Chiang mai

[crazy88]

I am planning a long weekend in Chiang mai. Arrive friday lunchtime and leave tuesday afternoon. staying fairly central. Never been north of Bangkok before. Would like to do a bit of sight seeing, eat in some nice places etc. Watering holes will also be on the agenda of course and I am fairly sure I will be dragged shopping. Any suggestions and pointers would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Crazy 88

[Bamboo Grove]

It's been a few years since I last visited Chiang Mai but I suppose things haven't changed that much.

Sights: Doi Suthep temple, the mountain can be seen from the city and there's a lovely temple on top of it.
Mae Sa elephant camp can be combined to some shopping at San Khampaeng. Don't go to the expensive show houses where the guides will try to take you but go to the local market a bit further away. You'll find the same handicrafts there for much better prices.

Eating: You could try the local khantoke -dinner, several places arrange these but they can be a bit touristy. Don't forget to try the local noodles - khao soi, simply delicious and kaeng hung le. A lovely place to have dinner when the sun sets is Galae -restaurant near a reservoir on the foot hill of Doi Suthep. Truly beautiful setting with good, inexpensive food. Also the riverside restaurants are nice.

Nightlife: Plenty of bars and pubs around the down town area. Take a walk in the night market area and you'll see plenty of places to quench your thirst.

Have fun, Chiang Mai is a great place.

[pharvey]

Have traveled through Chiang Mai many times on the way to Lampang for work, but unfortunately have never really spent more than a night or 2 max

Certainly enjoyed the night market area - great for local food and several watering holes to quench your thirst.

Simply wandering around off the main drag finding the back street restaurants/small bars, and also wandering the city moat is always an experience.

My parents did the trip to the waterfalls at the nearby National park - Doi Suthep I believe, the park they said was superb. Also the night safari is supposedly worth a visit.

[Jimbob]

Useful information also for myself as I will be there the same days as Crazy 88.
Thank you

[crazy88]

Thanks guys

Very appreciated.


Crazy 88

[BaaBaa.]

Wat Doi Suthep is a must see.

http://www.theriversidechiangmai.com/ is great.

[moja]

when we went up last year we spent the day at the elephant foundation site. The day was spent feeding the elephants and learning all about them. After lunch it was down to the river to wash the elephants - which everyone including the elephants enjoyed.
After washing the elephants more time was spent with the elephants especially the babies before returning to Chiang Mai. A lovely day out and a very good cause

[migrant]

Will second (or third) the Wat and Mae Sa Elephant Camp

[sandman67]

there are some hot springs where you can go for a soak not too far from the town. Worth a trip for a lazy evening dip. Samlor drivers know where they are.

Near Doi Suitep theres a butterfly farm and monkey zoo that are a laugh.

On the way down doi suthep hill theres a "buddha park" with the grusome orrible Narok tortures thats a good photo op.

Someone told me The Castle...the climbing wall surrounded by bars...burned down. Thats a shame as that was excellent fun watching people fall off over a beer or three.

If you hire a bike watch yourself .... the roads are frickin chaos at rush hours in town and it can get scary as hell.

Theres also a proper street thai muay thai ring in town that do regular bouts or proper blood n guts muay thai.

Avoid the go go bars....rip off hell.

[Name Taken]

Wat Doi Suthep is a must see.

The Phu Ping Palace is also worth seeing and is near Wat Doi Suthep.

[bajm]

For Khantoke please see http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/khum_khantoke.html .
Excellent food and great show.

[elem]

It was a few years ago that I went w a group of people, but we stayed at chaingmai thai house (you can google the website) in a very central location, walking distance to the river and night market. Lovely hotel with excellent service and very reasonable prices. Small pool, clean, sweet café/restaurant at the entrance.
Enjoy the trip!

[BaaBaa.]

we stayed at chaingmai thai house

Same here, nice place.