Are you heading to Thailand soon? Here is everything you need to know about the North to plan the perfect expedition.
Chiang Mai
A city where old and new works in perfect harmony with heaps of incredible places to try authentic Thai food as well as experience brilliant night markets and temples. It can be argued that Chiang Mai is becoming the next Bangkok as the city is expanding quickly as more and more people are visiting this vibrant city.
Accommodation:
Nanya Hotel – This hotel is located near the gate. It’s perfect for people travelling in pairs who want to share room but are on a budget. The hotel has a swimming pool, perfect for cooling down after a day of exploring the city. The hotel can arrange day trips for you, laundry services and transport to other areas in Thailand.
Stamps Backpackers – This hostel is great for those who are solo travelling or those who want to meet new people. It’s in a great location near places to eat, visit night markets and party.
Activities:
Learn to cook Thai food – Why not learn how to create your favourite Thai dishes? At Asia Scenic you can complete a half day course and learn how to create 4/5 dishes. At the end of the course you walk away with a recipe book so you can try the dishes at home. It’s also a great way to better understand what ingredients are used in the dishes as well as learn more about Thai culture.
Visit the elephants – A typical tourist attraction in Thailand but definitely worth it to see these gentle giants up close. However, it is crucial to experience this with the right company. A huge error tourists can make is to support companies that exploit the elephants as well as allowing tourists to ride them. Elephants should NEVER be ridden or made to entertain you at the expense of their welfare.
When I visited Thailand, I went with Elephant Jungle Sanctuary to be able to see the elephants. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary rescue exploited elephants and provides them with the support and health care they need as well as letting the animals roam free across their acres of land. I completed a half day course where I was able to feed the elephants and give them a mud bath – such a fun experience. While I was there I could see how much the staff love and look after the elephants as everything was centred around making sure the elephants were okay first and settled before we approached them. The elephants themselves were happy and enjoying the interaction with us and didn’t seem unhappy or uncomfortable.
Wonder around the temples – Visiting temples across Chiang Mai is a surreal and spiritual experience. I went to Wat Phra Singh located near Nanya Hotel and is in the centre of the hustle and bustle of the old quarter. The main temple homes a huge gold Buddha that is seriously impressive but the best part is the peace and tranquillity you experience while inside, it’s like you almost forget there is a busy city outside.
Other temples in the city that are worth exploring are:
1. Wat Chedi Luang
2. Wat Chiang Man
3. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
4. Wat U Mong
When visiting temples make sure to be respectful and cover up by wearing trousers and a t-shirt. Plus make sure to always remove your shoes before entering the temple and do not disturb those who are praying.
Experience what the night markets have to offer – When in Thailand visiting a night market is a must, you never know what you may find. I went to the night bazaar located in the Chang Moi Sub-district, it's open every night so make sure to check it out. There are loads of stalls selling all kinds of items as well as food and drink stalls so go with an empty stomach.
What to eat:
While in the North of Thailand the local dish to eat is Khao Soi which is a curry served with noodles and a crispy topping. The dish originates from a red Thai curry paste however other spices are used to create the unique taste of the curry. The dish isn’t too spicy for those who don’t like the heat.
Pai
This town in the middle of the jungle and mountains is the perfect place to experience natural wonders and enjoy fresh healthy Thai food. To get here simply take a 2 hour bus from Chiang Mai.
Accommodation:
B2 Premier Hotel – The perfect luxury style hotel on a budget. The spa like décor with views of the mountains from the swimming pool is the perfect place to recharge your batteries after a long day of exploring.
Activities:
Rent a motorcycle – The easiest way to explore Pai is by motorcycle as taxis and group tours can be pricey compared to the cost of hiring a motorcycle for the day. This can only be possible of course if you drive a car and are confident at cycling. The number 1 place for beginners to rent a bike is from Vespai, the owner provides a lesson before you set off to make sure you are 100% confident with the motorcycle. Renting the motorcycle will cost around 200 – 300 baht for the day.
See Pai canyon – A natural beauty of Pai is its canyon and it’s completely free. You can explore the canyon at your own pace while taking in the spectacular views. Some of the paths can be challenging at times so make sure to wear comfy shoes and take care where you step as it can be slippery.
Visit the Buddha in the mountain – Visit the famous white Buddha that can be seen in the distance across Pai. Climb a long staircase from the town to the Wat Phra That Mae Yen to see this spectacular site. The views from the Buddha are picturesque and even better at sunrise or sunset.
Explore the waterfalls – There are 3 main waterfalls: Pam Bok, Mo Paeng and Hua Chang. Pom Bok is the easiest waterfall to visit and is close to the canyon so these activities can be easily explored in one day. While the other 2 waterfalls will require more planning and more confidence in driving a motorcycle as the roads are very windy.
Discover the Mae Hong Son Loop – This is for those who really want a piece of adventure as you will get to explore the Mae Hong Son province. I didn’t do this myself but next time I visit Northern Thailand it’s on my list. For more information check out this useful blog.
Places to eat & drink:
Na’s Kitchen – Located in the heart of Pai, this restaurant spot provides home cooked Thai food made fresh to order. To simply order, you write down what you like on the paper provided and take it to the kitchen window. This has to be one of my favourite places to eat as the food is good quality and authentic for a really reasonable price.
Charlie & Leks – This restaurant serves healthy, fresh Thai food and is especially great for vegetarians and vegans. I enjoyed the massaman curry with rice as well as fresh spring rolls.
Coffee in Love – This coffee shop is a little bit out of the centre of the town but it has the most astonishing views of the mountains. Enjoy a coffee in their treehouse like café while admiring the view. It’s also the place to get a picture with the massive I am Pai sign.
Cafecito – Love Mexican food then this is the ideal spot for you. It is a tad pricey however the food is made fresh and is super tasty, great for when you want a break from Thai food.
Tesco Lotus – Technically not a restaurant but it’s great place to stock up on essentials. The best part is that there isn’t a card limit compared to 7 Eleven!
Chiang Rai
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit but for those who are, here are a few key things to do:
Visit the Wat Rong Khun – The famous white temple of the North is one the most popular things to do while in Chiang Rai and it will not disappoint. The architecture will leave you mesmerised as the more you look at the temple the more you begin to see. Since it’s a very popular tourist attraction to avoid the crowds go first thing in the morning when it opens.
See the Thailand and Myanmar border – This is Thailand’s northernmost point where you can cross over to Myanmar and back.
Experience the golden triangle – This is where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet along the Mekong river. This picturesque spot is the perfect place for getting that amazing insta pic while seeing 3 counties at once.
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