Travel to Lanna ล้านนา

Pak Chiang Mai - a little heaven

2009-09-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

So many hotels and guesthouses there are in Chiang Mai. But this one has cought this bloggers heart. Why? It's just around the corner of Chiang Mai's daily live inside the moat, inside the old town. It's not in a street with guesthouse after guesthouse, massage shops, internet cafés, pizzerias and steakhouses. Pak Chiang Mai lies in a quiet soi - but not many footsteps from the smells of Gate Market and from its food stalls and from the beautiful temples.

It has very carefully done design like this sitting area on the first floor with the doors to the rooms:

Take a close look and you will discover other details of the architecture as glass in assorted colors:

There is also a corner for massage, seating and playing. Let the owners organise the Traditional Thai Massage or a Foot Massage for you - and you will be treated by very experienced hands, feet, ellbows and what else belongs to a classical Thai Massage, surrounded by the green courtyard, listening to the water of the small waterfall above the fish pond. Relax and dream!

Pak Chiang Mai is not only a guesthouse, but also a restaurant to discover. You will learn, that Noon and her family serve organic food. And her kitchen offers more than just what's on the menue-card, because Noon likes to create food, let the guests test it and to learn from their comments. So try the dinner she offers on request. You will eat with your eyes as well.

Of course you will not miss a good wine and a dessert. But this blogger was too delighted with the food. He ate the dessert, before he thought about taking a picture... But you can also imagine, how pleasent the breakfast is, you will get next morning. There is a wide choice from Müesli to Wonton Soup, whole bread, juices, different stiles of egg and of course fruits.

Organic food is not the only thing. The owners of Pak Chiang Mai care for the nature. So you won't find the usual plastic things with shower gel in your bath but small pots, that are refilled every day. Oh yes, the bath: You can take a look at its design and also the design of the rooms on tripadvisor.com , where you will also see, that Pak Chiang Mai is already top rated among the B&Bs of Chiang Mai. This blogger can tell you, that the beds are very good and lovers of cushions get enough.

Well, you know now about the location, the design, the food, the rooms. But there is more: The homepage of Pak Chiang Mai says: "Come as guests, Leave as family". When you leave, you will know, that this is not just a slogan. Noon, her brother Nat and everybode else of the family will let you feel.

Not enough. Pak Chiang Mai allows you to go on discovery with not many steps. Go just around the corner of Soi Ratchamankha 6 into Soi Phra Pok Klao 2 and you stand in front of a door, that leads into a little secret garden full of terracotta arts:

You move on some footsteps and find yourself inside Gate Market with its fruits, vegetables and meat. Fried skin of pigs and sausages are the specialities of Chiang Mai you should try! Then you move on again and you will discover many temples along Phra Pok Klao Road. And if you are here on a Saturday evening, you should cross the street outside the moat to the also close Wualai Road, where Walking Street takes place. You can also borrow bikes from Pak - a nice way to discover the sois of the old town.

Explore Soppong สบป่อง

2009-09-14T04:28:00.000-07:00

See the locations of guesthouses and attractions on Google Map

Landscape near Soppong, Picture by Rotgutt

Soppong is on the main road from Pai to Mae Hong Son, also called Nae Hong Son loop. It serves as marketplace for the hilltribe people (Karen, Lisu and Lahu) and lies on Lang River. It belongs to the Pang Mapha ปางมะผ้า district. Each Tuesday morning there is a large market along the street, where the hilltribe people sell their handicrafts, fruits and vegetables.

Picture by Saren. See also this picture.

Around Soppong the rainforest is a good place for watching birds, butterflies and wild orchids. Read more about Soppong.

Guesthouses in Soppong

Soppong River Inn:

Picture by 4x4Adventurers

Cave Lodge Guesthouse:

Picture by 4x4Adventurers

Little Eden Guesthouse:

Picture by Saren

Caves around Soppong

Around 10 km upstream you will find Tham Lot, a cave, where the river passes through (picture), and there are many more caves around. (Read article about caves by Citylife Chiangmai, also second article).

Picture by Toine

Picture by Toine

The Cave in a video:

Mae Hong Son แม่ฮ่องสอน Hotels and Guesthouses

2009-09-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

See the location of the hotels, guesthouses and resorts on Mae Hong Son Google Map

Ampha House: 3 Padungmuayto Rd. "Homely", says the review on travelfish.org

Baiyoke Chalet โรงแรมใบหยก ชาเล่ต์: From 1000 Baht. 90 Khumlumpraphat Road. The restaurant has live local folk music in the evening. Read reviews on travelfish.org and tripadvisor.com. Rooms overlooking the back are quieter, notes frommers.com.

Baiyoke Chalet, picture by Asean on Wheels

Fern Resort: See pictues by pigsy, newleypurnell and andyknoedler

Fern Resort lies between rice paddies

Greenwood Garden Lodge:
Greenwood Garden is an eco-adventure lodge and retreat center located in Huay Unn Valley of Mae Hong Son, on the southern border of Thampla-Phasua Waterfall National Park.

The lodge will have a main building and 5 Bungalow style villas, each designed, build and funished using local materials, including hardwoods, stone, and clay. The interior funishings and decorations of each villa are unique to a specific culture (i.e. Balinese, Shan, Thai, Hill-Tribe, etc.), including funiture pieces, bedding, decor, art, and textiles.

The lodge hosts individual guests and special interest groups, including adventure travelers, naturalists, educators students, mountain bikers, off-road riders, enduro riders, photographers, painters, botanists, entomologists, ornithologists, and zoologists, to name a few. Yoga, meditation, other personal healing and fitness retreats can reserve the lodge exclusively for their groups.

See their homepage Greenwood Garden Lodge and a lot of Pictures in Panoramio

Imperial Tara:

Johnnie House: Read reviews on travelfish.org

Jongkham Guesthouse:

Jongkham Guesthouse

Mountain Inn Hotel & Resort: Read reviews on travelfish.org

Ngamta Hotel:

Palm House: Read reviews on travelfish.org

Panahuts: From 600 Baht. 15 minutes to walk to the town.

Panorama Hotel:

Piya Guesthouse: 1/1 Khunlumphrapat Soi 3. Read reviews on travelfish.org

Princes Guesthouse: Read reviews by travelfish.org

Princes Guesthouse with view towards the lake

Rom Thai Guesthouse ร่มไท เกสท์เฮ้าส์: 22 Cham Nan Sathit Road. Read review on tripadvisor.com

Picture by tomazhg

Rooks Holiday Hotel and Resort:

Sang Tong Huts: Around 10 walking minutes from the market. See gallery by buddhamountain. And read reviews on travelfish.org.

The Dai Resort:

The Dai Resort

The Residence Guesthouse:

The Residence

In the mountains near Mae Hong Son:

Ban Ruam Thai and Pang Ung Lake: You can put up your tent under the pines near the lake and find bungalows there (Pang Ung Garden Houses). Call the Royal initiative Pang Tong 2 Project: 0-5369-2056, 0-5368-1740, 0-5368-1323 for reservation of accommodation, which range from Bt1,500 to Bt2,000. Tents are for rent from Bt250 to Bt400.

Bungalows of Pang Tong Project

Ruam Thai Guest House (0-5361-1244) offers rooms with a beautiful-lake view at Bt250 per night.

Ruam Thai Guest House

Walk a bit further to Ban Lung Pa La home stay (0-5369-2144) to experience the local way of life. The room with breakfast and coffee is between Bt100-350 per night.

Be aware, that the weather can be cool, in the winter there can be a thin film of ice on the lake. Read more about Pang Ung. Pang Ung lies around 30 km from Mae Hong Son. Take the route to Pha Seau waterfall until you reach Ban Na Pa Paek and then turn left and go on for 6 km.

The weather is cool throughout the year. In winter, the temperatures hover around 10 degrees Celsius.

First impressions of Pai

2009-08-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

After landing in Pai Airport. You fly from Chiang Mai with www.sga.co.th SGA

A quiet day on Thanon Chaisongkram in the centre. Hilltribe-women are selling their handicrafts.

Bridge over Pai River, seen from River Corner Resort.

Bamboo Rafting on Pai River, picture by dav

One more quiet street in the centre.

Bags to buy

When the night falls in Pai, picture by Plynoi

Picture by Plynoi

Landscape around Pai, view from Bella Villa Resort. Pai lies 508 meters above sea level. The highest mountain, Doi Jik Jong, is 1972 meters from sea level.
Find Map of Pai Town and Maps of Pai Town and District.
And more about Geography and Nature

Scroll down on the right side for "Find in and around Pai" for more discoveries.

