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Cheap Holidays to Chiang Mai

In the mystical north-west of Thailand, the visually striking city of Chiang Mai has all of the cultural advantages of Bangkok without the disadvantages of traffic jams and air pollution. With over 300 temples to explore, a number of elephant sanctuaries to visit, awe-inspiring scenery and mouth-watering cuisine on every corner of every street, this city is an extremely popular choice for tourists wishing to experience the rich culture on offer here.

Combining a stay in Chiang Mai with Bangkok or one of the many beach resorts in Thailand is a very easy and effective way of experiencing the city, the culture and those glorious beaches all in one holiday. Reached either by an overnight bus (which can be quite inexpensive but not the most comfortable) or a short regular flight from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is very accessible.    

A visit to this city would not be complete without experiencing at least one or two of the magnificent temple complexes here, either independently or as part of an organized tour – the latter whilst sometimes having its downpoints, is often the best way of learning about the importance of these majestic structures.  Alongside the famous night market, endless tuk-tuk tours of the city and delectable cuisine, visitors also take up the chance to trek the mountainous area around Mae Taeng. Here the villages of Lahu, Karen and Hmong can be found and there is the chance to try a rafting experience along the beautiful Mae Taeng River. 

How long you choose to stay here is up to you, but one thing is for sure, you will never get bored!

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A Guide to Chiang Mai Holidays

The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

Acting as a retirement home for elephants, many of whom have worked in the logging or tourist industry, this ethical sanctuary allows the careful interaction between visitors and these magnificent creatures. You won’t find any elephants kicking footballs here and elephant back rides are not permitted either. The sanctuary does a great job of promoting responsible tourism by allowing tourists to get up close and personal without exploiting the animals and interfering too much with their natural behaviours.

Wat Doi Suthep

Wat Doi Suthep

There are so many temples (Wats) and complexes to explore, from the visually impressive Wat Phra Singh, the huge seated Buddha at Wat Phra That Doi Kham to the most frequently visited Wat Doi Suthep; you simply can’t stay in Chiang Mai without visiting at least one of these impressive structures. If you only manage one, then it’s got to be Wat Doi Suthep. Reached by a winding mountain road followed by a 309-step walk to reach the top, it is not for the faint hearted. But the experience at the top, from the commanding views of the city below to the 600-year old golden Chedi is worth every bit of effort.

The Night Market

The Night Market

Extending along the The Chang Khlan and open every night of the year, come rain or shine, is the impressive and famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. On offer is a huge variety of Thai goods as well as designer goods (both fake and licensed… look carefully for spelling mistakes!), at very low prices. If you’re after a few souvenirs here is the place to get them but remember to barter in order to get the best prices!

The Hill Tribe Villages

The Hill Tribe Villages

The scenery in northern Thailand is truly mesmerizing and one of the best ways to experience this is to take a trek to the mountainous areas that are inhabited by the local hill tribes. These ethnic minority tribes often have their own language, customs, mode of dress and spiritual beliefs. However, it’s important to pick a reputable tour company for this, to ensure not only you have an authentic experience, but also that the local people and their culture is not put any unnecessary threats from the western way of life.

When to Visit Chiang Mai

TEMPERATURE (Avg. monthly °c)

22°
Jan
24°
Feb
28°
Mar
30°
Apr
29°
May
28°
Jun
27°
Jul
27°
Aug
27°
Sep
27°
Oct
24°
Nov
22°
Dec

RAINFALL (Avg. monthly mm)

5
Jan
5
Feb
15
Mar
50
Apr
150
May
130
Jun
160
Jul
220
Aug
250
Sep
120
Oct
30
Nov
10
Dec

Getting Around Chiang Mai

🚌 Transport in the Chiang Mai Region

Songthaews, which are generally converted pickup trucks with two benches in the back, are a common mode of transport for locals in Chiang Mai, but possibly not for the faint-hearted tourist! Other means of transport include motorbikes and bicycles as well as tuk-tuks and taxis – the latter being the easiest and most cost-effective way of navigating the city.

Travelling by bus or carThere are very few public buses and minivan services in Chiang Mai, and what services there are can be unreliable. Hopping into a tuk-tuk may be your best bet if you want to get from A to B. Whilst hiring a car in Thailand could be an option for the more experienced driver, certainly for longer journeys; it is not recommended in Chiang Mai as the roads can get very busy.
Passports and Visas

British citizens do not require a visa to visit Thailand if their trip is less than 30 days. You will, however, need to have 6 months validity on your passport. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements

Health and Safety

We highly recommend you have full travel and medical insurance for your holiday to Thailand. For the latest health and safety information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/health.

 

Thailand is generally a very safe country, but as with all countries, it is best to exercise caution in bigger cities, at night and places away from tourist areas. 

Vaccinations

Travellers to Thailand should contact their local GP or Travel Clinic to obtain full advice on which vaccinations they will need (some may need Typhoid and/or Hepatitis B). All tourists should also make sure their routine jabs are up to date.

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