Which Gate Of The Old City Is The Most Lively Scene?

[reenahNrichard]

We are booked to visit Chiang Mai Nov - Feb and considering rentals. We are not clear if the neighborhoods outside each of the four gates are much different from each other.

How big is the old city, like how long to walk across it?

Which is the ideal side of the city to be on?

Are they much different in Architecture, Character, Noise level and busyness?

For some reason we thought the side toward the river was most promising, is that true?

Where are all the restaurants and entertainment spots?

Where are public areas like parks or monuments?

Where are most of the temples and monasteries?

Thanks for your on-the-ground intelligence.

Reenah and Richard

Coolangatta Australia

[eyecatcher]

Welcome to TV where you will good info, good humoUr and downright stupidity:

You have a very generalised question, probably the most asked and I suggest firstly you quickly browse just the last couple of weeks threads as we have discussed a lot of your questions already.

there is no "best" or "worst" and a lot depends what your interests are, maybe your age, single, married, mates, want bars and noise and youngsters or quieter, nice restraurants etc etc everywhere is home to some of us here...and most of us are happy despite our inherent boredom (at times)

The old city is as busy for hotels and guesthouses as elsewhere so dont rule it out. The old city is a square and probably about 3km each side, maybe 30 mins walking so its dooable from anywhere.

The most common advice for new visitors wanting to stay a month or so, is to book yourself into somewhere random for 2 or 3 nights and then explore locations and hotels/apartments in your own time. It will not take you long to find something to suit your budget.

I am sure other more technical TV members will be able to provide some links to your questions discussed previously.

[Semper]

"Most lively", must be the East gate (Pratu Thapae) or the South gate (Pratu Chiang Mai). About the same distance to the 'night spots'.

[DowntownAl]

Welcome to TV where you will good info, good humoUr and downright stupidity:

You have a very generalised question, probably the most asked and I suggest firstly you quickly browse just the last couple of weeks threads as we have discussed a lot of your questions already.

there is no "best" or "worst" and a lot depends what your interests are, maybe your age, single, married, mates, want bars and noise and youngsters or quieter, nice restraurants etc etc everywhere is home to some of us here...and most of us are happy despite our inherent boredom (at times)

The old city is as busy for hotels and guesthouses as elsewhere so dont rule it out. The old city is a square and probably about 3km each side, maybe 30 mins walking so its dooable from anywhere.

The most common advice for new visitors wanting to stay a month or so, is to book yourself into somewhere random for 2 or 3 nights and then explore locations and hotels/apartments in your own time. It will not take you long to find something to suit your budget.

I am sure other more technical TV members will be able to provide some links to your questions discussed previously.

Actually the old city is 1.5 kms on a side, I walk it all the time and have measured it via Google maps. Speaking of maps, here are the co-ordinates 18.787804,98.993155 of the aforementioned Google map that will place you street view wise right beside the Thae Pae Gate, have a look around. BTW - I agree with everything else eyecatcher said. Keep in mind too that the Sunday Walking Street Market starts on that corner and is one of the biggest and busiest markets as well as the most crowded spot in Chiang Mai on Sunday nights. It's fun but really busy. Enjoy your stay.

[kaptainrob]

Welcome to TV where you will good info, good humoUr and downright stupidity:

You have a very generalised question, probably the most asked and I suggest firstly you quickly browse just the last couple of weeks threads as we have discussed a lot of your questions already.

there is no "best" or "worst" and a lot depends what your interests are, maybe your age, single, married, mates, want bars and noise and youngsters or quieter, nice restraurants etc etc everywhere is home to some of us here...and most of us are happy despite our inherent boredom (at times)

The old city is as busy for hotels and guesthouses as elsewhere so dont rule it out. The old city is a square and probably about 3km each side, maybe 30 mins walking so its dooable from anywhere.

The most common advice for new visitors wanting to stay a month or so, is to book yourself into somewhere random for 2 or 3 nights and then explore locations and hotels/apartments in your own time. It will not take you long to find something to suit your budget.

