Things To Do And Where To Eat In Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Choose BANGKOK AIRWAYS.
If you cannot book a direct flight to Chiang Mai, Thailand, I highly recommend booking via Bangkok Airways from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Service was really good PLUS there’s a lounge for passengers where they serve FREE snacks, drinks and WI-FI (even if you are not seated in business class) 
Picture from http://kampungboycitygal.com/2013/07/chiangmai-4d3n-itinerary/
”A songthaew is a passenger vehicle in Thailand and Laos adapted from a pick- up or a larger truck and used as a share taxi.”
FYI: Taxi to/from the airport is 120 baht per way. Taxi to get around the city is 20 baht per person.
- Visit TIGER KINGDOM.
Our whole experience here in Aileen's blog:
http://www.iamaileen.com/2013/11/roar-chiang-mai-tiger-kingdom-travel-thailand-cats.html
For only 620 baht, you get to play and hug tiger cubs for about 15 minutes.
TIP: There are different ticket fees for SMALLEST, SMALL, MEDIUM and BIG. Pay for the “SMALLEST” only if you want to interact with the cubs since the “SMALL” ones are just beside the “SMALLEST” and you can still get to play with them. (no need to pay extra)
BIG tigers are the least expensive at 420 baht but they are the most exciting :)
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TIP: Tiger Kingdom charges 299 baht per CD if you want them to take pictures of you with the Tiger. If you and your companion have a good digicam and can take nice photos, I don’t recommend purchasing the CD because the pictures are not that plenty and the shots were just okay.
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Post by Aileen Adalid.
3. Go Trekking and Visit MAE SA WATERFALLS
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| FYI: This is on the way to Tiger Kingdom so you may ask the driver to make a quick stop here also. Park closes before 5pm. 30baht / pax entrance fee. |
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| TIP: The best view is at Level 6 so you may save yourself from moving on to Level 10. |
4. Eat KHAO SOI.
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Khao Soi is a very popular Thai noodle dish that originated from Chiang Mai. It is believed that the best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai is by Khao Soi Samer Jai located at 391, Next to Wat Fah Haam, Charoen Ras Road, Fah Haam Subdistrict
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| Khai Soi Chicken (40 baht) |
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| Khao soi is composed of egg noodles swimming in a coconut milk curry soup with chicken or beef, topped with crispy deep-fried noodles (like Manila’s “shing-a-ling”), cilantro and always served with a side of lime wedges, pickled mustard, sliced shallots and chili paste. |
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| Pork Satay (60 baht – 20 sticks) Best partner of khao soi would be the tender pork skewers with peanut sauce |
We booked at Sakulchai Place, a small nice hotel in Chiang Mai. Location was really good BUT I think booking at hotels near Nimman Road would be better. It would save you some transpo expenses when looking for a place to eat.
Nimman Road has a long stretch of restaurants and other shops that is so alive, especially come night time.
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| Mont Nom Sod or Mont NomSot (Milk and Bread Shop) sells awesome toast and milk-based drinks. You’ll be surprised to see a long line at the counter at the jam-packed shop. I personally like the Butter Toast with Egg Custard (23 baht) – it was really really REALLY good. |
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| iBerry Ice Cream Shop – Best to come here at night when the place turns into a whimsical wonderland of desserts. This may not be cheap but the ice creams plus the super lovely place is definitely worth a try :) TIP: Try the SPICY MANGO SORBET for a refreshing and interesting mix |
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| FYI: iBerry is located at 7th alley, near Nimman Road |
6. Go to NIGHT BAZAARS.
Chiang Mai night bazaars have quite an extensive market that sprawls along several blocks. This is where you can find authentic Thai street food and Thai novelty items.
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| ANUSAN NIGHT MARKET – Food and Thai handicrafts, bags, lamps, souvenir items, etc |
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| Try some assorted pickled fruits (20 baht) – some were good and some were, well, I can get used to the rest I think. |
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| WAROROT MARKET – my personal favorite because of the street foods |
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| Quail eggs in coconut milk cream (20 baht) |
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| Papaya Salad (20 baht) |
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| Picture from VisualBanquet: http://visualbanquet.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/warorot-market-magic-chiang-mai/ What NOT to miss: Khanom jeen (ขนมจีน )or "Khanom jin" (20 baht) – thin fermented rice vermicelli noodles, a staple Thai street food or “leftover food.” You may choose from 3 soups: chicken in coconut soup, fish balls in curry soup or pork soup with pork blood. The free side dishes would be RAW string beans, beansprouts, and other leafy veggies. Eggs are 8 baht each. |
7. Visit DOI SUTHEP TEMPLE.
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| This is one of the most popular temples in Chiang Mai, with an impressive view of the whole city after climbing the 309 steps of the intricately carved mythical Naga Serpent Staircase to the top. FYI: Roundtrip taxi fare to DOI SUTHEP Temple is 400 baht (if you want to go there by yourselves, at your own time and if you don’t want to share taxi with other passengers.) |
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| TIP: For budget travelers, take a song thaew taxi to the Chiangmai zoo (20 baht per person) or any other Doi Suthep stop. From there, wait for other passengers to fill up the 10-person slot of the song thaew taxi going to Doi Suthep (40 baht per person roundtrip). |
8. Eat some INSECTS.
Why? Because the UN Food and Agriculture Organization says it’s good for you and because it’s absolutely and ridiculously fun to do!
9. Be an ELEPHANT OWNER FOR A DAY at Patara Elephant Farm.
This is the MOST AMAZING and MOST MEMORABLE experience you can have that you will treasure for the rest of your life. You will learn how to take care of an elephant, how to properly ride them (bare-back) through the village, feed them, and even bathe them in the river. This exciting adventure was the highlight of our Chiang Mai trip and we dearly thank Patara Elephant Farm for taking great care of these rescued elephants.
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| They are selling the bugs for 20-50 baht per pack but I opt to try just 1 piece for 10 baht :p I think that’s a cricket. I was so scared that I might find some gooey stuff after biting on it but to my surprise, it’s just like eating some crunchy chips – toasted and salted. |
9. Be an ELEPHANT OWNER FOR A DAY at Patara Elephant Farm.
This is the MOST AMAZING and MOST MEMORABLE experience you can have that you will treasure for the rest of your life. You will learn how to take care of an elephant, how to properly ride them (bare-back) through the village, feed them, and even bathe them in the river. This exciting adventure was the highlight of our Chiang Mai trip and we dearly thank Patara Elephant Farm for taking great care of these rescued elephants.
http://www.pataraelephantfarm.com/index.php
Our whole experience here posted in Aileen's BLOG:
http://www.iamaileen.com/2013/11/patara-elephant-farm-chiang-mai-thailand-mahout.html
FYI: This requires reservation. 5,800 baht per person, inclusive of Elephant snacks, roundtrip hotel transfer, lunch and once in a lifetime experience.
Our whole experience here posted in Aileen's BLOG:
http://www.iamaileen.com/2013/11/patara-elephant-farm-chiang-mai-thailand-mahout.html
FYI: This requires reservation. 5,800 baht per person, inclusive of Elephant snacks, roundtrip hotel transfer, lunch and once in a lifetime experience.
Things To Do And Where To Eat In Chiang Mai, Thailand
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