Mini Break from Phuket – Chiang Mai

If you haven’t already visited Chiang Mai I highly recommend it. You can fly there from Phuket with Air Asia or Thai Air.

Why visit Chiang Mai?

Overlooked from the west by Doi Suthep mountain (1676m), Chiang Mai’s atmosphere is softer and more relaxed than the southern beaches and Bangkok. There is a spiritual and cultural ambiance to Chiang Mai which is a cultural, religious hub for Thailand. The city is doing a good job of combining its historical identity as an ancient Lanna Kingdom with a new vibrancy of a modern city.Chiang Mai City, located 700km north west of Bangkok and 300m above sea level in Northern Thailand offers a great addition to a Thailand beach holiday. It gives a glimpse of a different type of Thailand and it’s easy to meet local Thai’s, many of whom study at the 10 universities in the area. The people of Chiang Mai are proud of their city and its history as a separate Kingdom before Siam was unified.

Prices are cheap in Chiang Mai too. A fruit shake that costs 60 baht in Phuket costs 25 baht in Chiang Mai. A massage that costs 300 baht in Phuket is 180 baht in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai has beautiful Lanna architecture that can be seen in both old and new buildings. The countryside is also beautiful and you don’t have to get too far out of the city to escape civilization and enter the jungle.

Chat with a Monk in Chiang Mai

The walled old town has 121 temples open to the public and can be explored on foot although tuk tuks are pretty inexpensive too and it’s really worth getting an English speaking TAT guide to explain the cultural significance’s to you.

There are plenty of nearby day trips or longer excursions to keep you busy from short elephant treks to longer treks into hill tribe villages. Chiang Mai is the gateway to local hill tribe villages of Karen and Mon ethnicities. Adventure sports like rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking and micro lighting are also popular.

Many people do no tours at all but just come to soak up the ambiance. Make sure that you include a Sunday in your itinerary so that you can enjoy walking street market on Sunday evenings which is full of stalls selling handicrafts and artwork as well as hundreds of food stalls.

Less energetic activities include cruising down the Mae Ping River, spa treatments at the numerous luxury spas or just enjoy a foot massage at one of the street side stalls.

The night bazaar (every night) in the centre of town is also hugely popular and the many restaurants that specialize in Northern Thai food are not to be missed. There are a few bars in town but Chiang Mai is not a party town like the beach resorts are.

Chiang Mai and the surrounding area is also a good place to shop for Thai antiques, art and teak furniture. Phuket residents can save themselves a fortune by buying their house furniture in the north and shipping it down to Phuket.

Chiang Mai is a useful staging post for trips further north to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle or onto Laos, Burma and Cambodia.

Chiang Mai temple

When to go:

The best months to visit Chiang Mai are October to February when the weather is dry and at it’s coolest although Chiang Mai can be visited year round. October to December are the best months for trekking when the sky is clear, the mountains are green and there is less humidity. By March and April the humidity is much higher and the long sunny season has dried out the countryside. These are also the months that farmers burn off their fields which can leave the air hazy. May to September is the rainy season with September statistically the wettest month.

If you are coming in November try to plan your trip around the Loy Kratong festival which is held on the November full moon. If you are coming in April try to plan your trip around 13 April for the Thai New Year festival called Songkran (book your flights and hotel early for this). Northern Thailand celebrates Songkran for longer than the south of the country.

Where to Stay

Yaang Come Village

For a short visit stay in the central area close to the night bazaar. From this area you can easily walk to the old walled city. This is also the best place for restaurants, bars and shopping. Most daytrip attractions are less than one hours drive from this area. There is the full range of accommodation available in this area from 250 baht per night backpacker rooms up to luxurious 5 star hotels (ask us if you want recommendations).

The university area just outside the old town about 5 minutes drive from the night bazaar. It’s a popular with travelers staying for extended periods or with ex pat residents and students. The area has plenty of trendy bars, restaurants and live music venues.

There are numerous small boutique hotels scattered around the surrounding countryside. Many are designed in the traditional Lanna style and are very beautiful. If you are looking for get away from it all tranquility these resorts are for you.

I stayed at the Centara Duangtawan which I booked with Agoda. It’s a good value 3 star hotel in a great central location for the night bazaar, the old town and the nearby bars. If you want something more upmarket but still central try the Dusit D2. My mum stayed at the Dusit D2 and absolutely loved it. The Yaang Come Village is a beautiful boutique resort built in the Lanna style and just a short walk from the night bazaar.

Chiang Mai Nightlife:

Although there are a few beer bars in Chiang Mai this is not a party town, the atmosphere is more laid back. There are a few bars on Loi Kroh road and a few trendy cafes and bars in the university area.

My favourite night time venue was The Riverside bar and restaurant. They have 3 live bands each night, a mix of Thai and Western music. The food is good and so is the location on the river bank. When I was there the crowd was mostly Thai students and workers plus a few expats and a few tourists. It has a really great atmosphere. In the busy season it may be necessary to book a table in advance if you want to eat there.