Thailand: Bangkok & Chiang Mai

Located 700 km north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is a beautiful city located on the River Ping with a rich culture and hundreds of man-made and natural wonders in and around it. Meaning "New Walled City ", Chiang Mai replaced Chiang Rai as the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom that was located in northern Thailand, and has a culture that is still quite distinct from the rest of the country. So, what does one do when in Chiang Mai? The city is known for its over 300 Buddhist temples, and the following are must visits: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ched Yot, Wat U-Mong, Wat Suan Dok, and the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam with its large number of ruined temples.

Apart from temple visits, you must visit the walled city in that gives the city its name. You can also visit the many gardens in the city, such as the Dokmai Garden, and the exquisitely landscaped grounds of the Bhuping Palace. Chiang Mai is also famous for its nightly bazaars, which sprawl for blocks and offer shoppers everything from arts, handicrafts, and hundreds of garments and electronics. The Sunday Night Bazaar that's set-up on Ratchadamneon Road, is the biggest such bazaar, and certainly worth a look if you happen to be in town at the time.

The Maesa Elephant Camp, located about an hour and a half drive from the city centre, is also worth a visit, letting you see the playful mammals try their trunk at painting as well as playing football with each other. You could always go for an elephant ride as well. The Chiang Mai Night Safari is another delightful place to visit, and is located in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, offering visitors the excitement of a world-class jungle theme park with many animals to be seen amidst the lush green forests, such as lions, jaguars, and elephants.

More than just the political, commercial, and cultural capital of Thailand, Bangkok's skyline gives you an idea of its unique personality; which is a vibrant conglomeration of chrome and cane. All through the city, flows the beautiful Chao Phraya River, filled with traders and boats. Bangkok's bustling atmosphere, though distinctly modern, has a sense of heritage found within urban tangle, for soaring skyscrapers can be found alongside tranquil temples. However, the sense of order within this chaos is quite evident, and the congestion of people and traffic is alleviated by the slick overland metropolitan railway, cheap river boats and air-conditioned taxis, all of which allow you to see the city as it really is.

Weather:
Spring: March to May 27-34 C
Summer: June to August 26-33 C
Autumn: September to November 25-32 C
Winter: December to February 23-32 C

Shopping:
Shoppers in Bangkok have a wide choice of areas in which to pursue their search for bargains and luxuries, most of them located within walking distance of the major hotels. Souvenir markets, luxury malls, and Thai handicrafts stalls are all jumbled up together, always giving you a variety. For souvenirs, visit the Amulet Market in Ko Ratanakosin, and the Chatuchak Weekend Market at Th Phahonyothin Lat Phrao. Also try the Orient Plaza and the River City Shopping Complex, which are adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, to find antiques and decorative items. Siam Square is home to many malls and antique shops also. The Floating Market is also a must visit. If you are interested in jewellery, visit The Jewel Fest Club, where quality craftsmanship and reasonable price are assured.

Must Do:
There are over 300 Buddhist shrines and temples within the city, and there is no excuse a tourist to Bangkok can have for not visiting some of these beautiful places. The most famous are Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Trimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). You should also try to visit Wat Phra Kaeo, where the Emerald Buddha (made of translucent green jade) resides. Bangkok also offers an assortment of restaurants that is staggering in its variety. In Bangkok, you are never more than a few feet from a restaurant or sidewalk food vendor and each one of them is different. Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Silom, and Bang Rak are the areas where you can find the best Thai cuisine. There is a lot to entertain you in Bangkok, with some of the best nightclubs, bars, cafes and discos in Asia, liberally sprinkled all over the cityscape.

Travel Tools:
ISD Code: +66
Currency: Baht (THB) 1 THB is approximately 1.50 Indian Rupee (INR)
Time Zone: GMT +7 hours. IST +1:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V