Chiang Mai Travel

Chiang Mai is emerging as one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the world. A trip to Thailand is incomplete without visiting Chiang Mai. Home to over 300 temples, this ancient city, blends the new and the old into a beautiful tapestry of color and sights. Rich in history and traditions, this modern city attracts tourists from all over the world.

Chiang Mai is a valley surrounded by mountains. It is full of natural beauty and has an abundance of lush vegetation all the year round. It has many water resources like rivers and lakes. These water bodies are rich in different varieties of fishes, and this makes Chiang Mai a favourite spot for fishing. Anglers from all over the world come to Chiang Mai for big game fishing. The landscape is a mountainous terrain, and home to many Ethnic tribal villages, making it a perfect spot for trekking activities.

From Bangkok that has the international airport, Chiang Mai is approximately 750 kilometers, and there are many ways of reaching it. There are regular bus services from the northern bus terminus in Bangkok. In a day there are 12 second-class air-conditioned buses going to Chiang Mai, taking roughly 10 to 11 hours of travel time.

When the air-conditioners are not working in these buses, be prepared to sweat it out in the summer months. More comfortable first class air-conditioned buses leave every half hour from 6.45 am until 9 pm. These are 42 seater buses with attached toilets. Then there are the governments VIP buses, which have seats that recline a bit more than the first class buses, and they have six departures between 7 pm to 9 pm and one in the morning at 9 am. About 10 private bus operators also run luxury bus services from various pick up points in the city. A return ticket is more economical than two, one-way fares. The fares range between 400 to 500 Bahts depending on the bus. Government buses are more reliable in their services and punctuality, then private tourist operators.

A much better way to travel would be by the train service. Thailand has an excellent train service, particularly the ones that run between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. You can either take a day train or an overnight sleeper coach. To get a berth booking is a bit difficult as many tour companies book off entire coaches. You have to book well in advance. Booking starts 60 days in advance of the travel date.

Chiang Mai has major bank branches; open from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm. In the main areas like Night Bazaar, Th Tha Phae and Th Moon Muang, there are ATMs and foreign exchange booths operating till 8 pm in the night.

Chiang Mai offers hotels and accommodation to suit every budget. From low budget guesthouses and hostels to five star hotels, Chiang Mai has it all. A night’s stay will cost you $3 in the cheaper guesthouses, to a whopping $650 in a five star hotel.