An Insightful Guide to the Best Day Trips from Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is the biggest metropolis in Northern Thailand. It’s identified for its beautiful mountain backdrop, picturesque villages, and beautiful temples. In addition to being a tremendous metropolis that has quite a bit to do and see, it’s additionally a fantastic vacation spot to take day journeys from.

Right here’s an inventory of nice day journeys from Chiang Mai:

Chiang Rai
Karen Lengthy Neck Tribe
Pai
Phupha Elephant Sanctuary, Mae Wang waterfall, and bamboo rafting

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a metropolis identified for its temples and The Golden Triangle. There’s a lot to discover in Chiang Rai on a day journey.

Temples

White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

The White Temple is likely one of the hottest temples in Chiang Rai. It’s identified for its big construction, design, and colour. The white base of the temple represents the purity of the Buddha and the mirrors signify the shining of Buddha’s knowledge. The White Temple nearly appears like an attractive porcelain constructing coated in mirrors.

To enter the White Temple you must buy a ticket. The ticket price is 50 baht. If you buy a ticket for the White Temple, additionally, you will have entry to the opposite stunning constructions close to the temple, and the gold rest room. The gold rest room is tough to overlook because it’s the one gold constructing within the space. It’s important to stroll over the bridge to get to the White Temple’s entrance. On either side of the bridge are arms protruding; a few of them are holding skulls and bowls. Photographs are allowed on the bridge however aren’t allowed inside.

I might suggest spending an hour on the temple. It takes about 5 minutes to stroll by means of the temple and about 40 minutes to stroll round and take pictures of the entire constructions close to the temple. There’s additionally a purchasing space that sells meals, garments, and different merchandise. It’s a fantastic spot to take a look at after the temple.

Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)

The Blue Temple has no entry price. There are two methods to enter and exit the temple. Earlier than coming into you must take away your sneakers, sun shades, and hat. When within the temple, similar to every other temple, be respectful of others as a result of there could also be folks praying and meditating.

If you’re completed exploring the temple, there are a selection of eating places and retailers close by to take a look at. One place I like to recommend is “Coconut Ice cream- Un Chan.” They serve the favored blue coconut ice cream. Not solely is the show stunning but it surely tastes refreshing. The blue coconut ice cream is served in a coconut shell, together with a cup of blue coconut water.

Baan Dam Museum (Black Home)

The Baan Dam Museum is called the Black Home. It’s an artwork set up with a set of 40 constructions of various sizes and styles. The doorway price to the museum is 80 baht and offers you entry to all 40 constructions. All the constructions are black and scattered round a big peaceable backyard. A few of the constructions can solely be seen by means of the doorways and home windows.

The Baan Dam Museum is the exact opposite of the White Temple. Whereas the White Temple is called being heavenly, the Baan Dam Museum is often referred to as the imaginative and prescient of hell. There are animal bones and pores and skin displayed all through the museum. Just a bit observe for households, some constructions painting male genitals.

There are just a few cafes near the museum. Much like shopping for blue coconut ice cream close to the blue temple, you should buy black ice cream close to the Baan Dam Museum.

Just a few ideas on your temples day journey:

Deliver socks, there aren’t any sneakers allowed within the temples (you’ll be able to go in barefoot)
Gown appropriately (no tank tops, crop tops, low lower shirts, cowl shoulder, cleavage, and knees, no sun shades and hats within the Blue Temple)
Temples which have an entry price will be paid on the temple

For extra details about visiting temples, try what to not do when visiting a temple in Thailand.

Singha Park

Singha Park is a family-friendly park. Entry into the park is free, you solely should pay for the actions you need to do. On the entrance of the park you will note a big gold Singha emblem, and fairly near that’s the info counter. If you get to the knowledge counter, you’ll be able to ebook a mode of transportation to take you thru the park. You possibly can ebook the tram, which takes guests to varied elements of the park, or you’ll be able to reserve a golf cart or bicycle. You’ll additionally obtain a map of the park, which is able to make it simpler to get round.

I like to recommend giving your self at the least 90 minutes to discover Singha Park as a result of it’s big and there’s a lot to do and see. Singha Park has a tea plantation that grows Oolong tea, flower gardens, ziplining, lakes with white swans, a petting zoo, mountaineering, scorching air balloon rides, and tenting.

Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle is a novel place to go to. It’s the realm the place the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Speak about being in three international locations on the similar time. Whereas on the Golden Triangle, you too can lease a ship on the Mekong River, and go to the assorted temples and Opium Museums.

Karen Lengthy Neck Tribe

Historical past

The Karen Lengthy Neck Tribe are a tribal group of ladies refugees from Burma, who now dwell in Northern Thailand. They’re identified for the brass rings they put on on their necks. Women begin sporting the rings across the age of 5 after which add extra rings after they become old. They take the rings off yearly for under 3-4 hours.

Excursions

There are excursions out there the place you’ll be able to meet ladies from the Tribe and find out about their tradition. Earlier than reserving a tour bear in mind what the tour provides. There are some excursions the place the information will solely take you to a market the place the ladies from the tribe are promoting equipment. For these excursions, the ladies often seem like their simply placed on show to get vacationers to buy merchandise.

I like to recommend reserving a tour the place you’ll be able to meet ladies from the tribe, find out about their tradition, historical past, language, how they dwell and what they eat, presumably prepare dinner and eat with them, and spend a day indulging and immersing of their tradition. That tour can have you leaving the village with data, wonderful tales to inform, and a once-in-a-lifetime expertise.

