Cm To Cr Then Where?

[migrant]

We'll be in Chiang Mai in November and want to drive to Chiang Rai.

Don't really want to head back so looking for suggestions where to go from there.

Thought about Mae Hong Sae (spelling?) and Pai to make a big circle.

Timewise think 2 days in Chiang Rai then perhaps 3-5 days more to roam before heading back to Chiang Mai

Thanks!!

[Fishenough]

The 107 north from Chiang Mai connecting to the 1089 which ends just ~30kms north of Chiang Rai is a fantastic route. You can connect the towns of Chiang Dao, Fang and Doi Mae Salong on this route. Plenty to see and do on that route, but it's a great way to bypass the highway connecting Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

The mountain route is slower, twister and more scenic then the main highway. Plenty of nice accommodation and food stops on route. Highly recommended

[elektrified]

All you need is 2 hours in Chiang Rai, not two days. It's a sleepy little town.

[lannarebirth]

All you need is 2 hours in Chiang Rai, not two days. It's a sleepy little town.

Agree. It's a carbon copy of almost evry other provincial town. Places to see in the North might include wat Rong Khun and the Black temple near Chiang Rai, Doi Tung Botanical Gardens, Doi Mae Salong, Doi Ang Khang, Vieng Haeng, "Golden Triangle" area, etc.

[migrant]

The mountain route is slower, twister and more scenic then the main highway. Plenty of nice accommodation and food stops on route. Highly recommended

Perfect!!

OK Chiang Rai for a day.

Is the hop to Pai and Mae Hong Sae easy? I wanted Vientiene, but I think too far.

Thanks All

[chiang mai]

After you leave CR head up to Doi Tung and spend an hour at the botanical gardens, a splendid sight if for no other reason than the contrast with the surrounding landscape. Then find the nearby road to Mai Sai, it's marked on the map as a tourist route and runs for about twenty kilo's into Mai Sai - you're there for the view which is magnificent as the road runs mostly along the ridge between two countries - go during daylight hours (only) and don't feel threatened by the soldiers and the machine gun posts at either end of the road, take lots of pictures.

[Fishenough]

The mountain route is slower, twister and more scenic then the main highway. Plenty of nice accommodation and food stops on route. Highly recommended

Perfect!!

OK Chiang Rai for a day.

Is the hop to Pai and Mae Hong Sae easy? I wanted Vientiene, but I think too far.

Thanks All

The 1095, quite well signed, road to Pai is 30 km's north of Chiang Mai on the 107 route that heads north - a easy turn off on your trip back from Chiang Dao.

Distances aren't great, we drive to; Pai for a early lunch and back to pick the kid up from school, and Chiang Dao in the evening for a nice dinner at the Chiang Dao nest, have fished 5 hours in the morning near of Mae Sariang and been home for dinner that day, ridden the entire MHS loop in day, with a group, on 125 cc scooters. But it's also easy to spend a day seeing the sight's on just a portion of these routes - and still not see everything.

Yes, some of us are not impressed with the town of Chiang Rai, where the prices of food and lodging can be higher then other parts of the north, the surrounding area offers a lot to see. Did you visit the Chiang Rai images thread here? Wat Rong Khun can be very photogenic for the skilled photographer, and Cabbages & Condoms is worth a (must) stop on a road trip.

By November the rains will hopefully definitely be finished and the countryside will be brilliant green and lush, both these mountain routes (Chiang Dao-Doe Mae Salong & the Mae Hong Song loop) will be at there best.

[migrant]

Again, thanks!!

[moe666]

On the mae hong song loop stop at wat tam wua for a look around very nice spot with very nice grounds. One hour from mae hong song. There is a good sign marking the turn off