Chiang Mai "Within Walking Distance"?
Oct 4th, 2005, 11:41 AM
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Chiang Mai "Within Walking Distance"?
To all of you experienced Thai travellers...
I keep hearing folks say that such-and-such is within walking distance of so-and-so. Then I read others saying that BKK and Chiang Mai are so terribly hot and humid that one gets exhausted easily. I'm getting confused.
I'm a cool climate resident and the heat can really spoil my day if I go all out. And when we're traveling, I tend to go all out! No longer in my 30s or 40s, a mile seems longer than it used to!
We are trying to decide on a hotel in CM, the Baan Orapin sounds wonderful but looking at a map it seems a bit distant from the night market, for instance. Realisticly, how long a walk is it? Over a mile? And what about to other sites?
As an alternative we've looked at The Royal Princess and it's neighbors which are said to be right next to the night market. Then there is the Tamarind Village which is in yet a different neighborhood.
Not having been to Thailand before, I really don't know how to choose. Which location do you feel is the most convenient? We want to shop, but that's only part of our interest. We want to see the hill tribes, elephants, etc. So we won't be staying in the city all the time. We have allocated 6 nights in the area. And even thought about spening 3 nights in the city and another 3 nights elsewhere, but not sure where.
Input here would be wonderful. Thanks.
I keep hearing folks say that such-and-such is within walking distance of so-and-so. Then I read others saying that BKK and Chiang Mai are so terribly hot and humid that one gets exhausted easily. I'm getting confused.
I'm a cool climate resident and the heat can really spoil my day if I go all out. And when we're traveling, I tend to go all out! No longer in my 30s or 40s, a mile seems longer than it used to!We are trying to decide on a hotel in CM, the Baan Orapin sounds wonderful but looking at a map it seems a bit distant from the night market, for instance. Realisticly, how long a walk is it? Over a mile? And what about to other sites?
As an alternative we've looked at The Royal Princess and it's neighbors which are said to be right next to the night market. Then there is the Tamarind Village which is in yet a different neighborhood.
Not having been to Thailand before, I really don't know how to choose. Which location do you feel is the most convenient? We want to shop, but that's only part of our interest. We want to see the hill tribes, elephants, etc. So we won't be staying in the city all the time. We have allocated 6 nights in the area. And even thought about spening 3 nights in the city and another 3 nights elsewhere, but not sure where.
Input here would be wonderful. Thanks.
Oct 4th, 2005, 11:49 AM
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As long as you have transportation, it really doesn't matter where you stay in Chiang Mai - although if you are considering the Four Seasons at all, it is quite a ways out of the city.
I am not a big fan of the night market so I don't see much of a benefit to being near it. The best shopping is in the handicraft villages on the outskirts of town. You will need a car and driver to get to them, regardless of where you stay.
You really don't need much more than 2-3 days in Chiang Mai so you should consider doing 3 days in the far north - in Chiang Rai or at the Anantara.
I am not a big fan of the night market so I don't see much of a benefit to being near it. The best shopping is in the handicraft villages on the outskirts of town. You will need a car and driver to get to them, regardless of where you stay.
You really don't need much more than 2-3 days in Chiang Mai so you should consider doing 3 days in the far north - in Chiang Rai or at the Anantara.
Oct 4th, 2005, 11:59 AM
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Baan Orapin is a 15-20 minute walk from the night market. Tamarind Village is farther. I would not stay at the Royal Princess.
Bangkok is definitely too hot and humid for much walking but walking in Chiang Mai can be very pleasant from November through February. It is always much cooler than Bangkok. However, to get to many of the sights you will need a car and driver since they are outside of the city.
Three or four days in Chiang Mai and two or three days in the Chiang Rai area would work well.
Bangkok is definitely too hot and humid for much walking but walking in Chiang Mai can be very pleasant from November through February. It is always much cooler than Bangkok. However, to get to many of the sights you will need a car and driver since they are outside of the city.
Three or four days in Chiang Mai and two or three days in the Chiang Rai area would work well.
Oct 4th, 2005, 05:11 PM
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Baan Orapin is on a street full of boutiques and river-side restaurants. You may not feel the need to get all the way to the night bazaar (which as I write is still under water anyway). The walk to the night bazaar is interesting, as you can cross the footbridge across the river, which puts you right into one of the city's main fresh markets. At night, the street in front of the market, along the river, is lined with flower stalls.
