I traveled to Chiang Mai on the 2nd to 5th May 2019. I bought my air tickets via Air Asia, at RM272 return, 2 weeks prior to departure. It was low season in Chiang Mai, hence it was not as crowded as usual, but it was really - really hot, at 40'C. The best time to visit Chiang Mai is between the months of November to February, as weather cools down, making it a tad easier to explore. I also took a 14-hour day tour to Chiang Rai, booked via KKday.
Throughout my trip, I was kept connected via Travel Recommends, the only overseas portable WiFi router that I rely on. Stay online for as low as RM15/day, 24/7, and on a 4G signal.
Here's a look at what this write-up will cover, split into two parts - Places To Visit and Places To Eat.
Day 1 :
📍Cherng Doi Roast Chicken - for the best roast chicken
📍Cheevit Cheeva - for the best bingsu
Day 2 : Chiang Rai Day Tour (Full Reads Here)
Day 3 :
📍Ristr8to - for the best latte
📍Khao Soi Mae Sai - for the best khao soi
📍Wat Phra Singh - for the second most popular temple after Doi Suthep
📍Wu Lai Night Market - every Saturday night only
📍Zoe In Yellow Pub - for the Saturday night clubbing scene
Day 4 :
📍Akha Ama Coffee - for the best coffee
📍Rote Yiam Beef Noodles - for the best beef noodles
📍Payaka Cake House - for the best cheesecake
📍Cheevit Cheeva - for the best bingsu
Day 2 : Chiang Rai Day Tour (Full Reads Here)
Day 3 :
📍Ristr8to - for the best latte
📍Khao Soi Mae Sai - for the best khao soi
📍Wat Phra Singh - for the second most popular temple after Doi Suthep
📍Wu Lai Night Market - every Saturday night only
📍Zoe In Yellow Pub - for the Saturday night clubbing scene
Day 4 :
📍Akha Ama Coffee - for the best coffee
📍Rote Yiam Beef Noodles - for the best beef noodles
📍Payaka Cake House - for the best cheesecake
If you're asking me where is the best place to stay in Chiang Mai... the best bet would be either in Old City or Nimmanhaemin, 15 minutes apart from each other. Most of the key attractions including the popular temples and local eats are located within the heart of Old City, but like the name suggests, it's older though cheaper. Nimmanhaemin on the other hand offers a more atas experience, some of the best restaurants are located here. I stayed 1 night in Old City and 2 nights in Nimmanhaemin.
ibis Styles Chiang Mai Hotel
Provides value accommodation just 20 minutes from Chiang Mai International Airport and Chiang Mai Railway station. 10 minutes walk to MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Mall and Nimmanhaemin Road. The hotel features a total of 208 rooms, it offers free WiFi in rooms and around the hotel.
Location : 7/9 Moo 1 Kanklong, Cholprathan Road Changpuak, Muang, 50300, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Phone : +6653908888 | (+66)53/908899
Email: h8108-fo9@accor.com
Website: https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-8108-ibis-styles-chiang-mai/index.shtml
My accommodation was sponsored by ibis Style Chiang Mai Hotel, where I stayed at the Superior Room, inclusive of complimentary breakfast for 2. My overall experience was good.
✅ Service was friendly ✅ Check-in was speedy ✅ Hotel and room amenities were decent ✅ Room was spacious and clean ✅ Breakfast offerings were ample ✅ Parking spaces were aplenty ✅ Free flow tidbits at the lobby
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN CHIANG MAI
CHERNG DOI ROAST CHICKEN
Address: 2/8 Suk Kasame Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Phone: +66 81 881 1407
Opening Hours: 11am - 10pm Daily. Closed Monday.
What they claimed : The best roast chicken in Chiang Mai
What I had : Grilled roast chicken (THB85) Marinated grilled pork (THB60) Straw mushroom (THB65) Sticky rice (THB10) Lemon iced tea (THB25) Chrysanthemum Tea (THB25)
What I felt : The restaurant is tucked at a quiet alleyway, just a stone's throw away from Maya Shopping Mall. Although prices were cheap, food portions came rather small. I wasn't blown away taste wise, but the meats were quite alright, forget about the greens.
What I had : Grilled roast chicken (THB85) Marinated grilled pork (THB60) Straw mushroom (THB65) Sticky rice (THB10) Lemon iced tea (THB25) Chrysanthemum Tea (THB25)
What I felt : The restaurant is tucked at a quiet alleyway, just a stone's throw away from Maya Shopping Mall. Although prices were cheap, food portions came rather small. I wasn't blown away taste wise, but the meats were quite alright, forget about the greens.
CHEEVA CHEEVIT
Address: 6 Siri Mangkalajarn Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Phone: +66 85 362 9461
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm Daily
What they claimed : The best bingsu in Chiang Mai
What I had : Mango sticky rice bingsu (THB195)
What I felt : The bingsu was a great dessert treat, and definitely one of the better renditions I have tasted. The ice were milky and very refined ; the mangoes were sweet. Contrary to it's name, it's really just a mango bingsu, the sticky rice was served seperately. The cafe was still packed at 10pm when I left.
RISTR8T0
Address: 6 Siri Mangkalajarn Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Phone: +66 85 362 9461
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm Daily
What they claimed : The best latte in Chiang Mai
What I had : Satan Latte (THB195) Godmother Mocha (THB88)
What I felt : Despite being low season, the cafe was packed while I was there. Coffee was good and I kinda liked the cozy and warm interior, which reminded of Artisans Coffee.
What I had : Satan Latte (THB195) Godmother Mocha (THB88)
What I felt : Despite being low season, the cafe was packed while I was there. Coffee was good and I kinda liked the cozy and warm interior, which reminded of Artisans Coffee.
