Get a Little Bang for Your Baht: 10 Nearly Free Things to Do in Chiang Mai

[CMfoodie]

Studying abroad is an amazing experience but we all know it can be hard on your wallet. Living in Chiang Mai, we found many ways to keep busy and get to know the town without spending too much baht. So here's what I came up with: 10 nearly free things to do in Chiang Mai.

1. Just wander - The town of Chiang Mai is perfectly rectangular, surrounded by a moat. The best way to get to know the area is to start at one of the four gates, pick a direction, and just walk! To get all the way around will only take a couple hours but you can check out shops and street stalls along the way. Some of my favorite places were found completely by accident!

The full list: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/college-tourist/get-a-little-bang-for-you_b_7038356.html

[LawrenceChee]

Head to Rimpings on weekends ...lots of free tasting and if you are thick skinned enough to walk a few rounds ...could be mum's recommended balanced meal for the day

[WitawatWatawit]

Our old friend canarysun will be very interested in this, I'm sure. I bet he'll be hitch-hiking in your direction very soon. :) (Haven't seen you posting for a while, mate.)

[zeichen]

Sad thing is that almost nothing that you posted is actually free and most require transportation to get to. There is nothing new or original on your list. The entrance fee to doi suthep cost more than a few meals so that is not nearly free. Waterfalls, I find it ironic that you claim them not to be slippery just a few weeks after a death there. The lake cottages are not free at all. Perhaps you have people paying your way for things and mooch off others so you think they are free.

I had expected to read at least one interesting thing that wasn't common knowledge.

[siamod]

At the moment free shower during Songkran festival with sometimes not so clean water

[Seligne2]

Just to set the record straight, five gates in the old wall.

[Oscar2]

Our old friend canarysun will be very interested in this, I'm sure. I bet he'll be hitch-hiking in your direction very soon. (Haven't seen you posting for a while, mate.)

he was probably deported or rolled in an alley. he is exactly the kind of person Thais prefer stay in their own country - that is if you believe a word he says.

[NancyL]

Was this article written by anyone who actually spent time in Chiang Mai? The Night Bazaar isn't especially busy on Sunday nights -- but the Sunday Walking Street is. Yes, the cabaret show at Anusarn Market adjacent the the Night Bazaar) is fun, but you're expected to buy drinks while you watch the ladyboys perform. How could the writer neglect mentioning that a big part of the fun is knowing they're ladyboys? And the Huay Tung Tao Lake is known to have fresh-water parasites. I know many educated Thais who won't permit their families to swim there. Sure, it's a great place for hiking, bird-watching and casual lake-side dining, but head to a swimming pool if you want to swim. Some of the municipal pools charge just 50 baht -- now that's nearly free.

[TheFishman1]

Hard to believe lol

[true blue]

and I though all the cheap charlies are going to swamp this post,nary a one, looks like tv patrons in cnx are more richer than most in los.

[Beng]

Just to set the record straight, five gates in the old wall.

Correct

[CNXBKKMAN]

Free or nearly free....rather than walk everywhere rent a bike for 50 baht and cycle around. Cycle to Doi Kham, Huay Tung Tao.

Take a Songthaew to Doi Saket , San Pa Tong etc bike on the roof. Cycle in the countryside around these places . Return the same way.

Art Museum can be pretty good if there's an exhibition. Always free when I have been. Cheap Charlie's don't need to do the 3D art place.

"Monk Chat" in a nice temple. Never done it but its free.

[Seligne2]

Chiang Mai Cabaret is "nearly free": 200 baht per person cover, includes one drink

[CNXBKKMAN]

Sit down in an Internet cafe and log on to a thai visa forum! Or buy a 7 baht Mcdonalds ice cream and sit in there on the internet before resuming your long walk with a big bottle of water from filled up from a 1 baht machine.

[how241]

At the moment free shower during Songkran festival with sometimes not so clean water

+1...As there are lots of canals, you really get wet there. It seemed like more children enjoying the holiday there.

[elgordo38]

At the moment free shower during Songkran festival with sometimes not so clean water

Not today in Chiang Mai mother nature rained on their parade. The rain came in sheets and the wind howled and they packed up their water guns and left oh joy peace and quiet for today. With a little luck it blew their speaker towers over. The Gods have spoken. When you turn what started out as a nice quiet religious holiday into a 3 ring circus there is an entrance fee.

[NoshowJones]

Our old friend canarysun will be very interested in this, I'm sure. I bet he'll be hitch-hiking in your direction very soon. (Haven't seen you posting for a while, mate.)

