Where And How To Find Cooler Air For 1 Week Or 2 In Cm Province?

[OldChinaHam]

I want to leave CM City and stay in the nearest highest mountain town in Chiang Mai province. I need some ideas regarding how to get there and where to stay for about 1 week, probably for repeat visits throughout the year.

I want to travel to a town with an elevation of at least 1200 meters.

I am not looking for a resort or resort type atmosphere with local or foreign tourists, if there is much of this, then I will not go.

My requirements are not extravagant.

Very basic guesthouse type arrangement, but I do not wish to be in with a bunch of backpackers.

I do not need a place which speaks much English, I am not one who likes to talk a lot.

The only thing I require is a good internet connection.

To post topics and read topics on TV, of course.

If that is impossible, then so be it, I will still make do.

Chinese food a plus.

Chinese speakers a BIG plus.

Natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, a must.

Thanks.

[chiangmaiman99]

You may want to check out the Doi Ang Khang area.

[el jefe]

You may want to check out the Doi Ang Khang area.

While that is in Chiang Rai province, I agree it's the best solution.

I don't think there are any villages with guest houses in Chiang Mai above 1000 meters. Maybe there's something in the village 16kms before the Doi Inthanon summit. You could camp in many places but probably won't have internet access.

There are several basic guest houses in Ban Wat Chan at about 900 meters. it's on the dirt road between Samoeng and Pai. There's also the Lisu Lodge (?) about 10-20 kms signposted from Wat Chan. I've never been down that road so I don't know whether it's higher or lower.

[BrianCR]

What about Puchy Phar (Far) (highest point in Chiang Rai province) should be cooler and loads of guest houses, as it's off peak they should be cheap!

[Ricardo]

I'd have suggested Mae Salong, access by bus/song-thaew is fairly easy & the altitude/coolness is right, but for the backpacker-feel of many of the GHs & the slow internet-access, it might be necessary to compromise if you want cheap accomodation as there is inevitably a need for customers for them.

It will be interesting to see what else people can suggest.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Near the Mong tourist village is a place that has rooms.

It's behind and part of the new coffee shop about 150yds before the Mong village.

Plenty of Chinese speakers in the village.

Really beautiful views.

[OldChinaHam]

Thank you very much for all the suggestions so far.

If I go, I will probably go for a week or two this August. So that leaves me now with plenty of time to plan and make contacts with a few there who may even be willing to rent me a room (maybe with a family who has an extra room to rent, I do not know what is possible). As I mentioned I am really not interested in the typical tourist experience, whatever that may be. I do enjoy being in beautiful, more natural, less traveled places in the hills, if there are any which are fairly easily accessible, and which still exist (might be doubtful though).

Thanks.

[craigt3365]

I've wanted to stay here, but doubt it's good for more than a night or two. Just not sure. But I'd bet it'd be cool!

http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVDMgJGwiMc

Another interesting place not too far away is Cave Lodge near Pai. Neat place to stay with great owners. Very nice people.