Thailand Trip Itinerary 2014 - Part 7 Chiang Rai to Chiangmai

Day 8 – Visiting Wat Rong Khun [White Temple] and leaving Chiang Rai to Chiangmai.

Had early lunch after visiting Wat Rong Khun [White Temple] before leaving for Chiangmai.

[Click here to see Wat Rong Khun].

Back to the hotel after lunch which allowed us late check out at 1.00 pm since our bus to Chiangmai departs at 2.15 pm. Journey was good as bus was punctual and arrived at Chiangmai Chang Klan Bus Station at 5.15 pm even though the bus does stop at several places on the way.

Since we weren’t sure of the location of Chiangmai’s hotel which we had booked earlier through Agoda.com, we took the Red Song Thaew which charges 80THB [bargainable] which is cheaper than the Tuk-Tuk to locate the hotel.

Pachkit House B&B

8/1 Arak Road, Soi 7 T. Phrasingh

Amphoe Muang

Old City Chiangmai

Hotel Rim, Arak Road, Suan Dok Gate

This hotel is located next to Hotel Rim side lane, Arak Road and behind Wat Phrasingh. Hotel doesn’t look new but the room is very spacious and clean inclusive of good Western breakfast. The rate per night is less than USD25 which is good price for location, room and food. Free Wifi at the dining area and in the room.

Along Arak Road, there are several good food outlets like Jelang Fish Ball Noodles Shop, Korean BBQ and Steamboat and a Chu Char Stall in the Teochew Association compound.  All these places are within walking distance. The SP Chicken outlet is also within walking distance along one of the adjacent roads near Wat Phrasingh and the hotel.

The hotel collects a deposit for the room key and you can also rent a motorbike through the hotel for 250THB per day. This rate is higher than the one near Thapae Gate area but it is more convenient to rent one through the hotel. 

We took the Red Song Taew from hotel to Thapae Gate that charges 40THB for 2 person to Thapae Gate in the late afternoon.

Before visiting the Sunday Walking Street Night Market, we went to Moon Muang Road [Wendy Tour’s agent] to book a day tour to Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand. The rate is 900THB per person. The tour van will pick us up at the hotel at 8.00 am. The tour package includes lunch and visiting the King Inthanon Memorial [highest peak of Thailand], Twin Pagoda, 2 waterfalls [Wachirathan and Sirithan Waterfalls], Royal Market and a Karen village.  It's a good fare.  We enjoyed the trip.

The Sunday Walking Street Night Market opens at 16.00 till midnight. This market starts at Thapae Gate and runs along Ratchadamneon Road for around 1 Km. Temples on either side of the road become food courts. There are a wide variety of food from Khao Pad [fried rice] to deep fried crickets, pancakes, grilled meat to numerous refreshment stalls [Click here to see map].

Items offered here are handcrafted products and usual assortment of tourist trinkets. Prices are bargainable but that depends on quantity.

The walking street market is packed with people and quite difficult to move around especially around Thapae Gate area.    Beware aware of pick-pockets, too.  We tried several street foods and the prices are higher than in Chiang Rai.

We had the spring rolls [2 rolls for 25THB], Passion Fruit Ice Shake [25THB per cup], chicken satay [20THB per stick], Pad Thai [30THB per plate] and bought 6 pencil box at 20THB per piece.