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City Guide

CITY GUIDE

"I went to Phuket already, but would love to go to Chiang Mai one day."
                                                                                                         - Roger Federer

Flight of the Gibbons in the ancient forest Chiang Mai Zip line cargo nets ab seiling free lunch with entertainment
temple- wat Buddhist Chiang Mai Thailand North nagas stupas

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BIRTHDAY -

  • 1296

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POPULATION - 

  • 1,900,000

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AKA - 

  • The Rose of the North

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MEANING - 

  • New City

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RIVER - 

  • The Ping, which joins with the                                                                                   Wang, Nom and Nan rivers to form the                                                                    Chao Phraya which flows through Bangkok and out into the Gulf of Thailand.

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HISTORY - 

  • Founded in 1296 by King Megrai whose statue you can see around town as one of the 3 kings, it was the capital of the independent northern Kingdom of Lan Na Thai until 1558.

  • The Burmese took over and ruled for 200 years.

  • In 1775 the Thais took control again and in 1800 built the inner city wall which makes the town so attractive today.

  • The railway line reached Chiang Mai in 1921.

  • In 1927 Rama Vll became the first Thai king to visit.

  • In 1933 it officially became part of Thailand (which had changed its' name from Siam the year before).

  • By the 1960's tourists started to discover the place.

  • Tourism took off in the 90's  and with the arrival of local boy Thaksin Shinawatra as Prime Minister big plans were mooted for hotels and highways. Now he's gone the town is being punished with early closing times among other things.

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BEST TIME TO GO - 

  • November (For Loi Krathong and Yee Peng concurrent Festivals) to February is the best weather but unfortunately the burning season runs from January to March and makes Chiang Mai's air quality one of the poorest in the world.

  • Probably the best time is October to December.

  • April, May are okay but remember it can get quite hot during the day

  • June to October is the monsoon season and it can get a little wet at times.

  • But really any time of year is alright except for when it's smoky.

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FLIGHTS -

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  • Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) - the old cheap airline hub has direct flights to 74 cities in 16 countries and has cheap flights to Chiang Mai. All in Asia and usually cheap carriers. There is a free shuttle between the Bangkok airports which takes an hour or two depending on traffic.

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BOOKINGS -

  • In normal times you shouldn't need any

  • In festival times everything should be booked well in advance to avoid disappointment

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NAVIGATING -

  • Before you go download Maps.me and all the maps you'll need plus Google Maps and download the offline maps

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VISA - Click here for information

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TOP 10 - In No Order

  1. The Old Town

  2. Doi Suthep

  3. Flight of the Gibbon (zipline)

  4. Cooking schools

  5. Night Safari

  6. San Khampaeng Rd Handicrafts

  7. Night Market

  8. Khantoke Dinner

  9. Chiang Mai Grand Canyon

  10. Loi Kroh (Bar Street)

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FUN FACT - 

  • Elephants aren't allowed in the city -

  • if you see one it has sneaked in!

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AIRPORT TRANSFER - Chiang Mai

International Airport (CNX) 5km​

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Flight of the Gibbons

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Once you have paid for your tickets get some travel insurance to cover yourself

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SAFETY -

  • Usual precautions apply but generally very safe

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STAY - 

  • Most hotels are available on Booking.com unless otherwise stated. It's best to get bookings with free cancellation and pay on site when you get there. Hotels chosen are usually 3*** or 4 or 5 if they are good value. They are chosen firstly for their location, value for money, positive testimonials regarding cleanliness and service and features like rooftop terraces and great views. 

  • Chiang Mai has a huge choice of Guest Houses and Hotels in all price ranges. Pick what area you want to stay in and go from there.

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FOOD - 

  • Khao Soi (Chiang Mai laksa)

  • Sai Oua (CM sausage)

  • Khantoke (CM dinner and cultural show), 

  • Nam Prik Ong/Nam Prik Nume (Red/Green Chilli Dip),

  • Gaeng Hanglay (Burmese pork curry),

  • Miang Kham (zesty little amuse-bouches),

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NIGHTLIFE - 

  • Chiang Mai has one of the biggest and best Night Markets around. It has plenty of drinking spots dotted around it.

