Must Things To Do/see In Cm?

[flip]

Hi!

I'm flying with my mum tomorrow morning to Chiang Mai, staying for 3.5 days.

Already planing to visit the "weekend markets", Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep.

Any other recommendations what I really should going to see/should do??

We are living in a guesthouse in the old town, not far away from Thapae Gate.

Maybe also tips regarding restaurants??Nice Thai restaurant/s in this area? (we like Thai food but don't need "5 star places"..,just some place nice with good food!)

Thankful for all tips/infos!

Thnks a lot

[hellodolly]

Been a while since I was at the zoo but I understand they have a decent aquarium. You can walk through it as it is a tunnel with fish on both sides of you as well as over your head. Also they have two Pandas. Not sure if they still have the baby one.

All in all it sounds like you are going to be busy any whey.

[naboo]

Only one of the weekend night markets is necessary, they're both the same really. I'd go on the Saturday on Wualai Road, but the Sunday is more popular with the majority and starts at Tha Pae gate where you'll be staying.

My recommended do it yourself 3.5 day etravaganza tour.

Friday - go for a wander around the old city after you arrive. Eat at Tiger Kingdom in Town, a few hundred metres south of tha Pae gate on Moon Muang Road (everyone I've taken there who is not used to Thai food has loved it). Book a day tour of your choice for Sunday at one of the many travel agents ( I recommend the wooden shack between UN Irish and Zoe in Yellow, opposite side of the road, lovely old lady in there).

Saturday

Temples - Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singha are both walking distance for able bodied folk from Tha Pae gate. Then get a red Songtaew to the zoo and another up to Doi Suthep (rent a motorbike if you can ride one - if not forget it). Alternatively rent a song taew and driver (not sure on cost, I'd say 1000B) to take you from the old city up to Doi Suthep and then onto Doi Pui where there's a market with northern Thai made products at reasonable prices. The truck will take you back as well! Evening meal at the restaurant on top of the Porn Ping Hotel. After dinner, wander the night market. 10pm take your mum to Spotlight Agogo, or at Archers if she's not into the dancing ladies of the night.

Sunday

Tour you booked on Friday, pick up at hotel, drop off at hotel. Evening meal at Riverside or Good View - both very popular, choose whoever has seating, if you go there Saturday you'll be waiting for a table.

Monday

Probably exhausted from the tour.

Warorot Market/Kaad Luang, wander around, cheap stuff, watch out for quality.

Tuk Tuk over to Nimanhaemin - coffee, have a goose and a gander at whatever art is on display at the Suthep Road end exhibition centre (forget the name). If you're staying another night, TukTuk it up to Palaad Tawan Ron (up the mountain from Suthep Road) for a meal overlooking the city.

[Beng]

Only one of the weekend night markets is necessary, they're both the same really. I'd go on the Saturday on Wualai Road, but the Sunday is more popular with the majority and starts at Tha Pae gate where you'll be staying.

My recommended do it yourself 3.5 day etravaganza tour.

Friday - go for a wander around the old city after you arrive. Eat at Tiger Kingdom in Town, a few hundred metres south of tha Pae gate on Moon Muang Road (everyone I've taken there who is not used to Thai food has loved it). Book a day tour of your choice for Sunday at one of the many travel agents ( I recommend the wooden shack between UN Irish and Zoe in Yellow, opposite side of the road, lovely old lady in there).

Saturday

Temples - Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singha are both walking distance for able bodied folk from Tha Pae gate. Then get a red Songtaew to the zoo and another up to Doi Suthep (rent a motorbike if you can ride one - if not forget it). Alternatively rent a song taew and driver (not sure on cost, I'd say 1000B) to take you from the old city up to Doi Suthep and then onto Doi Pui where there's a market with northern Thai made products at reasonable prices. The truck will take you back as well! Evening meal at the restaurant on top of the Porn Ping Hotel. After dinner, wander the night market. 10pm take your mum to Spotlight Agogo, or at Archers if she's not into the dancing ladies of the night.

