"Adventure!"
by - Yoshihide, Tokyo, Japan
Chiang Mai Travel For College Students
The Insiders Guide To Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is full of excitement, culture, and adventure. There are so many places to eat and things to do. We’ve got you covered.
Chiang Mai Guesthouses
If you are traveling to Chiang Mai, the first thing you ought to know is that accommodation can be very cheap as long as you know where to stay. If you want to save money you need to avoid the big glamorous hotel chains, even though a 1 night stay there may be cheaper then a night there in your home country. A guesthouse is the way to go. They are cheap, friendly, usually have personal showers, air-conditioning, and fans. Often you end up making friends with fellow travelers as well. A night at most of Chiang Mai’s guesthouses will run you about 200-450 baht. This however can vary depending on your length of stay as the owner will usually give you a discount if you stay for a longer time and pay up front. Something to note is that the price listed is never the final price. You can bargain here just like you do at the market. As always in Thailand, bargain with a smile. Another benefit is that the most of the guesthouses are near Thapae Gate. Thapae gate is the center of town and there are many restaurants and bars nearby.
Chiang Mai Food
The food in Thailand is fantastic – and sometimes a bit adventurous. It’s cheap, delicious and always available. And for the most part, it is usually safe to eat. Some people avoid fresh lettuces and vegetables that are washed in water, others eat it without problems. Avoid coconut milk dishes in the afternoon if it has been out all day. Avoid food that looks like it has been sitting out for a long day. But there is so much food that is freshly cooked and healthy, that you shouldn’t have problems. Start with the restaurants near the tourist centers, such as Thapai Gate Market – there are plenty of restaurants with menus in English. Then, after you start to get the hang of eating in Thailand, venture out to places that don’t cater to tourist too often. Especially in these areas, be polite, patient, flexible, and smile and people will do the same with you. Definitely check out the food stands in the South Chiang Mai Gate Market. A meal at any of these will cost you 25-40 baht. Too cheap to believe it I know!
One special location for food is the Walking Street Market. Thai’s and farangs (foreigners) alike flock here every Sunday evening to feast upon the delicious food the many street vendors have to offer, as well as getting some shopping done. You can find t-shirts, pants, sunglasses, trinkets, jewelry among other things here. Located on Rachadamnoen road, opposite Thapae Gate. Normally this road has traffic on it except for Sunday evenings when they close so you won’t have to worry about getting whacked by a motorbike.
If you are needing the comforts of more familiar food, Chiang Mai has a cornucopia of International restaurants; Italian, French, Indian, Chinese, and Mediterranean just to name a few. For a meal straight out of Sicily head to Antonio’s. They have fantastic food, good wine and even vegetarian. Prices range from 100-400 baht per entrée. Outdoor terrace and indoor seating is available. Its located just past Panthip Plaza near the Lanna Hotel and Lacoste Store. If you’re feeling some Mexican food head down to El Diablo, a new restaurant in town that just opened in October. They are becoming known for their burritos. Be sure to try one. It’s right next to Mike’s Burger on Thapae Gate Road. Salsa Kitchen has delicious Mexican food and is a staple of many foreigners (just avoid the beans). A few doors down from Salsa Kitchen is Royal India that might have the best Indian food in Chiang Mai
What to do while in Chiang Mai
Don’t just sit around in your guesthouse or hotel – get out and do something! Walk around the city and check out many of the Wats around the city. Soak in the religious culture of Thailand. Make sure you visit the Three Kings Monument Museum and the Teak Temple. Flight of the Gibbon™ is our zip-line tour in the rainforests of Chiang Mai. Its located off the beaten path in the village of Mae Kom Pong. We also offer multi-day packages with a homestay that include mountain biking, white water rafting and rock climbing. We have several Thailand Packages to choose from.
Two typical activities to do on Thailand vacations is to visit Hill Tribes and elephant camps. In the past, it seems like there was very little consideration these activities had on the impact of Thailand and its culture. We are encouraging people to consider how their presence in Thailand impacts the culture and land, and what they are looking to get out of the experience. For example, to see and learn about Karen Long Neck Hill tribe is fascinating, however, usually, it amounts to no more than foreigners gawking at the Karen folks all day, with little understanding of modern life and culture. Here is an article that sums up the pros and cons of visiting Karen Hill tribe. Likewise, although elephants are smart, majestic and beautiful, many elephant camps don’t treat them that way. Often they are presented and treated like circus animals. And there is no doubt that their trainers usually care for them, they still have to endure sharp hooks and crowds all day long. Not all are like this however, Elephant Nature Park does a great job in how they treat the elephants and educating visitors on the issues surrounding them. We don’t want to say you should or shouldn’t do something in Thailand or feel guilty, we just are asking people to consider how they impact their guest country and what experience they want to get out of their trip.
If you are feeling somewhat adventurous, rent a motorbike, buy a map, and get out of town. Visit Naam Dtok Bua Tong, a waterfall you can climb up with just your hands and feet (along with old ladies and kids). It isn’t extreme, but it is fun and a glimpse into what a Bpai Tiow (day trip with the family) looks like in Thailand. It is located north of Mae Jo. Drive up to Doi Suthep, see the temple and hike around.
Chiang Mai Nightlife
On another note you’re probably wondering where do I get a drink?!. Chiang Mai has huge nightlife crowd. Most cities in Thailand have bars that are popular among the tourists and farangs. At these places you will find a beer and some relaxation. The Rooftop and the Rasta Bar are really popular. If you want to step out of the tourist crowd a bit and get a more authentic Thai experiece make sure to visit a Thai club. Some popular places are The Warmup, Mandalay, and Fashion House. Warmup is hot amongst the younger crowd and has 3 areas: techno/electronic, hip hop, and live music. Warmup is open quite early as many people eat dinner here and it closes at 2 am. Mandalay is similar to Warmup with 2 areas: Scratching, which plays hip-hop and The Dark, a rave all in itself. Mandalay closes late usually 4 am. Fashion House is strictly hip-hop and live music with their DJ spinning till 2 am.
A traveler’s worst nightmare is becoming ill or injured while travelling. If this is the case the top hospital in Chiang Mai is Ram Hospital. All of the staff and doctors are English speaking and cater to foreigners. Just ask a Tuk Tuk or taxi to get you there.
Be safe and have fun!
Want to know more about
Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours?
Go to our Home Page and discover the adventure of a lifetime
Or Get more details and make your reservation now
