Route Chiang Mai & Doi Suthep

SPANISH VERSION

Before starting to use the map or the list, it is advised to READ THIS ENTRY.



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These routes are a tour of the main points of interest of Chiang Mai and the Doi Suthep, which is the mountain protected as National Park that marks the city limits to the west.

The points of interest are grouped into the following categories:

• Transport (gray): ports, airports, car rental, etc.
• Accommodation (orange): hotels, apartments, campsites, etc.
• Entertainment (purple): shops, markets, bars, pubs, restaurants, massage centers, shows, etc.
• Points of interest (blue): buildings, squares, monuments, archaeological remains, natural parks, etc. They are the points that make up the routes and therefore are ordered, have a logical sequence

The fastest and most comfortable way to reach Chiang Mai is by plane. Its airport is international so you can fly there from many cities.

At least you will need 2 days (if you take full advantage of the daylight hours) to visit all points of interest.

The center of Chiang Mai can be done perfectly on foot or by bicycle. For the other route it is advisable to rent a motorcycle, although you can reach all points by public or private transport.

With a 125cc motorcycle it is enough, even traveling two people, but it is advisable that the donkey be a little more powerful since the roads of the Doi Suthep have quite steep slopes. About the motorcycle rental shop indicated, Cat Motors is a reference in the city for its extensive experience and good valuations (it is advisable to book the most powerful motorcycles well in advance).

On the Doi Suthep route, when you take the road that goes to Ban Khun Chang Khian you will see that the road narrows to a lane and that it is quite neglected (it is not advisable to do this route by car) but it is really worth getting to this small town that is practically at the top, especially in the flowering of cherry trees. The views from here are impressive and the fact that it is so isolated and that getting there is an adventure makes the place not too affected by tourism and retains its authenticity. Another reason to rule out getting here by car is the road to the next point, which is even worse than the previous one. In fact, when you select Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir, navigation will want you to go back the same way unless you select the walking mode. Change to this mode and you will not only not repeat your path, but you also will save more than 20 km.

Respecting the order of points of interest we have two very different routes:

Doi Suthep and surroundings of Chiang Mai: from "Wat Chet Yot" to "Wiang Kum Kam" (1 day minimum, by motorcycle):



Centre of Chiang Mai: from "Hua Lin Corner" to "Wat Chang Taem" (1 day minimum, on foot or by bicycle):



I indicate the hotel where I stayed because it was a success due to the location and the best quality-price ratio. It has a free storage, so you can lighten luggage and start roundtrip routes of several days, such as:

Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Mae Salong - Mae Taeng - Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon - Chiang Mai

About the places indicated to eat, in Cooking Love possibly serve one of the best Pad thai of all Thailand, and the Khum Khantoke is a good option for a Khantoke dinner with show.

About the massage centers, do not intend to go to Orn Healing Hands without an appointment, and about the Chiang Mai Women's Correctional Institution, more info here.

Other tips on driving in Thailand:

• Request the international driving license. The fine for not carrying it is not high (about 50$) but you can meet with many controls
• Do not avoid refueling, do not adjust the stops. In the mountain areas the distances between gas stations are greater and within the National Parks you will surely not find any. It is also important to anticipate that when you go uphill the consumption increases considerably. That said, you will have options to get out of a possible hurry thanks to the tremendous hospitality of the Thais or the large number of stalls that sell gasoline in glass bottles, 4 times more expensive of course
• Even if it's always hot and you see half of Thais without a helmet, put it on. Thailand is one of the countries with the highest mortality on the road precisely because of this
• The biggest danger are the shoulders, not only because there are more potholes, dirt, leaves, etc. In Thailand the shoulders are several things at once, such as an extra lane (this is always the case), the perfect place to put a street stall, the porch of a house (do not be too confident if the road unfolds and you move away from a urban core, that does not mean that you are on a highway, you will continue to see houses on the sides and at any time a surprise element may appear), etc.
• So go calmly and enjoy the scenery :)

PHOTOS