Chiang Mai City Overview
Define Chiang Mai from a
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City Overview
Chiangmai (also spelt Chaing Mai) has a cooler and drier climate than most of the other cities in Thailand, due to its higher elevation. It is the country’s second city and is a great base from which to explore Northern Thailand. For the backpacker it is a particularly good spot because of the day and night markets where he or she can stock up on groceries and such like at good prices.
There is something for everybody in Chiangmai: for example: go absailing; visit the largest aquarim in Asia; go up in a hot air balloon; go bird watching, bungy jumping; learn how to cook thai food; play cricket; go cycling, elephant riding, fishing, flying, golfing, go-karting;visit hill-tribes; enjoy horse riding, karaoke, line-dancing, traditional thai massage; visit museums with collections of insects, hill-tribe artefacts and wax model displays of life 700 years ago when Chiangmai was first built; play pool or snooker; experience white water rafting; take a leisurely boat trip along the river; soak up the sun whilst relaxing at a swimming pool; play tennis; do some serious walking in the hills or take a leisurely stroll through the craft markets or the night bazaar; go sailing or water ski-ing on the lakes; visit the zoo, or zipline through rain forest.
Not to be missed are visits to some of the city's 300+ temples. No trip to Chiangmai is complete without visiting the temple at the top of Doi Suthep - the highest point of the mountain range sheltering the city. From here you can visit the Royal Phuping Palace (pronounced pooh-ping) and walk through beautiful landscaped gardens, when members of the Royal Family are not in residence.
Other temples which are well worth seeing are Wat U-mong (behind Chiangmai University) and Wat Pra Singh (within the city walls).
There are numerous markets. The most famous are the Night Bazaar at the centre of the city and the Walking Street market which opens on Sunday afternoons until late evening. As its name suggests, Walking Street is closed to traffic on Sundays and hundreds of stalls are set up offering a range of handicraft goods, paintings, clothes and food.
The most popular guesthouses, bars and restuarantor tourists are in the vicinity of Thapae Gate (ask for praa-too tah-pear). A less touristy end of town is centred around Nimmanhemin Road which has more up-market bars and restaurants, very popular with local university students/staff and long term expats. If you prefer to meet more Thais than foreigners trying to avoid foreigners, then find a guesthouse (there are several) in this area of the city.
If you prefer a less crowded place to stay, but still close enough for exploring the city then find a place to stay off the outer ring road.
Daily Budget
This must be a backpacker’s paradise where US$16 – 20 a day covers meals and accommodation, and US$31 a day provides a good hotel, good grub, and a good time for all.
There is something for everybody in Chiangmai: for example: go absailing; visit the largest aquarim in Asia; go up in a hot air balloon; go bird watching, bungy jumping; learn how to cook thai food; play cricket; go cycling, elephant riding, fishing, flying, golfing, go-karting;visit hill-tribes; enjoy horse riding, karaoke, line-dancing, traditional thai massage; visit museums with collections of insects, hill-tribe artefacts and wax model displays of life 700 years ago when Chiangmai was first built; play pool or snooker; experience white water rafting; take a leisurely boat trip along the river; soak up the sun whilst relaxing at a swimming pool; play tennis; do some serious walking in the hills or take a leisurely stroll through the craft markets or the night bazaar; go sailing or water ski-ing on the lakes; visit the zoo, or zipline through rain forest.
Not to be missed are visits to some of the city's 300+ temples. No trip to Chiangmai is complete without visiting the temple at the top of Doi Suthep - the highest point of the mountain range sheltering the city. From here you can visit the Royal Phuping Palace (pronounced pooh-ping) and walk through beautiful landscaped gardens, when members of the Royal Family are not in residence.
Other temples which are well worth seeing are Wat U-mong (behind Chiangmai University) and Wat Pra Singh (within the city walls).
There are numerous markets. The most famous are the Night Bazaar at the centre of the city and the Walking Street market which opens on Sunday afternoons until late evening. As its name suggests, Walking Street is closed to traffic on Sundays and hundreds of stalls are set up offering a range of handicraft goods, paintings, clothes and food.
The most popular guesthouses, bars and restuarantor tourists are in the vicinity of Thapae Gate (ask for praa-too tah-pear). A less touristy end of town is centred around Nimmanhemin Road which has more up-market bars and restaurants, very popular with local university students/staff and long term expats. If you prefer to meet more Thais than foreigners trying to avoid foreigners, then find a guesthouse (there are several) in this area of the city.
If you prefer a less crowded place to stay, but still close enough for exploring the city then find a place to stay off the outer ring road.
Daily Budget
This must be a backpacker’s paradise where US$16 – 20 a day covers meals and accommodation, and US$31 a day provides a good hotel, good grub, and a good time for all.
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