Attractions in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the tourist hub of northern Thailand, the ‘Rose of the North’ as the locals like to call it. Not only a good launching point for excursions in the northern region (Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle, Mae Hong Son, Lampang), Chiang Mai is a city with an atmosphere of its own, far from the ever-moving Bangkok life. Attractions in Chiang Mai are numerous from beautiful and mysterious temples, to markets and shopping areas, trekking and delicious cuisine.
The major highlights of Chiang Mai are its temples, with more than 300 temples in and around the city walls and moats. The most famous is Wat Doi Suthep, located at about 20kms from the city centre, on Doi Suthep Mountain. Come here on a sunny morning and you will be astonished by the site’s beauty and the view of Chiang Mai.
Outside the city walls other temples to be visited are: Wat Suan Dok on Suthep road with its golden chedi, Wat Jet Yod and its seven spires, and Wat U Mong on Canal road with its underground tunnels and quiet lake. Within the city walls many temples are worth a visit, among them Wat Chiang Man. You may also choose to visit Wat Phra Singh, one of the most auspicious, and the nearby Wat Chedi Luang, with its towering ruined pagoda and Wat Pan Thao, made entirely of teak.. Go temple-hopping on a Sunday afternoon and finish your day by strolling along Ratchadamnoen street and enjoying the artsy and colourful atmosphere of the Sunday Market (starting at 17:00).
That leads us to the second main activity in Chiang Mai: shopping. The city has two big shopping centres, Kad Suan Kaew (on Huay Kaew road) and Airport Plaza (near the airport). Both malls have top-brand clothing shops, restaurants and branches of Robinson’s department store. But shopping is at its best in Chiang Mai’s markets. But the most famous is the craftsman village of Baan Tawai in nearby Hang Dong, considered an Asian centre for handicrafts.
If you like walking, Chiang Mai’s Old Town is ideal for exploring, with its narrow ancient lanes and well preserved environment. There are four ancient bastions and five gates, along with the 700 year old moat keeping the city safe. Enjoy the popular street atmosphere by walking to Thapae Gate between food stalls, small temples and spices. After reaching Thapae Gate, keep walking along Thapae road, and get to the liveliest market of Chiang Mai: Warorot Day Market (Gad Luang), adjacent to Lam Yai Market. Here you will find fabrics, silk, bags, clothes, flowers and food, but the most rewarding aspect for the tourist is the glimpse into Thai daily life.
The most famous market is the Night Bazaar, situated between big hotels and nearby guesthouses. Here you will find all of what Chiang Mai has to offer, from the best to the worse. In the surrounding area you will find many places to eat and have a drink in the evening, and also around Thapae Gate. Whether you are looking for yummy Thai food or delicious international cuisine, you will find it.
Near Chiang Mai in the Mae Sa Valley (North of the city) is an adventurers playground. The valley is charming and welcomes trekking lovers, and you’ll be impressed by Mae Sa mui-tiered falls and the botanical gardens. Many agencies downtown organise one-day (or more) trips to the valley, with bamboo rafting, elephant riding and visits to hill tribe villages. In Mae Sa Valley you will be able to attend elephant shows, especially at Mae Sa Elephant Camp, which also hosts a nursery, and even monkey and snake shows. For those dreading reptiles, orchid and butterfly farms are a better option. East of Chiang Mai people enjoy going to the umbrella village of Bo Sang and to the silk manufacturing centre of San Kampaeng.
Southeast of Chiang Mai are the vestiges of the original Chiang Mai city: Wiang Kun Kam. It is not an abandoned place, with many inhabitants living around here, and it hosts some beautiful temples, especially Wat Chedi Liem. Children and couples love the quaint horse-drawn carriages that take you around the site for a small fee.
With a good map, Chiang Mai has lots to offer to the visitor. Blending the old and the new, this ancient city is bursting with quaint attractions to suit all ages and tastes. The hard thing will be deciding which attractions to leave out! Aside from the attractions is simple a charming city to relax in, as you decide which of the many restaurants to eat in or where to get a pampering afternoon spa treatment. Certainly it’s much cheaper than other Thailand tourist centres, and several fun courses and activities are on offer, from cooking schools to mountain biking day trips, whitewater rafting and even canopy zip line tours.
