Chiang Mai Map and Travel Guide
  Experiencing
the merging of the past into the present in Chiang Mai where locals
are proud of the city's 700-year history. Its rich traditional heritage
and unique culture is a perfect foundation for the development of
the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where
it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis
and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels.
The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded
by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main
gates offering prime access to the old town.
For years, tourists have mistaken Chiang Mai as the northern junction
and the base from which they can explore other provinces. The phrase
"a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around" was
common. Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is
always something new to discover Chiang Mai. Intriguing diversity
among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery makes Chiang
Mai one of Asia's most attractive tourist destinations. Two weeks
in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers.
The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating indigenous cultural
identity such as diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional
values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location
in its own right. In addition, the presence of hill tribes and their
wealth of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai's distinctive diversity.
Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains
(dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions.
At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial
providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful.
Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts
of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs.
Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists
can enjoy themselves to the fullest.
How to get there
By Car from Bangkok (approximately 8 hours)
Route 1: Drive on Highway No.1 (Phahonyothin) and turn left to
Highway No.32 (Asian Highway) which passes Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya,
Ang Thong, and Nakhon Sawan, then take Highway No. 117 to Phitsanulok
and Highway No. 11 to Lampang, Lamphun and Chiang Mai. The total
distance is 695 kilometers.
Route 2: From Nakhon Sawan, take Highway No. 1 passing Kamphaeng
Phet, Tak, Lampang, and Chiang Mai. Total distance is 696 kilometers.
By Bus
From Bangkok
There are ordinary, 2nd class and 1st class air-conditioned buses
leaving for Chiang Mai daily (8.00 a.m. to 09.00 p.m.) from the
Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal). Call 02
936 3600, 02 936 2852, and 02 937 8055 for a more updated bus timetable.
Private buses, which can be conveniently booked in tourist-oriented
places in Bangkok, are also available. However, the public buses
from the Northern Bus Terminal are generally more reliable. The
journey takes approximately 10-12 hours, depending on traffic.
From Chiang Mai
If you travel to any districts in Chiang Mai, use Chang Phuak Bus
Terminal located on Chotana Road, tel. 053 211 586. Destinations
include those located along the northern route (Highway No. 107)
which passes through Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, Chaiprakan,
Fang and Mae Ai. Some buses continue to Tha Ton, the northern-most
province of Chiang Mai.
If you wish to travel outside the province, use Chiang Mai Arcade
Bus Station. Contact tel: 0 5324 2664 for a more updated bus timetable.
Destinations include Golden Triangle, Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, Chiang
Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Lampang, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai,
Mae Hong Son (both old and new routes), Mae Sot, Mae Sariang, Khon
Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), and Udon Thani.
By Train
Express and rapid trains operated by the State Railways of Thailand
leave for Chiang Mai from Bangkoks Hua Lamphong Station 6 times
a day from 8.00 a.m.-10.00 p.m. The trip takes about 11-12 hours
for express trains. For more information, contact tel. 1690, or
02 223 7010, 02 223 7020. Chiang Mai Railway Station, tel. (053)
24 2094, 244 795, .247 462 245 363-4
By Air
Domestic airlines including Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air
Asia, Nok Air, Orient Thai Airlines, Air Andaman and Phuket Air
operate several flights daily between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Thai Airways also operates domestic flights from Chiang Mai to
Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Phuket. International flights to and
from Chitakong, Luang Phrabang, Khunming, Yangon and Japan (Narita)
are also provided. Call 02 628 2000 (Bangkok), 053 211 044-7 (Chiang
Mai), or visit www.thaiairways.com for more information.
Bangkok Airways also offers several flights daily on the Bangkok
- Chiang Mai route, some with a stopover at Sukhothai. International
routes to and from Jinghong and XiAn are also available. Call 02
265 5555, 265 5678 (Bangkok Office) or 053 27 6176 (Chiang Mai Office)
or visit www.bangkokair.com for more information.
Phuket Air offers 2 daily shuttle service flights from Chiang Mai
to Chiang Rai with YS-11 aircraft. The journey takes only 40 minutes
and the flight times are at 07.30 a.m. and 6.00 p. m. For more information,
call Bangkok Office 66 2679-8999 or Chiang Mai Office 66 5392 2118-9
or visit www.phuketairlines.com.
For Nok Air call 1318 or visit www.nokair.co.th for reservations.
Apart from Bangkok-Chiang mai flight, the airlines also operate
flights between Chiang mai and Udon Thani twice aweek.
For Orient Thai Airlines, call 02 267 2999 or visit www.orient-thai.com
for more information.
Foreign Airlines operating flights from Chiang Mai to several destinations
are:
Air Mandalay operates flights between Chiang Mai and Yangon on Sundays
and Thursdays. Contact 053 818 049 (Chiang Mai office), visit www.myanmars.net/airmandalay
or write to cnxrr6t@sita.gmsmail.com for more information.
Mandarin Airlines operates flights between Chiang Mai and Taipei
three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. For more information
call, 053 201 268-9 (Chiang Mai office) or visit www.mandarinair.com
Lao Airlines operates flights on the Chiang Mai Luang Phrabang
route three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Call 053
223 401 (Chiang Mai office), visit www.laoairlines.com or write
to qvcnx@loxinfo.co.th for more information.
Silk Air operates flights between Chiang Mai Singapore three times
a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Call 053 276 459 053 276 495
(Chiang Mai office) or visit www.silkair.com for reservations.
Travelling within Chiang Mai
From Airport, Train and Bus Terminal to
town
There is a licensed airport taxi service available at the taxi
kiosk outside the baggage-claim area. Purchase a ticket and present
it to the drivers waiting by the arrivals exit area. The trip will
cost approximately 100 bahts for a sedan car that seats 4-5 people
(with luggage).
From the airport, train station and bus terminal, you can easily
get a song taew (red mini-bus). To charter a minibus or car, please
check the correct fare at the TAT counter first.
Normally, first-class hotels provide complimentary transportation
between the airport, railway station or bus terminals and the hotel
for guests who have made advance reservations.
Short-distance travel
1. For relative short distances you can take a sam lor or tuk-tuk
(a tricycle). Fares must be bargained in advance. Short rides within
the city costs between 20 and 30 bahts. Longer rides may cost as
much as 50 bahts.
2. Just new in town is the taxi-metre, the same as those running
around Bangkok. The minimum (starting) fare is 35 bahts.
3. Song taew (red mini-bus) is the most common means of transportation
in town. Passengers can hop in and out as they wish. Simply tell
the driver the destination and negotiate the price before boarding.
Fares range from 10-20 bahts depending on the distance.
4. Bicycles
Some travelers prefer to ride a bicycle around the city as most
of the roads and alleys are accessible by bicycle. Bicycles can
be rented from bicycle shops and certain guesthouses.
5. Rental cars
All major car rental companies such as AVIS, Budget, and Hertz,
as well as Thai car rental companies are ready to provide suggestions
on travel itineraries. The easiest way to locate a car rental company
is to ask at the airport or the hotel, as those are the places where
most companies are located.
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