For many Chiang Mai is the second Thai must see destination after Bangkok; at least if you're on a cultural trip rather than a sun & beaches trip. It sounds intriguing indeed, with less stress, traffic and confusion than Bangkok, and many temples (30 just inside the small old city) to be visited. The countryside, with tribe villages, jungle treks and rivers to explore bamboo rafting are just outside town too. Altogether a real picture of “life in Thailand outside the Bangkok metropolis”.


Well I can say that definitely many people go there. I wasn't really able to fully enjoy the magic of the place, feeling at all time a tourist between the tourists. Many of them were the worse type: huge groups in all-organised tours, or Lonely Planet worshipers. I don't think I've ever seen so many guidebooks in one place and time. Honestly, these people wouldn't step a meter further without consulting their guidebook. They didn't have the guidebook in their bag, opening it at a crossroad or in front of a temple. The guidebook would be always, constantly in front of their face, often covering the real sights.


Many told me how until not too long ago Chiang Mai was not this popular and was a little paradise. I guess the two main culprits are the above mentioned guidebooks and a direct flight from Phuket, bringing the worse kind of tourist in town: the Phuket holiday makers, that now can tell their friends how their holiday was not only laying on a beach, they “saw a lot of Thai culture” too).

My main goal as a consequence became avoiding the masses of white flesh (definition borrowed from this interesting post) and trying to find some nice secluded spots. So here's my: