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The journey to Chiang Mai, the northern capital of Thailand, begins about 700 years ago. Lana the Great's kingdom began to disintegrate, Laos and Myanmar became independent countries and so did the familiar Thailand of today. During this period, the king of Mangrai established the capital of the north in the heart of the forest, the city of Chiang Mai, which has countless temples and evergreen nature.
In recent decades, Chiang Mai has grown into the prosperous city it is today, the second largest in all of Thailand. A bastion of tourism that combines tropical nature, magnificent Thai heritage and a vibrant and kicking life, which includes Colorful markets, happy streets, lots of accommodation options, restaurants and lively nightlife.
Chiang Mai is a city that runs at a different pace, relatively slower to the other cities in Thailand. Despite the fact that close to a million residents live in its metropolis, the feeling you will get during a trip to the city is that you are in a small and intimate town. You will not find skyscrapers there, and it is likely that in some parts of the city you will even see courtyards with chickens running around, which will give you the feeling that you are in a small and isolated village. But Chiang Mai and its surroundings offer travelers a lot to see and do - trips and treks, many temples, Small and cheap hotels And next to them too Large and luxurious hotels, good food and lots and lots of fun and relaxation for body and soul.
In Chiang Mai there are many alternatives that fulfill the needs of all the tourists who come to the city. from luxury hotels Committee to cheap hostels - Accommodation in the city Considered relatively cheap compared to the rest of Thailand. It is recommended to find accommodation around the night market, next to the riverside or in the old city, the active and central areas of the city.
The hotels in Chiang Mai Suitable for any age and any budget, befitting a large and diverse city, and it is important to plan your trip so that you find a hotel that is suitable in its location for the points of interest you want to see.
Chiang Mai has one airport. Most of the flights departing and entering the city arrive or depart from / to Bangkok, and in addition there are daily flights to the islands Phuket and Cosmoy and flights to nearby international destinations such as Hanoi in Vietnam and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways are the most active companies at the airport, and in addition to them there are low-cost companies called Knock Air and Lion Air that fly to and from the Chiang Mai airport.
As a large city, a large number of flights depart and arrive in Chiang Mai every day, so your options are relatively diverse and proper planning, and especially booking well in advance, will allow you to save costs.
The recommended season To travel to Chiang Mai is between October and February. This is considered the dry season, so the chance of being caught in a heavy rainstorm is lower. The months of July to October are considered the worst months for a trip to the city since it is the rainy and hotter season.
In Chiang Mai you can find many car rental companies, although a significant number of travelers choose to rent motorcycles and scooters, which are abundant in the city. The safest option is to rent a car from one of the well-known international rental companies. The price they charge is higher in most cases, but you can be sure that you are renting a good, reliable and insured car. If You rented a car From one of the local agencies it is important to verify the subject of the insurance and what the exact procedure is in the event of an accident or theft.
It is also important to match the type of vehicle to the nature of the trip and your vehicle, and in general it is better to take care of a rented car as early as the trip planning stage, preferably from Israel before the flight. This way you can have peace of mind and get the car you asked for.
In Chiang Mai you can find a wide variety of attractions of different types. There are several Thai, Israeli and foreign travel agencies in the city. In most cases the agencies offer similar attractions and the price differences are quite low so the differences are not dramatic. What's more, if you prefer to go to attractions and trips in an Israeli group, you should book the attraction through one of the Israeli agencies.
The main points of interest in the city are around the countless temples in and around it, but there is still quite a bit to see and do in the city, and it is worth dwelling a little on the various options.
One of the most popular attractions in Chiang Mai (and Thailand in general) is an exit to Omega in the jungles surrounding the city. The two places mentioned above are considered the most interesting and the best in the city. The trip takes about half a day and can be done in the morning or in the afternoon. The price is about NIS 350, while the price on the official website is higher.