No we haven't, he has been missed, hope he turns up soon.

[ianf]

Quote : "The town of Chiang Mai is perfectly rectangular"

When I walked around the moat with my Garmin GPS (ie inside the moat but on the pathway along the moat's bank) I measured each side as 1 mile on each side (Give or take +/-). Does this make it square and not rectangular?

[JulieM]

Sad thing is that almost nothing that you posted is actually free and most require transportation to get to. There is nothing new or original on your list. The entrance fee to doi suthep cost more than a few meals so that is not nearly free. Waterfalls, I find it ironic that you claim them not to be slippery just a few weeks after a death there. The lake cottages are not free at all. Perhaps you have people paying your way for things and mooch off others so you think they are free.

I had expected to read at least one interesting thing that wasn't common knowledge.

The waterfall mentioned in the article isn't slippery at all. There is still a bit of danger especially when the water is flowing quickly. You can actually walk up it. Here's a video someone made:

[Naam]

Quote : "The town of Chiang Mai is perfectly rectangular"

When I walked around the moat with my Garmin GPS (ie inside the moat but on the pathway along the moat's bank) I measured each side as 1 mile on each side (Give or take +/-). Does this make it square and not rectangular?

a square is a rectangle (4 x 90º angles) too but not vice versa.

[Seligne2]

Quote : "The town of Chiang Mai is perfectly rectangular"

When I walked around the moat with my Garmin GPS (ie inside the moat but on the pathway along the moat's bank) I measured each side as 1 mile on each side (Give or take +/-). Does this make it square and not rectangular?

My motorbike odometer reckons it to be ~6.5 km in circumference, ~4 miles, so thanks for the corroboration.

[MESmith]

Sad thing is that almost nothing that you posted is actually free and most require transportation to get to. There is nothing new or original on your list. The entrance fee to doi suthep cost more than a few meals so that is not nearly free. Waterfalls, I find it ironic that you claim them not to be slippery just a few weeks after a death there. The lake cottages are not free at all. Perhaps you have people paying your way for things and mooch off others so you think they are free.

I had expected to read at least one interesting thing that wasn't common knowledge.

The waterfall mentioned in the article isn't slippery at all. There is still a bit of danger especially when the water is flowing quickly. You can actually walk up it. Here's a video someone made:

It is slippery at the top, due to algae or something green & slimey growing.

[Catoni]

Quote : "The town of Chiang Mai is perfectly rectangular"

When I walked around the moat with my Garmin GPS (ie inside the moat but on the pathway along the moat's bank) I measured each side as 1 mile on each side (Give or take +/-). Does this make it square and not rectangular?

a square is a rectangle (4 x 90º angles) too but not vice versa.

Yes... so they are both right... it is both a rectangle and a square... all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares.. a square is also a rhombus, but not all rhombuses are squares.

Kind of every Shriner is a Freemason.... but not all Freemasons are Shriners...

[lordblackader]

Chiang Mai is known for the different markets whether it's fruit, flowers, or jewelry but the Night Bazaar is by far the biggest, especially on Sundays.

funiest recommendation of them all. Night Bazaar is half dead on a Sunday due to Sunday Walking Street, which I read somewhere is supposed to be the biggest walking street in Thailand. At least a quarter of the vendors at the Night Bazaar don't even bother opening on a Sunday.

[off road pat]

Sad thing is that almost nothing that you posted is actually free and most require transportation to get to. There is nothing new or original on your list. The entrance fee to doi suthep cost more than a few meals so that is not nearly free. Waterfalls, I find it ironic that you claim them not to be slippery just a few weeks after a death there. The lake cottages are not free at all. Perhaps you have people paying your way for things and mooch off others so you think they are free.

I had expected to read at least one interesting thing that wasn't common knowledge.

Agreed, nothing in this list is for free, exept walking around the mote....there is nothing exceptional in the rest it's all common knowledge...

[elgenon]

Don't forget the insect museum! Actually 2 of them. Also bird watching is popular and free. Go to immigration for the free torture show! At the appropriate times of year watch the Com Loy burn wires and buildings.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I don't really have too much of an issue with the list; just that Art in Paradise doesn't belong on a list that aims to indicate things that are nearly free. You can of course argue that it's not exactly expensive, but then pick a different title for the list. Because if Art in Paradise is nearly free then so is just about anything else.

Anyway, this is my list. Not specifically of cheap things, although just about all of them are affordable, if not completely free.

It also hits home that the HuffPo list omits things that area really cool but actually ARE completely free, such as Wiang Kum Kam ruins and Ob Khan.

