What To Do In Chiang Mai, Thailand

The following is an e-mail I wrote about what to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand:


"I'm sure your will love Chiang Mai! You definitely need a bike to see the city if you stay at Imm Eco Hostel, Chiang Mai. I chose Imm Eco because it's closer to the music scene, it's incredibly clean, they have an olympic sized pool, and a free buffet breakfast. it is however across the river which is only about a 6 min drive into the city center.

The other place I love is
Gap's House on
Rajadamnern Road, Soi 4 Chiang Mai 3, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand‎ - 053-278140

‎

It's inside the city moat (walls) and right off the road where the AWESOME Sunday night market takes place. The rooms are beautiful for the price— antiques, Thai art, big comfy beds, and sweet owners. The price is 400 baht/night I think. They don't have a pool.

Khun Churn restaurant: This veggie buffet is so good. I know you're not veggie but you must go. It's in the hip and happening area of Chiang Mai, Nimminhemin area, and the food is so fresh. They have tons of options with an incredible salad bar and North Thai dishes. Go for the buffet 11-2pm everyday.

Khun Churn:

serves a vegetarian buffet (60 baht) every lunch which is popular with Thai and ex-pats alike in the Nimminhemin area. 4 Nimanhemin Rd., Soi 17, Chiang Mai, Tel: (053) 224124, open: 8am to 10pm. $

In the same area is Drunken Flower which "has long been the queen of Nimmenhaemen’s bohemian bar scene and enjoys a devout following of expats and well-off Thais. It’s tucked into a side alley and offers mixed indoor and garden seating. Thai folk bands play on the weekends." Warm Up "is one Chiang Mai’s most popular clubs, especially with students from Chiang Mai University. It’s another asset of Nimmenhaemen Road and regularly hosts bands covering the latest, most popular Thai music."

Closer to the Imm Eco Hostel and along the river are the following music bars/clubs:

One of the best-known (and longest-running) establishments on the Ping River is Riverside Bar and Restaurant. Music starts after sunset, and by 21:00 house bands have taken the stage at both ends of the building. It’s worth getting a table and ordering from the menu.

To really explore Chiang Mai’s jazz scene, look no further than North Gate Jazz co-op. This funky three-walled venue is inside the northern flank of the moat next to Chang Puak Gate. Local bands rotate in and out on a nightly basis, with an open-mic night on Tuesdays. The emphasis is on improvisational (often experimental) jazz.

There is a Saturday market in Chiang Mai which has Northern food, art, and textiles... similar to the Sunday Market but a little more relaxed. AWESOME FOOD at this market.

Take your bike and head towards the Mae Rim area (45 min) for Orchid farms, beautiful temples, and an elephant hospital if you're into it.

Closer is a drive up the mountain, Doi Inthanon, South of Chiang Mai (to reach the summit is like 30 min bike ride) for a breezy and refreshing view as well as a walk through some slightly touristy hill tribe villages. This is an awesome solo trip and you'll feel great being out of the city heat.

Massage—go get a real one! Try a teacher from Sunshine Massage school (Ohm is great).

Sunshine Massage School 159/2 Kaew Nawarat Soi 4
Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
here is the map

Email: click here
Phone: 053 262 574 (international +66.53 262 574)

• Watpo Thai Traditional Medicine School

and

• ITM - International Thai Massage School

• Another school, super cheap and really great is I think called Baan Saab or You Saab ... I forget. But, at Tha Pae Gate if inside the gates (walls) and looking toards the inner moat turn right, walk 200 meters and your left will be a sign with You Saab or whatever. It's down a little road and if you can get 'ya' (her name sounds just like I wrote it) she's great.

Each time I visit Chinag Mai I head to my friend Krit's farm and cooking school in Mae Teang province— You Sabai. it doesn't get any better than this place. You will stay in earthen homes and cook food so good, you may just cry. You will leave Krit's place with life long friends and a greater appreciation for living with the earth.

I hope this helps...maybe I should write a guide book.

I'll try to connect you with some buddies. Give me a day. "