"Chiang Mai - and the Golden Triangle" Chiang Mai by frankcanfly

Chiang Mai Travel Guide: 2,124 reviews and 4,533 photos

Chiang Mai is a great base for trekking in Northern Thailand. It is also a great city to spend a few weeks in.

Trekking with friends

Trekking is not as remote as it seems, the paths are worn daily by people like us who just want to experience a bit of the hill tribes.

I usually don`t take group tours because of the limited flexibility, but here in Chiang Mai I had a great experience. I took the `Elephant` tour from one of the numerous tour operators in town.

We rode Elephants through the hills, visited remote Tribal Villages and went down the river on a bamboo raft. (Yes, the Elephants stayed behind....)

These are mostly things that I couldn`t have arranged myself anyway.I met great people from four different continents, and had a wonderful day.

Phra Singh Buddha

I attended a one day Thai cooking school as well, there are many in Chiang Mai. In one day, you will receive a good introduction to the basic Thai dishes, such as Green Curry Chicken, Phat Thai, Beef Salad and fried plantains. You could stay more longer classes, with more in-depth subjects.

Chiang Mai has as many temples as Bangkok does, yet packed into a much smaller area. You can hardly turn around without running into one.

Last visit to Chiang Mai: May 2001
Intro Updated Nov 15, 2002
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Reviews (37)

Tribal Village Off The Beaten Path (8)

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Bamboo Rafting Off The Beaten Path (8)

Be sure to ride a lazy bamboo raft down one of the rivers. It's relaxing and nostalgic. Plan on getting wet!! The local... more travel advice

Our Group Off The Beaten Path (8)

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A water hole!!! Off The Beaten Path (8)

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Things to Do (10)
See All Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Favorites (11)
See All Doi Suthep
Hotels (1)
Camping
What to Pack (1)
Packing List
Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Thai Prison

Comments (28)

makiro Jul 30, 2007 at 3:50 PM Report Abuse

Hi, Nice tips and photos of Thailand. I hope to visit for my first time the next time I go to Malaysia and SE Asia. Take care, Rob
JamesRW Oct 3, 2006 at 5:59 AM Report Abuse

Awesome story. I wish to attend this class when I visit Chiang Mai eventually... Best wishes:james Wilkinson
spitball May 7, 2006 at 11:24 AM Report Abuse

Had a similar experience with my cooking class there in Chiang Mai as well. I've tried it back here at home, but the ingredients are not the same.
adelaidean Nov 11, 2005 at 2:07 AM Report Abuse

this is one place we are planning on visiting next year...thanks for the excellent pages.
globerover Aug 9, 2005 at 6:21 AM Report Abuse

Chiang Mai is a great place and it seems you enjoyed it. I hope to be there, too, later this month, but definitively not for a cooking lesson (I prefer "drinking schools", are there any in Chiang Mai?);
starship Sep 22, 2004 at 8:24 AM Report Abuse

Thailand is one of the places I'd love to see before "Sylviacantfly" anymore. Always wanted to go on an elephant trek. Great pictures!
seattlesmiley Aug 22, 2004 at 10:05 PM Report Abuse

Wow, you are well travelled. You must have a great job to have this lifestyle! Enjoyed your Chiang Mai travel tips and photos as well as your home page. Happy travels. :) Susan in Sydney
skye820 Jun 10, 2004 at 5:42 PM Report Abuse

Cooking lessons? One of the best ways to keep the memory of a place close to you.
acemj Jun 8, 2004 at 4:39 AM Report Abuse

I'll have the Green Curry Chicken with Fried Bananas for dessert. Great experiences here!
jmmorgan May 23, 2004 at 3:53 AM Report Abuse

Thnks for the info Frank. Great pics and plenty of ideas of what to do.