Best of All: Chaing Mai

The night market is the best. I have been to the night market in Hong Kong and other places, but the one in Chiang Mai is the best. You have to know that more than half of all the handicrafts sold in Thailand are made in Chiang Mai. Those are teakwood carvings, umbrellas (painted), Thai silk, bronze, lacquer ware, and silver. They are all here, and you can visit every one of the workshops and get excellent prices - remember to bargain.

There is an elephant camp not far outside of town that is worth the trip. Most of these places are very easy to find; just ask your hotel personnel. Most of the hotels have their own massage spa, and if not, again, the hotel can help you find a place. It is worth the time, money, and effort. There are also excellent restaurants.

Quick Tips:

There is a tourist guide called Chiang Mai. It’s free, has maps, and tells you what is going on when and where. I have found that the personnel in any of the hotels are more than helpful. If you plan on really buying at some of the places that sell silver, bronze, and Thai silk, they have big showrooms and will send a vehicle after you and take you back to your hotel. Again, check with the hotel.

Best Way To Get Around:

What is nice about Chiang Mai is that it has not gone totally upscale, like Bangkok, regarding transportation. Tuk-tuks, pedicabs, and vans all are great transportation modes. Make your deal before you get in the vehicle. Some of these you can rent for the whole day and they will take you wherever you want.

The hotel staff was probably the best we have had. They went overboard to make you feel comfortable and just like they wanted you there. And the reason for that was that you were not in a very good area. It was too far from anything. You were set back from the highway that went to Lampang but could not hear the traffic, but because you were on the highway, you could not walk anywhere. The food was excellent and the buffet breakfast was more than what you wanted. It was just a little too far out of the way.

The decor is fantastic. The food was excellent as well as the service. The waitress spoke English, the menu as more than adequate, the atmosphere was great.

I guess this really falls into the tip category. There are a number of large, and I mean large, specialty shops that sell, silk, teakwood carvings, umbrella, jewelry, silver, suits... anything you want. Most of these places are on any tour you go on, either with a tour group or just when you ask a taxi to take you. The thing to remember is that many of these places will also come pick you up and take you back to your hotel. Take your time in selecting a quick trip: up and back is better than rushing into buying. Ask your hotel what places will pick up you up or get the local Tourist Guide Chiang Mai; some are listed there. You may tip the driver.