Tamarind Village is in fact a very long walk from the night market, but it can be an enjoyable one. The trip will take you through Tapae Gate and down Tapae road, which is lined with shops and restaurants. Since it's cool in the evening, you can easily walk towards the night bazaar until a restaurant takes your fancy, then stop and eat before continuing your trip to the night bazaar, which is what I usually did. From the night bazaar you can easily get a tuk-tuk back to where you're staying.
Not sure what people have against the Royal Princess. I've had no complaints about the few times I've stayed there. You might try the new 'D2' (used to be the Chiang Inn, but thoroughly remodeled by Dusit) or the completely new Chedi, which is on the river about 5 minutes walk from the night bazaar.
Tamarind Village is in fact a very long walk from the night market, but it can be an enjoyable one. The trip will take you through Tapae Gate and down Tapae road, which is lined with shops and restaurants. Since it's cool in the evening, you can easily walk towards the night bazaar until a restaurant takes your fancy, then stop and eat before continuing your trip to the night bazaar, which is what I usually did. From the night bazaar you can easily get a tuk-tuk back to where you're staying.
Not sure what people have against the Royal Princess. I've had no complaints about the few times I've stayed there. You might try the new 'D2' (used to be the Chiang Inn, but thoroughly remodeled by Dusit) or the completely new Chedi, which is on the river about 5 minutes walk from the night bazaar.
Oct 4th, 2005, 05:34 PM
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Tangata-my problem with the Royal Princess was that my room was both dingy and. more important, dirty and a bit mouldy.
Someone on this forum tried to book the Chedi and they said they were not reopening until, I think, March because of flood damage.
Someone on this forum tried to book the Chedi and they said they were not reopening until, I think, March because of flood damage.
Oct 4th, 2005, 05:51 PM
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lets talk weather...if you are used to cooler climates then you are in for a shock....think the worst day heat and humidity wise you have ever experienced, add 10 degrees, and that is thailand, especially bangkok...
you can beat it however....don't walk very far especially in bkk...use the very cold skytrain to get around as much as possible and if the stop is over 1-2 blocks from the pace you are heading for take a taxi...they are sooooooooo cheap....35 B to start and the meter goes up slowly...average ride less than $2. US....same in chaing mai.... it is cooler there, but not much, imo...i still sweat plenty there and i have been there in february and november...there you can take tuk tuks...the breeze will cool you some...also pop into and out of shops that have a/c and that keeps you cool...drink plenty of bottled water...
i agree that it really does not matter where you stay in the town of CM...it is easy to get around and you will want to either have a rental car (for outside CM) or a driver while there if you are smart...the added costs are worth it...
you can beat it however....don't walk very far especially in bkk...use the very cold skytrain to get around as much as possible and if the stop is over 1-2 blocks from the pace you are heading for take a taxi...they are sooooooooo cheap....35 B to start and the meter goes up slowly...average ride less than $2. US....same in chaing mai.... it is cooler there, but not much, imo...i still sweat plenty there and i have been there in february and november...there you can take tuk tuks...the breeze will cool you some...also pop into and out of shops that have a/c and that keeps you cool...drink plenty of bottled water...
i agree that it really does not matter where you stay in the town of CM...it is easy to get around and you will want to either have a rental car (for outside CM) or a driver while there if you are smart...the added costs are worth it...
Oct 4th, 2005, 06:11 PM
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Hi Gloria,
It wasn't me that commented on the Princess! However, I have heard that they had a fire or something and have had to refurbish. I don't if that is correct, if it is correct it must have happened whilst we were in Vietnam and Cambodia.
I hear the same as you about the Chedi -- the classic quote from the management "We thought we were OK as we had pumps!"
Michael, the Night Bazaar is currently not under water and had very little flooding this last time round. However, I agree with your comments on it, if we have visitors who want to go there I wait for them in the Red Lion!
It wasn't me that commented on the Princess! However, I have heard that they had a fire or something and have had to refurbish. I don't if that is correct, if it is correct it must have happened whilst we were in Vietnam and Cambodia.
I hear the same as you about the Chedi -- the classic quote from the management "We thought we were OK as we had pumps!"
Michael, the Night Bazaar is currently not under water and had very little flooding this last time round. However, I agree with your comments on it, if we have visitors who want to go there I wait for them in the Red Lion!
Oct 5th, 2005, 03:44 PM
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I stayed at the Imperial Mae Ping in Chiang Mai last year. It is great. Only a few minutes walk to the market. Terrific service, fabulous rooms, nothing was a trouble to the staff. The Thai Elephant Conservation Centre was easily accessible by bus from the main bus station. Spent three days there riding elephants. Basic accommodation but good fun and very reasonable cost. Have fun!