KHAO SOI MAE SAI
Address: 29/1 Ratchaphuek Alley, Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Phone: +66 53 213 284
Opening Hours: 8am - 4pm Dail. Closed Sunday.
What they claimed : The best khao soi in Chiang Mai
What I had : Satan Latte (THB195) Godmother Mocha (THB88)
What I felt : I think I found my favorite traditional Northern Thai dish, also a dish that is unique to Chiang Mai - the Khao Soi, which is basically a curry egg noodle dish, served alongside chicken, pork or beef. And I thought Khao Soi Mae Sai does it really-really well.
What I had : Satan Latte (THB195) Godmother Mocha (THB88)
What I felt : I think I found my favorite traditional Northern Thai dish, also a dish that is unique to Chiang Mai - the Khao Soi, which is basically a curry egg noodle dish, served alongside chicken, pork or beef. And I thought Khao Soi Mae Sai does it really-really well.
AKHA AMA COFFEE
Address: 29/1 Ratchaphuek Alley, Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Phone: +66 53 213 284
Opening Hours: 8am - 4pm Daily. Closed Sunday.
What they claimed : The best coffee in Chiang Mai
What I had : Americano (THB50) Peach Tea (THB60)
What I felt : Another acclaimed must-try cafe in Chiang Mai, I actually visited this cafe twice - once at the Mueang outlet and once at the La Fattoria outlet. I preferred the latter more. Coffee prices are very reasonable here, and I really enjoyed my coffee. I noticed a handful of solo travelers spending a lot of me-time in both cafes also.
What I felt : Another acclaimed must-try cafe in Chiang Mai, I actually visited this cafe twice - once at the Mueang outlet and once at the La Fattoria outlet. I preferred the latter more. Coffee prices are very reasonable here, and I really enjoyed my coffee. I noticed a handful of solo travelers spending a lot of me-time in both cafes also.
ROTE YIAM BEEF NOODLES
Address: Mun Mueang Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Phone: +66 53 213 284
Opening Hours: 8.30am - 5pm Daily.
What they claimed : The best beef noodles in Chiang Mai
What I had : Beef noodles with 2 toppings (THB100)
What I felt : I was given an option to choose the type of noodles and 2 toppings. I had flat noodles, with beef balls and sliced beef - and it was delicious. The broth tasted flavorful and leaned towards the sweet side, the beef felt fresh, and I would definitely recommend having it with flat noodles. On a side note, the owner's attitude weren't exactly top notch however.
What I felt : I was given an option to choose the type of noodles and 2 toppings. I had flat noodles, with beef balls and sliced beef - and it was delicious. The broth tasted flavorful and leaned towards the sweet side, the beef felt fresh, and I would definitely recommend having it with flat noodles. On a side note, the owner's attitude weren't exactly top notch however.
PAYAKA CAKE HOUSE
Address: Rat Chiang Saen Rd 1, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Phone : +66 82 612 1325
Phone : +66 82 612 1325
Opening Hours: 10am - 7pm Daily. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
What they claimed : The best cheesecake in Chiang Mai
What I had : Honeycomb Lemon Cheesecake (THB145)
What I felt : Payaka is the kind of place that you would want to quietly chill at the entire afternoon, over a slice of cake. For me, the cake was handsdown one of the best cheesecakes I've had. The cake had 2 layers - cheesecake and lemon pudding. The lemon pudding not only gave the cheesecake an additive citrusy flavor, but also cuts through the richness from the cheesecake. I'm not a huge fan of cheesecakes but I loved Payaka's rendition.
What I felt : Payaka is the kind of place that you would want to quietly chill at the entire afternoon, over a slice of cake. For me, the cake was handsdown one of the best cheesecakes I've had. The cake had 2 layers - cheesecake and lemon pudding. The lemon pudding not only gave the cheesecake an additive citrusy flavor, but also cuts through the richness from the cheesecake. I'm not a huge fan of cheesecakes but I loved Payaka's rendition.
PLACES TO VISIT IN CHIANG MAI
WU LAI NIGHT MARKET
Address: 2/8 Suk Kasame Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
I seriously think, the entire Chiang Mai was at Wu Lai Walking Street, during the time I visited. It was packed with throngs of people but not to the extent of suffocation. Imagine what'd it be like during peak season! The night market was strectches quite a long way, and was sectioned into handicrafts and food. Having said that, I had difficulties scouting for some of their local street delicacies (or was there even any?), I did stumble upon some of the more conventional Thai food however. Definitely worth the experience nevertheless.
WAT PHRA SINGH
Address: 2/8 Suk Kasame Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
There are a handful of Wats within Chiang Mai's Old City, many of which I walked pass while on my way to Wat Phra Singh, also the second most popular Wat after Doi Suthep, which was a bit of distance away from Old City, hence my decision to forego that option this time round.
ZOE IN YELLOW PUB
Address: Ratvithi Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
There was a stretch of bars and pubs here, and the most crowded one would have to be Zoe In Yellow Pub. Cocktails go for THB160/glass, not much alcohol in there however. I stayed here till 12am - a pretty early end for a Saturday night out you may say, but most of the bars here closes at midnight. The music was surprisingly upbeat. Definitely worth popping by if you're up for it.
Till now, you have obviously noticed that the food places outnumbered the local attractions that I visited, during my short time in Chiang Mai. This was really because I have already had my fair share of temple sight-seeing in Chiang Rai the day before. One too many actually, but hey, it was beautiful, so stay tune! I can't wait to share my Chiang Rai trip!
Compared to your previous posts, most of the pictures have lost some oomph this round.
ReplyDeleteI noticed your lower cheeks are getting chubbier....
Thanks for reading =)
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