Sunday

Tour you booked on Friday, pick up at hotel, drop off at hotel. Evening meal at Riverside or Good View - both very popular, choose whoever has seating, if you go there Saturday you'll be waiting for a table.

Monday

Probably exhausted from the tour.

Warorot Market/Kaad Luang, wander around, cheap stuff, watch out for quality.

Tuk Tuk over to Nimanhaemin - coffee, have a goose and a gander at whatever art is on display at the Suthep Road end exhibition centre (forget the name). If you're staying another night, TukTuk it up to Palaad Tawan Ron (up the mountain from Suthep Road) for a meal overlooking the city.

Good suggestion.

[TheVicar]

Only one of the weekend night markets is necessary, they're both the same really. I'd go on the Saturday on Wualai Road, but the Sunday is more popular with the majority and starts at Tha Pae gate where you'll be staying.

My recommended do it yourself 3.5 day etravaganza tour.

Friday - go for a wander around the old city after you arrive. Eat at Tiger Kingdom in Town, a few hundred metres south of tha Pae gate on Moon Muang Road (everyone I've taken there who is not used to Thai food has loved it). Book a day tour of your choice for Sunday at one of the many travel agents ( I recommend the wooden shack between UN Irish and Zoe in Yellow, opposite side of the road, lovely old lady in there).

Saturday

Temples - Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singha are both walking distance for able bodied folk from Tha Pae gate. Then get a red Songtaew to the zoo and another up to Doi Suthep (rent a motorbike if you can ride one - if not forget it). Alternatively rent a song taew and driver (not sure on cost, I'd say 1000B) to take you from the old city up to Doi Suthep and then onto Doi Pui where there's a market with northern Thai made products at reasonable prices. The truck will take you back as well! Evening meal at the restaurant on top of the Porn Ping Hotel. After dinner, wander the night market. 10pm take your mum to Spotlight Agogo, or at Archers if she's not into the dancing ladies of the night.

Sunday

Tour you booked on Friday, pick up at hotel, drop off at hotel. Evening meal at Riverside or Good View - both very popular, choose whoever has seating, if you go there Saturday you'll be waiting for a table.

Monday

Probably exhausted from the tour.

Warorot Market/Kaad Luang, wander around, cheap stuff, watch out for quality.

Tuk Tuk over to Nimanhaemin - coffee, have a goose and a gander at whatever art is on display at the Suthep Road end exhibition centre (forget the name). If you're staying another night, TukTuk it up to Palaad Tawan Ron (up the mountain from Suthep Road) for a meal overlooking the city.

Some good ideas here but I'd make a few changes. 1) forget the Nimmanhemin Road area which is usually congested and definitely overpriced. It reminds me of a seedier (and less interesting) Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. 2) Warorot Market, that old, rat infested piece of concrete junk? No way. But nearby are lovely flower markets/veggie and fruit markets to wander around in. You can start your walk from the river near the American consulate 3) Definitely do walk or go by the Ping River area (especially nice at night) but I would not go to either of the restaurants recommended (Riverside or Good View). Both are crowded and overpriced. Neither is especially Thai. There are far better choices along the river (just look for a place that strikes your eye and has some locals in it). Speaking of the river, you can take a boat on the river and that's really nice too. 3) spend more time in the Old Town (where you GH is; by the way, ask them for some tips on restaurants) than this poster recommends. It's definitely the place with the most character in CM. Given the short period of time you have, no need to take time-consuming day trips outside. The first time I came here, I spent 7 days all in the Old Town! Just walk around, or bicycle (you can rent a bike from lots of places; pay no more than B 50 per day). The old part of town is also loaded with temples and nice little coffee houses/boutiques/restaurants, just choose what looks good and has customers. The real highlight of CM is its charming and peaceful ambiance so I'd spend more time soaking that up in the Old Town. 4) if the big flower exhibit is on in CM when you are here, definitely go to see it. It's a bit out of town but well worth it. I'd give the zoo a pass if where you come from has zoos. Aside from the pandas, pretty much routine. 5) you probably have one mountain too many for 3.5 days. Stick to Doi Suthep which in addition to being a mountain, has several interesting and must see temples. 6) I highly recommend Prego Restaurant in the Old Town (Google it; it's also a top one at Tripadvisor). Thai owner/chef who makes great Italian food but his Thai food is outstanding too (and far cheaper than the Italian)! Nice ambiance too and likely close to your GH.