  • Along the river are a string of restaurants that have live music.

  • The street heading back from here to the Old Town is full of bars and is called Loi Kroh.

  • There are bars and clubs spread out around the old town.

  • Near the University is an ares called Nimmanhaemin which is also full of bars and clubs, a little more up market.

  • And that is only a small part of the city covered, but probably the part you will be going to.

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SIDETRIPS - 

  • #1 - Mae Ngat Dam and Mae Rim / #2 - The Handicraft Highway and San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

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COSTS - 

  • Chiang Mai is still pretty cheap and good value for money. Plenty of good value and cheap accommodation, food and entertainment.

  • Some things like Flight of the Gibbons will blow the budget big time.

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GETTING AROUND - 

  • Walking is good around the Old Town and down to the river and back.

  • Tuk Tuks and Songthaews ("2 benches" in the back of a ute with a high roof) are plentiful and cheap. Tuk Tuks good for something not too far out of town. Songthaews are good value for longer trips like golf

  • Rent a motorbike, very cheap and you can go anywhere

  • There are taxis and Uber 

  • Rent a bicycle, good for the city

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MUST DO - 

  • Women's Prison Massage

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SHOPPING - 

  • The huge every night Night Bazaar

  • Talat Warorot (market)

  • Sunday Walking Street

  • Saturday night Walking Street 

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Chiang Mai Tours 2

Go to Chiang Mai Tours 1

CM2
Meet Chiang Mai
CNX Stay

     MEET CHIANG MAI 11N            

2024-02-23 09_25_21-Namtok Bua Tong-Nam Phu Chet Si National Park to San Kamphaeng Hot Spr
temple-
flower Lotus

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    HIGHLIGHTS - eating, shopping, relaxing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chiang Mai 7N - Mae Ngat Floating Houses 1N - Mae Rim 1N - San Kamphaeng 2N = 11N​

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  • Make your own days and nights up as you feel like it. It will mention if other places of interest are nearby so you don't double up. Break up the stay by heading off for the 2 x 2 night side trips in amongst your Chiang Mai time. Something like Chiang Mai 3N - Mae Ngat Dam / Mae Rim /  2N - Chiang  Mai 3N - San Kamphaeng 2N - Chiang Mai 1N

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  • To get to the out of town attractions you can rent a scooter / motorbike or charter a tuk tuk or songthaew. They will drop you off and come back later and pick you up. Don't pay the ferryman until he gets you to the other side.

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  • To do the side trips hire a motorbike / scooter or car. There are plenty of rental places around and they are quite cheap. Just remember to mention and photograph any damages before you take off.

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  Chiang Mai - 7N

 

STAY

  • Chiang Mai has a lot of accommodation options from cheap guest houses to 5***** hotels and resorts and everything in between. All of them are close to cafes, restaurants and bars. You are never far from food or alcohol in Thailand. Pick out something you like. It's hard to go wrong as most places are good value.

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  • Tha Pae Gate - area - Good all rounder in between the old town and the river.

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  • Loi Kroh - Bar Street - Good location if you like a tipple. 

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Chiang Mai Artist Hill Tribe Burmese Long Neck women caricatures etchings

Photo by Adli Wahid on Unsplash

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Map of different areas in Chiang Mai Nimmanhaemin Old City Tha Pahae Gate Riverside Loi Kroh Road Night Bazaar

EAT

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  • Late Night - Roti Carts (scattered around) - Won ton and red pork noodle soup south west of the Tha Pae Gate - The Cowboy Hat Lady (Braised Pork and Rice opposite the North Gate) - Jok Sompet (24 hours with Basil chicken) - Zoe in Yellow (Backpackers hangout with burgers, kebabs and Mexican) - 7-11's (look closely and you'll be surprised - the sushi is pretty good) 

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DO - In Town

  • Walking tours - free plus tips

  • Segway tour - a great way to get around

  • Cooking School - take some knowledge home for a souvenir

  • Massage at the Women's Prison - go there, make your booking, then have lunch at Intawarotot Food Street (see food) and go back and have your massage. It's not actually in the prison but across the road. The women are prisoners though and this is giving them some pocket money and some training for when they get out. There are a number of copy cat places that have sprung up nearby with ex-women prisoners.