Buses from Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son to Pai

2009-08-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

Buses from Chiang Mai to Pai: From Chiang Mai's Arcade Bus Station without and with Aircondition: 7 am, 9 am, 10.30 am, 12.30 am, 2 pm and 4 pm daily. For the 134 km you take three hours.

Buses from Mae Hong Son: 8.30 am. 11 am, 12 am, 2 pm and 4 pm daily. These 111 km take three to four hours.

Buses in Pai for Chiang Mai or Mae Hong Son: 8.30 am, 10.30 am, noon, 2 pm and 4 pm.

See Busstation in Pai on Google Map.

Doi Inthanon ดอยอินทนนท์: Rainforest and birds

2008-12-13T06:03:00.000-08:00

Doi Inthanon ดอยอินทนนท์, formerly known as Doi Ang Ka, is the highest mountaintop in Thailand (2565 meters above sea level. A mountain chain joins it to the Himalayas. It supports Himalayan flora and fauna and is one of the famous birding heavens. Read, what Mong Cor Mun found here and more about birdwatching by green-jungle.com.

Doi Inthanon National Park has beautiful natural scenery as many waterfalls. Read more by Thaiparkwordpress.com. The best period for viewing the waterfalls is May through November, while the best period for viewing wild flowers is December through February and for ornithologists is November through March.

Nearly on the top ypu find the Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail, which was surveyed and designed by Michael MacMillan Walls, a Canadian volunteer biologist who devoted to his work and died from a heart attack on this mountain. This trail, 360 metres long, passes through wet and cold areas in a lush valley. The forest is covered with lichens and wild orchids. Indigenous plants that needs a high level of nutrition, organic deposits, and rare species of birds are seen along the trail.

The Ang Ka Luang Trail: Sphagnum Moss

More on Doi Inthanon: www.tourismthailand.org See also the Photo Gallery by Brian McMorrow.

Temples in Chiang Mai

2008-12-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

Wat Phan On วัดพันอ้น: Built in 1501 the original Wat, Chedi Khwan, has been built. Wat Phan On was erected later, then both temples were combined. Inside you finde two golden sitting Buddhas.

Sareerikkatartsirirak Pagoda, named by His Majesty King Bhumipol on 9th June 2550 B.E.

See the Buddha inside Wat Phan On by photos.3scape.net, it's a copy of Phra Buddha Chinarat in Phitsanluak. And see a video on youtube.com.

Look at the ubusot which sits above the viharn. You see there stucco work, done by the Buddhist monk Phra Bun prasert, read about Thai wood carving here.

Phra Pok Klao Road, from North to South

Wat Phan Tao วัดพันเตา: The name means "The Monastery of a Thousand Kilns". The building was originally constructed as a royal palace building (ho kham) for Chao Mahawong, the ruler of Chiang Mai. The front gable end is decorated with the image of a peacock standing over a sleeping dog. The dog is the symbol of Chao Mahawong's birth year. Read more on orientalarchitecture.com.

Does the dog know, that he is the symbol of the birth year of the former ruler of Chiang Mai?

Wat Chedi Luang วัดเจดีย์หลวง: Also: Jedi Luang. King Saen Muang Ma, 8th ruler of the Mengrai dynasty, began building it in 1391. He planned to enshrine the ashes of his father Ku Na, but the construction was only finished by King Tilokaray in the mid of the 15th century: 82 m high and 54m large at the base, then the largest building of Lanna. In 1545 the upper part collapsed during an earthquake, in the 1990s the Chedi was reconstructed, about 60 m high. Have a look at the massive tree to the left of the entrance. A legend says that if this tree should fall, a catastrophe will happen. A small building near the tree enshrines the "Spirit of the City" (Sao Intakin). Read more and see pictures at orientalarchitecture.com and read the guide of chiangmai1.com.

The Viharn was constructed in 1928 and renovated in 1999.

Wat Chang Taem: It is the home to The Sacred Bronze Buddha of Chiang Mai Province, the Fon Saen Ha Buddha (one hundred thousand drops of rain). He was brought to Chiang Mai by King Tilokaraja after a war with Lamphun. Every year in may it is transported during a parade on a chariot to the City Pillar at Wat Chedi Luang, where it stands for 7 days and 7 nights. During this time the locals come to pay respect. They guild the image with gold leaf paper, pour water over it to bath it and present flowers to the City Pillar. The Fon Saen Ha Buddha is believed to bring wealth and happiness to the people of Chiang Mai. The Inthakin City Pillar was made by King Meng Rai, when he built Chiang Mai city in 1296. It is in front of Wat Chedi Luang, inside a small temple and made from a giant tree, fixed underground. See a picture of the Fon Saen Ha Buddha and read more about the Inthakin ceremony. See also a video.

See more pictures by brickroadcafe.

Wat Fon Soi วัด ฟอน สร้อย: Wat Fon Soi is mentioned in The Chronicle of the Lan Na Thai Legend as a temple dedicated to Phra Tera, a high-ranking patriarch between 1562-1601.

Wat Muen Toom วัดหมื่นตุม:

On the wall of the compund. See more pictures by brickroadcafe and by wat9chiangmai.com.

Wat Chedlin: Also: Jet Lin. Go out on the back and you will discover an old pond with bamboo huts around, where monks live. See pictures of the pond with the huts.

One of many huge gongs in a line.

Looks ancient: The stone Buddha in the courtyard. More photos by brickroadcafe.

Old Chiang Mai

2008-10-05T03:21:00.000-07:00

It's not so easy today to find authentic scenes of life of Chiang Mai's past. But in Wat Kate, on the East bank of Ping river, there are places, where time seems to stand still. Wat Kate วัดเกตุ community has been trading on Ping River for 500 years. Therefore the architecture is multicultural with Western, Chinese and ethnic influences as Haw Chinese and Khmu. So you find Chinese shop houses, Christian churches, colonial style schools and traditional Lanna buildings, the Dara Academy โรงเรียนดาราวิทยาลัย and the victorian buildings of Prince Royal College and also the around 140 years old wooden house of Doctor Chinda Singhanetre. The RarinJinda Resort has conserved it in its traditiona style and is using the upper floor for traditional Thai massage. Read more here.

Wat Kate was also the site of Borneo Company Limited, which had a concession from The Chiang Mai King for 100 years for teak wood. Read the blog of tourcm.blogspot.com

There is a plan of Chiang Mai City, to put Wat Kate into a zone for commerce and construction, where residents are opposiong, as The Nation noted.

Wat Kate Ka Ram: See the Gallery of Ram J.

Foto by www.differentscene.com, see more

Wat Ged Museum: At the back of Wat Kate. Owned by 87 years old Jack Bain, whos Scottish father married a Thai. A lot of things from the past life as the first bank notes of Thailand, textiles, ceramics, old grammophones, and, and, and. Read more at Chiangmainews.com

Elephants and Elephants - a trip from Chiang Mai to Lampang

2008-09-07T02:14:00.000-07:00

If you sit in front of one of the music bars on Nimmanhaemin Road in Chiang Mai at night, you can be nearly sure, that a mahout with his elephant will pass by and try to sell you bananas or sugar cane to feed the elephant. More than 200 elephants are said to wander around in Thailands cities, from Phuket to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. And that means stress for the animals: standing and walking on the concrete damages their feet, street- and bar-noise irritate them and the polluted air is poison for their lungs, and sometimes they are injured by traffic accidents (read the report by Cindy Tilney). But since Thailands government 1989 banned the logging with elephants in the wood - to protect the wood and prevent erosion and floods - the elephants and their trainers have to look for another income to survive. The ban let 2000 animals and their mahouts unemployed. But a way to employ elephants has been developped: Many camps have been created in a natural surrounding for a get-together of elephants and tourists. Many treat their elephants well, but some don't have proper working conditions for the animals. So if you want to be sure to do someting for the protection of the elephants, you can head to the National Elephant Institute in Lampang. There are shows presenting the traditional logging work, of course you can go riding on a saddle, but there is a homestay program too: You will stay at the home of the mahout, accompany him during his day with the elephants and learn how to ride without a saddle. And some elephants even know how to play music in an elephant orchestra - read more.

