Northern Thailand – Chiang Mai

Any discussion of interesting places to visit in northern Thailand should start with the northern capital of Chiang Mai. Most destinations are within easy driving distance of the city.

Chiang Mai means “new city” in the Lanna language. Despite the prevalence of elephants in local culture, the name is not related to Chang (elephant), which is correctly pronounced “cha-ah-ng” in the Thai language. Why the new city? Chiang Mai took over Chiang Rai’s role as capital in 1296.

To bust another popular myth, Chiang Mai is not the second largest city in Thailand as many travelers think – but it serves as the country’s cultural city. The city offers the classic winning mix that appeals; Travelers: friendly locals, great food and affordable prices. Or in short, you get more value for what you pay, in Chiang Mai – and northern Thailand in general – than in Bangkok or the islands.

The Old City of Chiang Mai is a perfect square with all the defenses necessary to survive as a capital in the 14th century. An elephant-proof moat, huge gates and a defensive wall with brick walls still standing. High density of temples. Some of the most interesting places in Chiang Mai are actually outside the old city, right within scooter range.

If you don’t mind the crowds, the weekend markets are a fun spectacle of socializing, nibbling and shopping that attracts as many locals as tourists. The markets are good for sampling local treats and grabbing cheap souvenirs, but you’ll still need to negotiate.

Fun fact: Notice the high density of MacBook Air computers in the many coffee shops? This is because Chiang Mai is home to a large community of independent entrepreneurs who call themselves “digital nomads”. They share cafes and co-working spaces alongside online English tutors, bloggers and others who make a living with a laptop. Even when dial-up modems screamed for connections and online work wasn’t possible, Chiang Mai appealed to artists, writers and long-term travelers looking to drop anchor for a while.

pie

Just under three hours north of Chiang Mai, Pai is a much smaller, chilled, riverside option to get away from concrete. Although still mostly green, pie’s popularity and development has grown tremendously over the past decade. So far, the magic has survived. Travelers of all budgets and nationalities crowd into minivans to visit Pai. A surprising number comes and decides not to leave.

But don’t let outdated guidebooks that still refer to Pai as a “quiet, bohemian town” fool you. Somehow, despite the size, the backpacker-oriented nightlife rages later than Chiang Mai’s, and there’s an emphasis on health and wellness here – perfect for curing any next-day regrets. You will find a high concentration of vegetarian and organic food (much of which is grown nearby), juice shops and options for a healthier lifestyle. Yoga, tai chi, qi gong, meditation centers, holistic healing workshops – Pai offers many opportunities to improve health and knowledge. The destinations in the area include beautiful waterfalls, the Chinese villages or the hot spa sites scattered in the area… worthwhile and recommended!

Doi Inthanon

If Doi Chiang is not high enough for you, you can reach Doi Inthanon which reaches a height of 2565 meters. On the highest peak in Thailand, Doi Inthanon. The weather will feel especially cool when you walk through the magnificent pagodas in honor of the King and Queen Asher.

Doi {Mount} Inthanon is located about two hours west of Chiang Mai. and where the National Observatory of Thailand, a large astronomical telescope, towers above.

The mountain has its own national park, Doi Inthanon National Park. It is one of the busiest in the country and is a hot spot for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can enjoy hiking or camping, or, if you want to skip the trek up, you can drive up the main road to reach the highest peak. Get ready for beautiful views and even some waterfalls.

We travelers in Asia have jeep trips or private vehicles/vans to these interesting and challenging travel areas.