Chiang Mai Travel Information

Chiang Mai is a mix of ancient and modern life. It is this ancient element of Chiang Mai which draws many tourists to Northern Thailand each year.  This is the place to find Chiang Mai travel information which helps you understand the uniqueness of Chiang Mai. Do not finish your travel plans for Chiang Mai before researching this mountainous area of Thailand. 

The original old city is still a predominate part of the modern day landscape. Sections of the original wall surrounding the city still remain and several of the gates have been restored which give a small glimpse into what the city must of looked like when it was founded over 700 years ago.

This diversity in Chiang Mai culture and lifestyle make it a great destination for the diverse traveler. There are accomodations for budget minded backpackers and luxury tourists. The pristine natural surroundings around the city create many possibilities for eco-tourism and treks among the diverse hills tribes in Northern Thailand.

Chiang Mai Transportation

Finding your way around Chiang Mai city and province is not a difficult task. There are many Chiang Mai transportation options that will fit any budget. The most well known way to travel in Chiang Mai is by the red trucks or songthaews. These pick-up trucks with bench seats in the back will take you to any destination in the Chiang Mai area. There are actually many colors of truck taxis or songthaews, but most of them follow a designated route. It is only the red ones which can be used to travel to your specific destination.

There are other ways to get around Chiang Mai, such as the more recent addition of Chiang Mai bus service. The Chiang Mai buses also travel along designated routes. The fare is very cheap, but the number of buses can be limited at times making this form of Chiang Mai transportation rather slow.

Metered taxis are a newer addition to the Chiang Mai transportation scene and the number of taxis available is increasing all the time. However, it can be difficult to find one which is willing to actually use the meter.

The best option for getting around the city or province is to do it yourself. Chiang Mai has many businesses which rent cars for reasonable prices. If you have an international drivers license and a good map, rent a car and explore Northern Thailand at your leisure. Remember, in Thailand people drive on the left hand side of the road.

Chiang Mai Attractions

The variety of attractions in Chiang Mai makes it difficult to thoroughly explore them all on just one website. The scenic setting of mountains and tropical rainforest provides unlimited trekking opportunities in Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is well known in backpacker circles as a haven for eco-tourism. Treks can be arranged for as short as 2-3 days or as long as several weeks. Chiang Mai is a trekking paradise.

If treks are not your cup of tea, don't worry, there are plenty of other possibilities to keep you entertained during your holiday in Chiang Mai. The Flight of the Gibbon is Chiang Mai's newest eco-friendly attraction. Fly through an old growth rainforest to observe life in the upper sections of the tree canopy.

Elephant riding is one of the premier Chiang Mai attractions. Do not come to Thailand without taking the opportunity to mount one of natures most magnificent creatures. Although there are elephant camps in many areas of Thailand, there is no better place than Chiang Mai to be introduced to the largest mammal on land.

The Chiang Mai zoo has seen much improvement during the past few years. The most recent addition to the zoo is the Chiang Mai aquarium. Here you can walk through the world's largest fresh water aquarium. If you go, do not forget to check out the giant pandas too. For more information about Chiang Mai attractions follow this link.