Find your way: Take a bus at Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station for Lampang (timetable). One way will take one and half an hour. Ask the driver to stop at the elephant center. Another possibility is to travel by train, but the trains to Lampang leave Chiang Mai only in the afternoon (see timetable), so you will have to stay for a night in Lampang to go to the elephant shows in the morning. In Lampang you take the bus for Chiang Mai at the bus station and ask the driver to let you out at the elephant center.

Chiang Mai: Food with love

2008-08-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

You don't want just eat a kind of food, you are looking for a way of living with love? Phongsathon Kitchawet is promoting that with Chiang Mai Vegetarian Project โครงการมังสวิรัติเชียงใหม่. He believes that Chiang Mai has the most vegetarian restaurants and presents them all on his website and on a map for Google Earth. In september 2007 he counted 28 vegetarian restaurants. He says: "We’d like to help people to have good health, have compassion for animals, protect the environment, mitigate pollution and global warming that are the result of meat consumption."

Of course there are other tastes. Therefore i'm going to collect reviews of restaurants and food stalls. And i put the locations to Google Map, so you can find your eating choice near the place, where you stay or go to visit. Of course your comments will be helpful to keep this section of this blog fresh.

Thai
360 Bar&Restaurant: Indoor a live band plays modern jazz and blues. Outdoor you dine by a pool with a good view of Doi Suthep and Chiang Mai City. Many cocktails.

Aroon Rai: 45 Kotchasarn Road. Good IgoUgo Review, and also Tamarind and Thyme loved it.

Baanrai Yamyen: 14 Moo 3 Faham Road. Northeast of the old town. Serves "Mueang Food", the food of Thailands Northern Region. "It's the perfect place to take visiting Thai friends wanting to taste the local food", writes Chanchao Fotopages. "The unpretentious fare includes kaeng jin gai hoom, a mild, northern Thai–style chicken curry with Kaffir lime, as well as a variety of insect dishes, like rod duan, crunchy, deep-fried bamboo worms, which are definitely an acquired taste", writes concierge.com. "Music is one of the main ingredients of this popular eatery, with a style that ranges from Lanna to bluegrass", writes chiangmai-mail.com. The show starts at 6.30 pm, singers are accompanied by guitar, mandolin, double bass and banjo - a romantic place for lovers.

Comedara Colonial House คำดารา: 193 Charoenrat Road. The house used to belong to Chinese tax collectors. A band is playing, but not deafening your ears, as chiangmai-mail.com notices.

Dalaabaa Bar & Restaurant: 113 Bamrungraj Road. "The kitchen's take on contemporary Thai cuisine is innovative—order the crab-filled spring rolls, which are shaped like breadsticks and deep-fried", writes concierge.com The architecture "echoes art deco" according to the review of Thailand Tatler. "The midcentury modern bungalow is furnished with eclectic furniture, polished wood and tons of glass, as if Frank Lloyd Wright had gone East", wrote the New York Times.

Picture by LiNuk's World, see more

Huen Phen: 112 Rachamankha Road. Authentic Northern Thai food. Try Khanom Jeen Namngeua, a beef stew in a hearty broth, means frommers.com. Fantastic Khao Soi (curry noodle dish), says also Confessions of a restaurant whore.. Have a look at a video and read New York Times. "Chicken wings grilled with sliced, aromatic lemongrass; a tart, fiery salad of grapefruit-like pomelo and wafer-thin slices of green chili", recommends concierge.com

Houn Soontaree Vechanont: Read the review in this blogs chapter Chiang Mai: Cool Nights

Kanon Bar Arjarn: 2 Soi.2 Meundamprakot Rd. Thai desserts and confectionery are renowned for their delicate feature, unique taste and exquisite decoration. This is exactly offered at Kanom Ban Arjarn, which ist well known for its "Pia". The original Pia has green bean paste with salted yolk inside the pastry layer. But there ar also new creates Pia's with other tastes. Or you try Saleetip, made from fresh coconut.

Kantoke Palace: 288/19 Chiangklan Road. Kantoke dinner and show. This place has adapted to Westerners: Tables and seats have been specially designed, so that you can dine on the floor in the traditional Lanna manner, but with plenty of leg-room.

Maha Naga: 431 Charoenrat Road. Thai dishes presented in European style, in buildings from teak and glass under big trees with a river terrace - one of the most expensive Thai restaurants in the North. Read the review of roughguides.com

Maze Café: 12/2 Boonruangrit Road and 8/11 Nimmanhaemin Road. Thai and International food. Read the review of Chiangmaitouristguide.com

Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center ศูนย์วัฒนธรรม เชียงใหม่: 185/3 Wualai Road. Khantoke dinner, stage performances and hilltribes shows. You seat on cushions on the carpeted floor or at nearby tables. When a traditional Northern Thai family eats, they sit around a low table (called "toke") and eat "khan", finger food in small bowls. They break pieces of sticky rice ("cow neaw") and dip it into the bowls or eat it with meat. There are sweetm sour and spicy tastes.
In a Lanna-style building, the Saw-Hong House, you find the Lanna Folk Museum. This over 110-year-old teak building is a typical example of a northern dwelling called a “Kalae house”. Originally, this building stood near the east side of the Nakhornping Bridge in downtown Chiangmai and was owned by Nang Ping, the granddaughter of Nai Saw and Nang Hong Tae. The house was named the “Saw-Hong House” in honour of Nang Piang’s grandparents. Today you see here antique pottery, lacquerware, household items and waving demonstrations. Museum ist closed on Thursdays. Read the review of Tamarind and Thyme.

Picture of the show by Cybjorg on flickr.com

Se also a video on youtube.com

River Ping Palace: 385/2 Charoen Prathet Rd. A collection of 100 year old teak houses and pavilions. The food is prepared from Thai recipes found in a cookbook dating back 70 years old. In the evenings there are performances by musicians and dancers. Read the review on Chiangmai-Mail.com.

Ruen Tamarind: 50/1 Ratchadamnoen Road. Authentic Northern Thai dishes prepared from original family recipes, that have been handed down from mother to daughter.

Thapae Soi 3: Pad Thai for 20 Baht. Many locals eat there, read a good review by Big Food Small World.

The House: 199 Moon Muang Road. A first class dining experience according to "The Nation". "Contemporary cuisine with a bit of an Asian twist", describes travelfish.org. "The Chiang Mai-born chef has created a menu that features fresh ingredients in a European style but with a touch of the Orient", adds ThailandTatler. "The most interesting dining option is the adjacent tapas bar", means concierge.com

Thai, Chinese, German
Palaad Tawanron ผาลาดตะวันรอน: 100 Huay Kaew Road. Outside the town near the zoo, at the foothills of Suthep Mountain and near a waterfall. From a wooden terrace you overlook a lake and the city. The standout is the seafood, according to ThailandTatler Very popular among the guests is Kah Moo Tawanron : deep fried pork leg with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut, read the review of Chiangmai-Chiangrai.com and the review of The Makan Sisters.

Thai, Chinese, International
The Gallery: 25-27-29 Charoen Rat Road. The front building with the Art Gallery has been built in Chinese style, the restaurant at the riverside in teak-wood in Northern style, in the original building from 1892, which used to be a silk store. Hillary Clinton has been eating here. "Ask for a waterfront table beneath the vaulting tamarind tree, and order Chiang Mai specialties such as kaeng ung lay, a coconut milk–free pork curry slow-cooked with ginger, garlic, chili, and tamarind and served with sticky rice", advises concierge.com.

Chinese
Jia Tong Heng: 193/2-3 Sri Don Chai Road. "Some of the best fish dishes in town", says Chiangmainews.com, fish in ginger is the speciality. Jia Tong Heng is 50 years old. Also stewed duck with Chinese herbs is recommended by Chiangmainews.com. Read also the review of Chiangmai-mail.com

Chinese (Muslim)
Khao Soi Islam: 24 Charoen Prathet Road, Soi 1. A mix of Yunnan (muslim) and Shan cuisine. "Calling it curry noodles is oversimplification", writes lastappetite.com The oily and slightly coconut-creamy curry is cut through with sides of tart pickled cabbage and lime juice, served over flat egg noodles. It is finished with a handful of deep-fried on top. Also vegetarian dishes. Read background about the Legacy of the Spice Trade in Chiang Mai and read the review of muntae.com.

Khao Soi Lamduan: Faham Road. The best Khao Soi-restaurant according to lastappetite.com, where you also find recipes for Khao Soi. The original owner prepared her noodles for the Thai King, whenever he stayed in Chiang Mai, as you can read on eatingasia.typead.com.