Edited November 30, 2012 by TheVicar

[hellodolly]

I personally think the activities you have already planned are going to take up. Most of your time.

"Hi!

I'm flying with my mum tomorrow morning to Chiang Mai, staying for 3.5 days.

Already planing to visit the "weekend markets", Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep."

Doi Inthanon will be a full day trip and Doi Sothep combined with the zoo or Doi Pui another full day The third day you can take with just wandering around the old city plenty of Wat;s to see plus Warorot market is a short walk towards the river.

You are not far from the night Bazaar worth a look. If you decide to buy some thing bargain hard with them.

If wandering around the old city stop in tio Wat Chedi Luong they have a monk chat area where the monks will gladly speak to you about any thing as they are trying to improve their English. Talk about Buddha or yourself makes no difference to them gives you a chance to learn a little bit of the way they live there lives.

I am sure you will wish you had more time. As for the half day well getting setteled in and packing along with the trips to the airport will take care of that. What ever you do enjoy.

As for food I have no idea of what you like or what price range you are looking for. Myself I like Dukes western food on the river or in the night Bazaar or their Thai Fusion at the River Market. These are upper end medium range prices. There is a lot of cheap places also check out the bars for them and for Thai food you can find lots of small restaurants around the old city

[hudriwudri]

if you like Thaifood in a great location, reasonable price for sure, then try:

http://www.khaomaokhaofang.com/

recommended to me by Richard Barrow

[TheVicar]

I personally think the activities you have already planned are going to take up. Most of your time.

"Hi!

I'm flying with my mum tomorrow morning to Chiang Mai, staying for 3.5 days.

Already planing to visit the "weekend markets", Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep."

Doi Inthanon will be a full day trip and Doi Sothep combined with the zoo or Doi Pui another full day The third day you can take with just wandering around the old city plenty of Wat;s to see plus Warorot market is a short walk towards the river.

You are not far from the night Bazaar worth a look. If you decide to buy some thing bargain hard with them.

If wandering around the old city stop in tio Wat Chedi Luong they have a monk chat area where the monks will gladly speak to you about any thing as they are trying to improve their English. Talk about Buddha or yourself makes no difference to them gives you a chance to learn a little bit of the way they live there lives.

I am sure you will wish you had more time. As for the half day well getting setteled in and packing along with the trips to the airport will take care of that. What ever you do enjoy.

As for food I have no idea of what you like or what price range you are looking for. Myself I like Dukes western food on the river or in the night Bazaar or their Thai Fusion at the River Market. These are upper end medium range prices. There is a lot of cheap places also check out the bars for them and for Thai food you can find lots of small restaurants around the old city

Basically correct. Cut out things because you have only 3.5 days and part of that time will be going to and from the airport and settling in. I'd spend ALL of that limited time in the Old Town with only a brief visit to the Temple at the top of Doi Suthep and a walk along the Ping River and the flower/veggie/fruit markets. But not Warowat market , a rat infested old concrete place nor the zoo. No need for time-consuming day trips when you only have 3.5 days! Dukes is fine for western food but likely this person is coming from the West, so I'd rule that out (mostly foreigner customers too which is probably not what you want). There are a couple of nice Thai restaurants either side of Dukes on the river. Not expensive either. Spend most of your time on foot or on bicycle in the Old Town; you won't regret it. There are hundreds of incredible temples in the Old Town and many of them will be selling food/handicrafts/Buddhist items. Street food and vendor food, by the way, is excellent in Thailand and very safe to eat (contrary to what some guidebooks claim). The Sunday night walking street is A MUST (not to be confused with the Night Bazaar which is not). They have plenty of food/live entertainment/lots of things to buy and take back home. Prego really is exceptional and has Thai and Italian food (highly ranked on TripAdvisor). Save it for your last night in CM.

Edited November 30, 2012 by TheVicar