- 2nd largest city in Thailand
- Established in 1292
- Surrounded by national parks & forests
- More than
300 temples
- 700km north of Bangkok
Chiang Mai is the northern capital of the Kingdom and still offers visitors a true experience of the traditional ways of life. Visit hill tribes still living without the luxuries of running water or electricity and see them working on their handicrafts, ready to be sold in the local markets in town. Chiang Mai city is a wonderful mix of old and new, with restaurants and hotels slowly being added within the old city walls, next to 300 year old temples. Elephant riding, rafting and trekking are popular activities in this area.
Famous for:
- Traditional hill-tribes
- Handicrafts – silver, silk,
wood carving, lacquer work, pottery, umbrella and paper-making
- Trekking – on
foot and on elephant
- Largest mountain in Thailand
Climate:
| Season |
Months |
Aveg Temp (Celsius) |
| Cool |
Oct - Feb |
21 |
| Hot |
March - May |
30 |
| Green |
June - Oct |
25.5 |
Getting There
- By Air – Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Orient Thai and Air Asia fly numerous times a day from Bangkok. The flight takes one hour and 10 minutes. Silk Air fly direct from Singapore to Chiang Mai 3 times per week.
- There is a new flight between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, operated by SGA Airlines.
- By Bus – Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok’s Northern Bus terminal (New Mo Chit stations, located in Chatuchak Park) regularly. The 10-hour trip from Bangkok is via two routes – through Nakhon Sawan or Ayutthaya.
- By Train – Sleeper trains are available on the northern route, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The route passes through Lop Buri, Phitsanulok, Den Chai and Lampang and takes between 11 and 13 hours.
Or rediscover the romance of rail and treat yourself by travelling to Chiang Mai from Bangkok on the Eastern & Oriental Express.
Here are some suggestions for great things to see and do in the ancient northern capital, Chiang Mai:
Elephant trekking – visit an elephant park, 50kms from Chiang Mai. Ride elephants, watch them paint, play soccer, basketball and move logs the way they used to when they worked in forests. Ride an ox-cart and then float downstream on a bamboo raft.
www.maesaelephantcamp.com
For more, click here |
 |
Temples – visit Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the city’s most famous and important temple. Built in 1383, 15 kms from town on the top of a mountain, this location offers spectacular views over Chiang Mai and the surrounding area.
There are 300 other temples in Chiang Mai, but this one is a must! |
 |
| Trekking in National Parks – visit Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand’s best-known park. Home to Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, standing 2,565 metres above sea level, this park has beautiful waterfalls,a lush evergreen forest-cover and lively wildlife. The Meo and Karen hill-tribes live within this forest. To get there, hire a car or motorbike or take a bus to Chum Thong and then a minibus to Park Headquarters. Many tour companies also include the park in their tours. |
 |
| Hill tribes – Meo, Lisu, Yao, Akha, Lawa and Karen hilltribes live throughout northern Thailand's mountains. Each tribe has distinctive ceremonial attire, courtship rituals, games, dances, agricultural customs, puberty rites, languages or dialects and hygienic habits. Treks can be overnight or up to 7 days. Remember to show respect for the tribe at all times – wear modest clothing, respect hill-tribe beliefs and customs, ask permission before taking photographs of people. |
 |
Thai Cooking Classes Do a Thai cooking class and later re-enact part of your holiday when you get home. Classes vary in intensity, style and length, from a few hours to a week-long course. Click here to find a short list of popular schools.
Highly recommended is Air's Thai Cooking School
www.airthaikitchen.com |
 |
| Local Handicrafts – Visit any of the local factories and see traditional methods of making handicrafts, including: Silk, Lacquer, Silverware, Paper & Umbrella making, Wood Carving, Basketry. Jump in a tuk-tuk and ask to visit these factories, or book yourself on an official tour with a local tour company. |
 |
| Shopping – Local shops and department stores are great value and are operational throughout the day. Once night falls, the streets are lined with market stalls, filled with clothes, food, gadgets and anything else you could possibly want – at a great price. The Night Bazaar (every Sunday) is a wonderful mix of traditional wares and modern goods. |
 |
Visit a spa - there are a number of wonderful spas in Chiang Mai. After hiking, shopping, visiting temples or elephant riding all day, treat yourself to a much-deserved massage, facial or body wrap!
Highly recommended is
Chiang Mai Oasis Spa
www.chiangmaioasis.com |
 |
|
|
