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17 Reasons to Skip Bangkok and Visit This Northern Thailand City Instead

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Things to Do in Northern Thailand

17 Reasons to Skip Bangkok and Visit This Northern Thailand City Instead

8 May, 2018 by Hilary White

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The Chiang Mai night market is unforgettable.

Chiang Mai's famous Night Bazaar is a shopping paradise in the center of city. Vendors set up stalls along the main street as the sun sets, but side alleys, side streets and buildings along the road also are open and full of stands loaded with merchandise as well. Knock-offs are everywhere, and inexpensive fashion is a staple of the market. You can find handmade items for a fraction of what you'd pay in the US.

The market can be a bit overwhelming and touristy — I had some major sensory overload throughout the several hours it took me to cover as much of the market as I could — but the hustle and bustle, the sights and smells, and the overall atmosphere of the market was an experience I loved, and will never forget.

You can visit stunning Buddhist temples that are hundreds of years old.

Several wats are enclosed into the "Old City" section of Chiang Mai, which is surrounded by a moat that once served as a defensive wall around the city.

Temple-goers can offer gifts to monks, and they can view the gorgeous details, statues, and spiritual elements that the temples offer. I visited several temples while I was in Chiang Mai, but the Wat Chedi Luang temple grounds — comprised of three temples and whose construction began in the 14th century — was one that stood out to me. Located in the Old City, it's easily accessible to travelers.

Learn the unique history of the area.

Though it is the largest city in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has less than an 8th of Bangkok's population. Travelers seeking a quieter location that still has the offerings of a metropolitan area will love the gem that is Chiang Mai. The city is surrounded by mountains, and in addition to its historic sites, it has a great coffee culture, local day and night markets, art scene, and countless different restaurants with an array of ambiances and types of food that will satisfy whatever craving you may have.

The transportation is easy and inexpensive.

Chiang Mai also has Songtaews, which are open red trucks with two rows of seats where passengers can sit. Unbelievably, these are even cheaper than tuk-tuks, meaning travelers can hail them and get around for about $1 USD, sometimes less (depending on where you're going). These are everywhere, and easy to find when you need a ride. You may encounter a driver who doesn't speak English, but if you let them know your destination (or show them on your phone), and agree on a price beforehand (which you should do with tuk-tuks too), it's easy to make it work. It's also a chance for you to try learning some conversational Thai!

The Chiang Mai night market is unforgettable.

The Ploen Ruedee Night Market International Food Park was one of the highlights of the Night Market for me. A large square of open food trucks and stands sits smack dab in the middle of the chaos of the bazaar, but you when you step into the actual area, it's hard to tell what country you're really in. Food from all over the world — and of course some pretty amazing Thai food, too — is being sold (for next to nothing) everywhere you look.
Expats from every nation imaginable mingle at the tables in the center of the food park, and beer and wine is available there as well. The atmosphere is somehow both electric and communal, both multi-cultural and true to Northern Thailand's vibe.

You can (and should!) visit the Elephant Nature Park just outside Chiang Mai.

You can interact with the elephants, walk and care for the dogs, and even stay overnight or volunteer for a week at the sustainable, eco-friendly retreat! Hundreds of dogs and cats live in "kingdoms" on the property, and roam through the area, completely at ease and happy with the lives they now have after being rescued.
Spending a day immersed in the work that the people are doing at this sanctuary, and seeing the passion they have for rehabilitating and caring for animals, was truly one of the highlights of my trip to Chiang Mai. Plus, they serve some amazing authentic (vegan) Thai food that guests can enjoy for lunch during their stay. The sanctuary is about an hour and half away from downtown Chiang Mai, but shuttles run to and from most of the hotels in the city, and will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go.

There are opulent hotels that look like they're from an ancient storybook.

The Dhara Dhevi has 123 villas and suites, two beautiful pools, and offers endless options of things to do. The biggest problem I had while staying here is that I truly found it hard to leave. There was so much to see, and every time I turned around, I was discovering a new part of the property more beautiful than the one before it.

There are so many options for inexpensive (and still beautiful!) places to stay, too.

The day markets will give you a real taste of life in Chiang Mai.

Within the commotion of the market, visitors can experience the daily lives of locals — and pick up some special souvenirs for cheap while you're there, too.

It's very inexpensive to travel in Northern Thailand.

The food is phenomenal.

Experience a Thai massage.

The weather is warm all year.

Experience the culture of Northern Thailand by getting hands on.

See a special part of Thailand you may not know about.

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