Just a few ideas on your Karen Lengthy Neck Tribe day journey:

Be open-minded and, above all, respect the ladies and their tradition.
Gown appropriately

Pai

Pai is a city positioned within the Pai District, surrounded by mountains, mountaineering trails, and waterfalls. It’s identified for its canyon, scorching springs, and enjoyable vibe. There’s additionally quite a lot of eating places to eat at, together with some vegan ones. Pai is a well-liked vacation spot amongst backpackers. There’s simply one thing about being in Pai and the sluggish tempo that makes it really feel like time stops.

There are a number of methods to get to Pai from Chiang Mai. You possibly can lease a bike, take a taxi or a bus (minivan). The bus leaves Chiang Mai and Pai a number of occasions a day.

Climbing Pai Canyon

Pai Canyon is a well-liked vacationer attraction and nice for journey seekers. It has slim mountaineering trails that present stunning views of the valley. The easiest way to get to Pai Canyon is by motorcycle. There are many motorcycle retailers in Pai, the place you’ll be able to lease a bike for the day or weekend.

Climbing Pai Canyon can take round two hours. There are benches on the canyon, which is nice for anybody that will must take a break.

Pai Strolling Avenue

In case you’re in search of a spot with numerous eating places, bars, and nightlife, Pai Strolling Avenue is the place to be. This road is blocked off from automobiles, giving folks more room to stroll and really feel safer. Whereas strolling down Pai Strolling Avenue, you’ll scent meals from totally different eating places, hear music, and listen to folks chatting and laughing. Each night time from 6- 10 pm it turns into Pai Night time Market.

Lease motorbikes

Motorbikes are a preferred mode of transportation in Thailand. Virtually in every single place you go in Thailand you will note locals in addition to some vacationer using on motorbikes. In case you go to a gasoline station, you will note the gasoline value for automobiles after which the gasoline value for motorbikes. There are a selection of retailers in Pai which have motorbikes for lease. To lease a bike you could present a sound driver’s license. The store will maintain your license till you come the motorcycle.

In case you’ve by no means pushed a bike or moped earlier than, I do warn you that it could be a bit difficult to start with. I counsel driving slowly at first as a result of the streets in Pai are often occupied by motorbikes and pedestrians strolling. In case you occur to panic or lose management, it may simply trigger an accident. When you’re away from the city, the roads are much less congested and it’s simpler and safer to drive sooner.

I extremely suggest renting a bike if there are a number of stuff you need to do in Pai and out of doors of Pai throughout your day journey. The motorcycle will make it handy to get from place to put and rapidly.

Sai Ngam scorching spring

Sai Ngam scorching spring is positioned in a soothing surroundings surrounded by forest. This can be a nice cease after an extended day of mountaineering, strolling, driving, and exploring Pai.

Take footage with the “I’m Pai” signal

The “I’m Pai” signal is positioned subsequent to the “Espresso in love” cafe. It’s a fantastic relaxation cease when driving from Pai Strolling Avenue to Pai Canyon. After taking footage with the signal, you too can seize one thing to eat from the cafe and use the restroom. Then proceed in your journey exploring Pai.

Tha Pai Memorial Bridge

Tha Pai Memorial Bridge is a bridge constituted of wooden and metal. The bridge is accessible to the general public and solely carries pedestrians. Strolling from one finish of the bridge to the opposite is a pleasant little stroll. There are additionally distributors on all sides of the bridge.

Just a few ideas on your Pai day journey:

Deliver your driver’s license, simply in case you need to lease a bike.
Deliver mountaineering sneakers should you’re planning to hike Pai Canyon.
Create an itinerary based mostly on what you need to do whereas in Pai. There are numerous issues to do in Pai and having an itinerary will help with time administration.
In case you plan on taking a bus from Chiang Mai to Pai, you’ll be able to both purchase your ticket on-line or purchase it on the bus terminal.

Phupha Elephant Sanctuary, Mae Wang waterfall, and bamboo rafting

Phupha Elephant Sanctuary is a couple of 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai. Probably the greatest methods to go to this Sanctuary is to ebook a tour on-line. When visiting the sanctuary you get the chance to spend time with the elephants, by feeding them, occurring a trek by means of the forest with them, after which bathing with them. Earlier than interacting with the elephants, you’ll obtain Karen Hill Tribe clothes, like those elephant caretakers put on.

To be so shut to those majestic animals is such a tremendous expertise and also you’ll be taught a lot about them. I like to recommend this Chiang Mai waterfall elephant sanctuary and bamboo rafting tour.

After spending time with the elephants, you’ll then be taken to Mae Wang waterfall. As soon as on the waterfall, you’ll be able to loosen up and take a dip within the water. Being near the waterfall you’ll really feel the stress from the water and the way sturdy it’s. It’s also possible to climb up the big boulders to get nearer to a different a part of the waterfall. When climbing up the boulders watch out as a result of they’re very slippery.

After having fun with the Mae Wang waterfall, you’ll then float on the river on a bamboo raft. Bamboo rafting is a well-liked exercise that’s additionally fairly enjoyable. After a busy day of actions, bamboo rafting is a good way to finish it.

I counsel a combo tour like this one as a result of you’ll be able to expertise three totally different actions and get probably the most out of your day journey. In case you solely need to ebook the Phupha Elephant Sanctuary tour, it’s going to nonetheless be a tremendous day journey. All of it relies on your desire.

Just a few ideas on your Phupha Elephant Sanctuary, Mae Wang waterfall, and bamboo rafting day journey:

Deliver sneakers to trek within the forest with the elephants.
Deliver sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a water-proof telephone pouch to wash with the elephants, and benefit from the waterfall and bamboo rafting.

There’s something for everybody on these day journeys from Chiang Mai. Additionally, there are a lot of different Thailand articles you shouldn’t miss if this nation is in your record.

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Sparkle Bennett is a traveler from NYC. Within the hopes of encouraging folks to step out of their consolation zones, she shares her experiences in her journey weblog SoTravelish.