Khao Soi Samer Jai: 391 Mu. 2 , Charoenrat Road. Known by the locals for Khao Soi. Very good review by Mcdang.com. The favourite restaurant of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai Premierminister.

Khao Soi, picture by Jui

concierge.com.

American
The Dukes: 49/4-5 Chiangmai-Lamphun Road. Steaks, Ribs, Seefood, Pizza. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. There is also a branch at the Night Bazaar.

French
Chez Daniel ร้านอาหารเชส แดเนียล: 255/18 Mahidol Rd. Roast lamb, wild boar, boeuf bourgignon as well as Frech cheeses and desserts. Read the review of Yahoo Travel. Much value for not so miuch Baht, according tho Fodor's.

Le Coq d'Or: 11 Soi 2 Koh Klang Road. Lobster, oyster, duck leg, Foie Gras, tiger prawns... Read Frommers.com. "One of Chiang Mai's oldest and most distinguished fine dining venues", says ThailandTatler

German
German Bistro: Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Centre, 21 Huayaew road. Cheewan (Thai) and his wife Carmen (German) serve German food. If you look for a vegetable soup with meatball (like Grandma), porkfilet with blanched vegetables, Wiener sausages, Knack sausages, knuckle with sauerkraut, potato salad or just a Heineken, a Weihenstephaner or a Krombacher beer, you are right here. And Cheewan decorated the floor of the bistro in a very special way.

Italian
Caffé Gourmet: Opposite Wat Phra Khao on Ratchamankha Rd. Home-made Italian dishes, small garden and jazz stage, where bands perform Saturday night. Caffé Gourmet was opened by Stefano Roncoroni (former La Gondola). Read Chiangmainews.com

Girasole ร้านอาหารอิตาเลี่ยน กีราโซล: Kad Klang Vieng Plaza, Wat Pan-On Intersection, Ratchadamnoen Road. Pizza, pasta, risotto, meat and fish - and a large section of vegetarian cuisine. Read the review of Chiangmai-Mail.com Good review on tripadvisor.com "So so"-review by Chiang Mai Epicurean See some pictures of dishes. Girasole is a creation of Stefano Roncoroni, who closed one of Chiang Mai's most beloved Italian restaurant, La Gondola after leasing problems.

Mr Chan and Miss Pauline: 1st branch 16/1 Huay Kaew Rd., 2nd branch Canal Rd. Pizza and Swedish dishes. Read reviews by Things Asian and Chiangmainews.com Review in Thai by มาเชียงใหม่ กินอะไรดี.

Piccola Roma Palace:144 Charoenprathet Road. Run by Angelo Faro for fifteen years now. "The freshness of ingredients is what makes this restaurant stand out from among the dozens of Italian establishments in town", writes ThailandTatler. Home-made pasta as well as meat and seafood and fine italian wines, also ask for the speciality of the day. Reviews on YahooTravel are mixed. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit has been dining here. Read also Kit Marshals Commentary.

Mediterranean
Mi Casa: 60/2 Moo 14 Soi Wat Padaeng. Mediterranean cuisines by Spanish Chef Kike and Tapas Corner. He opened his restaurant “Mi Casa Stanley” in Hong Kong in 2002. It was a holiday in Chiang Mai, that turned him here. ThailandTatler recommends saffron infused lobster paella, which has to be ordered two days in advance, as highlight. Good selection of Rioja wine. Good reviews by tripadvisor.com and spicemag.net. See video by OpenChiangmai.

Mexican
Miguel's Café: Good reviews by tripadvisor.com and cunyqueen.

Sandwich
Amazing Sandwich: 252/3 Pra Pokklao Road. Open daily 10am to 7pm (Sunday close 5pm. With free internet service. Choose from 14 meats including Roastbeef, Pastrami, Salami, Parma ham, smoked chicken and turkey breast, 8 types of cheese, 10 vegetables, 8 dressings & sauces and 6 herbs & spices and pack them into your chosen "vehicle".

Vegetarian
Aum Vegetarian: 65 Mun Mueang Road. One of the oldest vegetarian restaurants with Thai and Chinese dishes and Hilltribe Organic Coffee - and over 3500 books to read while drinking coffee! See the menu and read reviews of Yahoo Travel.

Picture by cunyqueen.blogspot.com

Blue Diamond: 35/1 Mun Mueang Road, Soi 9. Not 100 procent vegetarian. Superb, according to reviews by happycow.net. Also herbal teas. "Marvellous" is one comment on chefmoz.org. "They have it all. They make their own soy yogurt, baked goods including cinnamon rolls, cookies, and bread, soy ice cream (about 15 flovors), fresh juice, and soy milk.", writes xviolettx. Read also Earthworm Envy.

Dindee ร้านกาแฟ: Food in an earth house at The Art Museum of Chiang Mai University, opened by Japanese Ayumi Loenthaisong in March 2007. Thai and Japanese dishes and a wide tea selection. Read more at muantae.com

Khufa Mangsawirat: 152/6 Kaew Nawarat Road. Very good review by happycow.net. See pictures by rheanna2. And see description of Chiang Mai Vegetarian Project.

Khun Churn: 120/2 Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 17. Northern cuisine with influences from China and Burma with affordable prices. Read the review of The Nation. Excellent review at happycow.net. See also Chiang Mai Vegetarian Project and look at video

Mangsawirat Suan Dok: 15 Suthep Road. Read the review of happycow.net.

Pun Pun: Inside Wat Suan Dok under a large old Boddhi tree. Pun Pun, run by a Thai/American couple, cooks organic vegetarian food, grown at Pun Pun Organic farm in Mae Taeng, outside Chiang Mai. "Amazing", according to earthoria.com. Read background on the blog Stomachs ond legs. Pun Pun is a project in the owners words "aimed at supporting local organic farmers, farmer networks, and propagating biodiversity. By producing organic produce on our own farm as well as buying from farmers producing organically, we support farmer’s transition to sustainable food systems. Since we ourselves are a seed center we aim to propagate rare and indigenous varieties of edible plants for the public to reintegrate into their diets, improving our health and stabilizing our environment through biodiversity." To get to Pun Pun, at Wat Suan Dok walk down the road to the left of the main temple towards the back of the temple grounds, it is on your right near the back. See pictures by flickr.com.

Thai Orchid: 419/24 Witchayanon Road.

Thai Vegetarian Food Restaurant: 65 Inthawarorot Road. Good review by happycow.net. See pictures by Rheanna2.

Vegetarian Society of Thailand: 42 Mahidol Road. "Didn't have the variety, that most Thai veggie places in Chiang Mai have", means a review on happycow.net. See pictures on flickr.com

Whole Earth: 88 Sridonchai Road. A vegetarian Thai and Indian restaurant, but some meat and fish dishes are available. Mixed reviews on happycow.net and tripadvisor.com.

Others
Room-Bar: 61 Nimmanhaemin Road. The Room complex includes also a coffee, a boutique and decor shops. The restaurants special in main courses is a deep fried chicken with mixed herbs, as you can read in Chiangmai-Mail.com. Elegant interior decoration in red and purple.

Rose Restaurant: 87 Ratchamanka Road. See video at Chiangmaipods.com English or American breakfasts, burgers and pizzas, fish and chips. And also Thai food.

Sojo's Café: 169/4-5 Sridonchai Road and 178/178 World Club Land – Nongkwai, Hang Dong. American, Asian, Mediterranean Bistro and La Mesa Latina.

The Drunken Flower: 28/3 Soi 17 Nimmanhaemin Road. The funnny name comes from the time, when it was Chiang Mai's first wine tasting club and also sold importet flowers. Cocktails, house wines, Thai, international and Mexican food. And music from a big CD-Collection or from live performances. All this attracts a mix of young and old Thai and Westerners.

Chiang Mai: Cool Nights

2008-07-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

See the locations of the clubs and bars on Google Map/Google Earth
See the locations of restaurants on Google Map / Google Earth

Nimmanhaemin Area นิมมานเหมินท์

Nimmanhaemin Road (also: Nimmanhemin) is the place to be for the local nightlife scene, mostly students from the nerby universities or youn working adults: "Young, beautiful and trendy Thais partying like there's no tomorrow!", writes Jaxon Toh in his blog.

Warm Up Cafe: 40 Nimmanhaemin Road. Popular hangout for young Chiang Mai with two glass enclosed dance floors, DJs and often live music and an outdoor zone for sitting, talking and watching.

