This is the first post in an ongoing series exploring travel ideas for the winter vacation....
Thailand. To most of those staring down the barrel of a long Seoul winter, the name conjures up one image: beaches. White, sandy beaches where the sun blazes down and a dip in the sea feels like a soak in a warm bath.
However, for those wanting a taste of Thailand with a more active twist, there is an alternative: head north. Lush green rainforest, bustling night markets and a wealth of traditional culture await in and around the ‘capital’ of Thailand’s north, Chiang Mai. The week long vacation that most hagwon teachers will have is plenty of time to explore the area, even allowing for a couple of nights in Bangkok-there are no direct flights from Incheon to Chiang Mai so you will need to stop here at least briefly anyway. Chiang Mai can be reached overland in about 12 hours by either bus or train (trains should be booked at least a week in advance at this time of year) but unless you’re spoiled for time, it makes sense to fly. Air Asia offers 6 flights a day and local budget carriers Nokair and One-Two-Go also have a wide selection. From the airport, it’s a short and inexpensive ride into town.
The heart of Chiang Mai is the old city, surrounded by a moat and the remnants of walls. Inside, turning down almost any street will bring you to one of Chiang Mai’s hundreds of Wats, or temples. There are several ‘must sees’ on most visitors’ lists-Wat Phrah Singh for its famous Buddha image, the towering ruins of Wat Chedi Luang-but just as enjoyable is strolling around the city and stumbling across some of these hidden gems for yourself.
The wats don’t stop once you head out of the old city-a particularly well known and loved spot is Wat U Mong, its setting at the foot of a well forested mountain making it especially appealing to visitors. Also on the other side of the moat is another of Chiang Mai’s biggest attractions-shopping. Whilst Bangkok may be the destination of choice for those looking to snap up designer bargains, the streets of Chiang Mai teem with handicrafts and souvenirs of all shapes and sizes. The night bazaar is crammed with stalls selling almost everything you could possibly want to remember your vacation by and the overwhelming selection of tempting street food makes this the perfect place to spend an evening or two. On Sundays, head back inside the old city for the ‘Sunday Walking Street,’ a chance to browse yet more clusters of stalls from late afternoon onwards.
While shopping and sightseeing are delightful ways to spend time in Chiang Mai, the real charm of the city is the opportunities it provides to experience Thai culture and explore the surrounding area. Almost every guesthouse in the city has its own travel agency run out of the lobby/common area, which can book you on any kind of course or tour you desire. Don’t feel that you have to book through the place you are staying in-whilst many guesthouses will ‘encourage’ you to do so, the best way to make sure you get the experience you want is to ask around amongst other travellers to find out what they recommend.
Cooking courses are always popular with those who have a day to spare, with most including a trip to the local market to source the ingredients you’ll be using for the day. The Lonely Planet’s online forum is a great source of up to date information on schools in the area, almost all of whom will pick you up from your guesthouse on request. A day spent horse riding, rock climbing or even flying are other options. Those with a few days or a week in the area, who want a more in-depth education in Thai pursuits, can explore classes in Thai massage, Buddhist meditation or Muay Thai boxing.
Chiang Mai also provides an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area. One opportunity synonymous with the name of the city is hill trekking, which is offered by every guesthouse and travel agent in town. The usual trip length is two nights/three days, although there are one or two day options available. Many trips will also allow you the opportunity to sample other activities such as elephant riding or bamboo or white water rafting. Unfortunately the popularity of this activity in recent years has meant that some of the hill tribes have become very used to frequent visitors, leading some travellers to complain that the experience felt less than authentic. It’s still possible to enjoy the treks for the stunning scenery, but perhaps best to look to less developed areas of Thailand or Laos if you’re searching for a true sense of exploration.
A massive variety of other one day trips are available including elephant camps, white water rafting, zip-lining through the rainforest and exploring the ‘Golden Triangle’ area, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. Again, travel agencies around town will be able to organise these.
When it comes to a place to rest and recover from the action, Chiang Mai has a plentiful supply of budget guesthouses, most with semi-outdoor restaurants or bars which provide a great way for single travellers to meet others to share their adventures with. A week in Chiang Mai proves that spending your Thai trip lying on the beach isn’t the only way to go back to work feeling refreshed, and you’re almost guaranteed to have a lot more stories to tell.
Jin Air now offers flights to Bangkok for around $500. Other carriers to check for direct routes are Korean Air, Asiana and THAI Airways.
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