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Chiang Mai is one of the biggest cities in the North of Thailand and I?m lucky enough to have recently returned from there. I visited Thailand for a fortnight as a break from a trip to Singapore visiting relatives, and although I?ve been to Thailand before, this was my first trip to the North and to Chiang Mai.
I had spent 2 days in Pattaya before we set off on the journey up to Chiang Mai, that took a 2 hour trip to Bangkok and then a 16 hour coach ride to take us to Chiang Mai itself. To be perfectly honest, I was dreading this and would have then preferred to spend some more time in Pattaya but it proved worthwhile! Part of me was also quite looking forward to this leg of the trip too as I?d been told that Chiang Mai was a nice quiet retreat after spending time in the bustling atmosphere of Bangkok and Pattaya.
My first ...
Advantages: good food, nice nature Disadvantages: -
I am the one who like Chiang Mai, there are good food, good atmosphere, good sceneries, and good nature. I paid more for the accomodation to stay in the resort, out of the city in order to get close to the nature, I didn't feel sorry at all.
I had rent the bikecycle to go around the city and outside the city because it was so convenient. I certainly visited Pra-That-Doi-Suthep temple which is located on the top of the mountain. It was not easy for me to reach the temple, there were hundreds of steps that I had to climb up, anyway who don't want to experience these steps, there are also cable cars provided. Eventually, I reached the temple, I did not feel disappointed with my attempt. I looked down from the temple to the Chiang Mai landscape.
For the night life, there are bars and shops to spend some money. A famous one is Night ...
Advantages: Little pollution, friendly people, opportunities to explore the countryside Disadvantages: Not a big nightlife if you like that sort of thing, for some people a limited range of things to do.
people where ever you go. Depending on your interests, you may actually find that after a few days that you have done all you want because it is a relatively small town but don?t let that sway you. Its still well worth going no matter what interests you have.
There is the usual heat but the air is much cleaner than Bangkok so you don?t notice it as much.
Update - Oct 2002. I managed to pay a quick visit to Chiang Mai coming back from Chiang Rai. The city centre is now as developed as almost every other tourist destination in Thailand and there seems to be even more souvenir shops round the night market area. All the usual suspect shops are now here including Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut and so on. It seems the price of progress is uniformity. It has spoiled the atmosphere of the centre somewhat as it is more more ...