  • Scorpion Boat cruise - see the Ping River

  • Sunday Market - shopping and eating bonanza

  • Temple tour - self guided and free

  • Monk Chats - tips for happiness

  • Get a traditional bamboo tattoo - from a monk

  • Yoga - massage the inner you

  • Hire a motorbike or scooter and ride the Samoeng Loop - Around 100 km

  • Take a Muay Thai class - Thai Boxing

  • Chiang Mai Night Safari - the largest nocturnal zoo in the world

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DO - Out of Town

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DRINK

SIDE TRIP #1 - Mae Ngat Floating Houses 1N & Mae Rim 1N

  • Leave your main packs at the hotel and just travel with your day packs. Rent a motorbike / scooter / car and head north to Namtok Bua Tong "The Sticky Waterfall". Take your bathers. It will take an hour or so to get there. The falls are "sticky" and easy to climb. Also there is a temple, a 7 coloured spring water pool plus a restaurant with meals and refreshments for lunch.

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  • From here head up to the Mae Ngat Dam Floating Houses where you will spend the night. There are a few places like this scattered around Thailand and they are great fun. You can swim, kayak, float around on inner tubs and go fishing. Or enjoy a few drinks enjoying your relaxing view. Just pick one you like and you shouldn't have any problems getting a room. Try to avoid weekends and public holidays.

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  • It'll will take an hour or two to get to your next place and you have a choice of 3***, 4**** or 5***** accommodation. The all have pools, great views and are about half an hour away from each other. A couple of days at each would be good.

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  1. Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort ***** - hilly with stunning views - 2 Swimming pools, Spa & Wellness Centre, Cafe, Restaurant, Bar

  2. Sukantara Cascade Resort and Spa **** - hot tub by the waterfall - Swimming pool, Spa & Wellness Centre, Cafe, Restaurant, Bar, peacocks

  3. Hmong Hilltribe Lodge*** - BBQ night and Akha dancing - Swimming pool, Restaurant, Bar

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  • You'll probably want to spend a lot of your time enjoying the resort. There are a few other attractions around that aren't too far away. Mae Rim has turned into a bit of an action centre with many adrenalin inducing activities. There is the Pongkwao Hotsprings and the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden as well. You could go to Mae Rim on the way through, the way home or both.​​​

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Map of Chiang Mai side trip to Bua Tong sticky waterfalls Mae Ngat Somboon Chon dam floating houses X centre Mae Rim Pong Kwao hot springs

SIDE TRIP #2 - San Kamphaeng 2N (Week days are best)

  • Leave your main packs at the hotel and just travel with your day packs. Rent a motorbike / scooter / car and head east on the Handicrafts Highway aka Hwy 1006. Along the way you will find markets, silverware, lacquerware, ceramics, pottery, jewellery, umbrella painting, silk, wood carving, carved wood furniture, an art gallery, cotton, paper and other fascinating places all along the way. It is fascinating to watch these artisans at work and some of the prices are incredibly cheap for the amount of labour involved. They are quite happy to ship items of ANY size back home for you. It is a great way to spend the day.

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Map of side trip to San Kamphaeng Doi Saket hot spring The Giant Mae Kampong Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Resort Handicraft highway Muang On Cave

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  1. Stay at or near Sippa Hotspring Resort ** - Free parking, swimming pool, restaurant, free bikes, lounge, garden, Spa and Wellness Centre - hot spring bath and Jacuzzi, free breakfast, BBQ

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Map of the Handicraft Highway Chiang Mai elephant museum Laquerware Bo Sang Umbrella Village Sa Paper farm Cotton Chic gems Gallery Wood furniture carving Silverware Baan celadon

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Mae Ngat & Mae Rim
San Kamphaeng
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