Warm Up 9th Anniversary Music Video:

Monkey Club: Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 9. Open 17 pm to 01 am. Another hotspot for the students. Indie music and outdoor eating.

Drunken Flower: 295/1 Soi 1, Nimmanhaemin road. Open daily from 18 pm to 01 am. Restaurant and bar, visited by a mixed Thai and expat crowd. Most weelends live folk music. Read James' review on tripist.com. "Food is poor, drinks are over-priced, seats uncomfortable and the live music is lame. God knows why we all go there", says the review on chiangmaitouristguide.com.

NimMahn Bar: 59/8 Nimmanhaemin Rd. "Cavernous industrial-looking interior, softened with smart leather poufs and sofas", according to the review of Lonely Planet.

Glass Onion: Room 1 project, 61, Nimmanhaemin Road. Open 6 pm to 1 am. Bar with a grand piano, red carpets, red bar-chairs and art deco chandeliers. "James Bondesque", means Lonely Planet. Popular by gays.

Fine Thanks: 119 Nimmanhemin Rd Soi 5. In a restored wooden Thai house. A live band plays Thai and Western songs. Cute waitresses from the universities around the corner, good food, popular with locals.

Tawan Dang: Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 6. Open from 6 pm till 2 am. Live music.

Huay Kaew Road

Discovery: 12 Huay Kaew Road. Live Band, DJ, Video-Screens.

Fashion Paris: Unterground of Lotus Pangsuankaew Hotel. Dancing room and Hip Hop room. Read review of Lonely Planet.

Mo'C Mo'L ร้านน่านั่ง (The Monkey Club and Moon Lover): 233 Huay Kaew Road. Pub and restaurant with Thai, European and Japanese Food and a pond with fish and frogs. And a chic coffee shop. Live Bands (Jazz, Pop, Acoustic). Place of the hip and trendy.

Mo'C Mo'L by Apirak, see more of his pictures

Sudsanan: 30 Ratchaphuek Road. Wooden house with Thai restaurant and stage. Rock, Folk and Jazz-Bands. In the middle of the evening the owners play: Souat (guitar), Houag (bongos) and Pleuay (Khane = Isaan bamboo instrument). Read a fine review of Sudsanan by Delacroixyut.

Isaan Ban Hao live at Sudsanan:

Riverside Area

The Riverside Bar & Restaurant: 9-11 Charoenrat Road. Thai and western food, good! Western and Thai Pop starting at 19 pm, Jazz on Sundays. Read review of Lonely Planet.

The Good View: 13 Charoenrat Road. Thai and Western rock, pop, jazz and country in the evening, Thai, Chinese and Western food.

Tha Chang Jazz Club: 25 Charoenrat Road. Open 8 pm to 1 am. Live Jazz on Saturdays.

La Brasserie: 37 Charoenrat Road. Very popular for live rock and blues. From 23 pm Thai guitarrist Took and friends play Hendrix, Dylan, Marley. Read the review by ichangmaihotel.com and changmainews.com. And read an interview with Took on Chiangmainews.com

Took plays Jessica from the Allman Brothers, Part 1:

Part 2:

Old City Area

Cafe Souvannaphoum: 20/1 Ratchamanka Road. Wine Bar with music. Read the review of Lonely Planet.

Mandalay Bar and The Dark: 5/3 Soi 1 Moon Muang Road. Multistorey-complex, foreigners get charged at the entrance. Thai live music, dancers, concerts, shows. Read the review of Chiangmainews.com

The Garden: 139, Ratchadamnoen Rd. Every Sunday night live music with the Chiang Mai Blues Club. Warren Simpson ist playing here Delta Blues Music.

The North Gate: Every Tuesday everybody. who can play an instrument, can take part in a jam session. Live music every evening. Read the review on chiangmaiplan.com

Spicy: 82 Chaiyaphum Road. You go, when everything else has shut. It's open till 4 am. Who is there? Read review of chiangmaitouristguide.com

Night Bazaar Area

Crystal Cave: 199 Chang Klan Rd, in the Empress Hotel. Disco.

Horizon Club: 132 Loy Kroh Road, in Hotel Centara Duangtawan. House and Hip Hop, popular by young Thais.

The Bubbles: 46 Charoen Prathet Road (Pron Ping Tower). Disco. Read revoew by Lonely Planet

Other Area

Houn Soontaree: Houn Soontaree Vechanont is a singer of Northern Thai folk songs in Chiang Mai and restaurant owner. She and here daughter Lanna are singing, while you enjoy Northern dishes.

Lanna Commins sings Ka Sa Long

Chiang Mai Nimmanhaemin Road นิมมานเหมินท์

2008-07-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

The "arty epicenter" of Chiang Mai is Nimmanhaemin Road (also Nimmanhemin), according to Time Magazine. Boutiques sell pottery, textiles, other crafts and jewels. An Arts-and-Crafts-Show is held here every december, to see the next generation of Lanna artists and designers you come here (see video). This year the Nimmanhaemin Street Fair takes place from December 1-7.

Studio Kachama: 10-12 Soi 1, Nimmanheimin Rd. Waved cotton and silk wall hangings, cushions, table covers. Kachama Perez studied design in Japan and rewaves traditional Hmong, Karen and Yao patterns. More in Soi 1: See this map

Gerard Collection: No. 2/8 Soi 3, Nimmanhaemin Road. Bamboo furnitures. More in Soi 3: See this map

Living Space: Thai and vietnamese lacquerware, tableware, Indonesian silk textiles and leather handbags, chosen by British-French expat Jennifer Dyson.

The Room: 61 Nimmanhaemin Road.

Massage by the female prison (and others)

2008-05-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

Lila Thai Massage ลีลา นวดไท: Naowarat Thanasrisutharat, the director of Chiang Mai's female prison, has established a massage shop, popular by tourists and residents. The women in the prison can learn massage there and earn money and with that they often support their families. As Bangkok Post writes, also women, who have left prison, are working there, because they see it as a way for reintegration in society. You find the shop on Prapokklao Road. Read how Ash and Bi describe this experience.

And more tipps for massage:

Nerve-touch massage: 25-27-29 Ratchadamnoen Road, next to Siam Commercial Bank. "Nerve-Touch" is a method of working on the lines and muscles. It is deeper and more therapeutically oriented than the usual Thai massage. Pressing, rotating and squeezing techniques following the meridian lines. In Lek Chaiya’s family, the traditional Thai Healing Arts have been handed down from mother to daughter. She operates this place now with her son Tananan Willson. A massage with medicinal herbpacks takes 1 1/2 hour. Training courses for 3 to 5 five days are also available.

Lek Chaiya at a training course. More pictures

Shivagako Marapa Old Medical Hospital: 5 Wualai Road. Thai body massage and massage training for 30 years. A full massage lasts two hours. The practitioner uses hands, forearms and feet to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part of the body. There is pulling and stretching of arms, legs, fingers and toes, arching the back and neck and even walking on the back. Read more on Easy Chiang Mai.

Handicraft and Antique Shopping in Baan Tawai

2008-04-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

Baan Tawai, 20 kilometres south of Chiang Mai, is the centre of wood carved handicraft and antique trade in Northern Thailand. And also the production of reproductins of antique art is a growing business here. Shopowners from Bangkok and abroad come here to buy their goods. So the prices are more reasonable than elsewhere. You find arcades full of shops and on the road to Hang Dong you discover many mini-factories with showrooms and can see the artisans and their work: Wooden Buddhas, wooden elefants, wooden reliefs, sandstone sulptures, textile hangings, frames, lamps and vases for your home. Many shops construct teak furniture and can ship it abroad. Thai antiques are famous for the early artistic expression of Buddhism. If you are looking for genuine antique, you have to look for a certificate from the Fine Arts Department.

Brief introduction to the art periods in Thailand:
1stopchiangmai.com

Homepage of Baan Tawai Village:
Ban-tawai.com

You can visit Baan Tawai for a Woodcarving College

Chiang Mai Markets

2008-03-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

Your map: Map Yellow.co.th can be searched by street and market names (and hotels, and temples, and...). With this map you can easily prepare your way.

