The Most Beautiful Destination , Chiang Mai , Thailand
The Old City – an attraction in itself – is located near Ping River and its proximity to the neighboring trading spots makes it important city. Encircled by jungle-clad mountains inhabited by indigenous communities, the “Rose of the North” serves up sacred temples, golden pagodas, and some of the country’s—if not the region’s—best cuisine, cooked fresh by street-side vendors. If you are willing to travel a little further afield, you will find that Chiang Mai is ringed with outstanding, unique places to see and things to do. Chiang Mai (meaning "new city" in Thai) was founded in 1296 as the new capital of Lan Na, succeeding the former capital, Chiang Rai. Chiang Mai is a city in mountainous northern Thailand. Popular tourist activity includes worshipping the Phra That Doi Suthep, experience the local and vibrant way of life and shop for stylish handmade products at Thapae Walking Street. Visit various species of plants at the Queen Sirikit botanical garden and Rajapruek Royal Park. For more adrenalin rush just go for hiking the trails of Doi Inthanon National Park, and the rugged canyons of Pai.
Temples Inside the City Gates in Chiang Mai
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Wat Phan Tao:
This teak temple is one of my favorites and recently just opened about being renovated.
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Wat Pra Singh:
This is one of the most popular and crowded in town. It’s famous for Lion Buddha Image and golden chedis (a mound-like structure containing relics) with elephants.
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Wat Chedi Luang:
This is the second most popular and one of tallest structures in town. The brick chedi ruins dates to 1441 and features a few remaining elephant statues.
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Wat Chiang Man:
This is the oldest in town and known for elephant chedi from 1297. It is one of the best for photography.
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Wat Saen Muang Ma Luang (Wat Hua Khuang):
This small and slightly hidden temple is down a small road near north gate of the city. It is also stunning for photographs.
Temples Outside the Chiang Mai City Gates
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Wat Lok Molee:
This temple is one of one of city’s older temples. It is just outside of the north gate to the old city. It is popular during the lantern festival and always has cool decorations.
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Wat Sri Suphan:
The silver temple is just south of city walls. It is stunning except for the fact that women cannot go inside the main temple.
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Wat Buppharam and Wat Mahawan:
These are two of the three stunningly beautiful Burmese temples near Tha Phae Gate.
Temples in Driving Distance of Chiang Mai:
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Wat Doi Suthep:
This is the most important temple in Chiang Mai and home to a Buddha relic. It’s located on top of a mountain just outside of town. It is accessible by songthaew from the city or by foot via the Monk’s Trail.
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Wat Pha Lat:
This is a small monk temple on the way to Doi Suthep. It is accessible by car and foot.
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Wat Umong:
This cave temple is couple kilometers out of city and one of the most unique ones.
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Wat Phra That Doi Kham:
You can’t miss this big white buddha temple on hilltop.
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Wat Suan Dok:
This temple is in the Nimman area and known for the photogenic white stupas/chedis. They offer one-day and multi-day mediation retreats that I totally recommend and regular monk chats!
Other popular places:
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Grand Canyon:
This former limestone quarry carved out of red clay soil is a stunning place to relax and swim. It’s broken into three separate sections and two appear to be commercial – one water park on the far left of the canyon and a smaller water park in the center. Both have inflatable obstacle courses, cliff jumping and bamboo rafts for floating.
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Sticky Waterfall (Bua Thong):
This waterfall is one of my favorites and never crowded! It is a multi-tiered waterfall made of limestone and mineral deposits. The rocks are easy to walk on without slipping, hence, the name “sticky waterfalls.” It is fed by a natural spring that is connected to the parking lot by a path. There is a series of ropes and wooden railings, a recent addition this year to assist with climbing. Entry is currently free. It a 90-minute drive from town so a tour, motorbike, rental car, or Grab (ride share app) is your best option.
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Monk’s Trail:
This hiking trail leads up to the city’s most famous temple – Doi Suthep and passes a smaller temple Wat Pha Lat. The first portion of the trail is easy but after the first temple, it gets steep. You can take a songthaew down after the end of the hike. Depending on your fitness level, it can take roughly 90 minutes one-way.
