Northern Thailand truly stand for culture, tradition and heritage of ethnic Thailand, one can be immersed in the beauty of naturally beautiful waterfalls, hot water springs or caves. Everything about northern Thailand is pure bliss and gateway to this amazing part of the world is Chiang Mai. Here is my experience of spending some quality time in Chinag Mai and things to do there.
I was traveling to Thailand with a bag full of high expectations, I had my own doubts if it will live upto it. Starting from Northern Thailand, plan was to travel all the way till south. When a city like Chiang Mai welcomes you, you feel special. I was pleased to be a part of this culturally rich gateway to Northern Thailand.
A canal runs through the heart of the city and people here are welcoming literally sharing their city with everyone who wants to be part of it. It is mixed bag of culture where in people from western countries marry Thai women and support them as a family. Mostly older men come here in search of Thai brides and would peacefully live off their left out life time
Chiang Mai is the gateway to northern Thailand, people from all over the world come here to explore the real Thailand. It is also the starting destination of many road trips like Mae Hong Son Loop and Golden Triangle loop. Almost every northern Thailand destination is a fortnight away from Chiang Mai for a round trip. Trips can be planned depending on the available time at hand. Chiang Mai itself easily demands 2 days to explore properly. Ever so vibrant night markets keeps you occupied while you feast on some delicious Thai dishes
Things to do in Chiang Mai :
- Chiang Mai Temples - Temples of Chiang Mai are supposed to be the most beautiful in the entire northern Thailand. Whiel you are here advice is to spend some quality temple visiting few major temples in the city.
- Doi Suthep Chiang Mai : Doi Suthep is a hill offering view of Chaing Mai city, it also has a temple Wat Phra which is considered to be sacred to many Thai. Sit back and relax in the serenity of Doi Suthep. If you are interested in camping overnight in Chaing Mai then Doi Suthep is the place for all you back packers.
- Sunday Walking Street Market : Central Chiang Mai turns into a shopping and foodies hub literally transforming almost every street to a market. From handicrafts to clothing, from exquisite Thai snacks to traditional Thai dishes everything on display is just an amazing testimony to rich Thai culture and tradition.
- Saturday Walking Street Market : Not as huge as Sunday walking street market, Saturday night market introduces you to what Thailand has to offer. This is mostly food related stalls which involves almost every type . Spend some time just exploring the sed food on offer here. You get everything here starting from Squids to Quail.
- Street Performances : As I earlier said Chiang Mai is a land of ex pats, once you are here you get to experience the unique arts from across the world, along with traditional Thai dance performances. One of the best ways to spend your evenings here.
- Talk to the Monks - Take some time off to share few thoughts with Buddhist monks, while you are at Doi Suthep or even at Temples of Chiang Mai. This will open up a whole new side of you regarding various matters from across the wide shades of life.
Most people come to Chiang Mai on a very relaxed vacation, stay there for weeks together. It always worth spending your precious time and money in the gentle warmth of Thai culture and sink in the tradition of this great city.
These are the few basic things one can do here in Chiang Mai, I am sure you wont be disappointed with your visit to northern Thailand, infact I always suggest northern Thailand over Bangkok like tourism cities of Thailand.
All the images are of my own and each images is watermarked to avoid plagiarism of my work
You may also find this experience on my Personal Blog
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It's very interesting reading posts of people visiting Thailand, compared to people living in Thailand .
I have lived here approximately 8/9 years.- been coming since the mid 90's
I used to have beach resort in the south, then lived pattaya, now in the north. (never been to chang mai, funnily enough)
As a european, coming when there was no real back packer culture, as there is today, the difference - the sheer impact -of tourism has had, on this country, is quite profound.
Not good or bad, as such, just how different a country it has become.
(good and bad)
Thank you for sharing a real life transition experience, well I am sure be it then or now the country has been warm and welcoming.. That is something which makes it stand out....I would love to go there anyday..just coz I can lay back and relax... as u said tourism has changed the country a lot but I personally feel there are two types of tourists good and bad... Northern Chiang Mai has relatively good tourists...
I used to feel that way about tourism - god and bad - I don't so much anymore.
Tourism (for the population , it is about money coming into the country - ultimately)
Which is the best tourist? -
The guy in pattaya, blowing 500,000 baht on bar girls, over month (and hence all the money going directly to the poor families out of the cities -(you how it works, right?)
OR
A hippy, spending 30,000 to street vendors and hostels, in the cities?
If tourism is about the influx of revenue, - morally dubious as it sounds (moral authority being a product of luxury, and decadence in the west, of course).
Which is the best tourist?
That's one of the kind things, I find talking to 'the tourist' and the farang who live here. It's very interesting, the perceptions.
one of the attractions in thailand I think accessories custom clothing, sparkling like everything is made of gold. On the other I am also still curious about the typical lady boy thailand, especially in pataya.
just calm down I'm still a normal guy, just curious just wanted to see and hold them.
hahaha, I am sure you have you hands full to EXPLORE tahiland once you go there, but all tis is a part of Bangkok or Pattaya.... Not sure if you get these at best in Chiang Mai
I do not really understand Chiang Mai, it sounds very interesting.
my shadow there may be more viscous culture, visible from the photos you display
lady boys range from drop dead stunning, to the opposite.
Just be careful of your wallet, if you invite a girl back to your room...seriously.
Especially in pattaya/bangkok
lol.. exactly.... BE CAREFUL!!!
Thailand has such great buildings and just an all around unique look. Love it!!
Yes every building there is an architecture marvel, I loved it too
Thailand is my one of the most favourite country in the world!!.. Thanks for showing the beauty & speciality of thailand!..Nice Post
Hey pleasure is all mine, its my fav destination too.. been there thrice
Niceee
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Nice one
Great pictures! Thailand has so much beauty.
It does indeed
looks so beautiful here, it will be a awesome trip there. Im sure you have fun there. Thank you for sharing @rideofpassion
What the hell!!! Why r u copying comments??? If you repeat this i ll flag you!!