Thailand Chiang Mai Recommended Tour Package

The Chiang Mai THAI FARM cooking school

Escaping from the bustling city for a day and learn how to prepare and cook a Thailand meal while enjoying the relaxing non-tourist countryside. On the way to the farm will stop at a local market for a brief tour. The school is approximately 17km from Chiang Mai city. Upon arrival, you will be able to see many different kinds of organic herbs, vegetables, and fruits that they grow themselves. You will be walking, picking and tasting with explanation of various ingredients on the farm that you will be use when preparing your dishes later. Every course includes 6 dishes prepared per day and a recipe book.

Price : 1000 Baht / person /day

Pickup : 8.30 am

Back : 4 pm

Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center – Khantoke Dinner & Shows since 1971

Open nightly : 7 pm – 9.30 pm

Program    : 7 pm dinner starts, 8pm – 8.50 pm Thailand Lanna dance show, 9 pm – 9.30 pm Hill tribe and local Lanna performance

Menu      : Burmese pork curry, Pork tomato-crispy paste, Fried chicken, Fried pork skin, Fried pumpkins, Crispy noodle, Stir fried vegetable, Fresh and boiled vegetable, Steamed rice

Big Game Fishing Adventure

Full day     : 8 am – 6 pm, 1900 Baht

Half day     : 8 am – 1 pm, 1600 Baht

Tour included : Transportation, Fishing guide, Fishing gears + baits, Lunch for full day trip.

Muay Thai Real Fight

Venue : International Tha Pae Boxing Stadium, Night Bazaar Boxing Stadium

Timing : 9 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday

Price : 400 Baht, VIP – 600 Baht

Flight of the Gibbon

Unveiling the beautiful and fragile world of rainforest treetop ecosystems. Over 5km, 39 stations and skybridges, Traditional tribal musicians and hill tribe museum, “Gibson Gone Wild” the longest single zipline in the world, Extended skywalks to close encounter with gibbons, Seven tiered falls – Kompong Falls.

Designed by New Zealand specialist, eco-friendly with zero carbon foorptint.

Price : treetopasia.com

Kayaking Expeditions

Chiang Dao mountain views Kayaking Adventure

Price : 1950 Baht

Crossing Chiang Dao Valley, 18km, 5-6 hours

Sirith Lanna National Park Traverse

Price: 1950 Baht

Kayaking through surrealistic landscape of limestone walls and lush jungle-scape to open waters, 18km, 5-6 hours

Chiang Mai Adventure Land

Price : 2200 Baht

Website : http://chiangmaiadventureland.com

Included: Water & Xorb ball, Rock wall climbing, Sky bridge, Flying fox, Sky floating down, Ski on the hill, Fishing, Vegetable garden sightseeing, Feeding animals, Indiana Jones & Tarzan

Chiang Mai Jungle Flight

Price : 2490 Baht

Package included: Ziplining, Thailand meal, Round trip transfer

34 platforms / 22 Zip-lines / 4 Abseils / 3 Sky-bridges / 1 Spiral Staircase / 50m Canopy Walk / 570m Suspended Canopy Nature Walk

Elephant Training + Trekking

Pickup : 8 am

Price : 2000 Baht

Learn how to speak elephant language so you can communicate with your elephant as sit on its back and tell it what to do, Ride your elephant through the jungle, Having fun bathing your elephant, Have lunch, Visit a hill tribe village and observe their daily life, Short hiking along a jungle trail to beautiful waterfall, Ride down the river on rafting.

Amazingly Chiang Mai Adventure

Pickup : 8.15 am

Price : 1800 Baht

Visit Orchid & Butterfly farm, To Maesa Elephant Camp for show, Visit the Karen Longneck village and also see Lahu Shibalah (long ears), Pakayoh & Palong tribes, Have lunch, Elephant riding through jungle for 1 hour, White rafting for 1 hour along Mae Taeng river and bamboo rafting for 15 minutes.

Mae Ping River Cruise

Duration : 2 hours

Price : maepingrivercruise.com

Enjoy the ever-changing scene : Resplendent teak houses, Rural greenery and sunny-faced kids, Stop at a local farmer’s house to see the cultivation of Jasmine rice and a variety of herbs for use in medicine and cookery.