Night Bazaar: The famous venue for shopping in the night. The market with hundreds of street vendor stalls and shops has everything: Clothes, Thai silk, shoes, pirated CDs and DVDs, handicrafts, cameras, jewelry - a lot made in China, some products by the hilltribe people. The goods may be cheaper on markets, where there are not so many tourists. But you can bargain. If you are the first customer, you can get a good price, because it means bad luck, if the first customer doen't buy. And late in the night you get good prices for final sales.
Find your way: The market follows Chang Khlan Road and side streets, between Thaphae and Loi Khro road.
Open: From sunset till midnight.

Anusarn Night Market: A walking street every night, where you find hilltribe goods in traditional styles. And a great place for dinner, where the locals eat their noodles. A large suqare with tables and food stalls on the side. You can enjoy here Northern Thai specialities, for example the hot green chili dip called nam prik awn. Or try khao soi, flat egg noodles in a soup with chicken or beef. Black chili paste, lime, shallots, bean sprouts or other vegetables are served with it.
Find your way: The market is near Chang Khlan Road, between Anusarn Sunthon Road in the North and Si Don Chai Road in the South.

Warorot Market: Are you looking for real Thai life more than for touristic sights? Warorot Market, called "Kad Luang กาดหลวง" by the locals, is an old Shopping Center in a large building with food on the ground floor. So you will find pig heads or cooked and dried fish, herbs and spices and any kind of vegetables and also mushrooms. Lok for Northern style food as "Kaeb Moo” (crispy fried pig skin), “Moo Yaw” (pork sausage) or “Nam Prik Num”(hot green chilly sauce). On the second and third floor you discover clothes for cheaper prices than in the Night Bazaar, Handbags, Pillow covers, handicrafts or beauty articles. Around the building there are stalls with everything from shoes to gems.
Find your way: From Night Bazaar you follow Changklan Road to the North, until it intersects with Changmoi Road near Mae Ping River. Then the market will be at your left. Here is Chiang Mai's Chinatown.
Open: During the day until 5 pm.

Muang Mai Market: The place, where you get the food very fresh from the farmers and cheap. It's a wholesale area. There are stalls, shops and also pick up trucks. You will find huge amounts of cabbages, garlic, wstermelons, pineabbles and a lot more fruits and vegetables and also a section with meat and seafood and of course stalls selling curry pastes.
Find your way: Wang Sing Kham Road, from Warorot Market to North.

Ton Lamyai Market: This market smells like heaven. It's the fresh cut flower market. It's perfumed by so many different blossoms. Your eye will catch the buckets full of orchids, in hundreds of varieties and coulours, but also roses, chrysanthemums, lotus and marigolds as well as birds of paradise. The flowers arrive in the night, so it's the best time to go.
Find your way: Chang Khlan Road, close to Worarot Market and Anuson Bridge.
Open: 24 hours.

Wualai Walking Street: Are you looking for silver and lacquer ware? Then you are right at Wualai Street, where elegant old wooden houses show the past glory of the silversmiths of Chiang Mai. There are still many shops, well known for old technique and good quality. And every Saturday evening the road is closed for the traffic and a Walking street. Along one kilometer you find handicrafts, clothes, musical instruments, food and young artists exhibiting their work. And Lanna dancing performances from various schools in Chiang Mai are staged. Then there is Wat Sri Suphan, one of the temple buildings is decorated in shining silver.

More about the Street you read on the website of Wualai community. Then you find here a shop with crafts of hilltribe people Bann Wualai. Or you decide for a Kantoke Dinner with a hilltribe show at Old Chiangmai Cultural Center.
Find your way: Near the Gate at the south side of the old city. You leave by Phra Pok Klao Road, outside the wall you turn right, walk on Chiang Lo Road, from where Wualai Road will point to Southwest.
Open: Walking Street every Satuarday from around 5 pm till 11 pm.

Ratchadamnoen Walking Street: Full of excitement, thanks to the large crowd of people enjoying the night in the heart of the old city, shopping, drinking, eating, listening to musicians, looking at art and craftsmanships of Northern Thailand, Thai dancers or puppet shows. Many stallowners sell personally made goods from wood to metals, ceramics, fabrics, paper and more. In a number of temples along the road the stallowners sell meals cooked in front of your eyes.
Find your way: From Tha Pae Gate follow Ratchdamnoen Road.
Open: Every Sunday from 5 pm till midnight.

Wat Pan Tao. See more Wat Pan Tao

Chiang Mai Boutique Hotels

2008-03-08T08:36:00.000-08:00

See the location of the hotels on Google Map.

Amata Lanna อมตะล้านนา From 3500 to 4500 Baht. 222/2 Chareanprated Rd. Guests love to hotel, as you can read on tripadvisor.com

At Niman Conceptual Home แอทนิมมาน From 4400 to 6500 Baht. 37 Nimanhaemin Road. Eight rooms with decor that combines the arts of Burma, Nepal, India, Tibet and China, writes Concierge.com. The rooms are themed after goddesses. The hotel has been designed by Rachen Inthawong. He Says he used the location of a guide: "I felt Doi Suthep reflected the end of the eastern Himalayas. So I decorated At-Niman with a Himalayan feel", he told The Nation. Guests are excited, according to reviews on tripadvisor.com

Baan Thong Luang บ้านทองหลวง: From 2900 to 5900 Baht. 236/10 Wualai Rd. 18 differently styled and designed rooms decorated with Lanna antiques, staff dressedd in traditional Lanna costumes. Lush tropical garden.

Banthai Village บ้านไทย วิลเลจ: From 6000 to 14000 Baht. 19 Tapae Soi 3, Tapae Rd. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. And detailed description by the Blog Life in Thailand.

Bann Tazala Boutique Hotel บ้านท่าศาลา: 8500 to 13500 Baht. 55/5 Moo 1 Sankampaeng Road. Five kilometres outside of the town. Design in Lanna style with Chinese furnishing. "Honeymoon heaven", ist the comment of one of many good reviews on tripadvisor.com. See pretty pictures and read about the French restaurant.

Bodhi Serene Hotel: From 6500 to 18000 Baht. 110 Ratchaphakhinai Road. The hotel is very close to homes of local people. "You can see your neighbors even their living rooms and private quarters while you are walking to your room with laundries hanging from windows as welcoming flags", writes one guest on tripadvisor.com and complains about the concert of the frogs during the night. But most of the reviews are good. See video.

Bupatara House: From 700 to 1100 Baht. 12/1 Soi 4 kor, Phra Pok Klao Road. 21 rooms. See video. You find a review on the blog of Evan Roberts.

Buri Gallery House บุรี แกลเลอรี่ เฮาส์: From 950 to 2000 Baht. 102 Rachadamnoen Road. 20 rooms with the style of Thai-Lanna houses in a two-storey wooden building. You'll find the finest Lanna handicrafts in every part of the room. Located in the middle of the old city of Chiang Mai, near Wat Phra Singh. Read review on tripadvisor.com

Duang Champa Boutique Hotel ดวงจำปา - Hidden Gem: 2400 to 3800 Baht. 82 Ratchadamnoen Road. A building with ten rooms, every room different, in colonial style and a wooden house with two rooms. See a photoalbum by Fussy the Cat. Guests love it according to tripadvisor.com

Eurana Boutique Hotel ยูรานา บูติค: 1800 Baht. 7/1 Moon Muang Road Soi 7. With swimmingpool. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Puripunn Baby Grand Boutique Hotel ปุรีปัน: From 7200 to 22 000 BAht. 104/1 Charoen Muang Soi 2,Charoen Muang Rd. 30 rooms. The hotel has excellent reviews on tripadvisor.com

Suite

Baby Suite

RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort: From 6500 zo 30 000 Baht. The Wellness Spa has an indoor heated hydrotherapy pool, an outdoor swimming Pool, fitness center, Yoga & Aerobics studio, hydrotherapy tub, Vichy dhower, fnfrared sauna, herbal rainforest steam sauna and a whirlpool with Chromo therapy. Thai Massage is housed Housed in a 140 year old antique Thai teak wood home. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Smile House Boutique From 700 to 1200 Baht. 3/5 Suriyawong Road, Soi 1. It's surrounded by the silversmith and lacquerware community on Wua Lai stree. See video.

Sri Tara Boutique Hotel ศรีธารา: From 6000 to 12000 Baht. 351/1 Charoen Prathet Road.

