The city of Chiang Mai is truly a tourist haven.
A lot of us who have visited, have fond memories of holding on to the back of a red-truck songtaew, wind in your face, as it hurried around the city, following the moat and brick walls that protected the city in the past. These are the memories that we don’t often remember where we were going, but all that matters is that we were going somewhere.
As a tourist, Chiang Mai is one of the places where you don’t need a plan. You can spend a chill day walking around temples, getting a massage, getting some work done at a co-working space, hitting up IBerry or another dessert cafe, running with the young crowd at Nimman road and CMU, and winding down with some live music in the old town.
As you take a walk in the old city, in awe of the raised wooden houses and exploring the narrow streets, you may casually stumble upon temples that have stood for hundreds of years. The small moments sneakily give us a sense of fulfillment.
Or you can ask, “What adventure do I want to go on today?” Just out of the city, you can find the likes of Mae Kampong, Thailand’s tallest peak of Doi Inthanon, the terraced fields of Mon Chaem, or even take a day trip to Chiang Rai.
No matter what it is – great restaurants, fancy hotels or your $3 hostels – Chiang Mai has got you covered. There’s almost always some kind of event, usually a chill gathering, whether it’s a local market or an expat social organization, and people are quick to send out a spontaneous invitation. The rest is up to you.