I am sure other more technical TV members will be able to provide some links to your questions discussed previously.

Actually the old city is 1.5 kms on a side, I walk it all the time and have measured it via Google maps. Speaking of maps, here are the co-ordinates 18.787804,98.993155 of the aforementioned Google map that will place you street view wise right beside the Thae Pae Gate, have a look around. BTW - I agree with everything else eyecatcher said. Keep in mind too that the Sunday Walking Street Market starts on that corner and is one of the biggest and busiest markets as well as the most crowded spot in Chiang Mai on Sunday nights. It's fun but really busy. Enjoy your stay.

Semper and Al are spot on. Choose a hotel in the SE section if possible though it's no big deal as all is just a short walk or 5 mins in tuk tuk.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Thapae (West) is busiest, but you could make a good case for Chiang Mai gate, which is also an interesting area. Either way they're not too far apart. The old city is a mile across. I'd stay anywhere in the Western half of the old city.

[Semper]

Thapae (West) is busiest, but you could make a good case for Chiang Mai gate, which is also an interesting area. Either way they're not too far apart. The old city is a mile across.

Where's the West gate of Thapae?

[eyecatcher]

Thapae (West) is busiest, but you could make a good case for Chiang Mai gate, which is also an interesting area. Either way they're not too far apart. The old city is a mile across.

Where's the West gate of Thapae?

thats a stupid question...........its when you go through from the black canyon side.....the east gate is from the starbucks side; what a plonker not called Rodney are you

[Semper]

Thapae (West) is busiest, but you could make a good case for Chiang Mai gate, which is also an interesting area. Either way they're not too far apart. The old city is a mile across.

Where's the West gate of Thapae?

thats a stupid question...........its when you go through from the black canyon side.....the east gate is from the starbucks side; what a plonker not called Rodney are you

You should have read the post before WTK edited it.

[bristolgeoff]

i would go for the food corner chiang mai gate.always plenty of people in the evening,enjoying they meals

[Ulysses G.]

"Most lively", must be the East gate (Pratu Thapae) or the South gate (Pratu Chiang Mai). About the same distance to the 'night spots'.

Thapae Gate is a mostly Western scene. Chaing Mai Gate is mostly Thai.

[DowntownAl]

"Most lively", must be the East gate (Pratu Thapae) or the South gate (Pratu Chiang Mai). About the same distance to the 'night spots'.

Thapae Gate is a mostly Western scene. Chaing Mai Gate is mostly Thai.

True enough and as kaptainrob said, putting yourself in the middle of the SE quadrant of the old city puts you a 5 min stroll from the Thai side and falang side. It's good mix for a visitor. Personally, I live a little farther out, can't get into as much trouble here

[eyecatcher]

"Most lively", must be the East gate (Pratu Thapae) or the South gate (Pratu Chiang Mai). About the same distance to the 'night spots'.

Thapae Gate is a mostly Western scene. Chaing Mai Gate is mostly Thai.

True enough and as kaptainrob said, putting yourself in the middle of the SE quadrant of the old city puts you a 5 min stroll from the Thai side and falang side. It's good mix for a visitor. Personally, I live a little farther out, can't get into as much trouble here

You mean you can get away with it easier.

ok Al we're in the same territory here, we have a better class of visitor in the NW corner, more cultured,the well to do Thais, the Japs and the koreans want a bit of class, not many farangs here, only a select minority...who appreciate a bit of cultural diversity. we dont have the western mainstream toursity bars and restaurants per se., so ambience and student frivolity.......ok ok I take back everything i just said.

SE corner it is for 2 days then then you can decide what suits you best.

[hellodolly]

Thapae (West) is busiest, but you could make a good case for Chiang Mai gate, which is also an interesting area. Either way they're not too far apart. The old city is a mile across. I'd stay anywhere in the Western half of the old city.

