Charming Chiang Mai

It was 8 years ago the last we went on a Company trip to Chiang mai/Chiangrai. Since we still have points in RCI, we decided to utilize it for a week in Karma Chang  

We flew Air Asia and our flight was delayed 55 minutes. Once we have arrived in Chiangmai airport,  the custom was really packed. It gave me the impression that Thailand tourism is really doing well. After custom clearance, we went to collect our rented car Toyota Yarris with Thrifty at Hertz counter.  The car was rented for 7 days at THB6,051.50 and we added Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) RM1872.50. The booking was through Carspool online with total spent THB6,051.50 inclusive 7% VAT about RM787 i.e. RM112 per day with full fuel and clean, new and comfortable vehicle.

Karma Chang is located at Ping Riverside, Pa Daet though quiet but not too far from town centre.  Some food stalls and 7 Eleven are just 600 meters away.  Less than 3 minutes walk nearby there are food stalls too. Everyone was surprised why we spent a week there.  In fact, we did not even cover all the attractions within that week. Chiang Mai is not just about night markets and temples, there are beautiful mountains.

Day 1 (Saturday)
Wualai Waling Street
Silver Temple
Dinner

After checking into our lovely Lanna-style hotel, took our bath, we went off to Wualai Walking Street which only opens on Saturday and Sunday.  We parked our car at Ruyi Restaurant nearby and paid THB 60.  We had moo ping (meat skewer) and delicious noodle soup at stall which was just outside Wualai Cafe. You will pass by the beautiful Silver Temple at this night bazaar.

 

Day 2 (Sunday)
Mae Ping River Cruise  at Charoen Prathet Road 
Chai Mongkol Temple besides Ping River 
Khao Soy Nimman for Lunch
Sunday Night Market Rachadamnoen Rd

We went to search for dim sum but the shop was closed and we ended with a simple breakfast nearby before proceed to check on Mae Ping River Cruise and visited Chai Mongkol Temple at the same area.  We have decided that we should take tomorrow morning river cruise so that it would not be too hot.  

As we wanted to try Koa Soy (Curry Noodles), we went to Nimman and was packed with tourists. There is an open parking nearby but if you dine at Nimman, parking is complimentary with a stamp on the parking ticket. Nevertheless the queue was not too long but we do not find it suit our taste. We were then back to hotel for a rest before our Sunday night market at Rachadamnoen Road.

Day 3 (Monday)

Warorot Market

Tom Lam Yai Market

Brunch SP Grilled Chicken 

Massage at nearby hotel

Thajeen Chomchan Seafood

Anusarn Night Market
Haagen Dasz

Chiang Mai Cabaret Show

We started our day with visit to Warorot Market and Tom Lam Yai Market (opposite each other).  You can get your souvenirs, clothing or food stuff here such as cashew nuts etc.  Then we went to SP Grilled Chicken for brunch. We went few steps from SP Grilled Chicken and has foot massage at a hotel which I could not remember the name as the massage was alright but the place for massage was not so suitable.  

For dinner, we have chosen Thajene Chomchan which was 20 minutes drive away from Karma Chang.  After dinner we went to Anusarn Night Market as Chiang Mai Cabaret Show was located there.  It cost THB350 per person for free seating to watch an hour ladyboy show with a complimentary drinks/beer. Since we have time to kill before the show starts at 9.30 pm, we went to Haagen Dazs Ice Cream across the street.

 

Cant remember though the night stall we stopped by has the best mango sticky rice, believe it could either be near Warorot Market or Tom Lam Yai Market.

Day 4 (Tuesday)

Khao Soi Khun Yai (Mon till Sat 10am - 2 pm)

Wat Phratat Doi Suthep 

Bhuping Palace

Hmong Tribe Village

Lunch

The best Khao Soi (Curry Noodle) that you must try as we had a satisfied meal here. It is in the middle of two temples, one is Wat Rajamonten.

Then we drove to Doi Suthep. Doi means mountain.  Our first stop Wat Phratat, we have to climbed in total of 287 steps to reach to the top.  To visit temples in Thailand, the basic rule of your dress code is to cover your shoulders and knees (both sexes), and ideally to cover your ankles too.  The same dress code to visit Bhuping Palace. However we did not visit this palace due to unsuitable clothing.  And then we proceeded to Hmong Tribe Village where you may rent the local tribe costume for a minimal fee and enjoy taking photos there. SImple noodle lunch was after we finished with the village, on the way walking down to our car park which was good but I forgot the name of the shop but it was big, clean on the left hand side as we walked down.

