Chiang Mai
Many people come to Thailand and visit Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui or Phuket. They use Bangkok as a springboard for a wonderful beach holiday in the south of Thailand down by the Andaman Sea. This is understandable as you will be guaranteed to get some of Asia's best beach life in the southern part of Thailand. However, missing out Chiang Mai is something that you do not want to do.
Chiang Mai, a city surrounded by a ring of mountains, has seven hundred years of fascinating history, which adds to the charm of the place. You will find that the people of the north have a much gentler and charming manner about them. They are truly different to people in central Thailand. Chiang Mai has its own very distinctive culture, arts, festivals, and traditions. In the not too distant past, Chiang Mai was voted one of the top locations to live in Asia. This is in some part due to it being successful in combining its modern and cosmopolitan approach with the more traditional old charm that the city has managed to preserve so well.
When you visit Chiang Mai you will find that it has a great mix of local, ethnic and expatriate communities all of which goes to make it a very interesting and enjoyable city to visit. Chiang Mai is truly different from Bangkok and your visit is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Places to visit in Chiang Mai
- Visit the Flight of the Gibbons. As the website says, you will never have done anything like this before or again. A great experience that will truly have you talking about it long into the night as you relax in your hotel with a nice Scottish malt whisky!
- Ask a local travel agent to organise a Rafting trip. Chiang Mai province has an abundance of good rivers and locations where you can enjoy a moment of adventure on a bamboo or rubber raft. With lush forests and some spectular mountain scenery, your sure to have a wonderful time.
- Do something healthy and visit one of Chiang Mai's numerous wellness centres and spas. You can take advantage of the many treatments on offer which include the world famous Thai massage. If you come to Thailand and do not have a Thai massage then you really are missing out on one of life's simple pleasures.
- Go Trekking into the mountainous areas. Trekking in Chiang Mai is popular with locals and tourists alike. Unlike central Thailand, which has largely flat and dull landscapes, Chiang Mai offers you some spectacular backdrops, majestic forests and engaging hills as well as some great flora that includes orchids. Check out the Doi Inthanon National Park, Huay Nam Dang National Park, Chiang Dao National Park as these are probably the most popular amongst trekkers'. A local travel agent will be able to get booked on a trekking excursion.
- Have a night out in Baan Kab Doi (59/3 Moo 1 Irrigation Canal Rd), a typical Thai style pub on the Irrigation Canal Road. Here you can live like a local with a night of beer, whisky and tasty spicy Thai food. Regular live music adds to the evening's pleasure.
- Mingle with young Thai professionals at Fine Thanks (119 Nimmanhaemin Road). This bizarrely named Chiang Mai pub is usually packed. Weekends are a good time to visit when the place is rocking with live music, occasionally supplied by famous Thai bands. A quirky side to this bar is the scantily clad waitresses in huge platform boots, serving you with drinks and good food. This bar is open in the evening from 5.30pm - 1am.
- Explore the old city of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai was originally set within a fortified wall and moat, with four main gates into the city. Founded by King Mengrai in 1296, the old city is still marked out by the moat and wall. Whilst the moat is original, the wall and gates have been heavily restored in the last 200 years. The old city is a great place to spend an evening, with the night market and good bars and restaurants for you to explore.
- Get on your bicycle or grab a tour of Wiang Kum Kam, an Ancient Underground City, which was rediscovered by archaeologists in 1984. Wiang Kum Kam, was one of many fortified cities built by King Mengrai during his reign in the north of Thailand. Some believe that the King lived here prior to establishing the city of Chiang Mai in 1296. The tour itself is quite interesting, especially the history of the clashes with Burma and the story of how the city was lost in flooding. However, what really makes this a good trip is the peaceful and relaxing beauty of the countryside.