The Cultural City of Thailand
The ‘culture capital’ of Thailand is a charming and laidback 700-year-old town famous for sightseeing, trekking, soft adventure, shopping, spas and mountain resorts. It’s no wonder Chiang Mai was runner-up favourite city in the 2010 Travel + Leisure readers’ poll.
The people of Northern Thailand pride themselves on their warm hospitality and unique culture. When you travel to Chiang Mai expect to see hotel staff wearing traditional costume, and stay in rooms decorated in classic Lanna styles from centuries ago. Even the humble backpacker guesthouses are a particularly social experience, not to mention great value. Then there’s the casual atmosphere of the city bars and some of the best value dining in Thailand. Even Chiang Mai’s numerous spas have become famous!
The ancient city of Chiang Mai is a travel guide favourite, mainly because it oozes culture and history with its pretty moat, crumbling bastions and ruined pagodas at every turn. Staying among the old town lanes offers an authentic taste of provincial Thailand, with centuries-old temples, bustling street markets and cosy guesthouses and coffee shops on every corner. Then there’s soft adventure trips to mountain national parks and waterfalls nearby, trekking, elephant riding, family attractions and more. Shopping is another notable advantage in Chiang Mai, along with very affordable hotels and restaurants.
The people of Northern Thailand pride themselves on their warm hospitality and unique culture. When you travel to Chiang Mai expect to see hotel staff wearing traditional costume, and stay in rooms decorated in classic Lanna styles from centuries ago. Even the humble backpacker guesthouses are a particularly social experience, not to mention great value. Then there’s the casual atmosphere of the city bars and some of the best value dining in Thailand. Even Chiang Mai’s numerous spas have become famous!
The ancient city of Chiang Mai is a travel guide favourite, mainly because it oozes culture and history with its pretty moat, crumbling bastions and ruined pagodas at every turn. Staying among the old town lanes offers an authentic taste of provincial Thailand, with centuries-old temples, bustling street markets and cosy guesthouses and coffee shops on every corner. Then there’s soft adventure trips to mountain national parks and waterfalls nearby, trekking, elephant riding, family attractions and more. Shopping is another notable advantage in Chiang Mai, along with very affordable hotels and restaurants.
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| The mouthwatering authentic Thai dishes. |
Metro Chiang Mai
Although traditionally a quiet town of northern Thailand in a valley ringed by mountains, Chiang Mai has become a cosmopolitan hangout boasting quality restaurants plus many hip bars, hotels and clubs. While not on the scale of Bangkok in this regard, it has the benefit of being much more subdued and laidback.
The best thing is that Chiang Mai is only a few kilometres across and so most of it can be done on foot. The other major plus is that everything here is so much cheaper than in Bangkok, as well as the beach resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui.
There are loads of options for drinking out and anyone who says Chiang Mai is staid either hasn’t given the place a chance or doesn’t really know what they’re talking about. There are oodles of relaxed hangouts and restaurant-bars, along with a couple of noted go-go strips, tucked away karaoke lounges and pumping discos.
The area around Thapae Gate – the cultural heart of Chiang Mai – has the lion’s share of bars. Namely, up and down Moon Muang Road, farther east around Nawarat Bridge, and along the girlie bar road of Loi Kroh, which connects the moat with the popular tourist hangout of the Night Bazaar. More on the Night Bazaar.
The Night Bazaar doubles as a shopping and entertainment area. It runs nightly and is stuffed to the gussets with street vendors and lively bars and restaurants. Perennial favourites include the revamped Galare Centre, for food and complimentary shows; the cluster of restaurants, bars, coffee houses and fast food joints around McDonalds, farther south; and the burgeoning Anusarn Market area, farther south again. The latter is known for its seafood restaurants and expat bars.
The best thing is that Chiang Mai is only a few kilometres across and so most of it can be done on foot. The other major plus is that everything here is so much cheaper than in Bangkok, as well as the beach resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui.
There are loads of options for drinking out and anyone who says Chiang Mai is staid either hasn’t given the place a chance or doesn’t really know what they’re talking about. There are oodles of relaxed hangouts and restaurant-bars, along with a couple of noted go-go strips, tucked away karaoke lounges and pumping discos.
The area around Thapae Gate – the cultural heart of Chiang Mai – has the lion’s share of bars. Namely, up and down Moon Muang Road, farther east around Nawarat Bridge, and along the girlie bar road of Loi Kroh, which connects the moat with the popular tourist hangout of the Night Bazaar. More on the Night Bazaar.
The Night Bazaar doubles as a shopping and entertainment area. It runs nightly and is stuffed to the gussets with street vendors and lively bars and restaurants. Perennial favourites include the revamped Galare Centre, for food and complimentary shows; the cluster of restaurants, bars, coffee houses and fast food joints around McDonalds, farther south; and the burgeoning Anusarn Market area, farther south again. The latter is known for its seafood restaurants and expat bars.
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| At one of the beautiful resort cum spa in Chang Mai. |
Those looking purely for girlie-bar action should head for Loi Kroh Road. Although there are only a few traditional go-go bars along here, there are plenty of places to hangout and enjoy conversation with the girls. One of the hippest in the area is the Number 1 Bar, which is just off a side street of Loi Kroh.
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| The fascinating traditional dance from Cheng Mai Cultural dance troupe. |
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