Chiang Mai is northern Thailand and inland so more mountains and no beaches. If we had more time and better weather, I would have liked to check out some hiking in this area.
Lodging:
The Rim Chiang Mai. This was on the west side of the old city. More action is on the east side of the city but that makes it more busy and noisy. If I was to go again I would try to be somewhere in the middle.
http://www.therimchiangmai.com/
Old City is walkable as long as you are in decent shape. It does take about 25-30 minutes to walk from one side to the other.
Attractions:
- Patara Elephant Camp - you get to be an elephant owner for a day or half day. Best experience in Asia thusfar!!! You should make arrangements beforehand since they limit the number of people. They will pick you up and return you to your hotel. You actually have your own elephant for the day so you aren't sharing or watching others, you are actually with the elephant the whole time. You also have a dedicated trainer with you the whole time. http://www.pataraelephantfarm.com/
- Tiger Kingdom – we went and went in with the newborn and small tigers. We tried our best to find a safe and ethic place to go. When we went by cages of the large tigers though they did seem like they may be influenced... I would not go back nor recommend unless you really want to.
- Old City Temples - recommend self walking tour of downtown http://www.bigboytravel.com/asia/thailand/chiangmai/freewalkingtour/
- Rent a private car through your hotel to take you to:
- Wat Prah That Doi Suthep (1 hour to walk around)
- Wat Pha Lat (20-30 minutes)
- Bo Sang Umbrella Village – didn't make it here but wanted to. It was to the east of Old City so not near the other places we went.
- Long Neck Village - north of the Old City
Night Activities:
- The Chiang Mai Saturday Market (or Wui Lai Market) is located to the south west of the old city opposite the Chiang Mai Gate. The Saturday Market extends for roughly 1km all the way down the length of Wui Lai Road. The Saturday Market is open every Saturday from 4pm till midnight.
- The Sunday Market (or Walking Street) is a large market located right in the centre of the old walled city area of Chiang Mai. Starting at the Tha Phae Gate at one end the Sunday Market extends for roughly 1km down the full length of Ratchadamnoen Road. You can go to the Market every Sunday from 4pm till midnight. Highly recommend Sunday night market because it is more hand-craft items than knockoff bags.
- Chiang Mai is a shoppers paradise, and nothing beats shopping for a bargain more than in in the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. The Night Bazaar, on the east side of the old walled city, is approximately 1km long on Thanon Chang Khlan (large roads in Thailand are named Thanon, and smaller side streets are named Soi) (so Thanon Chang Khlan translates to Chang Khlan Road). The Night Bazaar is open every day of the year regardless of the weather from dusk till around midnight.
- Chiang Mai Night Safari. We did not try this but I read about it.
- Freedom Rasta Bar.
Restaurants:
- Taste from Heaven - vegetarian and very good. There was a curry with cardamon and cinnamon that I still think about.
- Dash
Notes:
- Unlike Phuket, we had no trouble grabbing a taxi to our hotel at the airport without any prior arrangement. You will need Thai Baht for taxi.
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