The Northern Capital of Thailand - Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai)

Member Name: michelleleatham

Product:	Chiang Mai
Date:	07/08/09 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good atmosphere, plently to see and do

Disadvantages: The accommodation isn't as cheap here as other areas in Thailand

Chiang Mai is in Northern Thailand and sometimes referred to as the Capital of the North. We found this city to be a lovely relaxed city to spend a few days. When we were there we stayed in the Old Quarter of the city which is surrounded by a moat and a (now fallen down) wall.

Something to experience whilst in Chiang Mai is its famous night bazaar. The night bazaar is an enormous night market, selling lots of local handicrafts, clothes, shoes...pretty much everything you can imagine. A great place to get some souvenirs and presents for family and friends (if you're feeling generous). One disadvantage of the market is its size, we spent approximately 2 hours looking around the market and only saw about half of it. A tip whilst at the night bazaar is to bargain for the items you want to buy. The vendor doesn't expect you to pay the original price they tell you as it is commonplace in this part of the world to haggle for the price. Always do it in a good natured way (as it is considered a big sin for someone to show aggressiveness in public in Thailand) and don't ask for a price of an item which you can no intention of buying. Enjoy, because it is a wonderful shopping experience.

Whilst in Chiang Mai I would really recommend a visit to the hilltribes which live in Northern Thailand after they have come across the borders from Burma and Tibet. The villages that the hilltribes live in are very remote and it would be impossible to visit them without a guide. The hilltribes we visited were called the Long Neck Karen Tribe. The women wear heavy iron rings around their necks from the age of 5 upwards to push down their shoulders and collar bones, giving the impression of a really long neck. They believe that the longer neck they have the more beautiful they're considered to be. It is nice to take sweets for the children when visiting the tribes, as they live on a diet of rice only so it exciting for them to eat something other than rice. A really interesting place to visit.

There are also a lot of treks you can do from Chiang Mai which vary in length and experience.

Overall, Chaing Mai is a great city with a nice atmosphere, with plently to see and do in the area.

Summary: An amazing place to visit whilst in Thailand