Getting to Know Chiang Mai

For all of you unfamiliar with Chiang Mai here are the basics you need to know:

1) The main section of Chiang Mai is surrounded by a square-shaped roadway. The roadway is 4 lanes, 2 going each way. A moat and an old crumbling defence wall separate the lanes. Within the square are most of the Wats, restaurants and hostels. Beyond the square is the night bazaar, the bus and train station, and the main malls. Our hostel was located in the top right section of the square.

2) Shopping – Chiang Mai is known in Thailand for its cheap shopping and its night markets. Since many tourist objects (artworks, jewellery etc) are made in northern Thailand, it is far cheaper to buy things here than somewhere like Bangkok or in the islands. Thus, many tourists flock to the infamous Chiang Mai night Bazaar/market to get the best bargains in the country.

3) Wats – Buddhist Wats/Temples are located all over the city. This city is one of the spiritual centres of Thailand, and many meditation and spiritual retreats occur in this area. There is a really famous temple located by on a nearby hill overlooking the city, and the city itself contains dozens of large, gold, ornate Wats. Some of the Wats contain sections of the original building (often first constructed in the 12^th and 13^th century) in addition to having sections that are newly constructed.

4) Traffic and Roads – This city is one of the craziest in the country. Like all Thai cities, cars drive on the left side of the road, motorbikes are the primary choice of transport, and honking is all you can hear all the time. Ali and I had a hard enough time navigating the city by foot or by bicycle. I would not want to be driving in this crazy city. The square section is particularly insane!