The city is full of culture, friendly locals, incredible food markets, dozens of beautiful temples, a relaxed vibe, and beautiful landscapes. Chiang Mai is the largest city in the north of Thailand and is quite different to the usual tourist hotspots such as Phuket and Pattaya. Travel Hub is an inbound tour operator and travel agency specializing in travel services in Thailand. Chiang Mai is home to numerous fantastic spas at various price points, all offering something slightly different. Welcome to Thailand Travel Hub's complete guide to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city. The Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre, whilst not having the most exciting name, is a huge and fascinating museum housing exhibits separated into time periods throughout the citys history. Also the guide Honey was one of the best we had during our whole trip to SE Asia and a big thankyou to driver John for negotiating the many miles of winding roads while driving in a very careful manner. There are several kilometres of class III/IV rapids on the Mae Taeng River with beautiful scenery and lush jungle, this is an experience not to be missed. They recommended us some good restaurants which also recommended by Ms. lovely Caroline of this forum. Less spicy than the cuisine from southern Thailand, and not as sweet as foods from the central region, food up here is predominantly salty, fragrant and bitter, but delicious and a nice change from the ubiquitous pad Thais and green curries. If youve never had a Thai massage before, then youre in for a treat. Chaing Mai Night Bazaar is the most famous market in Chiang Mai, and one of the top tourist attraction in the city. You will note that many of the soups and curries of the region do not use coconut milk, but instead consist of a clear broth heavily infused with local herbs and spices. Still a fully functioning temple, youll undoubtedly see large numbers of Thais worshipping at the temple and making offerings to the monks, particularly on Thai national holidays when the complex will be packed out. Confusingly, there are two places in Chiang Mai referred to as the Grand Canyon. Visible for miles around, the gleaming temple complex of Wat Doi Suthep sits atop a steep hill and is one of Thailands most important and culturally significant temples. Night Bazaar Area If you've come to Chiang Mai to fill your suitcases with bargains, then staying in the Night Bazaar area might be up your street. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Plus, a seemingly endless array of spa treatments are available in Chiang Mai, including manicures and pedicures, facials and reflexology, which can be combined with your choice of massage for a full afternoon of bliss without hurting your budget. Don Mueang appears to be more competitive and will be easier to get to if you are already in Bangkok city centre. Songtaews - Like in many Thai towns and cities, songtaews offer the best compromise between price and convenience, with most trips costing 20-30 baht ($0.66-$1). It's quite a long drive but the scenery along the way is spectacular, and there are plenty of places to stop for some refreshments and local cuisine. Taking an overnight VIP bus to Chiang Mai from Bangkok is probably the best option, the seats on the bus recline quite far back, so it is relatively comfortable and fairly easy to catch some sleep, plus you can save on not having to for a nights accommodation. Chiang Mai has a long and interesting history, being founded around 1294, and it eventually took over from Chiang Rai as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom (now northern Thailand). Just bring pounds, dollars or euros with you and youll be much better off. Chiang Mai has excellent quality street food - don't leave without trying a bowl of the famous Khao Soi. The tour was describing on the site that the elephant care day would be in mae Wang but when the guide arrived he had orders to go to mae taeng which was an another sanctuary we didn't know about. is a cultural hub renowned for its rich history, ancient temples, and vibrant markets. Warorot Market, in particular, has a bewildering array of goods at great prices, but be prepared to haggle for the best deal, especially if you are buying several items from the same vendor. You should be able to find a driver willing to turn his meter on eventually, or failing that you can negotiate a fair price in advance if you know roughly what the cost should be. With over a dozen modern shopping malls and scores of local markets, you will find clothing, bags, shoes, accessories, souvenirs as well as street food and tasty desserts. It's a great spot for a picnic and a spot of swimming in the cool and clear waters. However, most of the tours and activities offered in Chiang Mai are now listed listed on Get Your Guide and Viator, where can see customer reviews and experiences to