5 best things to do in

CHIANG MAI

Chiang Mai

ABOUT

My top favorite destination, Chiang mai. A traditional and contemporary city, unique for architecture

food and craft like ceramic and wood craving, also famous for the local thai massage

and biscuits courses.

Chiang Mai has a good energy that you can breathe in the air, a guy once told me in Ayutthaya.

I met many backpackers on the way were they described Chiang Mai as a city where you would stay forever.

I was really curious and excited about it.

Well, they were right...Chiang Mai stole my heart.

We are in the absolute North of Thailand, 700 km from Bangkok,

at the bottom of the Himalaya Mountains

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"The walled city" as the city has a fortification used in the past to protect the city from enemies attack.

Which is still well maintained, and that make Chiang Mai split in the Old City , inside the walls, and the New City.

The Phae Gate, in the picture above, is the East entrance to the Old City and is part of the wall that surround the area,

historically was the Main Gate were monks and diplomats were going through to get into Chiang Mai.

Now days is a tourist attraction where around the area there's bars, cafè, restaurant and massage parlours.

In the map down here you can see that the Old City is basically all around inside the square colored in blue, and the The Phae Gate is marked by

a red line on the right side on the Thaphee Rd.

5 best things to do in Chiang Mai

From Bangkok through all

the ruins along the country.

Here we are in Chiang Mai where of course there are temples to visit and not only.

Chiang Mai offer a lot of outdoor activity, that's why at this time i mixed my staying in Chiang Mai Between temples and history with

outdoor excursions by the nature.

Here my Top 5 best things to do in Chiang Mai:

1. Wat Chedi Luang

Inside "the walls" of the city there are many Temples, but Wat Chedi Luang is the most important one as it was the home

of the Emerald Buddha and is the one i most like it.

Is a massive Buddhist Pagoda where on important Buddhist Holidays is the place where all the worshippers convene for

the candles evening procession.

The temple is located on Phra Pokklao Road, is not hard to find it as it's one of the tallest structure in the Old city.

For nearly a century, the Chedi, housed what is considered

the most sacred object in Thailand,

the legendary Emerald Buddha.

The Emerald Buddha Is now in Bangkok, located at Wat Phra Kaew, inside the walls of the King Palace that unfortunately, as i mentioned

in the Bangkok article, i couldn't visit it as the King died a week before my trip.

So if you are in Bangkok, definitely is a must see.

On the temple grounds you’ll also find two Viharns (sanctuaries or prayer halls), and a smaller building where you’ll find a reclining Buddha, not big as Wat Pho in Bangkok, and another building containing the city pillar, Sao Inthakin, believed by locals that protect the city.

Daily Monk chats

Happen at Wat Chedi Luang between 9.00 and 18.00.

Monks waiting on the north side of the temple.

Chats are usually with younger monks and the conversations

are a win-win: Monks get to practice their English

and you get to find out more about Thai culture and Buddhism.

2. Wat Pra That Doi Sutep

Opening hours: 6.00 to 20.00

Entry fee:50 THB (1, 30 €)

There’s a saying in Chiang Mai: “

If you haven’t seen Doi Suthep,

you haven’t been to Chiang Mai".

Let's start saying first Doi Sutep is the mountain's name that housed the Wat Pra That Doi Sutep Temple hooping in Thailand requires fatigue, as the large number of them, and after the first week of wander they start to look all same.

Personally my idea was about to go around the nature that the mountain had to offer, but all the guys at the hostel were saying:

"You must have to go and see with your eyes, is breathless".

Well Wat Pra That Doi Sutep is the one i liked it most.

Definitely Doi Sutep is a must visit spot.

Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains, and Doi Suthep Pui National Park is one of the closest mountains from the city center.

If you are considering visiting Doi Suthep, and of course you are, half day would be enough as it only takes 30 mins to get to the mountain

from the city.

