Chiang Mai

I know this question has been asked before but I want to see if anything new comes up as I think I'm going to head there on our next trip! Reply to this

I wouldn't go to the Night Bazaar or eat at most of the restaurants in downtown Chiangmai. Most of the products at the night bazaar can be found at Worarot Market at cheaper prices. This is where the locals go to shop. The restaurants in town are mostly patronised by tourists and are priced accordingly. The last thing I want when on holiday is to be surrounded by people from my own country.

I would go to the handicraft village of Baan Tawai - out towards Hang Dong. No-one hassles you to buy and this the place where a lot of the stuff on sale at the Night Bazaar is actually made. To eat, I would head out towards Chiangmai University and look for restaurants along Huaw Kael Road and Nimmanhemin Road. These places, geared at students rather than tourists, offer better value for money and you get to meet and mix with the locals. Reply to this

There used to be a flea market every few days at the Thermae Gate located across the street from the Montri Hotel. Haven't been there in a year but that flea market had souvenirs cheaper than at the night market. Montri Hotel wasn't too bad either. Reply to this

Lorna,
Which company did you do the trek through and what made it special for you? Reply to this

with the chiang mai treks, the only thing i would say is the extent to which they are still tribe people! (satellite tv!) The views you get are amazing over the valleys...i did a 3 day trek up here into the hills, saw the lahu village, very scenic first night stop followed by waterfalls and more trekking. and on the third day you get down by white water rafting or bamboo rafting. This is a pretty standard trip in all tourist places in chiang mai included an elephant ride at the start for about 1500 baht.

i hired some mopeds and rode to the temple on the outskirts of chiang mai that overlooks it for sunrise which was cool for a day. you can pretty much fill a day with walking around chiang mai as the temples are amazing.

hope this infos useful! cheers al Reply to this

I agree with ajbetts Msg #9, there are few hilltribe villages that are not heavily commercialised, i.e the kids dress up for the tourist photos between 9-5 and then change into jeans and T-shirts to go play games on the Net! But visit the tea plantations at Doi Mae Saelong (near the border with Myanmar and close to Mae Sae) and you will see villagers out in the fields wearing traditional clothes. This is not done for the tourists, but because that's what they wear all the time. The hilltribe treks offered as a commercial package from Chiangmai/Chiangmai are, imho, exactly that - commercial and contrived. All around Doi Mae Saelong are working farms that do not depend on tourism for a living. Scenery is stunning and there are many places to stay from camping grounds with a tent to 3-4 star hotels. There are public buses from Chiangrai and Mae Sae which serve Doi Mae Saelong, but life is a lot easier if you hire a motorbike or car. Reply to this

There's many place to go around Chiangmai

Chiang Mai
- Doi Inthanon National Park‎
- Doi Luang Chiang Dao
- Doi Suthep
- Doi Ang Khang

Maehongson
- Pai
- Pang-Oung
- Huai Nam-Dang Nationalpark

Chiang Rai
- Wat Rong Khun Reply to this

Get a bag load of cheap toys, snacks and things like tooth brushes and go visit an orphanage. You will be inundated with little kids in need of some affection and attention. You will leave feeling like you didi something worthwhile for a change. Reply to this

I'll add my elephant stamp (how appropriate for Thailand lol) re Tao Garden. That's in spite of the fact that I think the majority of new age stuff is a wank.

It's very serene out there surrounded by paddy fields. The food is good too. Love Chiang Mai city but it's nice to have a break from time to time. Also agree about the Hill Tribes and their ubiquitous satellite dishes. . It appears to all be about the $$$ these days. sad. Reply to this