give you an idea of what tours are best and what to expect before you make your booking. You can also check out customer reviews and experiences before you make your booking. Tuk-tuks - Tuk-tuks, like everywhere else in Thailand, are more expensive than even taxis with some drivers (particularly in the evenings) quoting silly prices. Chiang Mai is an International Airport, so you can also fly direct to Chiang Mai from many cities across Asia. TTH Recommendation: Travel agents and tour companies are plentiful in the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, offering some excellent tours and experiences. Have got no hesitation in recommending the company - very easy to deal with! If you want peace and quiet, these will not be the places for you, but if you're looking to meet some new friends and party every night, they could be just the ticket. Price From : 1,600 Baht 1,700 Baht A special Doi Inthanon tour will get you off the main tourist trail and deeper into Thailand's premier national park. His wife was our tour guide, (I forgot her Thai name) She's very nice lady. Youll see a lot of backpackers and younger travelers in the town, and youll find that many of the restaurants cater to foreign travelers so youll be able to find passable Western staples such as burgers, steaks and pizzas around the town, as well as local specialities such as the delicious Khao Soi. I visited a number of agencies in Chiang Mai as I wanted to book a very ethical day with the elephants. Second time we used the Travel Hub visiting Chiang Mai from Bangkok. Chiang Mai now offers visitors an amazing range of luxury hotels and cheap guest house accommodation for visitors. A multitude of cooking, massage, and language schools are available. Too bad. You can buy a combination ticket for 180 baht ($5.65) which gets you entry to three museums in the Old City; the Lanna Folklife Museum, the City Arts and Cultural Centre and the Chiang Mai Historical Centre. Its also possible to visit Pai as part of a guided tour from Chiang Mai, they will take you to most of the main attractions and usually have a 1-2 night stay in the town. The roads in Thailand are generally not well maintained and particularly some of the roads surrounding the city and going up to Doi Suthep can be steep and winding, particularly dangerous at night or during a monsoon downpour. There are plenty of food markets to choose from in Chiang Mai but we love the Warorot evening market where amongst the ambiance and fragrance of the stalls youll find dishes such as sai ua (a local lemongrass infused sausage) and kaeng khanun (jackfruit curry) amongst Thai favorites such as mu ping (pork skewers) and Tom yum. Search. Thai massage techniques are said to be thousands of years old and are believed to have healing properties, both physical and psychological. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Most tours and activities have a free cancellation policy as well, just in case your travel arrangements change. One things for sure, youll have a great time in Pai. Read more. While some clubs get special permission one way or another to stay open later, city ordinance states that bars shut down at 1 a.m. You cannot purchase alcohol from minimarts after midnight, and the sitting areas around the moat as well as the large square at Tapae Gate have been declared 'no alcohol zones' with heavy fines. A visit to Chiang Mai wouldn't be complete without learning how to cook some of these amazing dishes from northern Thailand. Once you arrive at the park, you will need to hire a bike, a car or go on a guided tour as the park is spread out and it would take too long to walk around. Last year in June We visited (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Check Transport To Chiang Mai and Book Tickets on 12Go Asia. The park is very serene and beautiful and is a great way to spend a day before heading back to the city. I wanted a private tour guide who would be willing to take me off the beaten path, as. Places To Go | Things To Do | Hotels & Resorts | Tours | Weather & When To Go | Getting There & Around | See & Do | Where To Stay | Day Trips & Excursions | Typical Costs | Money Saving Tips | Safety Tips | Recommended Resources | Transport | Travel Blog. A beautiful and much more laid back destination with lots of history and culture, and also a great place to escape from the chaos of Bangkok or the throngs of tourists on the beaches of Phuket and Samui. Thailand's "Rose of the North" is around 700 km north of the capital, with a slightly cooler and more bearable climate, and although there is no beach, it's a fantastic place to visit with loads to see and do. These cookies do not store any personal information. The most popular annual events in Chiang Mai are: What are the most popular areas in Chiang Mai? You will spend 2 days on the boat with an overnight stop in Chiang Kong and Pakbeng on the Mekong River. Many offer fully tailored packages for small groups if you have something specific in mind. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. They have a huge range of exciting activities, including a 50-metre bungee jump, indoor drift karting, off-road motorcycling and quad biking, paintballing and zorbing. This is when farmers and landowners in the north of Thailand burn their waste products, resulting in terrible air quality with a high number of particulates. Check out the whole list of annual events in Chiang Mai. Incidentally, Loy Krathong coincides with the Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai, when hundreds of thousands of lanterns or khom loy are released into the sky, creating a light show that resembles a gigantic constellation of lightly burning orange embers. The best hotel rates guaranteed at ibis Chiang Mai Nimman Journeyhub Chiang Mai. Thus, if you make three withdrawals during your holiday, you could lose almost $100 in fees alone. Book White Water Rafting With 8Adventures Here. Locals fondly refer to it as Walking Street, for obvious reasons. We are bonded and licensed by the Tourist Authority of Thailand and have offices in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. But just wanted to leave a review for the great advice and help The Travel Hub staff provided in choosing the trek. You will need a car or motorbike to explore the area as it's not so easy to find a bus or taxi and the area is fairly spread out. Wat Rong Khun is not the typical Buddhist temple. You will get a link to the form emailed to you once your tour has been completed (this is usually sent within . Auto (360p LQ) 10 Fun Things to do in Bangkok, Thailand , Mueang Chiang Mai Chaing Mai Night Bazaar is the most famous market in Chiang Mai, and one of the top tourist attraction in the city. Here is our detailed guide on what to do in Chiang Mai, along with recommendations on how to get there, where to stay, travel tips and booking information. Although in Chiang Mai youll be able to get a huge variety of foods, you must make sure that you try the local cuisine as northern Thai food is delicious, cheap and filling. Nightlife enthusiast staying at 3-star guesthouse or hotel, lots of drinking, entertainment and eating at restaurants: $100-$140 per day per person. Founded centuries ago, originally the city was the capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom, which then became part of the Kingdom of Siam in 1776. With so many cooking schools, creative people, and Lanna/Burmese influences, it's no surprise that you'll find great food around Chiang Mai. Any trip to Thailand isnt complete without at least one jungle trek, and the beautiful tropical jungle in the areas surrounding Chiang Mai is the perfect place to do it. The most famous temple, however, is the incredible Wat Doi Suthep perched atop a steep hill overlooking the city, a must-see for every visitor to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai. The most popular areas in Chiang Mai are: While we have made an effort to ensure that all information was correct at the time of publication, details can change over time. We currently offer tour, treks and activities f. Jan 21, 2023 - Travel Hub is one of Chiang Mai's longest serving travel and tour agents Travel Hub can book tours with all of Chiang Mai's leading Travel operators. So take a browse through this site to discover all the best attractions, things you must see and activities you must experience for yourself in Chiang Mai! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. A good quality Thai massage is a rejuvenating experience, and with prices starting from as little as 200 baht ($6.60) per hour you could treat yourself every day if you wanted to. There are also a range of childrens activities (including dodgems, target shooting, and mini-golf) and theres a restaurant and bar on-site so if youre travelling with children there will be something for everyone. And as for dessert, Khao Lam consists of sticky rice, sugar, coconut and often another ingredient such as taro or red beans, stuffed into a piece of bamboo then roasted over charcoal, definitely give it a try. We choose an ethical trek which included some activiites with elephant but no riding. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Northwest of the Old City, the area is much more trendy and modern, being a popular nightspot for the young local Thais looking to unwind in the evening. Chang Phuak Chang Phuak is a large region to the north of the city center which encompasses much of the Doi Suthep National Park and much of the city north of the Old City. Would not hesitate using Travel Hub again. There are hundreds of massage parlours in the city but be warned that some of them are not offering regular massages, stay away from any which has scantily clad young girls sitting outside the front of the shop, or any that has pictures of girls in underwear. There are plenty of highly recommended cooking schools in Chiang Mai, they are great fun and fantastic way to meet new people too. Travel Hub is one of Chiang Mai's longest serving travel and tour agents Travel Hub can book tours with all of Chiang Mai's leading Travel operators. A big thank you to Travel Hub for helping us arrange our tours in Chiang Mai! What are the top attractions to visit in Chiang Mai? Chiang Mai has been popular with visitors to Thailand for many years because of it's slower pace of life, it's beautiful scenery and temples, plus the fantastic cuisine of northern Thailand. The inner parts of the old city away from the moat roads are a confusing tangle of small sois (streets) and shortcut alleys that are sometimes home to pleasant cafes and out-of-the-way places. Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. And don't flash lots of money when settling your bills, basic common sense but you'd be surprised how many tourists do it. The Grand Canyon Chiang Mai is a large quarry that has been filled with water and is a popular spot for swimming and cliff jumping. Chiang Mai, located in the mountainous region of northern Thailand, is a cultural hub renowned for its rich history, ancient temples, and vibrant markets. However, as the northern Thais are descended from the Lanna people, they have a slightly different identity which you can learn more about during your stay in the city. It's a more traditional area but is still a very bustling place with a huge variety of places to eat and drink. Thank you for your response. Here you will find more about the best things to so and do, places to go, tours and activities, the weather and when to go, how to get there, accommodation and best areas to stay, money saving tips, plus more. Accommodation - Amazingly, you can get a bed in a hostel dorm room in Chiang Mai for as little as 80 baht ($2.65) per night. Chiang Mai does have a thriving nightlife scene, although it's noticeably more subdued than places such as Bangkok or Pattaya. It's certainly an interesting opportunity and a great place to get some candid photos, but be aware that the steady stream of tourists over the years has changed some of these tribes into almost side-show attractions. The Grand Canyon is now also home to a nearby inflatable Aqua Water Park where you can Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come up close with tigers in their different stages of growth. There are many different methods of transport to help you get to Chiang Mai, from taking a local bus, express buses, overnight VIP buses, train and by plane. THANK YOU TRAVEL HUB, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Small cars are available to rent from around 1000 baht ($33) per day. Thank you K. Nana for the latest trip. These places might look a little unorthodox to you, with the plastic chairs and rickety tables, but they are clean, tasty and cheap, indeed you can have five street food meals for the price of a McDonald's meal. As well as the temple complex itself, a few kilometres up the road is the Phuping Royal Palace Gardens which are beautifully manicured and very relaxing. About 45 minutes from the city centre, the Grand Canyon is a beautiful, red clay quarry filled with clean and clear turquoise waters ideal for swimming. Backpacker traveling solo with no alcohol or partying: $20-$30 per day per person. Here below are some of our top recommended places to stay in Chiang Mai. Me and my family arranged a 6 day customized tour with them around the north of Thailand which included some out of the way places as well as the main sights. water rafting. By all means, try one once if you've never experienced it, but you won't see the locals using them much, if at all. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This temple alone is worth the journey. Alternatively, book a taxi with the Grab app to avoid having to haggle and being overcharged. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I've read about the guides and drivers in the FAQ on this page, but I was wondering if anyone has used Travel Hub in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Particularly during the cool season, you will notice that it gets much cooler during the night in Chiang Mai, which means many will be able to sleep comfortably without air-conditioning. Huay Tung Tao Lake - Huay Tung Tao Lake is another peaceful and relaxing destination where you can easily while away an entire day taking in the fresh air and beautiful scenery. Great little Guesthouse located in the heart of Nimmanhemin road, nice basic clean rooms. For excellent local specialities, make sure to visit the Two Sisters Restaurant, which is just east of the river. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. By creating an account you are able to follow friends and experts you trust and see the places they've recommended. Also, there is the trendy Nimman Road which is an up and coming area full of modern cocktail bars and nightclubs, with venues to suit different budgets. At a more upmarket venue, expect to spend 1000 baht ($33) or even more for a western-style meal with a dessert and imported wine. Thailand's beloved northern capital of Chiang Mai attracts nearly 2 million foreign tourists a year -- double the entire metropolitan area population of just under one million people! As you'd expect from such a well-heeled destination, there are many excellent day trips which you can undertake when staying in Chiang Mai, either by doing it yourself or booking through a tour provider. You will also get a chance to visit and stay with one of the famous local hill tribes, where the women have elongated necks from wearing numerous metal rings, plus you will have the opportunity to camp and cook amongst them. The terrain is covered in some fairly dense undergrowth but is dotted with various hiking trails and several waterfalls. The market gets buzzing later in the evening, its a great atmosphere and a lot of fun. Chiang Mai is packed with hundreds of ancient and spectacular temples, with many being within walking distance of each other inside the walls of the Old City. The veterinarians performed a health check on the elephant upon arrival and his condition was reported to be normal. There are many places where you can go to uncover the citys history and the culture of the Lanna people. Traditional design meets contemporary comforts. Price From : 2,100 Baht Budget transport package including one night's accommodation to get your from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang the hassle-free way. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. However, if you prefer to book conveniently online then we recommend Get Your Guide and Viator, both are very well established and provide excellent customer service. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Having several museums, galleries, ancient temples and being surrounded by beautiful scenery, jungle and mountains, the city has become a popular destination for those wanting a bit of culture and nature lovers alike. You'll also find street food all along Moon Muang -- the main road just inside Tapae Gate. Negotiation is pertinent for not getting scammed at the markets! Expect the journey to take 7-9 hours depending on stops, and to cost you 2500-3500 baht ($83-$116), depending on whether you agree a price or use the meter. I hope the above information could help you to decide. Thai massage is more medicinal than relaxing, indeed some of the positions they put you in and sometimes the amount of pressure they apply can seem intense, but afterwards you will feel fantastic. Northern Thailand is known for it's beautiful, jungle-covered terrain and natural features, so it should come as no surprise that there are indeed many amazing and relaxing parks to visit in the area. A full-day tour costs around 2000 baht ($68) per person, if you have a larger group you may be able to negotiate a discount. Use Travel Hub to organize your Tours and you wont be disappointed! Buses There are numerous bus operators in Bangkok which can get you to Chiang Mai with a relatively good level of comfort, with most originating from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). A full day visit costs 2,500 baht per adult, half price for children, which might seem like a lot but it includes lunch and drinks, and pick up and drop off from Chiang Mai. There is the Lanna Traditional House Museum, the Tribal Museum, the Lanna Architecture Center, plus the Chiang Mai National Museum and many more besides. Doi Suthep-Pui National Park Exchange money when you get to Thailand - Dont change your money into baht before coming, this is a rookie mistake and youll lose 10-15% of your money instantly. We use our own and third party cookies on our website to improve your experience and our services, and to analyse the use of our website. The 19th century teak buildings that make up this elegant hotel are surrounded by mesmerising gardens, guaranteeing a true sense of tranquility. He has a new van. It offers a great shopping experience. Price From : 1550 Baht Travel by bus From Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang TOUR DESCRIPTION You will be picked up at 9:00 am from your Chiang Mai Accommodation for the 5-hour drive to Chiang Kong. Anyway in the end the girls at Travel hub were very helpful in helping me choose and I booked a half day at The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary which turned out to be a great choice. Using the Grab app is the best way to get around without getting ripped off. The plane landed at Chiang Mai airport at 2.03pm after a five-hour flight. Book Your Flight Online With 12Go 12Go.asia is an excellent online service for booking Internal Flights in Thailand. Most