Thailand - Chang Mai and the Night Market
Chang Mai is the largest city in the north of Thailand and well
worth a trip. In many ways, Chang Mai is similar to Bangkok, but
without the mass of people.
Chang Mai
Chang Mai is perhaps the most serene big city I have ever had
the privilege of visiting. Located at the foot of a large
mountain, the city nicely meshes older areas with modern
conveniences. Serene Buddhist temples stand only a few blocks
from bustling universities. Much of the city can be walked, but
moped rentals are cheap and plentiful. Street markets are
common, but the hustle and bustle of Bangkok is not.
The night market is perhaps the most noted thing about Chang
Mai. Located in the eastern side of the city, the night market
runs about a mile down the length of street dwarfed by malls,
restaurants, stores selling art and spas. The stalls on the side
of the road tend to sell cheap touristy products, but you should
check them out anyway to sample some of the food items. Thais
seem to take great humor from cooking anything they can get
their hands on so long as they can gross out the tourist. Yep,
you can munch on fried roaches, spiders, crickets and so on. For
a good laugh, one can hang out around the stalls and watch
tourist try the delicacies. It's like the show Fear Factor
without the washboard stomachs and breast implants.
To find the "good stuff" at the night market, you should head
off the street and up into the open air malls. As you move
towards the back of the malls, the quality of the products goes
up dramatically. You'll find artist not only hocking their
wares, but also creating them before your eyes. There is some
serious talent in the back of those malls.
If silk is your material of choice, Chang Mai is a good place to
purchase it in bulk. Do not buy it at the night market. Instead,
ask your hotel for a recommendation to a shop. Prices are low,
but quality is high.
Traveler's Tip
Guidebooks will tell you the best way to get to Chang Mai is to
take an overnight train from Bangkok. Liars! Flying domestically
in Thailand is very cheap. A one-way flight from Bangkok to
Chang Mai will run you about $40US. There is no need to book
ahead. Just walk into the airport in Bangkok and buy a ticket on
the spot. If you prefer to spend the night in a bunk on a train,
knock yourself out. Just keep in mind Thais tend to have smaller
body masses than Westerners. Much smaller.
Of all the cities in Thailand, Chang Mai is my favorite. Yes,
even more so than Bangkok.