Travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand

I recently spent 8 days exploring Chiang Mai. It was my third time to Chiang Mai but it certainly won't be my last. My visit started out in the heart of the city where most of the hotels are located. I recommend spending at least half of your first day just walking around. There are numerous temples and markets to photograph. After checking into your hotel head for Tapae road. You'll find Wat (temple) Bupparam, Wat Mahawan, Wat Chetawan and Wat Saen Fang all within 400 meters of each other. Just north of Tapae road you'll find the Warorot market which great for taking pictures of vendors and their goods, trishaw drivers, as well as the locals doing their shopping. Just wander through the adjacent streets for more opportunities.

There are other temples in the city worth visiting but you'll need transportation. You can arrange a tour through your hotel or just take a map to explore on your own. It's easy to hop in a Tuk Tuk (motorized trishaw) to get from place to place. Just point to the location on the map where you want to visit. The price should be 30-60 Baht. I would recommend going to Wat Suan Dok, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Je Dee Luang, and Wat Phra Jao Meng Rai. They're all several centuries old and are each unique in their own way.

There are three half day tours that are worth arranging through you hotel. The first will take you to the most beautiful temple in the area, Doi Suthep. In conjunction with going to Doi Suthep you can visit the hill tribe village of Doi Pui and the colorful gardens of the King's summer palace. The second tour will take you to the handicraft factories. This tour is best in the afternoons. You'll find artisans crafting silk, silverware, umbrellas, furniture (teak and rosewood), laquerware, pottery, jade, and gold jewelry. You can shoot some wonderful images while shopping. Last but not least, take a half day tour to one of the elephant work camps. Although they are very commercialized the visit is worth it. You'll see how the elephants were used for harvesting teak lumber. If you've never ridden an elephant I would suggest this as well. You should ask your tour guide if they know of a private farm to go for a ride. If you ride the elephants at the work camp you'll be in the middle of a touristy circus. On the private farm you may be the only ones taking an hour ride through the hills.

Chiang Mai is an ideal base for exploring the entire Golden Triangle region. Visits to Lamphun (beautiful temples and tree lined streets), Mae Hong Son (mountainous town near the border with Burma), Chiang Rai (see what Chiang Mai was like 10 years ago), Mai Sai (border crossing to Burma) and finally the famous Golden Triangle (the countries of Thailand, Laos and Burma all converge on this spot).

Everyone who visits Chiang Mai will spend at least one night shopping at the night market. Chances are that your hotel will be just a stone throw away. There's a huge selection of hill tribe crafts, clothing and just about anything else you can think of. I would highly recommend finding the "Insight Pocket Guide" for Chiang Mai. This book is great to guide through your short stay. Suggested morning, afternoon and day long itineraries are offered for your consideration.