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Chiang Mai - pre-travel post
Chiang Mai is the hub of the North, and Thailands' 5th largest city. We will be spending the best part of two weeks here, to stay for Christmas and New Years. It will be a warm Christmas with temperatures around the high 20s in December. Until the 1920's it was very remote and could only be reached by a long river journey or elephant trek. In the remnants of Chiang Mai's City walls are over 30 temples of many styles and eras all of which are beatifully decorated. The most famous being Wat Phrathat Doi, located on a mountainside 13km away. The city's night life centres around Loi Kroh Road, near the Ping river where there also plenty of hostels. Hostel prices range from 125 to 340THB, most of the cheaper places can be found in the old city.On a Sunday night Ratchadamneon Road hosts a walking street market from Tha Phae Gate to Wat Phra Singh.
On a clear day, from the city you can see a large gold plated Chedi. This is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, sitting at an elevation of 1073m. The site was selected by an elephant whom, once reaching the site, trumpeted, circled 3 times, knelt down and died. So it only seemed logical to the people in 1383 to put a temple here, naturally. It is a hard climb up the 300 stairs to the statue, but you can opt to take the tram for 20THB. Admission is 30THB. You can reach the stairs via local bus or songthaew for 50THB though you may have to wait to make it full. There are also pools and waterfalls at the foot of Doi Suthep on Huay Kaew Road.Further along the road there is a hill tribe that is quite touristy but you can buy a few crafted items.We may also pay a visit to the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural centre, which tells you all about Thai culture and history. It is very modernised and tours are presented in English. Entry is 90THB. It is open from 8.30 to 17.00 but is closed on Mondays, and located in the centre of the old city on Prapokklao Road.
The Unversity of Chiang Mai also has an art museum on the corner of Suthep and Nimmanhaemin Road. The exhibitions are by undergraduate artists, but are to a very high standard. The artwork can be viewed for free from 9.00-17.00. (Closed Mondays).
If you're more into bugs though, visit the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders on Srimankalajarn Road. It features Asias most unusual collection of butterflies Beatles and more and costs 200THB to enter. It is open every day 9.00-17.00.
Another item we'd like to tick off in Chiang Mai is seeing elephants. we have found two recommended ones that are supposedly truly caring towards the elephants. The cheapest of these is Baanchang Elephant Park on Rachadamnern Road. The other is Eddy Elephant Care Chiang Mai, located on Sripoom Road where the owner, Eddy, takes cares of his 7 orphaned elephants through the generations. They will also take you for rides in the jungle, but with a 2300THB price tag for the day including lunch and transportation.
There are many hilltribes surrounding Chiang Mai, and treks can be organised to visit them. Usually the harder the trek, the more authentic the tribe will be. There will be plenty of tourist guides available in the city to plan a 2 or 3 day hike.
The national sport of Thailand is Mai Thai Boxing, and there are three stadiums and Chaing Mai where you can watch a match;
Kalare Boxing Stadium - behind the night bazzaar, 4-600THB
Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium - on the Loi Kroh Road, flyers usually up around the city, 4-600THB
Tha Phae Boxing Stadium - Moon Muang Road, near Tha Phae Gate - here you can gamble on the fights.
Chiang also offers tonnes of fun outdoor activites at many places in town, There is;
Mountain Biking
Rafting
Zorbing
Ziplining
Minigolf
The national sport of Thailand is Mai Thai Boxing, and there are three stadiums and Chaing Mai where you can watch a match;
Kalare Boxing Stadium - behind the night bazzaar, 4-600THB
Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium - on the Loi Kroh Road, flyers usually up around the city, 4-600THB
Tha Phae Boxing Stadium - Moon Muang Road, near Tha Phae Gate - here you can gamble on the fights.
Chiang also offers tonnes of fun outdoor activites at many places in town, There is;
Mountain Biking
Rafting
Zorbing
Ziplining
Minigolf
We are going to spending Christmas in Chiang Mai, so I've googled a bit about that. What I've found is they dont really celebrate Christmas, as expected, but there are Christmas decorations out. Also a lot of hotels charge for and evening meal whether you want to attend or not, and its pricey at 3000THB, so best stick with a hostel for Christmas. If you're really dying for a bit of western food, head to The Dukes on Loi Kroh Road.
We are also spending New Years here, where thousands of lanterns are sent off into the sky (pictured above).
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