Take a stroll around Chiang Mai city and you will no doubt walk pass a temple or two, or three or four. As soon as we dropped off our bags at the hotel, we grabbed our map and headed out. On our little walking adventure, we passed Wat Chiang Mai, which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, the Three Kings Monument; bronze statues of the founder of Chiang Mai and his two friends, and Wat Phra Singh; temple of the lion buddha.
A cheap and fun way to get around the city is with a songthaew, which is a pick up truck. These are everywhere in the city, and if you want to travel on one, all you need to do is stand on the side of the road, and when one is in sight, raise your hand to flag them down. Tell the driver where you want to go, and then hop in the back. Unlike a taxi or tuk tuk, you may find yourself sharing the ride with other passengers, and such, may not take the direct route to your desired destination. However, it is a great way to see the city if you don't mind staying for the ride.
Among all the temples in Chiang Mai and northern Thailand, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is regarded as one of the most sacred. Commonly just referred to as Doi Suthep (Suthep Mountain), the temple starts off with a 300-step climb up a serpent staircase before being greeted by the beautiful and highly revered golden Phra That as well as views of Chiang Mai city and it's surrounds.
Our visit to Elephant Nature Park was the highlight of our Chiang Mai trip. Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre, and here, we were able to feed them (with bananas and watermelons), touch and photograph them, and watch as they bathed and interacted. We learned that many of the elephants here are either partially blind or have been seriously injured at one stage in their life, and with each one we met, our guide would share their history and rescue story with us. It's clear that this park takes very good care of their elephants. There were no chains, no hooks and definitely no riding these beautiful creatures. We had a highly educational experience, and were given plenty of opportunities to feed and photograph the elephants in this park.
Besides temples and elephants, Chiang Mai has also got a pretty awesome food scene. Pick up some Thai sausages and grilled pork from the Night Market in Warorot (Chinatown) and desserts like pa thong ko (Thai doughnut) in a creamy pandan sauce, a banana roti and a Mrs Pa's fruit shake from the street vendors at Chiang Mai Gate. Another great market is the Chill Out Market Night Bazaar; an open air food market filled with straw bale seats and gallon drum tables, interesting food, a pop-up bar and and live music. Also near the night bazaar is a really great pizza restaurant called Street Pizza and Wine Houzz, and for a taste of authentic local cuisine, try the khao soi (curry noodles) at Khao Soi Khun Yai.
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand after Bangkok, yet it's so different. It's much more relaxed, the roads are less congested and here, you can really see and feel the Thai people's genuine friendliness. We had a wonderful time in Chiang Mai.
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