[vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”10 Reasons to Visit Chiang mai” heading_tag=”h1″ spacer=”line_with_icon” spacer_position=”bottom” line_height=”1″ icon=”Defaults-circle-blank” icon_size=”32″]
[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
10 Reasons to Visit Chiang Mai by DarkWingDave
Chiang Mai is the largest city in Thailand and has a rich historical range of places to visit as well as other events and opportunities you should certainly see when you come here on holiday. Here are the top ten reasons to visit Chiang Mai and we hope when you visit, you’ll find more!
- Khan tok dinner: This is a special lunch or dinner and an old Lanna Thai tradition. It’s offered by a host to their guests during momentous events like weddings, housewarmings or ordinations. Dishes are served on special trays to elevate them and the variety of food to be had is amazing.
- Chiang Mai National Museum: Open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 4pm, this is the main museum of northern Thailand and is located in the historic Jet Yod area. In 1996, they celebrated the 700th anniversary of Chiang Mai’s founding and has a focus on how Lanna culture is still celebrated in Thailand today. You’ll see 6 exhibits showing Chiang Mai from its beginning to the plans for the future.
- Muay Thai: This exciting martial art has been seen throughout the world but if you want to see where it started, by all means come to the Kalare Night Bazaar and visit the boxing ring and see authentic bouts and not a staged display seen in the tourist areas. Hours are 9pm to Midnight.
- Buddhist Association of Chiang Mai: Visiting Chiang Mai during the Wan Phra is a special treat as the group schedules speeches and workshops on Buddhism and certainly reflects Chiang Mai’s role as Thailand’s focus of religious activity.
- Warorot Food Market: If you’re a foodie then you have to visit the Warorot Market on Chang Moi road, north of the Night Bazaar. The majority of the customers are Thai, but if you want to learn about the amazing diversity of the cuisine and see what authentic Thai food is like, you need to try the local snacks, produce and other treasures found here.
- Scorpion Tailed Boat Cruise: Seeing Thailand from the Ping River allows you to get away from the hustle of the city and see the countryside. Original architecture and the amazing temples will be a highlight as well as a tour of an 8th Century Mon ruin site.
- Loy Krathong festival: On the full moon night of the 12th
lunar month, Thailand celebrates the “Festival of Light.” A krathong is a small raft that participants decorate with everything from flowers, candles and even hair clippings. It’s a symbolic way of letting go from events of the past and starting afresh. Don’t miss this if you’re in the area; even if you’re not a believer in the background, the elegance and passion in the event itself will move you.
- Chiang Mai Zoo: Wildlife on display that you wouldn’t expect to see here, the zoo is 200 acres of land in Doi Suthep with almost 400 species to appreciate including China’s Goodwill Panda Ambassadors from 2003.
- Doi Ithanon Park: Sometimes you want to get away from it all and imagine Thailand in its ancient days. It’s comprised of mountains along with tropical forests and amazing waterfalls. There are even Hilltribes present that coexist within the park that follow tribal cultures and still enjoy the benefits of modern technology. In spite of the surrounding development, incredible care has been taken to ensure preservation of the climate and ecosystem which you’ll see and appreciate during your visit.
- Mae Sa Elephant Camp: There is an association of Thailand with elephants and not always a positive one. The Mae Sa camp has been working tireless to provide these gentle giants with a dignified home where they can play, entertain tourists or just be themselves. A painting made by a group of 8 elephants sold in 2005 for 1.5 million baht and was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as “The Most Expensive Painting by a Group of Elephants.”
We hope you’ll visit Chiang Mai sometime and see what our old and new offerings can mean for you and the memories you’ll take home.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]