Thailand Chiang Mai Famous Temple

5 famous temples at Chiang Mai

1.      Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was built by the sixth King Phaya Kue Na of Lanna Kingdom, Mengrai Dynasty. He respectfully engaged the Lord Buddha’s relics that he kept in his shrine for 13 years to the pagoda of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. He took the relics on the back of the elephant and prayed for the sacred place. The elephant walked to the sacred Doi Suthep mountain and showed the significance that this is the most suitable place to keep the sacred relics by acclaiming and walking round for 3 times. The king ordered to dig the hole and built the stone platform in the big hole and enshrined the relics down then filled with stones and created 5 meters high pagoda on the cover. Therefore, the ritual of not wearing shoes in the area and no woman allowed is applied in order to worship and pay respect to the relics.

In 1538, King Muang Ket Klao, the 12th king of Lanna, renovated the pagoda by expanding the size of pagoda to be 11 feet wide and 6 meters high and put a golden lotus on the pinnacle. Later, his son, Chao Tao Kham Yot, has the gold plate to put round the pagoda.

In the year 1557, Phra Maha Yanmomgkol, the monk from Asoka Ram of Lamphun has established the Naga staircase up to the pagoda. Moreover, Kruba Siwichai with the respectful villagers built the 11.53 miles road uphill to the place where the temple located which in order to be easier for the public to go worship the relics.

On the way up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most sacred monument of Kruba Siwichai was established as another place for the people to worship. Moreover, visitor is able to relax at the beautiful 9-step natural waterfall of Montatarn as well as another sacred temple, Wat Palard, which is the first stop of the sacred elephant while took the journey of Saceed relics of the legendary inventor of the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The scenery and beautiful views of the city from a high vintage point is available becore take the journey up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

2. Wat Phra Singh

Wat Phra Singh, formerly called Wat Lee Chiang, has been an important wat of Chiang Mai for 700 years. It was constructed by king Phayoo of Mengrai Dynasty. When king Saen Muang Ma was reigning the Lanna Thai kingdom, Phra Buddhasihing, one of the most renown Buddha image was taken from Kampaengpet to Chiang Mai by king Mahaprom to present to the Chiang Mai king. It so happened that the chariot carrying the image broke down at this spot and the Buddha image was consequently installed in this wat. Because of this incident, Wat Lee Chiang became known as Wat Lee Chiang Phra and later on got the present name of Wat Phra Singh.

In B.E 2315 (1772 A.D), this wat received major reconstruction under the auspices of king Kavila.Besides Phra Singh, this wat has another important Buddha image called Phra Thongtip cast in 1477A.D. It is the early Chiang Saen style and craftsmanship and made of the alloy of gold and copper.

3.      Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang is one of the ancient and important temples in Chiang Mai. A legend goes that its old name is Chotikaram. There is no evidence of its construction, however, the legend suggests that these was Phra Sora and Phra Lithana that came from India who came to pay homage and was very faithful. As old Lawa man aged 120 years took the blanket dipped in oil for worshipping; hence the temple was called “Chotikaram” meaning ‘Blazing Temple’.

Some believe that it was built during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, king of Mengrai to dedicate to his late father, King Kue Na. The construction was complete in the reign of Three King Monument and it was named Ku Luang. In a later period, King Phra Chao Tilokaram expanded the chedi to be taller. The Emerald Buddha was the propitiated to be enshrined here forever. For a total of 80 years, it was placed in niche of Phra Chedi Luang on the east side for 79 years and in Phra Wihan Luang for 1 year.

Wat Chedi Luang has a brick fortress look like stupa with 4 big Buddha images kept inside in each direction.

4. Wat Lok Molee

Wat Lok Molee was first given the name of Wat Lok during the reign of king Guna as 10 monks of Phra Maha Uthumphonbupha Maha Savamee Committee stayed here for sometime.

In 1527 A.D, King Phra Muang Kaew commanded his people to build a Vihan and a Maha Chedi in this area. In 1545, King Phra Muang Ket Klao was assassinated and after the cremation ceremony, his ashes were stored in the chedi of this temple. Queen Wisuthidhevee then ruled the city of Chiang Mai until she died in 1578, and after a lavish funeral ceremony, her ashes were also interred at this chedi.

5. Wat Buppharam (Wat Meng)

Wat Buppharam was built in 1497, in the reign of King Phra Muang Kaeo.

