By Joshua H. Liberatore
Chiang Mai
Thailand
Thailand
Photo gallery
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Old Stone TemplePhoto By: Joshua H. Liberatore -
ChilliesPhoto By: Joshua H. Liberatore -
Chiang Mai City CenterPhoto By: Joshua H. Liberatore -
Festival DecorationsPhoto By: Joshua H. Liberatore -
Chiang Mai StreetPhoto By: Joshua H. Liberatore -
Northern ThailandPhoto By: Joshua H. Liberatore -
Old Wood TemplePhoto By: Joshua H. Liberatore -
Joshua H. LiberatorePhoto By: Rural Temple Hike
Thailand's most charming city and northern cultural capital, Chiang Mai beckons EscapeWizard.com visitors with its incredible variety of well-preserved temples, quaint, walkable streets, and friendly local commercial district. Chiang Mai is by no means a small town – it's Thailand's second-largest city after Bangkok – but the cool northern climate and tranquil sensibilities make it feel like a more intimate place, full of rare discoveries for the first-time traveler to happen upon without reference to a guidebook.
The biggest draw to Chiang Mai is undoubtedly the Buddhist temple architecture that sprawls across the city's historical town center. Chiang Mai boasts a 700-year history of the finest temple styles, straddling all the major periods of Siam's dynastic and imperial past splendor. In a country nearly 95 percent Buddhist, this preponderance of temples means that Chiang Mai also figures as a major pilgrimage site for Thailand's faithful. EscapeWizard.com notes that Chiang Mai's temples are active sites of worship, and many of them house monasteries. All Thai men are expected to spend at least a few weeks as monastic initiates at some time in their lives, usually in early adolescence. The presence of affable orange-robed young men raking leaves or sweeping paths in temple courtyards reminds lay visitors of the striking degree to which religion is integrated into daily life in all of Thailand.
If you're lucky enough to be in Chiang Mai during the mid-to-late fall, EscapeWizard.com recommends catching the spectacular Loy Kratong festival that unleashes thousands of rice-paper lanterns into the night sky and small candle-bearing rafts onto the Ping River. Like many festivals in Asia, the exact timing of the Loy Kratong ("floating raft") festivities is pegged to the lunar calendar, specifically marking the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. Loy Kratong is a national festival, offering events and good cheer in ever corner of Thailand, from the smallest village to bustling Bangkok, but Thailand's cognoscenti know that Chiang Mai's glorious production is the finest of them all, drawing huge numbers of both local and foreign tourists each year.
During Loy Kratong, droves of young monks clad in saffron robes will be found in temple courtyards assembling floats and building lanterns. As with any festival in Thailand – and your EscapeWizard.com visit must include at least one – community life is at its richest and most colorful. Food is being prepared in great quantities and laid out; families are gathering from distant locations; tents are being set up. Everything is in motion, and yet, all this activity is executed with intoxicating peace of mind. As an added bonus, the night market that sprawls right across those well-traveled streets near which you are likely to stay in one of Chiang Mai's fine small hotels (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl) or guesthouses is among the best in all Thailand. If you missed Bangkok's enormous Chattuchak Weekend Market, be sure to browse the local handicrafts in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai has a decent-size airport with many daily flights to and from Bangkok, other cities in Thailand, and some regional capitals as well. If you've got the time and the energy, however, take a night train from Bangkok. You can reserve a second-class sleeping berth in person at Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok or through any local travel agent. EscapeWizard.com recommends it as an inexpensive way to get to the northern part Thailand, offering stunning post-dawn views of rice paddies and small villages as you approach your destination. Thai trains aren't immaculate by European standards, but they are quite reliable and tend to be punctual. You can pack your own snacks and beverages for the ride. Early morning intermediate stops will also find local vendors boarding to hawk everything from delicious roast chicken, packets of hot sticky rice to snack on, pastry-type fare, beer and soda, and other munchies. Your purchases will be most welcome. Visit EscapeWizard.com to book your flight (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php) to Chiang Mai, Thailand, today.
The biggest draw to Chiang Mai is undoubtedly the Buddhist temple architecture that sprawls across the city's historical town center. Chiang Mai boasts a 700-year history of the finest temple styles, straddling all the major periods of Siam's dynastic and imperial past splendor. In a country nearly 95 percent Buddhist, this preponderance of temples means that Chiang Mai also figures as a major pilgrimage site for Thailand's faithful. EscapeWizard.com notes that Chiang Mai's temples are active sites of worship, and many of them house monasteries. All Thai men are expected to spend at least a few weeks as monastic initiates at some time in their lives, usually in early adolescence. The presence of affable orange-robed young men raking leaves or sweeping paths in temple courtyards reminds lay visitors of the striking degree to which religion is integrated into daily life in all of Thailand.
If you're lucky enough to be in Chiang Mai during the mid-to-late fall, EscapeWizard.com recommends catching the spectacular Loy Kratong festival that unleashes thousands of rice-paper lanterns into the night sky and small candle-bearing rafts onto the Ping River. Like many festivals in Asia, the exact timing of the Loy Kratong ("floating raft") festivities is pegged to the lunar calendar, specifically marking the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. Loy Kratong is a national festival, offering events and good cheer in ever corner of Thailand, from the smallest village to bustling Bangkok, but Thailand's cognoscenti know that Chiang Mai's glorious production is the finest of them all, drawing huge numbers of both local and foreign tourists each year.