guest-houses can and will give a reasonable discount if you book for many nights and pay cash upfront, plus many restaurants and bars will be offering all kinds of happy hours and special offers. Chiang Mai, Thailand. Its better to take a songtaew or taxi to the town rather than driving yourself, as the road between Chiang Mai and Pai can be very winding and steep, many foreign visitors have had motorcycle accidents during the journey. We currently offer tour, treks and activities from over 60 of the leading operators in Chiang Mai, Best Seller! Starts in: Chiang Mai Finishes in: Luang Prabang - Laos Price: 2000 Baht View Tour Comfort Chiang Mai to Laos - Group TL2002: 2 Day 1 Night Boat Cruise to Luang Prabang - Downstream Duration: 2 Day 1 Night This takes place between late February and April and is best avoided for people with asthma or allergies (many ex-pats take holidays away from the city during this time). For something slightly different head outside of the old part of town to Wualai Road where youll find the odd, but beautiful Wat Sri Suphan the silver temple. The money you pay helps the park deal with the huge costs associated with feeding and veterinary care of so many elephants. Pai is a quaint little town about 3 hours away, popular with foreign travelers. Yes, we would certainly recommend Travel Hub. TTH Recommendation: There are a few different ways to get to Chiang Mai, the most convenient and cost effective way is to fly. Within the immediate vicinity, youll find a huge range of restaurants, bars and pubs, so once youve tired of walking around the market itself, you can go for a meal or a drink or two, its a great way to spend an evening in the city. It is also very close to the Loi Kroh Road, walkable in fact, which has an abundance of bars and discos so is great for nightlife. We currently offer tour, treks and activities from over 60 of the leading operators in Chiang Mai. Hill Tribe Villages - A very common day trip involves winding up the mountain roads surrounding the city to visit one of the hill tribes. If you are interested in some trekking then Travel Hub can book you with nearly any trekking company in Chiang Mai. Welcome to Thailand Travel Hub's complete guide to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city. As of 2019, Chiang Mai is experiencing something of a downturn in tourism, possibly caused by a perfect storm of several factors including a very strong currency, and overly convoluted immigration rules and regulations. Money exchangers in Thailand, even at the airports, will offer a much, much better rate than in your home country. The Elephant Nature Park is located at the edge of an area of rainforest, around 60km from the city so can be reached in around an hour with a private taxi. Whilst this is in many cases quite true, with the Thai currency now reaching heady 6-year highs against some currencies, it still pays to follow some simple money-saving tips. There are plenty of attractions and places to eat within walking distance (provided you avoid the middle of the day when it can get really hot). Both of them are good, friendly. Most tours and activities have a free cancellation policy as well, just in case your travel arrangements change. One little weird thing of this travel Hub that you have to remove your shoes and leave them at the front door when you enter the office. Anyone reasonably fit can get around Chiang Mai easily on foot, although the broken sidewalks can get busy with pedestrians, street carts, and random obstacles. Book A Day Trip To The Elephant Nature Park. The huge canyon is filled with beautifully clear and cool blue-green water and is perfect for swimming, plus the surrounding area is fantastic for enjoying a picnic and lounging in the sun, being Chiang Mai's closest thing to a beach. The public buses are not very comfortable, and as they stop in many smaller towns, the journey can take over 12 hours. No trip to Chiang Mai would be complete without a visit to this beautiful temple complex, which was constructed during the reign of the Lanna Kingdom centuries ago. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Here are some of the must-visit attractions and places that make Chiang Mai a captivating . Call. Train Traveling by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a pretty awesome experience, you'll get the chance to experience Thailand's more rural areas and see some beautiful landscapes and scenery. i also have to thank Tack who patiently answered all our queries on email and putting together the perfect itinerary for me and my family. It's Thailand with a more laid-back vibe, but is still very accessible and tourist-friendly with an abundance of cultural attractions as it was once the ancient capital of the Lanna kingdom, but it still has enough nightlife and entertainment to keep visitors happy.
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