Thailand Lampang Day Trip

Day 23 : Today is Lampang day trip with an old couple known in guesthouse. The distance between Chiang Mai and Lampang is 105km and it takes 1 hours 30 minutes to arrive there. We take Songthaew to bus terminal (20 baht per person) and buy bus ticket there. There do have different booth counter selling bus ticket to various part of Thailand including Bangkok, Hua Hin. The fare is 74 baht. For double decker bus, it cost 95 baht. You can rent a car and drive to Lampang too. The route is very straightforward and simple. The car rental per day is ranging 1300 to 1500 baht depending on manual car or auto car.

Lampang is an ancient town with the influence and culture mix of Burmese and Lanna Kingdom. Temple is the building that most obviously represents the mix of Burmese and Lanna Kingdom building architecture. So, for tourists who wish to visit Burmese style of temples and mix of Burmese and Lanna Kingdom styles of temples, just come to Lampang. Visit Lampang to discover the prosperity of Hari Poonchai to Lanna Kingdom with Wat Pong Sanook as highlight. This temple received the award of merit from UNESCO. It is located in an old residential part of town.

Another tourist’s attraction here in Lampang is horse carriages cart services. Lampang is the only city in Thailand that has horse carriages cart services. Because of its quite expensive fare compare to local transport Songthaew, horse carriages cart services is dedicated for tourists. For the standard routes of 3km, it’s fare is 150 baht, 200 baht for 4km Special Route, 300 baht with routes go to Wat Pong Sanook, Wat Phrakaewdontao, Luang Por Kasem, Wat Chedi Sao, and 500 baht for 2 hours city tour but one day in advanced booking is required. All price stated is based on per trip. So 2 people’s backpacker and traveler to have horse carriages cart service will be a great save.

If you have enough time or stay overnight in Lampang, you can visit Kad Kong Ta walking street market. It open every Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 10pm. Kad Kong Ta walking street is known for historical trading zone over 100 hears ago. The trade began along the bank of Wang River and later become center of trades. The buildings and houses were built with the mixed of Western, Burmese-Thai and Chinese styles. In 1916 after the railroad system which connected Lampang and other city was completed, the trading along this zone had declined. People who lived in this area had moved to settle close to the railway station and developed a new community called “GowJow”. However, this charming architectural has returned to its old memories and is one of the most visited, impressive and memorable spots where various handmade goods like weaving bag, Lanna handbag local style, Lanna paintings, resin product, clothes, shoes, and etc are sold.

There are other attractions located slightly far from the city of Lampang like Ko Kha District (15km), Muang Pharn District (69km), and Ngao District (84km).

Ko Kha District attractions has Wat Lai Hin, Wat Prathat Lampang Luang, Wat Prathat Jomping, Ko Kha Ancient Caveman, Pong Nam Rorn Hot Spring.

Muang Pharn District attractions have Waterfall, Hot Spring, Pamiang Village, Giewfin, Wat Sriluang Jaesorn, Wat Sob Lee, Wat Kuang Gom.

Ngao Districts have 3000 years Paintings, Phatai Cave, Lom Phu Keaw, Mae Khae Waterfall, Ban Bur Siliam (Hill Tribe Village).

In Lampang city, Saloong Luang Parade held every year on April 12th at 2pm. Emerald Buddha Parade were held every year on 13th April at 1.30pm and Sapaoyai Parade start at 6pm. November’s major events Long Sapao Jaowienglagorn Ceremony and Loykrathong (Floating Celebrations) at Muang District are worth to visit.

Thailand Trip Day 17

Day 17 – Day 30 : Entering meditation mode again. Now I am able to meditate for 1 hour for each walking meditation and sitting meditation. Of course there still have distraction thinking flow through my mind. Applying mindfulness of the thinking, and let it go.

For my daily meals, I eat vegetable powder brought from Singapore, a glass of milk, and some chestnut and dry longan for my breakfast. For lunch I eat beef noodle soup (35 baht), and a glass of milk, some chestnut and dry longan, banana, apple, tomato and small portion of carrot for my dinner. Rice and meat will lead to yawning and feel sleepy when doing sitting meditation.

