CHIANG MAI: A TRAVEL GUIDE ON WHAT TO DO AND SEE
DISCOVERING NORTHERN THAILAND FROM CAFE HOPPING TO TREKKING INTO THE JUNGLE TO UNIQUE FOOD AND ANCIENT TEMPLE
Click here for the Bangkok guide
After a week spent in the chaotic and vibrant Bangkok is time for a change of view and lifestyle and escaping the humidity of the city, so my journey in Thailand continues in the north, in the second largest city of Thailand, in the much more chilled city of Chiang Mai. Surrounded by so much culture, with more than 300 temples, a lush jungle, one of the highest viewpoints in Thailand, some of the most beautiful and unique cafes, and some of the best massage spas; Chiang Mai has so much to offer for those who love adventure and nature or for those who want to spend their time between a relaxing massage or discovering the most trendy cafes.
There are several ways to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, you can visit 12go. Asia and choose between buses, trains, or planes. Personally, I chose to get there by plane, as it is the fastest and most comfortable way, I booked the plane a few days before departing, directly from Bangkok through Skyscanner, to find the best flight deal. Once you land at Chiang Mai Airport, you can book a Grab to take you to the accommodations that you booked.
I personally booked accommodation outside the walls of the old city, but a few minutes walk from it, in a much quieter place but still close to everything and I particularly loved my stay here as the room was as large as an apartment with a huge bed, I don't think I've ever slept so well, a very clean room with an industrial and minimalist design and many other little things that made my stay here great. I’ll put the link to my stay here.
But back to us, here is my one-week itinerary, which is more than enough to visit Chiang Mai, of the must things to do and see when in Chiang Mai:
Surrounded by lush jungle, many are the national parks not far from the city.
DOI SUTHEP:
like the national park of Doi Suthep where the famous temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is located an hour from the city. I chose to get there with a songthaew (here’s the link to my blog post and all the things that i wish i knew before visiting Thailand), they are red trucks, open on the sides used as collective taxis, and usually have written on the windshield or on the sides the destination. Just stop one of them on the street, tell them your destination, and agree on a price. I paid 200 bath round trip and the driver, even, waited for me to finish my visit to the temple which usually does not take more than an hour and 30 minutes. The cost of the ticket is 30 bath and to get to the actual entrance of the temple be prepared to face a staircase of about 300 steps, keep in mind to wear modest clothes and to have legs and shoulders covered. The temple consists of several small buildings and areas covered with statues, stupas, and many decorations. Behind the temple, there is a large terrace overlooking the jungle and showing a panoramic view of Chiang Mai, which is almost always shrouded in a veil of fog more or less thick.
DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK:
One of the main reasons for me to visit Chiang Mai was to visit the Doi Inthanon National Park, one of the highest points in Thailand, this is in fact the only place where temperatures can get below the 0. It is the perfect place for those who love nature, adventure, and hiking. You will be surrounded by powerful waterfalls, lush rice fields, imposing temples, hidden pagodas, and small villages inhabited by local tribes. The park is about an hour and 30 minutes from Chiang Mai, and although I'm personally not a fan of organized tours, this is the only way to get there and the best way to fully enjoy and visit the main and best points of the park and especially if you want to go into the jungle, having a guide is a must. Usually, the tours start early in the morning, and you will be picked up directly from your hotel. The one that I chose included two different types of trekking in the jungle, divided throughout the day, to discover 3 waterfalls; the visit to the two twin stupas with their beautiful and well-kept gardens, as well as the emblem of this park. The tour also included a lunch organized in a local restaurant and a visit with a tasting of teas and coffees, prepared in these mountains, in the Karen Pakakayor village, all accompanied by a guide ready to tell you curiosities and history of these places. Here’s the link to a tour of Doi Inthanon, but if you prefer a private one, click here.
Thailand made me rediscover my love for markets and Chiang Mai certainly does not disappoint, there are many markets from indoor to outdoor to night or weekend markets.
WARAROT MARKET:
Located near the night Bazaar it is both an outdoor and indoor market, here you can find fabrics, spices, and much more. It is usually more frequented by locals than tourists, which is why prices are cheaper.
NIGHT MARKET BAZAR:
It is a really big market whose stalls extend along an entire street and continue to spread among the several alleys, whether you are looking for souvenirs or delicious street food, this is the place. Get lost wandering around, but keep in mind that, unlike Wararot, this is a night market, so if you show up here before the sun goes down you will not find any trace of it. The only downside, if you can call it that, is that the food sold is quite similar among the various vendors, you can expect to find the same dish sold by at least five different vendors within walking distance.
SATURDAY NIGHT MARKET - WUA LAI ROAD:
It is not very big, but it was my favorite, especially if you are a foodie like me, here, you can find some of the most delicious and unique foods that I have not found anywhere else. So if you are looking for traditional, cheap, and delicious northern Thai food this is the place. Definitely must if you are in Chiang Mai on the weekend, and it is much cheaper than the night bazaar.
OLD CITY:
Chiang Mai is a city where the ancient and the modern coexist and one of the main attractions as well as the beating heart is the old city characterized by a moat with water and the 4 walls that delimit the perimeter. You can enter the old city from any of the 4 gates of the sides walls. The old city is perfectly walkable, and there are many things you can do and see. Get lost wandering around its streets, where every corner is ready to surprise you. It's the perfect place for food and souvenir markets, delicious restaurants, and temples whose admission is free like
WAT PAN TAO
whose architecture in solid dark wood is one of the first things that catch the eye besides the majestic tree in the center of the yard
WAT PHRA SINGH
a few minutes walk continuing past Wat Pan Tao, Wat Phra Singh is much bigger and more majestic with its richly decorated stupas and monuments. Here you can observe the monks during their daily activities as you stroll through this complex whose silence is only interrupted by the chants of Buddhist monks.
WHAT TO DO IN CHIANG MAI:
BOOK A TRADITIONAL THAI COOKING CLASS
Other than boutiques, temples, and restaurants, if you are a food lover, you can also book a Thai cooking class (link here). It would make a nice surprise for your guests and friends when you get back home with a delicious Thai recipe prepared by your own hands, it will surely make a great souvenir for yourself.
GET A THAI MASSAGE
Now if there is one thing that Thailand is known for, it is its massages, what better way, after strolling around the city, if not end the day with a nice massage.
While walking through the old city, I came across a spa, the Deep Sense, and after reading the good reviews online, I convinced myself that this was the best choice, maybe a little more expensive than others but definitely worth it as it is a real spa. I paid 500 bath for 60 minutes of traditional Thai massage. Once you go inside you will be greeted by smiles and relaxing music and you will already feel catapulted into another world; You will then be offered tea and sweets while you wait, then you will be given a relaxing foot scrub and finally, it will be time to change for your massage. It is definitely an experience to try, you will feel pampered from the moment you set foot and come out of it physically and mentally regenerated.
GO CAFE HOPPING
Another thing that not many people are aware of is that Chiang Mai is packed with cute and unique coffee shops. Chiang Mai, especially in recent years, has become more and more known for its coffee culture. A very nice thing to do while in Chiang Mai, is in fact, go coffee shop- hopping and searching for the most unique and beautiful cafes in Chiang Mai. My favorite was the Orb Cafe; Do not be afraid of going the wrong way, To get there I had to go through the suburbs, mechanics, and hardware store on the side of the road, nothing was to indicate that there could be a coffee shop nearby. But trust that once you arrive you will be catapulted into another world, you will feel like you have opened the door to a lush garden, nestled in the jungle but in the center of the city. The atmosphere is really relaxing and fairytale and the drinks and desserts served are delicious and topnotch.