Day 5 (Wednesday)

Hailam Chicken Rice

Pink Doi 

Yok Fa Noodle

Lila Massage Ratchapakhinai Rd

Cherng Doi Roast Chicken 

As hubby wanted to try Thai Chicken Rice which I was not fancy as we have so much better choices back home.  We tried the shop named Hailam Chicken RIce and had 2 plates of chicken rice  which cost us THB60 but is not up to our expectation. 

We intended to travel to Giant Treehouse Chiangmai for coffee but ended in Pink Doi Coffee instead. This place is at Mae On, Doi Saket District. The hilly road was steep if you were to travel up to Giant Treehouse as you need a 4 wheel drive or you can call them to take you up.  Pink Doi is definitely another option as the self- planted Arabica Coffee was good and price was cheaper compare to Giant Treehouse. We spent around at least 3 hours here looking at the mountain greenery, pesimmon tree, coffee tree and flowers here. It was just so peaceful and relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of city life that we live in. It was a rainy day but the view of the mountain, mist and cloud was just amazing.  The young lady boss here, Suntareeporn is an agriculture graduate from University of Chiangmai and her motto is to be happy and money is not everything.  

After we drove back, we felt hungry and tried Ratna Sai Kai (Wat tan hor) THB45 and Pat See Lew (Fried Flat noodle) THB45, Mango Salad THB40, Ice Tea THB25 at Yok Fa located at Ratchapakhinai Road. A total THB155 for a satisfying meal as the noodles and mango salad were yummylicious, highly recommended.

There are quite a numbers of Lila Massage outlet in Chiang Mai.  I have chosen the one at Ratchapakhinai Road. Quite spacious and clean, we had a good massage there. The cheapest of 1 hour massage cost THB250. We opted for foot massage and reflexology 1.5 hours THB370 and Thai Herbal Hot Compress Massage 1.6 hours THB600. 

For dinner, we had at Cherng Doi Roast Chicken a plate roast chicken for THB85, Papaya salad THB40, Iced Milk Tea THB25 and Chysanthemum tea THB25. It is located at  just off Nimmanhaemin Road. The chicken was boneless and tender.

 

 

Day 6 (Thursday)

Aunjareun Noodle House

High Per Car Detailing Car Wash

Doi Inthanon National Park 

Cowboy Hat lady Kow Kar Moo (Pork Leg rice)

Just Sweet Enough

Our car needed to be washed as it was extremely dirty from yesterday rain so we went for a car wash which cost us THB150,  Nearby the car wash there was this corner shop, Aunjaerun Pork Noodle House which was a very clean shop. So we had our breakfast there while waiting for our car.  The noodle was good, the lady boss, Jeab was a friendly lady.

We had top up fuel for THB820 after few days of driving. We arrived at Doi Inthanon and paid the entrance of THB630 (car and 2 pax). We visited the beautiful Wachiratan Waterfall, Twin Pagoda, entrance was THB40 and explore the Ang Ka Nature Trail.
For more attractions, check out at https://www.thailandadventureguide.com/location/national-parks/doi-inthanon-national-park/

After Doi Inthanon, we had our dinner at Chang Phueak, the tender pork leg rice and superb mustard green, 2 plates cost us THB130.. Just look for a lady with Cowboy hat, that is the stall that you should go.

We were then searching for thai dessert and found one local thai dessert that you should go. Just Sweet Enough at Charoen Muang Road.

Day 7 (Friday)
Huay Tung Tao Lake
Iberry Ice Cream
Muu Yim Jim Jun (Thai Style Hot Pot)

As you enter the Huay Tung Tao Lake, you need to pay THB100 entrance fee.  We went around the area took some photos and decided stall no. 2 for our brunch.  Food was alright and we sat besides the lake. We ordered Tomyum Seafood THB160, Steam squid lemon juice THB160, Grilled Pork (very hard) THB80, Som Tum Salty Egg THB70, Ice THB30. Soft Drink THB15, RIce THB5.  Total meal for two was THB520.

After lunch, we went for second time to Iberry for ice cream. However there were not selling any of our favorite ice cream. 

Day 8 (Saturday)

Our check out time was extended. After checked out, went to Warorot to get cashew nuts for souvenir. Then proceed to Central Airport Plaza for shopping and lunch.  Pump petrol just opposite airport THB540 before we returned our car.