CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Chiang Mai is a city in the mountainous northern region of Thailand. This town is best known for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and its surrounding nature! I recommend staying within the four old city walls as most activities and things to see are found inside here. You’ll find many buses heading to Pai and Chiang Rai from here and I think two full days in Chiang Mai is plenty!
Attractions:
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: Sacred site of the Thai people with lots of wats and temples. You can take a tuk-tuk to the top or hike the 2 hours up (see here). Once you reach the top, you will find plenty of vendors selling fruit smoothies; you have to try a few!
Huay Kaew Waterfall Hike: Located near the Chiang Mai Zoo, this waterfall is just 100 meters from the base of Doi Suthep.
Buak Hard Public Park: Worth dropping by to see locals playing takraw! It also has a nice walking track and exercise equipment!
Wat Phra That Doi Kham: This wat is home to Big Buddha!
Doi Inthanon National Park: Nicknamed “The Roof of Thailand”, this national park is a 2 hour bus ride from town center.
Other spots to check out include: Zoe in Yellow, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Doi Suthep–Pui National Park, and Tha Phae Gate.
Accommodation:
The Living Place 1: Nothing special here. Look for a better hostel inside the old city walls - there are plenty!
Transportation:
Pai is 4 hours by bus from Chiang Mai and costs 200 baht.
Chiang Rai is 4 hours by bus from Chiang Mai and costs 220 baht.
Bangkok is 10 hours by bus from Chiang Mai and costs 600 baht. Flights between the two cities are a little over 1 hour in length and cost between 1,000-2,000 baht.
Luang Prabang, Laos is a little over 1 hour by flight from Chiang Mai and costs between 3,000-4,000 baht.
The above photos of me and my fellow charlatans were taken by random travelers - thank you!