We made our first trip to Chiang Mai about 10 years ago. My brother-in-law and his wife, my wife and myself. Now for our second visit, we do not want to stay far away from town and in the highland resort where we were isolated from the local people. This time we stay right in the town square where we can walk about. In the olden days the town is protected by a moat and wall around it and some of the wall can still be seen.
From the map the town centre is like a square with the moat running around it. The outer areas are later extentions.
Below photos show the wall and gate.
Below photos show the wall and gate.
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There are many temples (or wat) within the square - there are more than 300 temples in Chiang Mai. The night bazaar is held every night on Chan Klan road between Tha Pae and Sri Donchai road. The Saturday night market is held between 4pm to 10pm along Wua Lai road and the Sunday night market at the same time along Ratchadamnoen road. These places are fix and have become tourist's attractions.
The Warorot market is a must visit place. Numerous stalls offering clothes, local delicacies, thai food and fruits are great attractions. |
Outside the Warorot market. The truck-converted buses are convinient & cheap mode of transport.
Transportation around town, and also out of town, is very convenient. I've read that there are more than 3,000 taxis, tuktuk and truck-converted mini buses to provide the required transportation.
Hang on! A common sight in Chiang Mai.
This is our mode of transport from airport to guesthouse. This is beyond our immagination when we confirmed our airport pick up arrangement. We expected aircondition van and were surprised to see this truck-converted tuktuk. What a way to travel.
The temples (wat) of Chiang Mai. So many of them. We tried a walking tour one morning to see some of the temples. We visited Chang Taem, Chedi Luang (Monk Chat), Pan Tao and Phra Singh.
Other temples we visited were Wat Chomphu and Wat Dokeung
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. This is the temple on top of the mountain, Doi Suthep. Locally know as Wat Doi Suthep. On the day of our visit it was very crowded, not knowing that it was Thailand's national holiday. We came here 10 years ago and it was quiet then.
Look at the crowd - Wat Doi Suthep
Everybody loves elephant ride. Chiang Mai tours will always include this.
This elephant is asking for banana, it's favourite food. Too bad we were so stingy trying to save money. So no "fuel" for our "transport".
My brother-in-law & wife
Our visit to the aquarium
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It is expensive to see these
The aquarium is within the Chiang Mai zoo. We had to pay entrance fee to the zoo and another fee to the aquarium. We see the aquarium only.
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The long-neck tribe. It is sad to see these girls wearing such heavy rings around their neck. The young will put on a few rings and will add more as they grow older - something like each year will add more rings.
The orchid farm. Nothing great about this place although there is a butterfly section within. It's a small area and is on the way to the elephant camp.
Food. This is our main attraction during our 10 days' stay in Chiang Mai. Local food, such as khao soi, pad thai, khamu, etc. I'm not so into food. It is my wife and her brother. Anyway, we do have to eat 3 meals a day. In addition there are so many thai "cakes", noodles, beef, pork and chicken dishes for inbetween meals. So cheap and good!. Although our popular place is Warorot market, we can find food every where we walked.
The best khao soi in town. This shop is just at the corner opposite the iron bridge. Cross the Mae Ping river using the iron bridge.
This is the iron bridge. Looks old to me.
We will be back. Maybe another 10 years? Better make it earlier before too old to walk.