---

This isn’t anywhere near a full list of “must-do’s”, but we do enjoy the following locations.

• · City Walks – The old town center of Chiang Mai has many temples, wooden houses, little shops, markets and schools, and relatively low traffic.
• · Doi Suthep Mountain and the temple overlooking the town. You can turn this into a full day trip if you drive yourself and stop at the streams & waterfalls along the way. After visiting the temple you can go further up past towards the summit of Doi Pui. Best time may be later in the afternoon when crowds are fewer and the air is clearer, giving better views.
• · Wat Umong is a forest temple out towards the University area. There is an ancient tunnel structure and the temple is set in very park-like surroundings.
• · Courses & classes: attend a cooking school or massage class. Also, there are many traditional massage parlors & spas around town
• · If in Chiang Mai on a weekend don’t miss the Sunday Evening walking street market, from Thapae Gate down Ratchadamnoen Rd. On Saturday there is a night market at Wualai Rd.
• · Wiang Khum Kam is a historical site with many temple ruins dotted around the present-day village. From the main visitor center you can tour the area in a horse drawn carriage. Or just get a map and explore by bicycle or motorbike. Don’t expect it to be like Sukhothai, but I do enjoy how very old temple ruins are intermixed with the present day village.
• · Ob Khan is a lesser known national park, where the Khan River flows through a rocky gorge/canyon. When it’s not too cold or too rainy it’s a great place for a swim too.
• · Another place to go for a swim is the Huay Tueng Thao Lake. There are rafts and restaurants where you can order food, and one side of the lake is dedicated to swimming.
• · Mae Kampong is a village in the mountains east of town. It’s a very beautiful area that feels a lot more remote than it actually is in kilometers from town. Requires a car or motorbike to get there unless you sign up for the ‘Flight of the Gibbon’ treetop zipline excursion which is in the same area.
• · A good day trip by car or motorbike is the Mae Sa Valley loop, basically around the mountain. There are waterfalls, the botanical garden, several hotel/resorts and especially near the Northern end some more artificial attractions such as bungee jumping, snake shows, elephant camps, the Tiger Kingdom petting zoo and others.
• · Pai / Mae Hong Son province is a great area for a multi-day trip. Or book a trek / tour where you visit mountain / hilltribe villages, go rafting, ride an elephant, etc. Some elephant camps are better than others (from the elephant’s point of view). Elephant Nature Park is an often praised one, but there are other good ones as well that are less expensive.
• · Chiang Mai Zoo and/or the Night Safari can be good places to visit with kids. Chiang Mai zoo is not as good as top zoos in the West, but still quite okay by Asian standards.
• · “Kantoke” is a dining experience where you watch traditional dancing and cultural shows. A big one is the Chiang Mai Cultural Center. Cozier is Huan Khajao: goo.gl/KCljBx
• · Nimmanhaemin Road is a very trendy area for younger locals and visitors alike, with many up-market pubs, restaurants and music bars. (Many are down the sois off the main road).
• · Another interesting nightlife area is the “Reggae Area” at the intersection of Ratwithi Road and Ratchapakinai Road in the old town. This attracts Western backpacker types but also Thais who appreciate the alternative vibe. Biggest place there: zoeinyellowchiangmai.com
• Several shopping malls opened recently, the biggest one of all is the new Central Festival, on the Superhighway ring road. An older but still popular one is Airport Plaza towards the airport. All major malls have movie theaters and other attractions.

[LindaLovelace]

Sad thing is that almost nothing that you posted is actually free and most require transportation to get to. There is nothing new or original on your list. The entrance fee to doi suthep cost more than a few meals so that is not nearly free. Waterfalls, I find it ironic that you claim them not to be slippery just a few weeks after a death there. The lake cottages are not free at all. Perhaps you have people paying your way for things and mooch off others so you think they are free.

I had expected to read at least one interesting thing that wasn't common knowledge.

Wow, it's just great to see a negative comment to a guy that was trying to post something useful for the rest of us. Thanks a lot. You're the kind that makes TV great!!!

[Mangkhut]

Quote : "The town of Chiang Mai is perfectly rectangular"

When I walked around the moat with my Garmin GPS (ie inside the moat but on the pathway along the moat's bank) I measured each side as 1 mile on each side (Give or take +/-). Does this make it square and not rectangular?

My motorbike odometer reckons it to be ~6.5 km in circumference, ~4 miles, so thanks for the corroboration.

Is that the inner loop or the outer loop? Outside or inside the most?

[Naam]

totally free is wrapping cellophane paper around a comb and make music