For visitors to Thailand a trip to Chiang Mai is an absolute must. After the excesses of Bangkok a spell in the sleepy northern city is a welcome break, and the relatively small size of Chiang Mai offers the chance for tourists to really explore the Thai way of life without having to tear themselves too far from the tourist areas.
I moved to Chiang Mai in the summer of 2011. Well, ‘moved’ might be something of an overstatement. My partner and I visited for a week, and that week turned into two. The weeks turned into months, and the months will, if all goes well, turn into years. There’s something magical about the city, and the thought of leaving has simply never occurred to us.
First time visitors, though, might have a little trouble understanding the appeal of the city as a place to call home. The old town, a large area in the center of the city bound by a shallow moat and crumbling walls, has little to offer in the way of day to day shopping needs. The stores are aimed firmly at the tourist crowd, and if you’re shopping for anything but basic groceries or traditional Thai crafts you might wonder how people survive in Chiang Mai.
For a real shopping center you should leave the comforts of the tourist areas. Once you’re free from the quiet, cafe and temple strewn streets of the old town you’ll find that Chiang Mai is a modern city with everything from fashion malls to Walmart-style hypermarkets.
The crown jewel of the city’s shopping centers is, without doubt, Central Airport Plaza. Located a few minutes from (surprise, surprise) Chiang Mai Airport, the Plaza houses a wide range of fashion outlets and great restaurants, all in the sort of clean, modern surroundings you’d expect to find in Bangkok’s upscale Central World, Siam Paragon or the brand new Terminal 21.
If Central Airport Plaza isn’t enough of a shopping center Chiang Mai also boasts Kad Suan Kaew Central Mall, just outside the old town on the north west corner. Central is a little older and not in the best shape, but the mall offers a bowling alley and a great karaoke center with beautifully decorated themed rooms. Downstairs you’ll find a range of great Thai restaurants, as well as a couple of western style chain restaurant such as Sizzler and KFC.
Best of all, though, are the pop up stalls on the ground floor of Central Mall. If you’re looking for inexpensive fashions you could do much worse than to pick through the endless racks of men’s and ladies fashion on offer in these daily stalls.
Whatever you’re looking for in a shopping center, Chiang Mai has what you need.
Directions:
Central Airport PlazaMahidol Road
Drive 1.5km south of the old town on Thipanet. Central Airport Plaza can be seen on the right side of the road at the junction with Mahidol Road.
Central MallHuay Kaew Road
Turn onto Huay Kaew Road at the north west corner of the old town. Central Mall can be seen on the left side of the road after 200 meters.
USD 14
per night
The Ketawa Stylish Hotel is located in Chiang Mai making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The hotel provides all the amenities that today's travelers desire in all of its 13 rooms....
USD 22
per night
Discover all that Chiang Mai has to offer with Banthai Village Hotel as a base. The Banthai Village Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Al...
USD 6
per night
With its central location, Yesterday The Village Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Chiang Mai. Each of the 25 well-furnished guestrooms at the hotel ens...
USD 27
per night
With its central location, Chiang Maan Residence is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Chiang Mai. The hotel provides all the amenities that today's travelers des...
USD 5
per night
The Maninarakorn Hotel is located in Chiang Mai making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. With the guests' convenience in mind, each of the 120 guestrooms at the hotel is well design...
USD 61
per night
With its central location, RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Chiang Mai. The RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort boasts a convenient...
USD 8
per night
The Viengkaew Resort is located in Chiang Mai making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The hotel provides all the amenities that today's travelers desire in all of its 5 rooms. Eac...
USD 9
per night
With its central location, Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Chiang Mai. The hotel is a high-rise building with 78 fully equipped...
USD 146
per night
With its central location, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Chiang Mai. All 123 at this 5-star property offers well-furni...
USD 6
per night
The BuaSaree Resort is located in Chiang Mai making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The BuaSaree Resort boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and s...
USD 44
per night
With its central location, Sira Boutique Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Chiang Mai. All the modern facilities are available in all of the hotel's 19 ...
USD 5
per night
Discover all that Chiang Mai has to offer with Thaphae Garden Guesthouse as a base. All 30 rooms at the hotel have all the modern facilities guests' would expect from a hotel of this class. All of t...
USD 10
per night
The B2 Green is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Chiang Mai. The hotel has a total of 76 well-appointed rooms designed with the guests' comfort in mind. In-room facilities i...
USD 60
per night
The Rich Lanna House is located in Chiang Mai making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. This 3-star hotel offers 14 guestrooms, each presenting guests with all the comforts expected ...
USD 24
per night
The The Puka Boutique Resort is located in Chiang Mai making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to s...
USD 17
per night
The Mild Sign Residence is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Chiang Mai. All 50 guestrooms at the hotel provide all the comforts and conveniences guests would expect in a hote...
USD 95
per night
The De Naga Hotel is located in Chiang Mai making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests...
USD 51
per night
With its central location, Golden Cupids Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Chiang Mai. All 11 rooms at the hotel have all the modern facilities guests' ...
USD 11
per night
With its central location, Baanpinmongkol is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Chiang Mai. All 6 rooms at the hotel are well-appointed with necessary amenities t...
USD 40
per night
The 9W Boutique Studio is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Chiang Mai. All of the 12 rooms of this 4-story property are all equipped with modern in-room amenities. Each gues...
Leave a reply