HOW DID I GET HERE?
After checking out from the Happy Guesthouse, I headed to the Sukhothai bus terminal and purchased a bus ticket with the same price (239B). It also took another 6 hours to reach Arcade bus terminal (CNX). At the main road beside the bus station, I caught a Rod Daeng (red songthaew) back to Chiang Mai Old City, Tha Phae Gate for (30B).
NOTE: From CNX airport, In order to get to Chiang Mai Old City (2-3km depending on the location of hotel), it is also flat rate (120B). Most streets within the Old City are 1-way street.
There’re songthaews parking in the bus station that demanded for at least 100B. That’s way cost too much. The better idea is I walked out the station to the main street and simply catches any passing songthaew that is heading to the Old City. I just told the driver that I’m going to Tha Pae Gate. The fare is usually fixed to 20-30B. Always be sure to ask the price before hopping in just in case.
ABOUT CHIANG MAI เชียงใหม่
Chiang Mai is an important Thai culture, art and religion center and also the biggest transport hub in the Northern Thai area. The Chiang Mai metropolitan area (population more than 1 million people) is Thailand's fifth-largest city. The city has a much more relaxed atmosphere and cooling weather during the months and picturesque lush green landscape in the countryside. This has earned itself the name “Rose of the North".
Chiang Mai was founded in the 13 Century during the Lanna kingdom period. Chiang Mai, particularly the Old City, was once the capital of the kingdom. The historical center is the walled city (Chiang Mai, Chiang means City in the northern Thai dialect while “Mai” means new.) The Old City are built with red bricks, a square-shaped walled city that is surrounded by the moat (man-made river). During the golden era of 14th and 15th century, Chiang Mai had become a major religious and cultural center. The Lanna kingdom even expanded its territory towards northeast as far as Luang Prabang (currently part of Laos).
The tourism spots and temples within the Old City remain the largest travelers attraction due to its mixture of ancient and modern landscape. The local government had banned the building of high-rise buildings within the Old City, this had resulted the Old City still remain its attractiveness.
WHAT TO DO HERE?
I reached CNX Old City, it was on Saturday noon. It was such a tiring day after a long trip. My plan was to go the Saturday Night market since I haven’t been to there. I think the atmosphere is slightly from the tourists packed Sunday market, I decided to head this night market. It is located opposite Hai Ya Gate (according to the map), the southern part, out from Old City. It wasn't hard to find at all. I would say it was a one street night walking market selling similar stuffs as the Sunday market. It is a good place to bargain for Thai souvenirs and try eating some local food.
The next day in the afternoon, I went to this shop for lunch. I ordered a plate of Hainanese chicken rice (“Khao Mun Kai” in Thai). This shop is located at a street just behind Wat Intakhin and 3 Kings monument. The shop name is only in Thai and Chinese.
The main attractions within the Old City are Temple, temple and temples…. Accodinrg to Wikipedia, there’re at least 30 temples within Chiang Mai city. As from the map below, you can count there’re 20 temples within the Old City Wall. Most well-known ones are located within the Old City Wall where as the rest of the temples are located outside the City Wall.
Each temple has different mixtures style of Thai, Lanna (Northern Thai), Burmese/Shan and Sri Lankan influences on their architecture. I could hardly tell the differences in particular architectural terms. But I could still notice some differences in terms of the overall temple appearance. Some temples are my second time visit. The first time was during an evening weekend in January. But this time around, I made the visit from late morning to evening. It was a hot and tiring day. I have lost track of the name of some temples, as most of them really looked similar to Lanna style.
The best way to explorer the Old City is by walking or renting a bicycle (50B if not mistaken). Here are some of the important spots, which I found them to be really interesting and worth visiting.
Sunday Night Walking Street
After the whole day, I went straight back to my guesthouse. During the Sunday evening, within the Old City, the main road Ratchadamneon Rd, hosts the weekly Sunday Night Walking Street Bazaar starting from Tha Phae Gate(east) to the popular temple Wat Phra Singh (west).
TRAVELER SPOT
1) THA PAE GATE / PRATU THA PAE GATE (EAST side of the Old City)
The Tha Pae Gate is the iconic Gate in Chiang Mai.It is the most visited city gate by visitors and travelers. Many stopped by here to take a pic. There are some nice hotels, cafes and restaurants located around this area. There is McD,Starbucks,Boots located just opposite the main gate. When it’s Sunday evening, there’re many street stalls setting up businesses along the empty spaces in front of the gate. So there’s no surprise along this area is still happening no matter during the day or the nighttime.
2) WAT PHRA SINGH (Temple of the Lion Buddha)
This is amongst the most famous temple within the Old City. It is one of the oldest temples in CNX.It is an important Buddhist monastery and temple on the west side of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Founded in the 14th century, it houses two medieval Buddha statues.
Stunning white colored chedi.
3) WAT CHEDI LUANG (Temple of the big stupa)
This is another good stop for the temple visit. Behind the main temple housed a huge partial ruined Chedi dated back 15 Century. It is the tallest building in Chiang Mai during the ancient time. There’s an unknown temple, reclining Buddha within the area.
Lanna style architecture.
Wat Chedi Luang, built during15 Century. Below the temple sat 2 huge 5-headed Buddhist naga (semi-god snakes).
4) WAT PHAN ON
An impressive looking golden chedi beside a Wat.
5) WAT PHAN TAO
A wooden structured temple.
6) WAT INTHAKHIN
A small temple just opposite the three Kings monument.
7) WAT MON THIAN
A stunning-looking maroon+golden colored Burmese temple. It looked quite different from the Lanna style temple.
8) WAT LOK MOLEE
Another unique looking temple located opposite Wat Sai Moon, outside of the city wall.
9) 3 KINGS MONUMENT
This isn't really a traveler spot but more of a landmark in the center of the Old City. This monument stands in front of Chiang Mai Art & Cultural City Center. From here you could easily access to the Sunday Night Walking Street.
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| King Mangrai of Lanna (center), King Ngam Muang of Phayao (left) and King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai (right).
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