Tea Vana ทีวาน่า: From 3300 to 15000 Baht. 75 Lamphun Road. Decorated in modern Chinese style. See pictures on flickr.com. Serves and sells various kinds of tea and tea theme is also reflected by its design. Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Read also review of professionaltravelguide.com

Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House ตรีญาณรส โคโลเนียล เฮ้าส์ 3500 Baht. 156 Wualai Road. The building's character combines influences of Chinese housing, the lifestyle of the native Lanna people and continental architecture. "The courtyard was so relaxing and mystical", writes one guest of many excellent reviews on tripadvisor.com

Picture by Long distance Clara. See more pictures on pantip.com

Yaang Come Village: From 4900. 90/3 Sridonchai Road. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com, that point to the quiet location close to the Night Market. Co-owners Khun Chitapong Kuawong and Khun Varee Kuawong have created a hotel in the style of a village of the Tai Lue people of Xishuangbanna, in China's Yunan Province. Read more at chiangmai-chiangrai.com.

Yantarasiri Boutique Resort ยันตรศิริ บูติค รีสอร์ท From 7000 to 18000 Baht. 24/17 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 6. Some rooms with luxurious spa baths, all with Lanna décor in earth and forest colour tones. A macro-biotic restaurant serves Thai, Chinese and international cuisine. See video

Chiang Mai Hotel Videos

2008-02-11T09:27:00.000-08:00

Here you get a list of videos about hotels in Chiang Mai.

Hotel Best Western

Hotel Bupatara Boutique

Hotel Central Duangtawan

Hotel Charcoa House

Hotel Eurana Boutique

Hotel Plaza

Hotel Proud Phu Fah

Hotel Puripunn Baby Grand Boutique

Hotel Sofitel Riverside

Hotel Tamarind Village

Hotel The Chedi

Hotel Raming Lodge and Spa

Hotel Ruen Come In Residence

Hotel Sira Boutique

Hotel Yaang Come Village

Guesthouse Banilah

Guesthouse Siam Mi Casa

Guesthouse Smile House

Guesthouse Wa Lai House

Viangbua Mansion

Soppong Lisu Hilltribe Homestay

2008-02-09T13:20:00.001-08:00

Lisu Hilltribe Homestay in Nong Tong near Soppong. Here you can be guest of the Lisu people, who originally lived in Tibet. Around 80 years ago they settled in the mountains of North Thailand. You live in a traditional bamboo or teak house. And you can take part in classes to learn more about lisu culture. Lisu Hilltribe Stay. More hilltribe information Lisu Hilltribe Resources And a Video and one more Video

Learn more at Virtual Hill Tribe Museum

The Lisu Hilltribe

Chiang Mai Hotels

2008-02-05T12:10:00.000-08:00

See the location of the hotels on Google Map

Read an article by Bangkok Post on packages from 14.8.2008

Amari Rincome: From 1851 to 8195 Baht. 1 Nimmanhaemin Road. Two pools. Free shuttle service to the city centre every 30 minutes. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com, read also the review of professionaltravelguide.com

Amora Tapae Hotel: From 1550 to 12250 Baht. 22 Chayapoom Road. See view from 10th floor by rokapi. "A little worn down, but okay", say some comments on tripadvisor.com.

Ayatana Resort อายตนะ: From 3300 to 16000 Baht. 99/9 Moo 14, Suthep Road. A little out of the city. There is a shuttle bus to Night Bazaar. Quiet, guests love it according to tripadvisor.com.

Baantai Hotel: From 900 to 1600 Baht. 41/9 Wiang-ping Tud-mai Road. An old hotel with dark rooms, mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com

BP Chiang Mai Hotel บีพี เชียงใหม่: From 725 to 2825 Baht. 154 Rachamanka Road. The hotel is dated, as comments on tripadvisor.com say.

D2 Hotel ดี ทู: From 3900 to 22000 Baht. 100 chang klan road. In contemporary Thai design, that is shown on Flickr.com. Fresh funky look. Devarana Spa ("Garden in Heaven") with professional staff, according to very excellent reviews on tripadvisor.com. Read also the review of professionaltravelguide.com

Chiang Mai Gate Hotel เชียงใหม่เกตุ: From 1000 to 3500 Baht. 11/10 Suriyawong Road. Small pool. Good value, according to reviews on tripadvisor.com

De Naga เดอ นากา โฮเทล: From 2300 to 5700 Baht. 21 Soi 2 Ratchamanka, Moon Muang Road. Nice inside, but views from the rooms show ugly buildings around the hotel. Mostly good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

De Naga Suite

Manathai Village มานาไทย: From 3100 to 9000 Baht. 39/9 soi 3 tapae road. "A diamond", reviews on tripadvisor.com say. But if your room is on the side of the small street, you may be disturbed by scooters early in the morning.

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi แมนดาริน โอเรียนเต็ล ดาราเทวีเชียงใหม่: From 12699 to 280000 Baht. 51/4 Sankampaeng Road Moo 1. "An astounding place", according to reviews on tripadvisor.com. Two pools. Be aware, that it is outside of the town. "A teakwood fantasia modeled on a northern Thai village, with vegetable gardens, lotus ponds, moats and fortified walls, towering palaces, a marketplace, a town green, even a temple, all of it occupied by a veritable army of merchants, servants, farmers, weavers, cooks, woodcarvers, and massage therapists", writes Travel+Leisure.

Enjoy this Video

Ping Buri Hotel พิงค์ บุรี From 650 to 2950 Baht. 49/1-8 Arrak Road (Suandok Gate).

See more pictures

Rachamankha ราชมรรคา: 5500 to 18000 Baht. 6 Rachamankha 9,T.Phra Singh. A combination of Lanna art and design and temple style architecture create a heaven of peace. The design is taken from the viharn (chapel) of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang in Lampang province. The hotel is planned according to ancient principles of Chinese architecture because the architecture and interior designer want the hotel to reflect the Chinese roots of Thai architecture. The hotel is full of Chinese antiques. There is a wood-panelled library full of architecture books. "What a gem", is the tenor of the reviews on tripadvisor.com. "You can hear birds in the morning, crickets in the evening, and not one throb of the motorcycles that pulse through the city", writes the New York Times. Read also the review of The Independent.

Picture by The Stamford Wife

Picture by travel why

RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort: From 13600 to 100000 Baht. A luxury boutique resort nestled along the bank of the Mae Ping River, it belonged to the Sofitel Group, now it's part of the Preferred Hotel Group. With "Aspara Spa". Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Read also professionaltravelguide.com

Tamarind Village แทมมาริน วิลเลจ: From 4200 to 12600 Baht. 50/1 Ratchadamnoen Road. You enter by a long shaded lane lined with bamboo. In a lush garden, very quiet, "pure paradise", says one guest on tripadvisor.com. The rooms at the Tamarind are "marvels of concrete flatwork burnished to an almost shining glow and, complimented by straw mats and chic contemporary Thai furnishings, make for a pleasing minimalist feel (if you're a minimalist, that is)", writes frommers.com. It has been built by Rooj Changtrakul and Ongard Satrabhandhu, who later created The Rachamankha. It took its name "from the tamarind orchard that occupied the land on which the hotel was built - one large and venerable tree thought to be over 200 years old has been left intact in a courtyard", you can read in Lonely Planet. Consult also professionaltravelguide.com. See the video of Open Chiang Mai

Picture above from: Jellybabylen, Flickr.com

Picture above from: Superciliousness, Flickr.com

Picture above from: Superciliousness, Flickr.com

The Chedi เดอะ เชดี เชียงใหม่: From 11440 to 17200 Baht. 123 Charoen Prathet Road. It has a swimming pool with water lillies and small fish. The old British Consulate building houses the restaurant. The guests love it ("Excellent is an understatement"), one points to the fact, that you hear some traffic noise from the street, read the comments on tripadvisor.com. Good review on professionaltravelguide.com

U Chiang Mai Hotel: From 3400 to 4400 Baht. 70 Rachadamnoen Road0. Opened in june 2008. Guests are welcomed in the Resident’s Lounge located in the restored former residence of Chiang Mai’s governor. Read a comment on tripadvisor.com

Chiang Mai Map

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Street names and Hotel names in Thai and English

Chiang Mai Guesthouse

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See the location of the guesthouses on Google Map

Pak Chiang Mai OLD TOWN Hidden Gem 39/5 Phra Pok Klao 2 Road. From 1800 Baht. Beautiful courtyard with trees, hanging plants and a little fish pond, living areas around it. The romms have a CD-Player. The owners are very attentive to their guests, you feel like part of the family, Nat, his sister Noon and their father care for the nature, serve a wide choice of delicious organic breakfast, lunch and dinner, avoid plastic, and, and, and... The location is very close to Chiang Mai Gate market, where you can enjoy the delights of local food stalls in the evening. You can have a traditional Thai massage in the living area, done by very experienced women and men. The whole guesthouse is decorated with great taste. And you have wireless internet. The guesthouse opened in july 2008. See lovely pictures here and read the reviews on tripadvisor.com and see more in this blog. Noon has been a former staff of Phranakorn Nornlen in Bangkok, before she opened Pak Chiang Mai with her family.

