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Chiang Mai
Gem Of Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai is the largest city in the northern Thai region and a major cultural part of the country. Historically, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Lanna after the capital was moved from Chiang Rai in 1296 AD. In fact, the city’s name means ‘New City’ signifying its status as the new capital of the Lanna Kings. Compared to other metropolitan areas in Thailand, the city is still quite unspoiled, making it a favourite with tourists. At the same time, it has enough options in terms of activities and nightlife.
As a cultural hub of the northern area, Chiang Mai is charming with its old walled city, which has over 30 temples located inside. The moat around the city was built for protection against the threat of Burmese invasion. Besides this, one of the
best attractions
that the city has to offer is the temple of Wat Doi Suthep, which is located on the mountainside, offering a spectacular view of the entire city from up above.
Tourists also come to the city to escape from the concrete of other Thai cities. Chiang Mai is more laid back than other tourist centres such as Bangkok and Pattaya. With mountains nearby, there is a lot of greenery, including forests and national parks. The hills also present the opportunity to see the centuries old traditions of some of the Thai hill tribes. In addition, the city’s location on the banks of the Mae Ping River provides opportunities for activities such as cruises and other water based activities. One of the best ways to take in the views of the city is on a boat cruise on the Ping River.
There are several tours
that can be taken through the province to experience the best of what it has to offer. These include elephant trekking, white water rafting on the Mae Taeng River, canopy adventures through the rainforests and more cultural itineraries such as visiting temples, the villages of the hill tribes, or the Golden Triangle where the Thai borders meet Laos and Burma. The city also has several museums that are worth seeing to learn about its history and culture.
The city also has good options for
entertainment and shopping.
From western style air conditioned shopping malls to night markets and promenades with shops selling local art and crafts, the city has many options for retail therapy. Chiang Mai is well known as a place for traditional crafts such as hand crafted statues, jewellery, furniture, parasols and embroidered textiles, among other things. The city also has
options for nightlife,
ranging from restaurants, theatre arts, and live music at pubs and bars. Although the city has its share of go go bars, they are not as over the top as the ones you would find in Bangkok’s Nana Plaza or Pattaya’s Walking Street. Most of these can be found on Loy Kroh Road.
While you are in Chiang Mai, you will be tempted to get a Thai massage. Fortunately, the prices are reasonable compared to other cities. If you have the time to spare, this should be on your list of
things to do in Chiang Mai.
You will find an abundance of massage parlours off the main streets where you can indulge your tired feet with a foot massage or try one of the more traditional rejuvenation therapies. This is also a great place to learn the art of Thai massage, and there are schools that have month long courses for tourists.
The city is a lovely place to be at when one of the
festivals in Thailand
is being celebrated as you will get to see traditional dances, floats and ceremonies. Loy Krathong is one of the most popular festivals among tourists visiting Chiang Mai, as the sight of the small banana leaf baskets with candles floating down the Ping River is memorable. In addition, during this time, Lanna traditions such as dances and krathong building ceremonies add to the festive atmosphere. The annual Flower Festival is another popular time to visit to see the myriad of colours.
The weather
in the province also makes it a popular destination among tourists and expats. While it is warm throughout the year, due to its location in the north on an elevated plain near the foothills, it is much cooler than other destinations on the plains in the southern Thai provinces. There is a significant difference between day and night temperatures, especially during the dry season. The coolest that Chiang Mai gets is from December to February, when night temperatures can drop as low as 17°C.
In terms of accommodation, the city has options to meet every traveller’s budget. The unique aspect of hotels in Chiang Mai is that you get to choose between staying in the heart of the city, by the riverside or on the mountains. Whichever option you choose, there are
some great hotels
that you can consider. In general, compared to other tourist centres in the country, accommodation in the city is reasonably priced. This does not mean that hotels are of a lower standard. There are
good budget hotels,
lodges, guest houses as well as luxury resorts. One of the best places that you can stay, in a beautiful location in the heart of the city as well as on the riverfront is the Chedi Chiang Mai,
get more information about the Chedi Hotel here.
If you are planning a trip to this city and are looking for information on
how to get to Chiang Mai,
there are several daily flights from Bangkok. The city is also connected by direct flights from other cities in the Southeast Asian region, which land at Chiang Mai International Airport. Buses and trains connect to Bangkok, with one way journeys taking between 12 and 15 hours. Once in the city, it is easy to get around by bus, songthaew or tuk tuks. In fact, many of the sights in the walled city can be covered on foot with a
tourist map
in hand.
A combination of factors, including weather, culture, history, natural beauty and entertainment options makes Chiang Mai one of the popular places that tourists like to visit. Whether you are interested in seeing temples, national parks or culture and traditions, a trip to this beautiful city will make you realise that it lives up to the reputation of being the gem of northern Thailand.
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