We have complained about downtown Chiang Mai’s lack of parks before but there is a stretch of grass and trees that we inconsiderately overlooked, a very long stretch in fact — nearly eight kilometres long — which makes for an interesting and attractive hike without ever having to leave the city centre. We’re talking of … read the full post

Wat Lok Molee is an attractive and often overlooked little temple that’s recently received a facelift, and while not being one of Chiang Mai‘s most well known temples is well worth including on any temple tour of the downtown area. If we grade wats by the number of photos we take in them, then Wat … read the full post

The Chiang Mai Hilltribe Handicraft Training Centre was established in 2007 by the Seventh Day Adventist Church to help train and provide income for education for women and girls from poor hilltribe families in northern Thailand. The making and sale of clothing, bags and accessories allows the women to earn money to help pay for … read the full post

It would be an understatement to describe Chiang Mai’s Rainforest Boutique Hotel as tucked away and low-key, since in the 12 years we’ve been in town we’d never heard of it until some friends recently stayed there. They gave it excellent reports so we checked it out: it’s a lovely spot and we strongly recommend … read the full post

Nimmanhemin — or Nimmanheminda — Road and its surrounding sois form Chiang Mai’s rapidly growing chic quarter of town, and indeed the whole area itself is now known as Nimmanhemin or commonly Nimman. Located on the west side of the city in Suthep district near the foot of the mountain, it was until some 20 … read the full post

The large monolithic red brick Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel next to Central Huay Kaew shopping mall might not look desperately exciting from the outside, but it’s a good spot to waste away a few hours on a hot Chiang Mai afternoon if you’ve no pool in your own Chiang Mai hotel. The hotel itself is … read the full post

We’ve covered the excellent Chiang Mai Aquarium and Nakorn Ping Aviary but haven’t yet given you an overall rundown on the city’s famous zoo; so, it’s about time! Chiang Mai Zoo is situated at the foot of Doi Suthep, just behind Chiang Mai University, and covers a large area of secondary forest, foothills and stream … read the full post

Doi means mountain in the northern Thai dialect (see our earlier geographical names post), so Doi Suthep of course means Suthep Mountain. Doi Suthep’s most famous feature is its temple, Wat Doi Suthep, and is part of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Finally, Suthep is the name of the western district of Chiang Mai city abutting … read the full post

The Thai Premier League football season kicked off last weekend with the usual suspects installed as hot pre-season favourites: Buriram Utd (last season’s winners as Buriram PEA), Chonburi FC and Nonthaburi’s Muang Thong Utd and with no less than two North Thai teams in the line-up as well: Chiang Rai Utd and TTM Chiang Mai. … read the full post

We’ve been writing this Chiang Mai blog for some time now but still haven’t given a general introduction to Chiang Mai city but… better late than never, eh? Here’s a bit about what makes Chiang Mai a special city and the lay of the land so you can orientate yourself during a visit. Chiang Mai … read the full post