We were there for the Yee Peng festival, where there were floating lanterns on the river as well as floating ballons (lanterns) into the sky. The unexpected things were the noisy explosive firecraker and smell of kerosene. Another unexpected was that we have missed the massive floating of floating balloon into the sky. It was held a week before the Yee Peng day, which was on 24th Oct. I hope the CM municipal office can make that announcement earlier in the future.
Suggested daily itinerary for Chiang Mai:
Activities:
Money:
Flight xxx + Hotel xxx + Others +
Food & transport & entrance fee in Chiang Mai only = 3400 Baht (rough estimation of RM340)
Hotel:
The hotel was REALLY a value for the price, we paid RM20 per room (twin beds with free wifi in room, 2 bottles of water, free toast bread for breakfast and best of all, the location is near Chinatown and Ping River for Yee Peng celebration. Walking to Tapae Gate and Night Bazaar is slightly away but not far...and the place is clean and quiet for sleeping). Name of the hotel, New Mitrapap Hotel in Chiang Moi (China Town). Book online.
Suggested daily itinerary for Chiang Mai:
- Wat Pratat Doi Suthep, to pay respect to local the GOD first (prayer == $$) . The road uphill is quite windy. On the same route: Phuping Palace, Hmong Village
- Chiang Mai Zoo in the morning and Bo Sang & Kamphaeng craftworks in the afternoon
- Mae Sa elephant > Queens Botanical Garden > Orchid farm
- Royal Floral Ratchapreuk > Night Safari
Activities:
- Celebrate Loy Krathong/Yee Peng together with the local people at Thapae Gate and along Ping River. The municipal office for the celebration is located near our hotel.
- Tracking
- Tribe hill visit: Aka, Lisu, Karen and Long Neck. Some are not genuine long neck people as they are modernized and subsidized by the government for tourist 'display'.
- Market visit: Night Bazaar for western style and Warorot Market for Chinese/Thai style
- Spa/massage. We went for 2 sessions of Thai body massage, SYOK! 200 Baht for an hour (exclude tip). Can try the Garden Chiang Mai along the Thapae road inside of the wall. Ask for senior aunties as they are more experience.
- Have a luxury kantoke dinner with dancing performance.
Money:
Flight xxx + Hotel xxx + Others +
Food & transport & entrance fee in Chiang Mai only = 3400 Baht (rough estimation of RM340)
Hotel:
The hotel was REALLY a value for the price, we paid RM20 per room (twin beds with free wifi in room, 2 bottles of water, free toast bread for breakfast and best of all, the location is near Chinatown and Ping River for Yee Peng celebration. Walking to Tapae Gate and Night Bazaar is slightly away but not far...and the place is clean and quiet for sleeping). Name of the hotel, New Mitrapap Hotel in Chiang Moi (China Town). Book online.