How to get at Doi Sutep

Out of the Old City, driving on the west side of Chian Mai Wat Phra That Doi sutep, one of the most important temple of the city,

is marked by the seven-headed serpent statues that line the stairs to the temple where is located the beuatiful golden Pagoda,

and that's is the way to go up to the temple.

To go up to the Doi Suthep Temple, you need to climb up 300 steps staircase.

The climb can be tough for for some people but trust me, you wont regret once you have reached the top. Every single steps are worth.

Once you pass those staircases, you will see this majestic

Golden Pagoda that you will never see elsewhere.

The beauty of the Wat Phra That Doi Sutep

is something more than made up for it.

I was there around ten in the morning and the place was already packed with tourists, as one of the major destination, but it didn’t matter.

Tip: You aren’t allowed to have any footwear at the temple so bring socks if you don’t want to go barefoot.

Also, before you go down, be sure to go to the viewpoint of the temple and capture the panoramic view of Chiang Mai.

To get at Doi Sutep i went by scooter, as usual,

it was a pleasure drive on that road between the trees .

Other vise you can use public transport. Go to the area near the North Gate Pratu Chang Phueak, where the food stalls set up at night.

You’ll see a few of these red songthaews parked there.

It costs 50 THB (1,30 €) each way and it takes less than an hour to get to and from Doi Suthep.

On the mountain's road you will appreciate and enjoy

the nature over there, is like driving in a rain forest.

There are waterfall and some spot with amazing view.

3. Grand Canyon Chiang Mai

Unlike the Grand Canyon in USA, what you will see at the end

of the cliffs at the Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai

is not a view of valleys, but a body of water.

I went there with a couple of guys that i met around Chiang Mai, once we got there it was kinda scary to me see peoples jump from

that high cliff.

I used to jump form cliffs when i was a kid, but you know, when you are a seven years old boy you might jump from a one meter heigh

and seems like fifty meters :)

Well it take a while but i took courage and i jumped.

We had lot of fun!

The Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai

is a perfect spot for an afternoon of fun.

Less then a hour from the city, where you can swim and jump from the cliff with three different levels, for expert and less confident.

At the entrance there's a big sign saying "ticket no refundable" as some people, once reached the top of the cliff, might change idea and

find out the Grand Canyon is not fun anymore, like me ahahha even if i jumped at the end.

Of course jumping from the cliff is the main attraction that bring over many tourist, but also is a beautiful spot for relax in the sun,

meeting other travelers and enjoy the amazing view of the Grand Canyon, so don't worry if you change your mind once you

are there and you don't want jump anymore because it's still a spot which worth it the visit.

Opening hours :8 am to 6 pm

Entry fee: 50 THB (1,30 €) including a ice herbal tea

4. Doi Inthanon Park

When I first saw pictures of those twin Chedis on a mountain, my first thought was:

"Doesn't matter how or when. I will get there".

Here i am at "the roof of Thailand", the highest mountain of the country, which is the end point of the Himalaian mountain.

The mountain offer amazing green forest, spectacular hiking trails and waterfalls but the breathless scenario are the two Pagoda

Phra Mahthat Naphamethanidon and Nophamethanidon situated at the highest point of the mountain, 2565 mt over the sea level.

How to get there

Doi Inthanon is Located 100 km southwest from The Old City,

it take at least two hours drive,

or more, to reach the top of the mountain.

Here the story: Instead of join a tour operator, which i don't really fancy as i want to be free during my excursions, i thought as i already rented a scooter on my arrive in Chiang Mai "let's go by scooter, it will be all right".

Me and another guy drove a 100 cc scooter from Chiang Mai reaching the top of the mountain where the two Chedis are in more then

three hours and a half!

It was amazing i'm not saying it wasn't, but such a long and tiring journey, seat on a scooter for all that time.

Strongly recommend to rent a car or join a tour operator, unless you do have a big cilindrate motorbike.

