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While on our honeymoon, we fell head over heels for this beautiful city in northern Thailand. There are several must-sees in Chiang Mai including Doi Suthep, the Old City temples, and more. There are also things that are a bit overrated or some things you should know before visiting. So in this podcast episode, we’re talking all about Do This NOT That: Chiang Mai!
From tips for visiting Chiang Mai to the top things you should make time for, find all of the unique, fun, and exciting stuff to do in this incredibly dreamy city in Thailand.
Have more tips for Chiang Mai? What other Do This NOT That episode ideas would you like us to do? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @wwhonymoon, message us on Instagram @worldwidehoneymoon, or email [email protected].
Table of Contents
Time Stamps Do This NOT That: Chiang Mai, Thailand:
- 0:18- Intro
- 0:35- Updates/chat
- 5:03- Highlight of the week
- 7:35- Topic intro
- 9:32- #1 of the Do This NOT That: Chiang Mai, Thailand list: DO stay in Nimman NOT the Old City
- 10:53- #2: DO visit Doi Suthep but NOT by walking
- 14:01- #3: DO spend time in the Old City on foot NOT by tuk-tuk
- 15:48- #4: DO go to the Night Bazaar and NOT do a food tour
- 18:50- #5: DO visit between October-April NOT May-September
- 21:15- #6: DO your research on animal encounters and do NOT just book anything
- 24:00- #7: DO time your trip to be there on Sunday and do NOT leave beforehand
- 25:55- #8: DO eat khao soi but NOT at westernized places
- 30:34- #9: DO spend time in cafes and do NOT just get it to go
- 33:00- #10 of the must-sees in Chiang Mai: Do visit pubs and bars in the Old City NOT after 10 pm, though (unless you’re looking to rage)
- 36:13- Wrap up
Helpful Links and Further Reading:
- More blog posts on Thailand and Southeast Asia:
- More Thailand Podcast Episodes:
- More Do This NOT That Episodes:
- Where we stayed in Chiang Mai- Akyra Manor Chiang Mai
- Cafes to visit in Chiang Mai:
- Ristr8to Coffee Chiang Mai
- Nine One Coffee
- Jungle de Cafe
- Chom Cafe and Restaurant
- Cargo Cafe
- Catmosphere Cat Cafe
- Smiling Dog Cafe
- SO Animal Cafe
- Khao Soi:
- Khao Soi Kad Gorm (Khao Soi Loong Prakid Gard Gorm)
- Khao Soi Mae Sai
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Kat is the founder and author of the World Wide Honeymoon blog. She has traveled to over 35 countries spanning 5 continents to find the most romantic, unique, and fun places for couples to enjoy time together. She creates in-depth itineraries, honeymoon guides, packing lists, and even travel budget guides (Kat’s a former accountant!). Kat has been blogging since 2017, giving honest opinions and tips from her experiences while traveling. Aside from this blog, she runs a podcast with her husband, Chris, called the World Wide Honeymoon Travel Podcast and a travel blog dedicated to France called France Voyager.
Jeff
Thursday 11th of November 2021
Hey so I want to mention something that is quite important. You recommend October through April as the best time to visit Chiang Mai. This advice can really set your listeners up for a bad experience. While generally for Thailand, this advice is pretty good, in Chiang Mai specifically January to March is a very BAD time to visit(especially February) as it is the burning season in Chiang Mai, when all the local farmers are burning massive amounts of brush and the air quality turns absolutely terrible. Thick terrible smoke everywhere, so much so where it is legitimately hazardous to your health and you will not enjoy it at all. In fact many Chiang Mai expats or other locals will leave Chiang Mai during this time to avoid it. So yea. Please don't visit in that time frame as it is literally the 100% worst time to visit and you will have a bad impression of an otherwise amazing city. If you have to go to Thailand in February, go down south to the islands, not to Chiang Mai.
But again,. Yes, go to Chiang Mai. It is a wonderful area and the people are friendly and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed. It's great.
Kat
Thursday 11th of November 2021
Thank you for letting us know! We visited during that time frame (obviously not during the burning season), but many people recommended winter as the time to go. I'm glad to know and will definitely be updating my posts about Chiang Mai.