In response to the moral problems with the animals, and in an attempt to compensate for the long-standing abuse of elephants, rehabilitation farms began to open in Thailand that are a refuge for elephants exploited in the tourist industry. The elephant farm in Chiang Mai It is considered a much friendlier attraction for elephants, in which the tourists shower the elephants, feed them and spend several hours with them. There are half-day, two-day itineraries and also itineraries that include one night's accommodation. The day routes cost about 260 NIS, half day about 180 NIS and the routes that include accommodation about 450 NIS per night.
In the vicinity of the city of Chiang Mai there are many animal farms that present various types of shows. The monkey and snake shows are considered particularly exciting, although even in this case in recent years, and due to the rising awareness of the abuse involved, the popularity of these attractions is on the decline.
The long-necked tribe is a very interesting tourist attraction in Thailand. It is about a tribe that fled the civil war in Burma and found refuge in Thailand, and arriving in one of the tribe's villages is a particularly powerful cultural and anthropological experience. Please note that around Chiang Mai are scattered several such villages, the most famous of which is called Nai Soi. At the same time, some of them are not authentic, so if you want to have an authentic experience it is recommended to go to Huay Pu Keng village even though it is relatively remote.
The visit to the long-necked tribe can be combined with other attractions as part of a day trip, where you will also visit the famous attraction "The Black House" and the White Temple and the Blue Temple. More details about the tour and ticket purchases you can Find here.
In and around Chiang Mai you can find the The largest number of temples in Thailand in relation to the amount of population. At every corner of the street you will come across one temple or another, some of them are particularly magnificent and some are smaller and more modest.
The temple built in 1383 on the summit of Mount Doi Sutep (a little outside the city) consists of several chads, which are a kind of golden pyramids. According to tradition, the largest Chadi houses part of the Buddha's ashes. Traditionally, the temple is ascended via a dragon-shaped staircase consisting of 309 steps. In addition, you can go to the top of the mountain by cable car for a nominal fee.
The temple is considered one of the holiest in Thailand and attracts many tourists and pilgrims every month. The views from the temple are breathtaking - from the eastern side of the temple you can look down on the city of Chiang Mai and be impressed by its grandeur, and the western side overlooks the wild jungles of Thailand.
If you want to combine several attractions and enjoy an attractive price, you can buy Integrated card Which includes a night tour, a visit to the famous temples Wat Omung and Doi Suthep and a spectacular view of Chiang Mai at night.
Located in the old city of Chiang Mai. Built in 1297 and containing an elephant-shaped chad and several Buddha statues, marble and crystal. Also, in the temple you can find an ancient library and a stone inscription which is the oldest evidence of the founding of Chiang Mai.
The temple built about 700 years ago is located near the University of Chiang Mai. In the center of the temple is an impressive pyramid with several tunnels inside it, in addition you can see several statues of Buddha that show him nearing the end of the fast. One of the unique sights of the monastery are the deer that roam freely in the temple grounds and receive food from the monks who live there.
One of the favorite options for young and old travelers alike in Chiang Mai is going out for a jeep tour around the city. The trips are organized by two leading companies - Tana and Red Brick. The companies offer tourists a concentrated trip during which you can see a very large part of the attractions that Chiang Mai offers.
The itineraries offered by the two agencies are quite similar to each other, and the price of the trip is around NIS 700 per person. The hotels we complained about during the trip are modest and along the route they travel in spacious jeeps. A Thai driver accompanies each jeep, some know how to chat with the passengers in Hebrew and are an attraction in themselves.
If you come to the north and don't have too much time to invest in Chiang Mai and its surroundings, going on a jeep tour of this type is definitely a good solution to get an impression of the city and its surroundings.
You can go on several day trips from Chiang Mai that include several attractions. Any travel agency will be happy to offer you several fixed routes for these trips. Alongside these trips there are also day trips to the national parks and nature reserves around Chiang Mai.
