The laid-back Thai escape most Aussie travellers have overlooked
While Bangkok and Phuket tend to get a lot of love from Aussie travellers, there are a whole lot of great things to do in Thailand.
Take, for example, Chiang Mai.
I spent four months travelling through Thailand, and this northern city was easily one of my favourite places. Nestled in the mountains, it offers a laid-back escape from the hustle and the heat of Thailand's typical holiday spots.
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Chiang Mai has a lot going on. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Here are my top tips for an excellent stay in Chiang Mai.
Things to do in Chiang Mai
Eat Khao Soi
Chiang Mai is famous for being the birthplace of the delicious noodle dish, Khao Soi. It's a noodle soup in a creamy coconut curry broth, topped with crispy fried noodles and chicken.
I was there for seven days and ate eight bowls of Khao Soi - it's just that good. My favourite was from Khun Yai.
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Khao Soi is a must-try. Supplied
Hike the Monk's Trail
This hiking trail heads up the mountain to a serene temple that offers panoramic views of Chiang Mai and its surrounding mountains. Yes, you can get there by car. But hiking the trail takes you through the jungle, past hidden shrines and across streams. It's steep but shaded and very much worth it.
Explore the night markets
One thing that Chiang Mai does well is night markets. The Night Bazaar is open every day from 5pm, and is great for shopping, eating, and people watching.
Don't miss also the Walking Street Market on Sundays, which is massive and stretches over one kilometre, with hundreds of stalls, live music, performances, and more.
Explore the Nimman area
This trendy area is a hub for local students and expats living in Thailand. It's full of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops, and is a great place to spend the afternoon. At night you'll find the streets full of people enjoying the nightlife.
Visit the highest peak in Thailand. Supplied
Doi Inthanon National Park
If you like the outdoors, take a day trip to the "Roof of Thailand". Here you'll find the country's highest peak, beautiful waterfalls, and the Royal Pagodas. There are great hikes of all levels and distances.
Elephant sanctuaries
In the rural areas surrounding Chiang Mai, there are many elephant sanctuaries where you can get up close to these gentle giants in an ethical way. If any of them promote elephant rides, avoid those.
Look for ethical elephant encounters. Supplied
What is Chiang Mai best known for?
The heart of Chiang Mai is a beautiful, historic walled city full of temples and old buildings.
It was the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, and still has its ancient walls and moat. It is famous for its concentration of over 300 temples.
Many first-time visitors like to stay inside the Old City, where there is a great mix of budget and high-end accommodation.
Its location in the mountainous Thai Highlands also makes it a gateway for exploring nature.
The Monk's Trail is a beautiful walk to a temple. Supplied
Chiang Mai temperatures
While Thailand is a notoriously hot and humid country, Chiang Mai is a lot cooler than places like Bangkok and Phuket, thanks to its location in the mountainous north of the country.
Chiang Mai's cool season is from November to February, where highs are around 28°C, and lows are about 15°C.
The hottest months are from March to May, when it can get to 37°C. The rainy season lasts from June to October.
Chiang Mai has great markets. Getty
What to eat in Chiang Mai
Along with the classics like Pad Thai, Chiang Mai is a great place to try typical northern Thai cuisine. This includes:
- Khao Soi, the region's signature dish. A creamy, rich, coconut curry noodle soup.
- Sai Ua, a pork sausage flavoured with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chili. Find this at the night markets, often curled into a spiral.
- Nam Prik Num, a thick green chlili dip.
- Khanom Jeen, rice vermicelli noodles served in a thick spicy broth, often containing cubes of pig's blood.
- Moo Ping, grilled pork skewers, a popular street food dish that is often eaten for breakfast with sticky rice.
An intersection in the old town of Chiang Mai. Getty
How long does it take to go from Phuket to Chiang Mai?
You can get a direct, two-hour flight from Phuket to Chiang Mai.
If you want a slow journey, you can get a sleeper train from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai, which takes about 13 hours.