Opening hours: 5.00 to 18.00

Entry fee: 300 THB (8 €) plus 30 THB (0,80€) for cars or scooters

50 BHT (1,05 €) admission to each Stupas.

Visting the Doi Inthanon Park

After 2 hours and a half driving, almost three, we reached the begin of the mountain where the Doi Inthanon National Park start.

Once we got into the park, the first thing i felt it was the refreshing air of the rainforest and noise of waterfalls.

At our first stop we were at the bottom of the waterfall where the water were jumping into the river.

Keeping driving along the top of the mountain the second stop we made was at the Wachirathan Waterfall. A nature power spot,

where the water is pushed to an incredible strength. Get closer to the waterfall to cool off from the heat.

This is also a great spot to rest for a minute and if you are in need of water and/or food there are few food stalls.

And here we are, after the waterfall, at the King and Queen Pagodas, the most recognizable landmarks of Doi Inthanon National Park where the scenario is something i've ever seen before.

The pagodas are best appreciated from the Royal Gardens, where you are able to fit both of them into the same picture, as you can see

at the first picture of this article.

Admission to the pagodas are not included in the Park's - THB 40 (1,05 €) each Pagoda.

The Pagodas are facing each other, surrounded by spectacular gardens and views

that are probably the most breathtaking

in the whole Thailand.

Definitely an experience on the must to do list. Walking through the clouds around the gardens and the two Pagodas, where everything is

in a perfect harmony, is something you wont experience elsewhere.

Literally you will seat on the top of Thailand.

best time to go

Bring appropriate clothes to wear

at least once you at the top.

I guess every time of the year would be nice.

I've been there around the end of October (almost winter time).

Remember that at the top of the park, where the two Pagodas are, we are at 2565 mt over the sea level. Of course we didn't consider that

as we even didn't think about we were going on a mountain. Who can imagine to use a jacket in Thailand !? Shame on us.

Of course at the begin of the Park temperature were high but once we started go higher and higher it was getting colder, i mean really cold.

We were freezing wearing just t-shirt and short pants. People were look at us like "hum!?" O.o

Shame on us...

To bring with you

Definitely warm clothes as mentioned before. If you drive a motorbike, as us, take a jacket and gloves. If you are going on a tour or own car then

a light jumper and long trousers should be fine.

As all excursions a bottle of water is always a good idea, i wouldn't say bring food with you as you can find few small restaurant on the way like

at the Wachirathan waterfall.

Take cash with you. There are no ATMs in the park.

It is quite hard to get petrol in Doi Inthanon. Since the road is quite steep, the engine requires some effort especially if you drive a scooter 100 cc like i did, shame on me again.

We almost runned out petrol risking to be in the middle of the road on foot. Buy a bottle or two in the town before the entrance of

Doi Inthanon Park.

5. The Sunday Market and night Bazaar

01-chiang-mai-sunday-night-market-tour-r

The Sunday Market or walking street is a large market located in the centre of the Old City of Chiang Mai, starting from The Phae Gate extend for 1 km down the Ratchadamnoen road.

If your visit in Chang Mai it includes Sunday,

well, this market is a must do!

Many of the stall vendors make and sell they're own products and the quality is amazing.

If you looking for unique goods or a present to bring home this is the right place.

Around the market there's a lot of cafè and restaurant where you can have a good meal or a drink while enjoying a step out from the crowd.

The Night Bazaar is a massive market which is really hard define where it start and where it end, the good way to check the whole things is

to start from Tha Phae road and walk in south direction to Loi Khro, one you reach the end of the market cross the road and walk back from the other side.

At the night Bazaar you can find whatever you can think, DVD, football t-shirt, shoes, handcraft, souvenirs etc.

The best goods here are clothes

handmade by local taylor.

Sunday Market

Open every Sunday from 16.00 but it get alive when the sun goes down around 18.30

Night Bazar

Open every night from 18.00 to 23.00