Chiang Mai (Thailand) > Reviews > Holidays up North

Although Chaing mai is known for trekking in the backpacker community there is so much more on offer. I usually visit when i want a break from the fast paced life in Bangkok. The city is the second largest in the los ( land of smiles) but it feels much smaller.
I like so many others think trekking through a jungle for 5 days is a bad way to spend some time, i prefer to either rent a motorbike or a car, unlike driving in Bangkok which is for the suicidal driving in and around Chaing mai isnt an unduly stressful experience. With prices ranging from 50 pounds stering for a good reliable harley or something similar for a week to about 100 sterling for a smallish jeep for the same period.
There are so many temples in around the area that you could spend a week just visiting these, of these the most notable is Doi Suthep which is about 10kms outside of Chaing Mai is is truly stunning.
You can also go on day excursions to surrounding villages made up of ethnic tribes including the karen and lissu tribes.
Also in a day you can make a trip to Chiang Rai and the golden triangle.
Costs for these excursions range from less than 10 pounds to about 35 pounds, depending on your mode of transport and level of comfort you want.
The night bazzar is a sight in itself for all you bargain hunters from fake Gucci to local pottery the market has it all.
For food you have so many options, as well as your standard Thai fare you also have some specialties of these my favourite is sticky rice with mango and condensed milk mmmmmmmmm.
You also have your maccy d's pizza hut etc.
Accomodation varies greatly in Chiang Mai from simple guesthouse ( share bathrooms no hot water) to the extremely oppulent prices also vary greatly ranging from a few pounds for a simple guesthouse to 50 or 60 for a five star establishment like the Royal Princess.
For those of you who love a vibrant nightlife, your places are somewhat limited, there are a few small clubs and expat pubs like the red lion, other than this unless you like being pawed by half naked women in some seedy nightclub you may be a bit dissapointed.
Travel to and from is all about personal preferance and budget.
I always use the train from Bangkok, the cost for this are about 8 to 10 pounds for second class air con, if you go this route make sure you get the lower bunk!!!! i know from experince the top bunk is very small, first class which is the way i normally travel is about 30 pounds for the whole cabin or 15 if you want to share with someone.
Flying is also and option and if you speak to a local agant in Bangkok it will cost about 40 to 50 pounds return. A good agent who i always use is based just out of the airport, second floor over the footbridge head for the train station and you will see her shop called pornpin travel.
The bus should only ever be consider if you are a real cheapskate, as the journey time is 12 to 13 hours in extreme discomfort with the possibility of having your possesions stolen.
Finally i think i have read somewhere that you can now get flight direct to Chiang Mai from the U.K but i maybe wrong.
Anyway enough for now i will be writing reviews for a few of the other parts of Thailand soon, if you have any questions feel free to contact me and i will see if i can answer them.