Exploring Chiang Mai and its surroundings
Chiang Mai is what many would describe as a tourist Mecca. It’s definitely one of the most popular places with tourists in Thailand. Nevertheless, it’s a fascinating city and it is always possible to get away from the tourist crowds.
What were my first impressions of Chiang Mai? Buddhist temples meet graffiti. That’s the Old Town of Chiang Mai through my eyes. What a unique and unusual combination. I hadn’t expected to find as many graffiti paintings as I did. I was just wandering around the city, deliberately getting lost in the maze made up of the numerous streets, stumbling upon more and more beautiful paintings.
Finding vegetarian food in Thailand is no mean feat. When I came across this street vendor I thought there would be so much choice for me. There were so many dishes but only two of them without meat! Pumpkin and mushrooms with beans. I was really happy to find something else than pad thai or fried rice. And the price of 30 baht is unbeatable!
I saw a lot of Chinese temple while travelling in Thailand and I found them more beautiful than those I had seen in China. I loved the dragons.
I also went hiking while staying in Chiang Mai. Or should I say it was a long walk? I was going to hike to Doi Suthep temple and the songthaew driver couldn’t have been more surprised saying it takes three hours to go up there. I told him I needed one hour. He just laughed. Well, it took me more than one hour. It took me 1 hour and 10 minutes of walking. Yes, walking 3 km is not a problem for me. And yes, biking 10 km is not a problem for me. Most people in Southeast Asia don’t get it. Why not ride a motorbike to a shop 50 meters away?
Anyhow, I had no idea I would manage to see so much that day. ON FOOT! Wat Pha Lat – a temple hidden in a forest, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep – the most religious site in Northern Thailand and a major pilgrimage site, Phu Ping Palace – the royal residence of the north and the Hmong village of Doi Pui which was basically just loads of souvenir shops.
Going down a couple from Bangkok gave me a lift to Chiang Mai (22 km) WITHOUT MY TRYING TO HITCHHIKE. Incredible! They were super nice and could speak English. And gave me one small and two big bottles of drinking water just like that. Amazing.
The city also boasts some historical, less touristy temples not just the modern ones packed with tourists. So on my last day in Chiang Mai I went to see some less visited attractions. I found Wat Jed Yot amazing but also Wat Umong, the tunnel temple, where the Buddha images are in underground tunnels, was impressive.
