Top 10 Reasons to Visit Chiang Mai, Thailand

Silver Dollar City - 4 Great Reasons to Visit

1. Weather
If you speak to people in Bangkok, they will often tell you that Chiang Mai has the best weather. That is because it's typically cooler than the south, and the rainy season is not so intense - with just a few showers a day. Likewise, the humidity is a lot lower. The sun is nearly always shinning in Chiang Mai.

2. Cost
I have lived in many different countries, as well as different parts of Thailand, and I have to say, there is nowhere that beats Chiang Mai in terms of price. You can easily find an apartment for as low as £50 per month. And the food is cheap too. For example, a plate of fried rice and chicken will cost you around 60 pence.

3. Size
Although it is the second largest city in Thailand, you don't have to travel far to be completely surrounded by jungles and mountains. In fact, from almost anywhere in the city, you can see the lush, green Doi Suthep mountain, standing at approximately 6,000 ft. Although the city itself has approximately 150,000 people, the metropolitan area has an estimated one million people. In many ways, Chiang Mai is the perfect size. It big enough for there to be lots of things to do, and small enough to get away and relax.

4. Scenery
The scenery surrounding the city is superb. If you are willing to travel slightly further afield, there are a plethora mountainous views, national parks and hot springs. It's not surprising that the region is a popular destination for bikers of all types. The Doi Suthep mountain, as mentioned already, has a temple located at the top. The temple is open to tourists and the view of the city from the top is stunning. Likewise, there is another mountain nearby called Doi Kam. Doi Kam is smaller and quieter but still has a spectacular view.

5. Safe
Chiang Mai is without a doubt one of the safest places I have lived. Of course, there is crime in every city in the world, but here, it is almost unnoticeable. You can accidentally leave the keys in your scooter and be confident that it will still be there when you return. You walk around practically any neighbourhood and feel welcomed as opposed to threatened. Unlike other cities that I have lived in, Chiang Mai doesn't appear to have any 'no-go' areas, and there isn't much in the way of community segregation.

6. Friendly
In general, Chiang Mai is host to some of the most welcoming people I have encountered - especially when they're half-way through a bottle of Sangsom (Thai rum). Of course, the people are not always friendly, but then, it would be strange if they were.

7. Amenities
If you want something, the chances are, you can get it. There's no shortage of markets and shopping centres in and around Chiang Mai. Likewise you won't have to travel far to find a fitness centre with a swimming pool, sauna, weights machines etc. Most large malls in Chiang Mai have a cinema, which regularly play english speaking movies. Additionally, you will have no problems finding a good Wi-Fi connection. In fact, in 2012, The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology announced that there were 3,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots available, and declared that this number will grow to 400,000 by 2015.

8. Sonkran
Many Thai's travel to Chiang Mai from Bangkok to celebrate the traditional Thai new year - known as the Sonkran festival. The festival takes place around mid April each year and has evolved into what is basically a nationwide, 3-day water fight. Participating in Sonkran is a great experience and Chiang Mai is one of the best places to get involved.

9. Culture
Chiang Mai is in many respects the cultural hub of Thailand. There are festivals that take place throughout the year including Sonkran, Loi Krathong, Chiang Mai Flower Festival etc. The city also hosts a variety of museums and cultural enters. And of course, there are many temples to visit in and around the city. The pace of life in Chiang Mai is generally pretty slow, although it can still get crazy at times, especially on the roads. However, like I said, you won't have to travel far in order to find a much slower pace of life.

10. Retreats
There are many different retreat centres in and around Chiang Mai - often orientated around yoga and meditation. These retreats can be very beneficial. However, Thelifechangepeople.com offer an entirely different type of retreat. They offer an award-winning, luxury counseling retreat, which typically stretches over a period of 1 or 2 weeks. TLCP offer a variety of different holiday packages which may include life coaching, couples therapy, as well as dedicated women's holidays.

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