During Loy Kratong, droves of young monks clad in saffron robes will be found in temple courtyards assembling floats and building lanterns. As with any festival in Thailand – and your EscapeWizard.com visit must include at least one – community life is at its richest and most colorful. Food is being prepared in great quantities and laid out; families are gathering from distant locations; tents are being set up. Everything is in motion, and yet, all this activity is executed with intoxicating peace of mind. As an added bonus, the night market that sprawls right across those well-traveled streets near which you are likely to stay in one of Chiang Mai's fine small hotels (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl) or guesthouses is among the best in all Thailand. If you missed Bangkok's enormous Chattuchak Weekend Market, be sure to browse the local handicrafts in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai has a decent-size airport with many daily flights to and from Bangkok, other cities in Thailand, and some regional capitals as well. If you've got the time and the energy, however, take a night train from Bangkok. You can reserve a second-class sleeping berth in person at Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok or through any local travel agent. EscapeWizard.com recommends it as an inexpensive way to get to the northern part Thailand, offering stunning post-dawn views of rice paddies and small villages as you approach your destination. Thai trains aren't immaculate by European standards, but they are quite reliable and tend to be punctual. You can pack your own snacks and beverages for the ride. Early morning intermediate stops will also find local vendors boarding to hawk everything from delicious roast chicken, packets of hot sticky rice to snack on, pastry-type fare, beer and soda, and other munchies. Your purchases will be most welcome. Visit EscapeWizard.com to book your flight (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php) to Chiang Mai, Thailand, today.
Hotels in Chiang Mai
By Rose Overbey
Holiday Inn
318/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, Tumbol Wat Kate, Chiang Mai, Thailand
318/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, Tumbol Wat Kate, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Photo gallery
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ExteriorPhoto By: IHG Hotel Group -
Double Bed GuestroomPhoto By: IHG Hotel Group -
King Bed GuestroomPhoto By: IHG Hotel Group -
LobbyPhoto By: IHG Hotel Group -
River Terrace RestaurantPhoto By: IHG Hotel Group -
ReceptionPhoto By: IHG Hotel Group -
PoolPhoto By: IHG Hotel Group -
LoungePhoto By: IHG Hotel Group
If you're looking for great value, breathtaking views and comfort, the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai is the place to stay during your visit to this northern Thailand city. The Holiday Inn is located in a great location for sightseeing around the city. It is minutes from temples, city centre and the popular night bazaar. For your traveling convenience the hotel is located only a short 10 minutes drive from the Chiang Mai International Airport. There is much to explore in the area as well. Golf course, hill tribe villages and even an elephant camp are all within a short drive.
The hotel features a variety of amenities sure to please guests. Visitors will be happy to find a variety of dining options inside the Holiday Inn. The River Terrace restaurant is an enjoyable place to enjoy a meal with the Mae Ping River as the backdrop. The River Terrace offers a variety of international choices and also traditional Thai dishes. There is also the China Palace that features Chinese cuisine; it is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Chiang Mai. There is also a lounge where guests can grab a cocktail and unwind. And in the spirit of enjoyment, there is also entertainment nightly at the lounge for guests to enjoy.
Another popular place to grab a bite is at The Pool. Guests can have their meals served to them while they relax poolside. The outdoor pool is a nice place to cool off after a hot day, and the deck is a relaxing area to decompress after a long day.
If guests prefer to decompress inside a gym, there is a health and fitness center on site for guests to use. It includes a sauna and steam room. It is open from early in the morning until later in the evening. Guests are also welcome to use the sports courts and barbeque grills.
If travelers need to take care of any business during their stay, there is a business center complete with PCs, printers, faxes and much more. It is staffed during working hours, so guests can get any assistance they need during the day.
There are a variety of rooms to choose based on your needs. But all rooms offer complimentary drinks, a free newspaper delivered and color TV with cable. Bathrobes are available in all rooms, as are a hairdryer and dressing room. There is a mini bar in all rooms and a mini refrigerator is included.
Guests will be pleased to know that breakfast and free internet are included in their stay. EscapeWizard.com highly recommends booking your hotel room at the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai. You can do so by following this link (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).
The hotel features a variety of amenities sure to please guests. Visitors will be happy to find a variety of dining options inside the Holiday Inn. The River Terrace restaurant is an enjoyable place to enjoy a meal with the Mae Ping River as the backdrop. The River Terrace offers a variety of international choices and also traditional Thai dishes. There is also the China Palace that features Chinese cuisine; it is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Chiang Mai. There is also a lounge where guests can grab a cocktail and unwind. And in the spirit of enjoyment, there is also entertainment nightly at the lounge for guests to enjoy.
Another popular place to grab a bite is at The Pool. Guests can have their meals served to them while they relax poolside. The outdoor pool is a nice place to cool off after a hot day, and the deck is a relaxing area to decompress after a long day.
If guests prefer to decompress inside a gym, there is a health and fitness center on site for guests to use. It includes a sauna and steam room. It is open from early in the morning until later in the evening. Guests are also welcome to use the sports courts and barbeque grills.
If travelers need to take care of any business during their stay, there is a business center complete with PCs, printers, faxes and much more. It is staffed during working hours, so guests can get any assistance they need during the day.
There are a variety of rooms to choose based on your needs. But all rooms offer complimentary drinks, a free newspaper delivered and color TV with cable. Bathrobes are available in all rooms, as are a hairdryer and dressing room. There is a mini bar in all rooms and a mini refrigerator is included.
Guests will be pleased to know that breakfast and free internet are included in their stay. EscapeWizard.com highly recommends booking your hotel room at the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai. You can do so by following this link (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).