Baan Orapin บ้าน อรพินท์: From 1600 to 3800 Baht. 150 Charoenraj Rd., T.Wat Kate. Lovely oasis, according to reviews on tripadvisor.com

3 Sis Bed and Breakfast ทรี ซีส - OLD TOWN: 1650 Baht. 1 Soi 8 Phra Pokklao Road. Built 2007 beneath the old 3 Sis. See Photos of Vitold. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. And travelfish.org has the story of the three sisters, running the original guesthouse.

Alley Nine Guest House: From 200 to 350 Baht. 38 Soi 9 Moonmuang Rd.

Baan Kaew Guesthouse บ้านแก้ว: 800 Baht. 142 Charoenprathet Rd., opposite Wat Chaimongkol. A blit like an American motel, according to Frommer's. Quiet location with good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Banilah Guesthouse บ้านอ้ายหล้า: From 300 to 600 Baht. 11 Sotesueksa Road. See pictures on teakdoor.com. Bath looks not so well. Read review on tripadvisor.com. Good reviews on boo.com

Ben Guest House เบน: 250 Baht. 4/11 Chiangmai-Lamphun Rd, Soi 2 Muang. Basic, say reviews on tripadvisor.com

Bann Say-La บ้าน เส-ลา: From 500 to 950 Baht. 4-4/1 Nimmanhaemin Rd., Soi 5. In a old white building in French colonial style, rooms with shared and with private bath, private balconies and shared seating areas. There is one "downside" according to the review of Lonely Planet: It's behind the music bar "Fine Thanks", some rooms can be noisy. Nice pictures on flickr.com

Brick Road Cafe & Guesthouse OLD TOWN: From 150 to 250 Baht. 141 /8 Ratchadamnoen Road.

Chez Allan Bed & Breakfast: From 600 Baht. 26 Kampangdin Road, Soi 3. A traditional teakwood house with a large garden. Mentioned in Gay-Guides.

CM Blue House - OLD TOWN: From 300 to 600 Baht. 30/1 Moonmuang Road
Soi 6. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com and travelfish.org

Galare Guest House: From 950 to 1150 Baht. 7 Chareonprathet Road Soi 2. Located along the Ping River, open air restaurant right on the river with Thai, Western and Japanese food. Some guests find it noisy in the night becaouse there are restaurants with live music across the river, others say it's quiet. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Gap's House แก๊ป เฮ้าส์ OLD TOWN: From 470 to 750 Baht. 3 Rachadamnoen Soi 4. They don't take reservations. There is a cooking school. And daily you can get a vegetarian buffet dinner here. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Hollanda Montri ฮอลันดา มนตรี เกสท์เฮาส์: From 450 to 550 Baht. 365 Charoenrat Road. Relaxing restaurant with view over the river. Guest recommend it on tripadvisor.com and also on boo.com

Jonadda Guest House: From 250 to 450 Baht. 23/1 Ratvithi Road soi 2. Water heated by solar cells. Read review in Lonely Planet and on travelfish.org.

Julie Guesthouse จูลี่ OLD TOWN: From 70 to 350 Baht. 7/1 Soi 5, Phra Pokklao. Relax in the pleasant garden or on the rooftop. MIxed reviews on travelfish.org and on tripadvisor.com

Picture by Rod

Mountain View Guesthouses เมาเทน วิว: From 250 to 800 Baht. 105 Sri Phum Rd, (between soi 4 & 5). A couple of teak buildings and a tropical garden in between. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Lamchang House: From 100 to 180 Baht. 24 Moon Muang Road Soi 7. The wooden house has basic rooms with shared bathroom, the owners live upstairs.

Na Inn - OLD TOWN: 136/7 From 450 Baht. Ratchapakinai Rd. Read the review on travelfish.org

Nat Guesthouse:

Panda House: USD 15.64. 427/4 Vichayanon Road. Large rooms, near a crossroad, so you hear the traffic. Good reviews on boo.com

Pakinai Guest House: From 300 to 400 Baht. 173 Ratchapakinai Rd (north end), opp. Soi 9. Good reviews on travelfish.org

Parami Guesthouse ปาระมี: From 300 to 600 Baht. 210-212 Charoenrat Road. Thai teak wooden house with 8 rooms in a Thai neighbourhood. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Parasol Inn:

Royal Guest House รอยัล เกสเฮ้าส์: From 150 to 700 Baht. Kothchasarn Rd. Soi 4 T.Chang Karn. Read one review by yahoo travel.

Sevens Suns - OLD TOWN: 800 Baht. 155 Ratchamanka Road. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com

S. K. Guesthouse: 30 Moon Muang Road Soi 9. Negative reviews on travelfish.org and on tripadvisor.com

Sri-Pat Guesthouse - OLD TOWN: From 250 to 1000 BAht. 16 Soi 7 Moon Muang Rd. Good reviews on travelfish.org and also tripadvisor.de

Picture by Brian

Walai House วลัยเฮาส์: From 350 to 500 Baht. 13 Soi 3 Santisuk Road. With bike rental. Good reviews at thebackpacker.net and at iexplore.com

Picture by joyce

White Chalet: 900 Baht. 9/1 Arak Road T. Sriphum.

Yourhouse Guesthouse ยัวร์ เฮ้าส์ - OLD TOWN: From 250 to 900 Baht. 8 Soi 2 Ratwithi Road. Yourhouse 1 is in a traditional thai teak wooden building and has rooms with fans and shared bathrooms, Yourhouse 2 is in a more modern building and offers private bathrooms. Yourhouse 3 opened in Jun 2008 and has rooms with air-conditioning. Good reviews on boo.com

Room in Yourhouse 1

Room in Yourhouse 3

Chiang Mai Map

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This map shows the position of Hotels and Guest Houses, descriptions, pictures and links:
Interactive Map

Chiang Mai Phra Doi Suthep วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ

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See more Phra Doi Suthep

Mud Therapy at Phu Klon

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Phu klon geographically means a mud source and natural mineral spring which is between 60-140 C. Rising together with the mineral water; boiling black mud is clean, free from sulfur smell and full of healthy mineral for the skin and blood circulation.. See the homepage of Phu Klon Country Club with more informations. Phu Klon Country Club

Mae Aw Chinese Village and Pang Ung Lake

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Mae Aw Chinese Village

Mae Aw lies near the Burmese Border. Thai name: Ban Rak Thai บ้านรักไทย. This is a village founded by Kuomintang soldiers. Mae Aw is famous for its tea cultivation and Yunnan food, that you can enjoy at the restaurant and shops around a small square. You can buy ginseng, jasmine, oolong and green teas, as well as Chinese teapots and cups. More: Read here: Chiangmainews. And here background about the immigration of Muslim Chinese from Yunnan to Northern Thailand Muslim Chinese A festival is held in February to promote tea products. You follow hot tea tasting, tea-making demonstrations combined with cultural shows. Visitors can also ride a horse around the village. Sleepeing there. See picture by Buddhamountain.

Mae Aw, also called Ban Rak Thai, picture by Neo

Pang Ung Lake
Also written Pang Oong sometimes.

Not far from Mae Aw lies Pang Ung, known for its production coffee beans. Pang Ung was a reforestation project by Queen Sirikit. A few kilometers out of the village there ist a lake, a water reservoir, surrounded by pines with a camping area. The lake is covered by fog in the early morning, until the sunshine comes. Very romantic! A road runs along the lake to a green hill, where there are some guesthouses: Pang Ung Garden Houses (Phone 01-992-9891, 01-783-3981). Find more information: guesthouses.

Pictures of the lake at Photography Thai Online Magazine ความงดงาม แห่งปางอุ๋ง

Pang Ung Lake

Tents under the pines

Picture by koson

Map of Mae Aw

On the way to Mae Aw and Pa Ung you pass Pang Tong Palace near Mok Cham Pae, open every day from 8.30 am till 4.30 pm.