Doi Inthanon is a national park located on the highest mountain range in Thailand. On the highest peak are located two pagoda-like structures dedicated to the King and Queen of Thailand. During the trip you will see waterfalls, wild nature and majestic and orderly gardens, and if you want to enjoy close guidance and a visit to other hidden Hamed corners, it is recommended to join a guided tour in a small and intimate group. For details and place armor eClick here.
The golden triangle It is the name of the border triangle between Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand. If your time is limited, you can go on a day trip from Chiang Mai and have time to visit Myanmar and Laos as well. Also during the trip you will go to a nice market located on the bank of the river in Laos and you can also visit a border town with a large market in Myanmar. The tour includes pickup and drop-off from the hotel, personal attention and instruction in English. To read more and order tickets, Continue reading.
There aren't too many treks around Chiang Mai and this isn't considered a "classic" trek either, but it is without a doubt the best trek Chiang Mai has to offer. The trek takes about two days, during which they sleep in a village of the Long-necked tribe. On the trip you will be exposed to waterfalls, wild forests and the rural environment near Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai's night markets Considered the largest in Thailand. You can find many colorful and varied items in them such as trousers, shorts and shirts, mobile phone accessories, wallets, lighters, statues and electronic products. In addition, there is a central building that houses many artists who offer for sale paintings in a variety of styles. The markets are considered the center of Chiang Mai's nightlife and attract a particularly large amount of tourists and locals alike.
The show that previously could only be found on the islands or in Bangkok has also come to Chiang Mai, offering viewers a fun night's entertainment. In exchange for NIS 40 you can purchase an entrance ticket and a drink.
The largest and most popular club in Chiang Mai among tourists and backpackers. The parties that start relatively late, around one in the morning, attract many locals and tourists, the dominant music is mainly pop music and the place is located a short walk from the old town of Chiang Mai.
A very popular reggae club in Chiang Mai that attracts both tourists and locals every night. If you are looking for a place to dance at a relaxed pace this is the place for you.
Read more about all the most worthwhile attractions in Chiang Mai >>
Thai food is considered one of the best in the world, and Chiang Mai certainly lives up to this high standard, the local food in the city is considered excellent and almost any Thai restaurant you enter will provide you with an excellent experience. If you still want western food, you should go to a well-known place with recommendations or an international chain because a large part of the restaurants The westerns in Chiang Mai serve fairly mediocre food.
Chiang Mai is known for its excellent cafes, and Akha Ama is considered one of the best. The cappuccino is in a great place and the prices in the cafe are extremely friendly. If you are in the area or if you have a strong desire for good coffee, do not miss this wonderful cafe.
Near the night market you will find a stand that serves excellent fried foods, where you can choose between chicken, beef or pork and enjoy a delicious and extremely cheap meal. As the name suggests, the place is only active in the evening.
The place offers one of the best curry dishes in Thailand! The curry noodle dish is considered the flagship dish of Chiang Mai and Khao Soi offers one of its tastiest versions.
A luxury restaurant in terms of Thailand and the north in particular. In the restaurant you will find a pleasant and calm terrace and an inviting interior space, where they will serve you traditional Thai dishes in an outstanding execution. The sum tam soup is excellent and the duck in red curry is also considered particularly good.
If you still insist on eating western food, at Stefano's they serve the best Italian food in northern Thailand: excellent pizzas and pastas, along with meats and seafood. Keep in mind that the restaurant is expensive compared to the prices used in Thailand.
Chiang Mai is a slightly different city in the landscape of Thailand, and runs at a slower pace. It offers its visitors a variety of attractions such as trekking, holy places, markets and much more. You can read about all the attractions on the website.
Definitely yes. As a relatively calm city, Chiang Mai is suitable for a trip with children and, accordingly, many accommodations in it are suitable for families. You can find a hotel or guest house suitable for families on the Simple Thailand website.
In general, it is better to visit Chiang Mai in the dry season because then all the attractions are available and open. To find out exactly when you should fly, visit our website.
You can go on day trips from Chiang Mai that also include several attractions, and you can register for them at any local agency. All information about day trips in the Chiang Mai area is on the website.
