Chiang Mai
Top Few Things To Do In Chiang Mai
1) Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep, is a mountain west of Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is 1,676 metres in elevation and is one of the twin peaks of a granite mountain. It would be great if you are able to ride a bike (Auto) up the mountain, technically I do not have bike license but I do have experience with riding so it would be a good to have before you ride up the mountain. Also, it is strongly recommended for you to bring a jacket or wear more cloth before heading up. This is because, I was an idiot who only wore a singlet up and I was shivering so bad when I was nearing the top I thought I was going to lose control of the bike.
2) One Nimman
If you like to explore different shopping places and special retail locations, one Nimman is a must go. This is the place where different arts and culture come together and it has a pretty cool architecture. I honestly do not remember a lot about it other than something I found really cool for a retail space (Reason being, I visited the place with a MASSIVE Hangover thanks to my beloved German friend). Oh yes, if you are a instawhore or maybe you just love to take lots of photographs (of yourself), One Nimman makes a pretty good location as well :)
Please do take note that there are 2 of them and they are right beside each other. Please do be aware that if you are round my age (25 as of 2019), I highly doubt that this would be a suitable place for you unless you are as budget as me no money to head over to the real grand canyon. However, I must say that I believe this will be a good place for young family as there are tons of water activities and small huts for you to relax. Please do remember that each waterpark have different activities, you have to research on which waterpark will better suit your needs even though the entrance is dirt cheap (Singaporean POV).
4) Warm Up Cafe
Do not fret, I will never miss out nightlife. Warm up cafe was the best which I visited in Chiang Mai. It was priced reasonably with tons of locals where you can indulge in their culture and see how the people in Chiang Mai live their life. I went there for 2 consecutive nights and both were LIT. No they are not those Siam Diu in Singapore which you think of even thought they have live band playing. Also, it is unlike those clubs where freelancers approach you (if you get what I mean), it is purely a place where you see how the night happens with good music combined with cheap drinks.
5) Eat Khao Soi
Khao soi or khao soy is a Chin Haw dish served widely in Myanmar, Laos and northern Thailand. The name means "cut rice". Please please please do try this if you ever meet Chiang Mai because it is a MUST TRY. It might just look like curry noodles, but it will not be something like you have tried before (UNLESS you bought yourself a bowl of really bad ones which did not occur in any of the 3 bowls I had). If you read this and yet not try the famous northern Thai food, your loss.
Travelling in Chiang Mai
I was only in Chiang mai for a short weekend trip during my stint in Thailand. It was really good as there was still no air pollution when I was there.
Ease while travelling: Thailand is always the best, as I have mentioned above where I rode a bike up the mountain. Remember I did not have a license? Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I did not have a helmet on. I got stopped by the traffic police, can anyone guess what happened? All I had to do was to pay 500 bhat and I will be immune for 3 days regardless of what traffic offences I had! Please do remember to keep the receipt for verification purposes, it acts like a warranty. Oh yes also, their tuk tuk is much cheaper and there is a flat rate written on the red tuk tuk itself where they will bring you to the place you wish to go but since it is cheap they might pick up more customers on the way as it can fit about 8 pax? Only when you are headed towards the airport there will be extra charges.
Difficulties faced: To be very honest, I did not face much difficulties in Chiang Mai other than the slight lack of night life in the area. The one and only challenge was up the mountain as it was hot as Oven at the bottom and cold like mad at the top, happens when you just wear a singlet.