What does a TSCPL staffer recommend doing in northern Thailand?  Here are the activities I most recommend—after having been there, twice:

1.  Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium:  Both times I have been to Thailand I have visited this zoo and both times were a totally different experience.  They seem to be constantly working on it and adding new things.  This time we got to go to the new aquarium which includes two underwater tunnels where you can see the fish swimming all around you.  We happened to be there on valentines day, and got to see the added attraction of a wedding being performed underwater.  How often does that happen?  I also like this zoo because you get to get up close and personal with a lot of the animals—like feeding the giraffes and the elephants, there was even a “touch pond” in the aquarium where you could touch some of the fish as they swam by.

2.  Flight of the Gibbon in Mae Kompong (about an hours drive from Chiang Mai, but they will come and pick you up at your guesthouse or hotel): This adventure is a bit pricey (about $55 if you opt for the early pick up time) but it is well worth it.  It is a zip line canopy tour through the rainforest so it may not be for you if you have an extreme fear of heights or have physical problems.  I am somewhat afraid of heights but after the first trip across I got over my nervousness and was just able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the experience of zipping along in the treetops.  Our guides really knew what they were doing and with all the safety equipment and precautions they took I really felt safe.  It was a one-of-a-kind experience that I will sure never forget.  And it also includes lunch (Thai food, very tasty) and a trek to a local waterfall (you have to climb up many steps but it is a marvelous view).  This place is so cool, it was even featured on the Asian version of the Amazing Race.

3. The Riverside Restaurant in Chiang Mai: I highly recommend this restaurant, it is right on the river in Chiang Mai and there is a wonderful view.  You can even sit outside on the terrace.  The food was excellent, be sure to look at the daily specials—I tried the duck in tamarind sauce and it was excellent.  They also have nightly “cruise and dine” excursions where you can board their boat and take a cruise down the river while you eat.

4. Sunday Walking Street market, near Thapae gate in Chiang Mai:  Chiang Mai’s night market is famous as a place to shop for cheaply priced souvenirs, but my family prefered the atmosphere of the Sunday walking street market.  It is only on Sunday nights, but they actually block off some of the streets so there is much more room to walk around and take it all in.  Many of the street vendors have prices marked on their items so it is easier for the tourist who is timid about haggling (like I am).  There are a lot of food vendors too, especially in the area of the Buddhist temples whose courtyards become food courts.  When ordering Thai food be sure to say “mai pet” which means “not spicy”.  You don’t want to mess around wtih those thai chili peppers!) Local musicians also set up and play music for donations so it is quite a festive atmosphere.

5. Khantoke dinner: While in northern Thailand you have to take in a Khantoke dinner.  The term “khantoke” refers to the wooden pedestal tray that the meal is traditionally served on.  Diners can recline on the floor, or at most shows they have the option to choose to sit at tables.  Everyone has to check their shoes at the door though!  Besides the traditional northern Thai foods of fried chicken, pork curry, pork tomato chili paste, fried pork skin, fried vegetables, crispy rice noodles, fried bananas, steamed and sticky rice, and seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits the dinner also features traditional music and dancing from the Thai and northern hill tribe cultures.  I have been to two of these dinners and I would definitely recommend the one at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center as the best. 

6. Visit to an Elephant Camp: This is another fun day trip from Chiang Mai.  There are several to choose from in the area, we went to the Maetang Elephant Park, which gave us a much better price than the other camp right next to it.  In northern Thailand elephants used to be used a lot for logging but now if there is any logging heavy machinery can do the job they used to do.  So now the local people use them for tourism.  At this park you can purchase a package ticket that includes an elephant show where the elephants show off the various things they can do—one of them even paints!  Then you get to go for a ride throught the forest on the back of an elephant.  At the end of your ride you are loaded into an ox-cart which takes you back to the main area.  Then you can board a bamboo raft for a ride down the river.  It makes for a very fun day.  While in Mae Tang we also went to a place that has a snake show, a monkey show, and an orchid and butterly farm.  All in all it was a great day enjoying animals and nature.

7. Visit Doi Inthanon: This is the highest mountain in Thailand at 8415 feet.  It is a nice place to get out of the hotness of the city and enjoy some cool mountain air and beautiful scenery.  It is also extremely popular with birdwatchers, there is a nature trail you can enjoy at the summit, and be sure to also visit the Napamaytanidol Chedi or twin stupas, which are beautiful towering Buddhist monuments built to honor the King and Queen of Thailand.  There are gorgeous flower gardens surrounding them and a place to stop and eat lunch.  Another site here not to miss are the Vachiratharn waterfalls tumbling over a granite escarpment, one of the most breathtaking waterfalls I have ever seen.  Is is a definite photo stop and also a nice place to be refereshed by the spray from the water.  

8.  Pai, Thailand: Pai is about a 3 hour drive from Chiang Mai on VERY curvy mountain roads (take precautions if you are prone to motion sickness).  It was once a quiet town only known to the locals and backpackers, but it has now become a popular tourist destination.  Every night the street transform into a marketplace with vendors selling souvenirs, music, and food.  A definite “hippie” influence can be felt among their offerings.   Besides the town, Pai is also an excellent place to go “off-road” and visit a local hill tribe village.  We visited several Lisu villages on a nearby mountain, and we were glad we had rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle with a driver to do so, it was definitely needed on the narrow and steep dirt roads.   My sister taught at the Lisu Bible Institute and so has many connections with this tribe, we had a great time visiting with them and enjoying their hospitality.  At each house we visited we were served water, green tea, and then a meal if we were staying long enough, as it would be rude for a visitor to leave without eating with you.  Visiting these rural villages you definitely feel like you are leaving the modern world behind and visiting a peaceful, restful place where people are content to sit and visit with you with no thought of the time.

Northern Thailand is a wonderful place to visit and I highly recommend it to anyone!

Sawasdee-ka!