Hadn’t been to Chiang Mai in 30 years and didn’t remember anything about it. Have been thinking of going back each time we plan a trip but for some reason it’s never quite ended up on top.  Anyway finally booked something with Grobbler and my Mum and Dad and glad we did. We got a dirt cheap flight on HK Express (non holiday time), was around HKD$500 per person I think and the return flight somehow showed up as free.  The hotel or Homestay/AirnBnB we booked was awesome and all the things we did in Chiang Mai everybody, from 6 to 80, enjoyed them.

We didn’t even go into the city, or at least never saw Walking Street, any markets or Old Town. If I want to be in the presence of thousands of tourists I can just head over to TST in Hong Kong.  The only downer of Chiang Mai was the pollution and we just happened to go when the pollution was at its worst with the farmers doing their annual burn off in late March/early April. Basically it was the worst pollution that Chiang Mai has had for years, so much so that the Prime Minister came to see it and apparently do nothing about it.

It was also stifling fucking hot, mornings were okay but by the afternoon it was getting up to 28-39 degrees , more than that in the sun.  So basically do stuff in the morning and aim to be back at your hotel early afternoon for a swim or rest in your room. I didn’t notice the pollution much, don’t think I’d have gone for a run in it, but other than looking rather grey, didn’t notice it on my airways and both Grobbler usually feel it when the pollution gets bad in Hong Kong. Anyway, really liked Chiang Mai and would definitely go back, maybe next year, do some different things, some of the same things and probably stay at the same Airbnb.  For some things to do in Chiang Mai, check out this page, for things to do with kids in Chiang Mai, visit this post.

If you’ve got any questions about traveling to Chiang Mai, let us know on Twitter or contact us directly as usual.