Thailand 2024 - Chiang Mai Part 2

The previous day we booked a group day trip through the hotel to explore some of the sites outside of Chiang Mai. There were many tour options, and we aimed for a mix of hiking, culture, and nature, without spending too much time in the car.

We were picked up outside the hotel in a minibus with other travellers and headed out of the city. Shortly after leaving, we stopped at a large, modern service station—the only stop before heading into the jungle.

The journey wasn’t particularly comfortable. The vans were fairly old, the air conditioning minimal, and the seats more suited to the smaller Thai locals than the larger Europeans and Americans. It was best not to focus too much on the driving and instead count the many temples we passed.

Our first stop was the Wachirathan Waterfall. We were dropped off a few steps from the waterfall and walked along a short path by the stream at the base of the falls, leading to a parking area with a small market selling food and clothes. Our driver waited for us there.

Next, we visited one of the Karen Hill Tribes villages, where we learned about the traditional weaving done by the women beneath the stilt houses and how the tribe has maintained their traditional way of life while selling produce and opening up to tourists. We were taken to a tasting hut, where we learned about coffee growing and the different types of local teas before sampling them. The coffee was strong, tasty, and much needed after our early start. My favourite was the slightly sweet blue Butterfly Pea Tea, made from butterfly pea flowers.

Feeling refreshed, we strolled around the village, hearing about traditional life and meeting some of the animals, who mostly lived beneath the houses. We then had lunch in a large hut with long tables—the local restaurant. The meal, made from local produce, was homely and very fresh.

Back in the van, we headed to our next stop: the summit of Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand. We took a short nature walk to the summit, a warm-up for our bigger hike ahead.

Next, we went deeper into Doi Inthanon National Park to the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail. The trail is maintained by the Hmong people from the nearby Ban Khun Klang community, and having a guide is compulsory as it provides income for them.

We had two guides who spoke very little English. We were told this was an "easy" hike, but it wasn’t as easy as expected! Though only 2.8 miles, the hike took us through a humid jungle on wooden paths, constantly climbing up and down steps or steep paths. Eventually, we emerged from the jungle into an open meadow, where the burning sun replaced the humidity. Here, we were rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding jungles and mountains, and we caught a glimpse of the King and Queen Pagodas, our next stop. The trail was a loop, so after the meadow, it was back into the jungle for more climbing until we finally made it back to the car park. It was tough!

Any discomfort in the van was forgotten after the hike—it was nice to sit again. Our next stop was the King and Queen Pagodas, two towers dedicated to King Rama IX and the Queen of Thailand to celebrate their birthdays. To reach the pagodas, we parked the van and took an open pick-up truck to the entrance, where we were checked to ensure we were wearing appropriate clothing. Thankfully, we had come prepared with long trousers and t-shirts, but those who forgot were given suitable clothing. The towers had a peaceful and reflective atmosphere, surrounded by well-maintained gardens with fountains and waterfalls. It was all very serene and a world away from the bustling temples in Bangkok.

Our final stop before returning to the hotel was a local food market, where we picked up some strawberries coated in sugar and vegetable crisps—both were gone before we made it back to the city.

After such a busy day, it was hard to muster the energy to go out, but we were hungry after all the exercise. We chose a restaurant I had found on Google called Tong Tem Toh, a traditional northern Thai restaurant. The food was excellent, though we over-ordered because we wanted to try as many dishes as possible. Five was pushing the limit of our stomachs! Full, tired, and aching, we had one last drink in a local bar before heading back to the hotel for some much-needed rest.

The next day was our final day in Chiang Mai. After two busy days, we decided to take it easy. We started the day with a massage from an ex-prisoner at the Women's Massage Center. These centers are dotted around the city and are definitely worth a visit—not only for the fantastic Thai massage but also because they support a great cause.

We then went to lunch at one of Chiang Mai's most famous and Instagramable restaurants, Chom. The food was incredible—the best Massaman curry we’ve ever had. But what really makes this place famous are the grounds, which, with the right angles and photography skills, result in stunning photos. Unfortunately, the peace and tranquillity were somewhat spoiled by the large number of mostly Japanese tourists setting up their cameras for the perfect shot.

After lunch, we returned to the hotel to relax by the pool for the rest of the afternoon.

In the evening, we took a Lyft to Nimmanhaemin Road to explore the university area. As often happens, we discovered a great spot on our last night. Nimmanhaemin Road had it all—small night markets, big shopping centers, shopping arcades, local bars, great restaurants, and a modern, up-and-coming vibe. We loved it. Some of our favourite spots included Mali Cat Café & Bar, Beer Lab, and Myst on the top floor of the Maya Mall, which offered incredible cocktails and panoramic views of the city. We ended the night at Warm Up, Chiang Mai’s "nightlife institution", a lively local bar that felt like a Thai version of a German beer hall during Oktoberfest.

Sadly, our time in Chiang Mai had come to an end. We loved the city and felt like we could have spent much longer there, but it was time to move on to our next destination—Khao Lak.