I think you meant Thapae gate it is on the east side of the old city.

You are correct if it is the western influence you are looking for the east side of the city is only about a mile from the river.

As has been said often the south gate Chiang Mai gate is more the Thai site. Well worth exploring. You will find different markets there the morning market the day market and the night market.

On the east side you are not far from a Thai market it is to the best of my knowledge the biggest in Chiang Mai. I believe it is called wharerot. At least the songtel operators know what I am talking about when I say wharerot market . A easy walk if you are on the east side. It is located on the north end of the Night Bazaar actually about a five minute walk north of it o the same road.

I would not be to concerned as to the best place to stay. Get a place ans spend a few days looking around. You have three months to be here and the likely hood of getting the best place to stay for your wants first time are pretty slim. There is several Wat's in the city worth a visit all with in walking distance if you are in the old city. The South West corner of the old city is actually a small park. A pleasant place to just relax. There are other parks in Chiang Mai and if you look around and talk to people who have lived here a while or the staff at your residence you will find them all.

Not sure how good lonely planet is now but I know they used to have a lot of information. Maybe look them up on line. Heard a rumor that they were going kind of mid range tourist now. Don't know check out there web site.

[reenahNrichard]

So many thanks for giving us the feel of the neighborhoods surrounding the old city.

Some very interesting points that everybody has different tastes and needs, and it's difficult to choose from outside the country without a real experience of being in the city. I guess that we have assumed that there is a high season, and that so much will be booked by the time we get there that we'll find little or nothing if we wait to see for ourselves.

1. Is it realistic, that there is always a rental turnover, and that something will always be available on the spot for 3 months, any time of the year?

2. We're also finding many beautiful places a half hour walk or short Tuk Tuk from center, but I may have mentioned that our daughter (is considered handicapped) doesn't have much endurance to stay out for long periods during the day. It could be better to allow her to walk home and rest when she wants, while we still stay out on activities. Then does that severely limit our chances 5 minutes from the city walls?

3. We're also looking for kitchens etc, is it realistic that we are going to shop and cook to eat some of our meals? So many people have said food is relatively so cheap, "why would you even consider cooking"? I realize that these are really personal choices, but do many of you long term residents do shopping and cooking? or are the restaurants really the hangouts, hot places to meet and chat and socialize with the city life?

4. Another question, I maintain certain web sites and sometimes do filming work on the internet through google plus hangouts and skype. When we talk about internet service in Chiang Mai, is there any broadband speed available? (A good measure is if you can stream a Youtube or use Skype without too much breakup or interruptions?)

Again we thank you.

Reenah and Richard

Coolangatta Australia

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Ah yes, I meant East of course. So basically the entire Eastern half (roughly) of the old town is a very good area.

Thanks!!

[kaptainrob]

Richard, my advice given your daughters circumstances, is to book a few days wherever you like. Chiang Mai is a relatively small city and very easy to get around. I think you may end up finding suitable medium-term accommodation a little bit further away from the old city.

Eg: When living in Southport (Qld), I would frequently walk from home to say, Marina Mirage ... 7k's, yet I was just 250m from the Broadwater or Southport's shops/restaurants. Very handy!

In CM, we looked for something similar and ended up taking a FF new condo @ 10k pcm. A 2 bedder is ~ 18k. Fast internet, cable TV incl., water and power extra ~ 1k pcm. We use one a/c at night and all home cooked meals.

Our location may not suit but to give an idea of what we can do:- 10mins walk to Suthep market; 10mins to Nimmenhaemin Rd; 15 mins walk to Kad Suan Kaew; 20 mins walk to Computer City (Moat north side) and 40mins walk to Thapae Gate. We'll often ride the Mio to the above locations which is far easier than taking the car. TG's hate walking!

A songtaew from say, Suan Dok Gate to the top of our road, is just 20 baht each, though it's almost as quick to walk the length of Suthep Road in rush-hour.

Hope this helps.... it's a fabulous city!