Points of Interest

Antique shops

Chiang Mai is famous as a centre for handicrafts and antiques and the range of products available is simply stunning but few products are genuine antiques as most have been sold long ago. Though the years of trade have led to the worldwide distribution of much of the cultural heritage of the region, it has also encouraged high quality reproduction as well as the adaptation of traditional designs into modern pieces. We are no specialists in antiques and it is up to you to decide if a piece is worth the price.

Consulates

Being Thailand's second biggest city many countries have established consulates in Chiang Mai.

Galleries

Chiang Mai has a very arty atmosphere largely due to the Chiang Mai University art students. The city is a very good place to pick up exclusive interior decor art pieces, with plenty of art dealers.

Hilltribe shops

Northern Thailand is home to interesting and colorful ethnic minorities, known as the hill tribes. Each of them has a different language and culture. The shops mentioned here sell hilltribe ware like clothes, bags and jewelry.

Karma boosters

Been there and done that? A bit tired of all the touristy things you have done the last couple of days? Maybe it's time to see this country from a different angle, meet other people than salesmen and fellow travelers. Why not visit an orphanage. The children will love it and you will leave with a memory of a life time. A very simple thing to do but it will have a huge impact on you and on the small ones. Please contact all listed organization before you visit them. If you feel strange about visiting them on your own, join us in our bi-monthly visit. Every second Friday we first go to a market to buy gifts and later we will have the pleasure of giving it away.

Lonely Planet

For those of you who's ultimate guide is the Lonely Planet we included all their entries in our database.

Markets

Life for most people in Thailand still revolves around the local market. And a large majority still follows a traditional way of life with visits to the market in the early morning and at dusk. For them the market is a social opportunity, a place to eat or pick up dinner, find a bargain and, of course, sell their own backyard produce. To see, smell and hear the real Thailand you have to visit a market. Included in the list are also the tourist markets.

Museums

Not many cities can boast to have a diversity of museums like Chiang Mai.

Nightlife

Chiang mai must have dozens maybe even hunderds of bars. We made a shortlist of the most famous ones

Swimming pools

When it gets really hot and your traveling with children this might cool them down a bit. Don't forget the sunscreen!

Temples

Located within the old city are more than 40 temples many of which are 500 years old or older. After 3 temples most visitors call it quits and cannot bother to visit another one but the temples have a cunning strategy: pretending to be parking lots, markets etc. they entice the unsuspecting tourist to an unplanned visit. Out of the 300 temples in and around the city we have selected the most interesting ones. When you visit a wat, expect to see some bizarre creatures. More than simply decorative – although they are certainly that – each has a story or symbolic meaning behind it. Many of these beings are key figures in Thai mythology, but most stem from Hindu India origins, making their way to the area via several early Southeast Asian empires including Khmer, Srivijaya and Dvaravati. The half man, half bird Garuda carrying the Hindu god Vishnu. Garuda is a character from the Ramakien who dies trying to rescue nang Sida, the hero’s wife, from the evil demon Tosekanth. The Naga or serpent king is usually fashioned in pairs as stair-flanking balustrades. This mythic snake was said to have protected the Buddha as he meditated during flooding rains by coiling its body underneath him to lift him above the torrent, and using its multitude of heads to form a protective cover. Paintings and figurines of the earth mother Thorani wringing water from her hair is a common temple icon. Thorani is the goddess who witnessed the Buddha’s accumulated merit immediately prior to his enlightenment. Hanuman is the beloved monkey hero of the Ramakien The Makara is a sea creature with the body of a reptile that spouts a naga from its mouth. This motive can be found as a balustrade in many temples in the city.

Thai Boxing

Muay Thai is probably the most brutal of all martial arts. People who see Thai Boxing for the first time often wonder about the pre-fight ritual that takes place before every authentic Thai fight. This ceremony called the Ram Muay is a spiritual ceremony which seals off the ring from outside influences, pays homage to gods, parents, teachers, loved ones, king and country. What follows after this ritual is best decribed as "kicking the shit out of each other". This sport is not for the faint of heart.

The best

Our shortlist of the best that Chiang Mai has to offer. If you have limited time and want to see the highlights of the city check out this list.

Travel

Chiang Mai has almost as many travel agents as it has restaurants. Some are good some are better and some take your money and give you a fake ticket which leaves you stuck at the airport (no kidding). The travel agents mentioned below are being used by the expat community and should have a good service. To complete the travel information we also listed the 2 bus stations, train station and the airport.

Tripadvisor

We listed the first 10 entries in the following categories: restaurants, hotels and B&B's (guesthouses). For hotels and B&B's we omitted all entries above USD 100. This way you will have a quick overview of the cheaper places.



copyright © 2009-2012 letsGPS.com
website by RalphvandenBerg.com