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Meditation Retreat:
Wat Suan Dok offers weekly meditation retreats ranging from a one-day retreat on Monday and Fridays; weekly two-day retreats Tuesday to Wednesday and monthly four-day retreats. The one-day retreats are free but donations are appreciated.
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Monk Chat:
Wat Suan Dok offer chats on weekdays from 5-7 p.m. and Wat Chedi Luang in the old city offers it weekdays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Both are organized by Wat Suan Dok’s Buddhist university
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Elephant Sanctuarie:
While there is no shortage of elephant activities around Chiang Mai, be mindful to only book with ethical companies that do not allow riding. Most day trips will include walks (not riding), feeding and bathing them. Some friends just booked a tour with elephant national park and raved about it.
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Doi Inthanon National Park:
This national park is home to Thailand’s tallest peak at 8,415 feet! It’s also filled with hiking trails and waterfalls. It’s popular with cyclists as well. It’s located 70 kilometers from Chiang Mai, but there’s no public transport unfortunately
How to reach Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has international airport connected to major cities of neighboring countries like China, India, Myanmar, Indonesia etc. The easiest way to reach Chiang Mai from India is to take a connecting flight via Bangkok. There are many Indian cities like Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Mumbai having flights to Bangkok. The shortest flight is from Chennai
Once you are in Chiang Mai you can take any of the following to get around the nearby places all of them are quite cheap and safe:
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Songthaew
Songthaew (Red Taxi or Red Truck) is the most common and preferred mode of local transportation in Chiang Mai. Riding a songthaew is the perfect way to meet local Thais. Its very easy to find them either day or night and the fare are also reasonable
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Taxi
There are air-conditioned Taxi in Chiang Mai but their numbers are small and it is not easy to wave down. These taxis do not cruise the streets – they are waiting at the airport, railway station, bus station, malls, and hotels. It is a good idea if you ask your hotel to arrange for the taxi as that would be reliable and safe. Most tourist take taxi from airport to their hotels.
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UBER and GRAB (ride-sharing app) in Chiang Mai
Mobile ride-sharing app, UBER and GRAB is probably the most convenient way (for public transport) to travel around Chiang Mai. In fact, the fare is often cheaper than a regular taxi service.
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Tuk Tuk
Everyone knows about Thailand’s tuk-tuk – they are quick, they go everywhere, and depending on your bargaining skill, they are inexpensive. Tuk-tuk is, after songthaew, the second most common mode of transport in Chiang Mai.
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Samlor (Rickshaw)
Samlor, literally means “3 wheels” in Thai, is mainly used by tourists taking a casual spin around the old city or some die-hard vendors using them to shuttle their wares to the markets. They can be found around Warorot Market by the river
From Chiang Mai to nearby cities or islands:
The fastest way to get from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is to fly which takes 3h 5m and costs $26 - $100. There a direct bus or train between Chiang Mai and Bangkok and it will take around 10 to 14 hrs.
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Chiang Mai to Phuket
There are several ways to go depending upon time and money you have. Flight takes around 3 hrs while other modes of transportation take more than 20 hrs.
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Chiang Mai to Koh Chang
Flight and Ferry: The most convenient way is to fly from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok and then catch a flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat Airport (TDX), which is the nearest airport to Koh Chang. From Trat, you can take a minivan and ferry to Koh Chang.
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Chiang Mai to Koh Samui
Bus and Ferry: You can take a bus or train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and then catch a flight or take another bus to Surat Thani, the closest town to Koh Samui on the mainland. You can take a one-hour bus and ferry to Koh Samui from there. This option is one of the cheapest and most popular routes.
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Chiang mai to Krabi
There is direct flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi which takes around 1 hr 35 min. you may also drive or take train but of course it will take over 18 hrs
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Chiang Mai to Phi Phi
There is no direct connection from Chiang Mai to Ko Phi Phi. However, you can take the bus to Chiang Mai International Airport, walk to Chiang Mai (CNX) airport, fly to Krabi (KBV), walk to Krabi Airport, take the bus to Krabi, walk to Kong Ka Pier, Krabi, then take the ferry to Phi Phi - Ton Sai.
