Which area is Chiang Mai?

Are you going on a holiday in Thailand, the country of smile? Discover the north and the neighborhoods where to stay in Chiang Mai!

Nicknamed the “North Rose” and literally meaning the “new city”, Chiang Mai is the sixth largest city in Thailand and the second one, considering the entire urban area (960,906). Located 800 kilometres north of Bangkok, the city is not far from Burma and the old Silk Road. With a population of 148,477 "intra-muros" inhabitants, Chiang Mai attracts thousands of tourists looking for tranquility and wanting to discover something other than Bangkok and the beaches of the south. It is also a high place of Thai culture that concentrates many Buddhist temples as well as being an ideal starting point to go trekking in the highest mountains of the country, in Chiang Rai and Pai.

As we go to Chiang Mai, we meet many Western tourists and especially French, sometimes expatriated. Question arises: where to stay in Chiang Mai? Between the square of the old town, the district of the night market, Chang Moi, Green Paret, the offer of accommodation in this city is vast: here is where to sleep in Chiang Mai.

Old town

It was in the square of the old town that we chose to stay in Chiang Mai in 2013 on a trip to Thailand. If it’s often advisable to book in advance your accommodation – a strong tourist affluence obliges -, you can find a youth hostel or a guest house at the last minute when arriving on site. The old town is surrounded by doves bordering a square fortification. You can visit many Buddhist temples (Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wiang Kum Kam,Wat Suan Dok, Wat Phan Tao).

It is a good neighborhood where to stay in Chiang Mai, very cultural but also culinary: an open-air night market is held there on Sunday evening (from the Thapae Gate and along Ratchadamnoen Street) for shopping, a massage or tasty delicacies of Thai cuisine. Alleys are nice and affordable (200 baht per night). When you get up early, you may be able to see the processions of orange monks in the quest in the neighborhood.

The Night Bazaar

The night market district is home to the city’s most famous market, bordered by the river east of the old town. The district is the temple of souvenirs to bring back, Thai art objects and restaurants and bars in the city. You can also, if you are lucky, fall on traditional dance shows, wander in the flower market and participate in a fight of Muay Thai boxing (a high sport in the rank of institution here!). Here again, the offer of accommodation is vast to stay in Chiang Mai. Also take a cooking class, the north of Thailand with a richer culinary heritage than in the south of the country and the city hosts many cooking schools.

Nimmanhaemin

Nimmanhaemin is a neighbourhood where to stay in Chiang Mai at a time connected, young, lively and festive. It is located west of the ramparts of the old city. He joins the university and thus attracts many students. You'll find chic boutiques, cafés and restaurants in a row to party until late in the night. As everywhere in Chiang Mai, the new blends harmoniously with the old and – something uncommon to Asia – there are few klaxons: a Zen atmosphere reigns as a master over the city, which has succeeded the pari d’allier traditions and modernity. You will also find street food stands around everywhere, in every alley to eat at a cheap pace (see the famous "pad thai" or "red curry").

Main Photo Credit: Pixabay – MariaMichelle