Chiang Mai Vacations, Chiang Mai Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide
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Chiang Mai Vacation Guide
Thailand is the land of partying, relentless sunshine, beaches and alcohol served by the bucket, right? Well, in most cases you would be, but the northern city of Chiang Mai is an elegant, picturesque, culturally-lively exception.
One of the first places to incorporate Thai self-rule, the old city is guarded by a moat and walls, home to over 300 handsome temples and the peaceful gateway to many a northern jungle adventure. It’s also regarded as something of a chic Thai venue, with a large chunk of the increasingly popular Thai fashion scene first findings its feet here, and despite being culturally vivacious, hosts an altogether more downbeat take on being Thai than capital Bangkok or beachside venues like Pattaya.
The temples here a monster draw, and dominate the picturesque skyline with their sloping roofs and dumbbell spires. Wat Prathat Doi Suithep and its three-hundred-step entry and gushing waterfalls are a superb example; carry on further up the hill and you’ll get to the Phuping Palace and the National Park that surround it, home to exotic orchids, a tribal village and fantastic views back down to the city. Back in the center of town, What Chedi Luang – a 91-meter tall pagoda dating back nearly six centuries – is another must see.
While you’re here, it would be criminal to miss out on the astonishing local shopping scene, where handicrafts are both a bargain and the perfect exotic windowsill adornment for back home, or you can just grab a deep-fried insect followed by a soft drink served in a carrier bag to keep you going instead. When you’re done bargain hunting, there’s an ever-growing array of high-class boutique hotels to relax luxuriously.
It wouldn’t be Chiang Mai, though, without the hikes. Whether you choose to hop on the back of an elephant and walk through the jungle for a bath or clamber to an off-the-beaten track peak after days in the jungle, discovering your own rural Thailand, you can guarantee sites that more than match the infamous beaches, and add an adventurous element to the whole experience, too.
One of the first places to incorporate Thai self-rule, the old city is guarded by a moat and walls, home to over 300 handsome temples and the peaceful gateway to many a northern jungle adventure. It’s also regarded as something of a chic Thai venue, with a large chunk of the increasingly popular Thai fashion scene first findings its feet here, and despite being culturally vivacious, hosts an altogether more downbeat take on being Thai than capital Bangkok or beachside venues like Pattaya.
The temples here a monster draw, and dominate the picturesque skyline with their sloping roofs and dumbbell spires. Wat Prathat Doi Suithep and its three-hundred-step entry and gushing waterfalls are a superb example; carry on further up the hill and you’ll get to the Phuping Palace and the National Park that surround it, home to exotic orchids, a tribal village and fantastic views back down to the city. Back in the center of town, What Chedi Luang – a 91-meter tall pagoda dating back nearly six centuries – is another must see.
While you’re here, it would be criminal to miss out on the astonishing local shopping scene, where handicrafts are both a bargain and the perfect exotic windowsill adornment for back home, or you can just grab a deep-fried insect followed by a soft drink served in a carrier bag to keep you going instead. When you’re done bargain hunting, there’s an ever-growing array of high-class boutique hotels to relax luxuriously.
It wouldn’t be Chiang Mai, though, without the hikes. Whether you choose to hop on the back of an elephant and walk through the jungle for a bath or clamber to an off-the-beaten track peak after days in the jungle, discovering your own rural Thailand, you can guarantee sites that more than match the infamous beaches, and add an adventurous element to the whole experience, too.
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Chiang Mai Travel Blogs
Aug 18, 2008 – Aug 25, 2008
Day 6 : sunnyIt's my last day in Chiang Mai. I love it here so much that I didn't want to leave. Seriously!!We didn't wake up til around noon. So lazy that morning. Had brunch and went to a lake. It's about 20 minutes away from tuk tuk. We asked him to take us there and wait us for a few hours. It'…
Aug 24, 2008 – Oct 27, 2009
'You expose the film in me, we're drawing :
Rings around the World.
Sooner or later we will melt together and draw :
Rings around the World.'
- 'Rings Around the World', The Super Furry Animals
And so it is, in the comforting embrace of SpicyThai Backpackers Hostel and the s…
Jan 21, 2008 – Sep 30, 2008
Chicago, Illinois, USA -› Osaka, Japan -› …
Doi Inthanon National Park, 90 km southwest of Chiang Mai, is home to numerous waterfalls, hiking trails, and the highest point in Thailand. Our plan for the day was to see the highlights and do some hiking. Our driver, Deer (same guy as two days ago), came for us at 10am. But Steve had a surprise …
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