Oct 5th, 2005, 06:27 PM
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Temps in Chiang Mai in the evening are much cooler, year-round than Bangkok's. We were there in July 2003 and had no problem walking from near Tamarind Village to the night markets. We'd had dinner at a fab pizza place close to Tamarind Village and walked back to the markets.
Oct 9th, 2005, 11:43 AM
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About the Baan Orapin - it's absolutely wonderful. We enjoyed the Lanna architecture and, because it was low season, we were offered the house (2-story, 3-bedroom, 2-baths) for $40/night. It's about a 15 minute walk to the center of CM, but tuk-tuks are readily available and very cheap. We would usually walk to town, then tuk-tuk back. (We're from a cool, dry climiate so the heat by early afternoon seemed too much for us even tho we are normally physically active --- perfect time for a nap, a couple of Singhas or a massage!!) The owner is so helpful with information; he speaks excellent English. We were there for 5 days, one day of which the streets were flooded, but the owner managed to schedule a ride to the Elephant Conservation Camp so that we would not be stuck all day; he also brought breakfast to our room so we didn't have to slosh thru the water that he was pumping out which was almost all gone within a day. Also, the BO is located on a street with wonderful restaurants and boutiques, so, as another poster stated, you may not feel the need for much of the night bazaar. Good View has excellent food with nightly entertainment.
About the Night Bazaar - We found the night bazaar to be 'cheap' stuff ie poor quality. You'll find better selection of hilltribe items closer to Chaing Rai. And more interesting items in the boutiques close to the Baan Orapin.
About other sites around CM - The Elephant Conservation Camp is a must; about 1 1/2 hour ride out of the city. Lonely Planet has a walk around the town that describes the old city walls and other attractions. The new Lanna Culture & Arts Center is worth a visit. There are many beautiful wats. The Simon's Dream show was very entertaining.
About massages - Thai massages are a must at around 150 baht/hour; 2 hours is better. You might try the Thai Conservatory Center where massages are done by the blind. The Thai government provides schooling for the blind and provdes this Center for their work; excellent massages. Tuk-tuk drivers all know about it. Foot massages are very relaxing as well.
As a side note, Thai Airways has cancelled its flights to Chaing Rai during low season and apparently they are the only airline that flies to CR from CM. We arranged a ride at a travel agency in town for about $12/each in an a/c van. Lovely drive and only took about 2 1/2 hours. About the same price as flying. Apparently, Thai Airways will resume service in high season.
About the Night Bazaar - We found the night bazaar to be 'cheap' stuff ie poor quality. You'll find better selection of hilltribe items closer to Chaing Rai. And more interesting items in the boutiques close to the Baan Orapin.
About other sites around CM - The Elephant Conservation Camp is a must; about 1 1/2 hour ride out of the city. Lonely Planet has a walk around the town that describes the old city walls and other attractions. The new Lanna Culture & Arts Center is worth a visit. There are many beautiful wats. The Simon's Dream show was very entertaining.
About massages - Thai massages are a must at around 150 baht/hour; 2 hours is better. You might try the Thai Conservatory Center where massages are done by the blind. The Thai government provides schooling for the blind and provdes this Center for their work; excellent massages. Tuk-tuk drivers all know about it. Foot massages are very relaxing as well.
As a side note, Thai Airways has cancelled its flights to Chaing Rai during low season and apparently they are the only airline that flies to CR from CM. We arranged a ride at a travel agency in town for about $12/each in an a/c van. Lovely drive and only took about 2 1/2 hours. About the same price as flying. Apparently, Thai Airways will resume service in high season.
Oct 9th, 2005, 05:57 PM
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Thank you all for the great information! My husband thinks it would be very helpful to be staying in a place with a pool so he could cool off when the heat of the day gets to be too much. I don't believe BO has a pool, but it sounds like such a lovely place I think I've convinced him (at least for 3 or 4 nights).
kywood I found your information very helpful. We were wondering about going to Chiang Rai via car or van, so it's good to know that you did it so easily and at such a reasonable price.
Again, thank you all for your input!
kywood I found your information very helpful. We were wondering about going to Chiang Rai via car or van, so it's good to know that you did it so easily and at such a reasonable price.
Again, thank you all for your input!
Oct 9th, 2005, 06:48 PM
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We were in Thailand a year agon on a tour with Gate1 Travel. We went to Bangkok, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai, and a couple other places. The tour guides told us that under NO circumstances were we to take tuk tuks in Bangkok, but they said we could in both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, which we did, and they were both cheap and thrilling (and they cool you off from the heat). So, stay wherever you want in the area. There will always be a tuk tuk, and it is FUN!
