Royal Princess, Chiang Mai

Advantages: Less hectic than Bangkok, beautiful temples
Disadvantages: colder than the south

.... 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... Read review

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Advantages: Pollution free, Less poverty, friendlier people and better food
Disadvantages: Its a long old journey from Bangkok, will you have enough time

...My fiend and I went to Chiang Mai in March 2002. We had spent our first 3 days in Thailand, in Bangkok. We took the overnight train to Chiang Mai arriving early morning. The train journey however is a pleasant one, comfortable, air conditioned and waiter service. The young waiters will make sure you never run out of beer! Allthough I liked Bangkok, first impressions of Chiang Mai were being able to breathe fresh air! Also how much more modern it looked and there is a distinctly lesser look of poverty here. Probably the most distinct feature of Chiang Mai is its very old moat that surrounds the inner city, it was just being cleaned for the first time in years while we were there. I think the road system in Chiang Mai is easy and efficient. Less traffic than Bangkok! Any city in the world can claim that! The main part of inner Chiang... Read review

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Advantages: Very cool, nature-loving city; Night Bazaar
Disadvantages: limpet-like tribeswomen

...Chiang Mai is known as the Capitol of the North and is the biggest city in the north. Unlike Bangkok, Chiang Mai has trees and clean air, and the main areas are relatively uncrowded. There are many Wats (Buddhist temples) in the city, but the best one, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, is on a nearby mountain (Doi Suthep) a short songathaw ride away. You should see it just for the 300 step Naga staircase leading up to it. The view of Chiang Mai from the Wat is unmatched anywhere else in the city. The real action in Chiang Mai, however, is the Night Bazaar. It's shoulder to shoulder here, but you can get some of the best deals in the country here, especially on Northern crafts. The stall owners seem to start out asking at least double what the item is worth, so make sure your first offer is about half what they asked. Some items are even... Read review

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