scenes of peaceful small villages and ethnic hill tribes.

• Golfing
Chiang Mai boasts a large number of golf courses, most of which are surrounded by scenic green hills, valleys and forests.

Handmade umbrellas at Borsang Village in Chiang Mai. Photo Credit to pattpoom

Above all, Chiang Mai is quite simply, Thailand's major center for quality handicrafts. Visitors need to only enter the nearest city emporium or night market to purchase handicrafts. A major advantage of shopping in Chiang Mai is that the visitor may watch artisans working within the city and in several outlying villages, particularly along the Bo Sang-San Kamphaeng road where in genuine cottage industries, parasols, silk and cotton weaving, jewelry , wood carving, silverware, celadon and lacquerwre are manufactured. It is also among the most popular purchases.

In Chiang Mai, there are ample of restaurant scattered around. You can find good food in plain basic shop-houses asmuch as in elegant garden restaurants. Some of the better and more expensive restaurants are located in the major hotels. Enjoying food is also very much part of a night out in the city and several pubs serve good food. Food in small stalls are often better than the food served in the hotel restaurants.

Feast like a king at Lanna Khantoke. Photo Credit to kenandcharlotte

• Lanna Khantoke Dinner
In addition to providing accommodation services, the Diamond River Side hotel is pleased to welcome you to a dinner in the Northern Thai manner or "Lanna Khantoke". It is presented in a teak mansion of more than one hundred years old. This will truly be a memorable experience to anyone.

Address: Diamond River Side Hotel, 33/10 Charoenprated Road, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand.
Contact Number: (053) 270 080/85
Fax Number: (053) 271 482

Be inspired in Khum Khantoke. Photo Credit to P'J

• Khum Khantoke
An exquisite northern Thai house with it's beautiful Lanna setting surrounded by the rich assortment of creative traditions and exotic products of Lanna art and craft. Come and learn the unique experience of Lanna dining.

Address: 139 Moo 4, Nong Pakrung (behind Carrefour), Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand.
Contact Number: (053) 304 121
Opening Hours: 7pm - 10pm; daily. Read more...