For the 20 days of stay at Chiang Mai old city, I observed and realized that there are 70% of tourists are westerner and 30% of tourists are Asian. 98% of Asian tourists are China people. I observe that 70% of China tourists are pure female group like single 1 person, 2 people, 3 people and 4 people. It look like China people more willing to travel to more rural and less develop countryside for its nature scenery views, historical sites and local tribes culture and lifestyles than any other Asian country. Also, China female is more independence and more willing to embrace to these kinds of travel sites.

Tips : Laundry (wash and dry using machine, 7 kg) – 80 baht,

Bicycle rental : 50 baht per day, Motorbike rental : 250 baht per day

7 Eleven / Bank / Money exchange / Pharmacy / Guesthouses / Coffee shops / Songthaew can be found at everywhere of Chiang Mai Old City.

Update of Wat Rampoeng :

At Wat Rampoeng, I wake up at 3.40 am and 4 am start to meditate. 6 am the bell ring for breakfast. After breakfast, meditator go back to own room take a short break, and sweeping the courtyard leaves then continue meditation. 10.30am will ring bell for lunch. After lunch, meditator will go back to sweep own room, bath and then continue meditate. For the meals, there are vegetarian meals and meat meals for meditator to choose. The meals are prepared by central kitchen. Before we eat, we will chant first with meaning of consciousness of the purpose we having the meals. After that we will eat slowly and mindfully. We wash our own plate after eat. No foods are allowed after midday. However, liquid drinks like milk are allowed whole day. You can buy milk at temple shop. At 5pm to 6pm, Wat Rampoeng does prepare high sugar drinks for meditator. In monastery, all eating and drinking must be in sitting position, absolutely no stand / walk while eat or drinks.

Every 7am to 7.30am, there will have Buddha devotees bring the foods and drinks to Wat Rampoeng and queue up in a row to offer to monks. The monks will queue up and attend to each of the devotees to accept the alms foods.

For the first day in Wat Rampoeng, I meditate for 8 hours, started with 15 minutes for each walking meditation and sitting meditation in rotation. For the second days meditate up to 9 hours with 20 minutes walking meditation and sitting meditation in rotation. The consequences 3 days I meditate for 10 hours per day with 25 minutes and 30 minutes for each walking meditation and sitting meditation until my leaving.

The goal of Wat Rampoeng Insight Meditation is to gain a clear, complete understanding of the three obvious characteristics: Impermanence, Suffering and Non-Self. Having gained an insight into the three characteristics, the meditator realized that everything in this world is transient, subject to suffering and uncontrollable. Thus the mind abandons the desire to acquire, to have and to be.

Thailand Trip Day 15

Day 15 – Day 16 : Today is a great day. I get acquaintance to 2 pretty tourists came from Chong Qing province of China whom have become teacher in exchange to Bangkok and Sukhodai  to teach Chinese for 1 year in Thailand local school. Taking chance of school holiday now, they are travel around to Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Samui, Phuket, and then Singapore. It is most precious moment and memory for a backpacker knowing other backpacker in the journey, sharing same interest and difference experiences.

We go to famous Night Bazaar and Sunday Market together. These large scale night markets are really suitable for travelers to walk around and see this country culture based on the foods, local people, traditional clothes, handicraft, souvenirs, arts, wooden carving arts, and music dance performing. I think lady will definitely like here for all the clothes, bags, scarf, and souvenir stuffs. 3 hours is really too short for us to hang around at Sunday Market (start to close after 11pm).

Before going to Sunday Market, we are having our dinner at Chiang Mai largest hot pot venue at Sukhontha Buffet. It is the largest hot pot venue I ever seen, which occupies large space of area. It contains more than hundred of tables. In Chinese word, it is called thousand people buffet.

If you want to try different kinds of Thailand foods, come to Sukhontha Buffet. Sukhontha Buffet have every types of Thailand foods you look for, ranging from raw hot pot dishes, cooked Thailand foods ready to served, dim sum, drinks, fruits, cookies, salad, donut, and cakes. Their hot pot is a round dome hot pot with middle round dome shape used for grill and surrounded by narrow round hot water filled area used to boil dishes.

Sukhontha Buffet is really worth to try. It only charges 210 baht per person. Besides that, it has stage that performs the local music and some funny shows. It is really funny, really.

Chen Jun, Jian Li and Xiao Kui are the friend that I met and known in the journey of 3 months meditation and chanting. Although the time together is short, these are really precious friendship and will remain in my memory for long lasting. I wishes all the best to them and followed by peace, happiness, stay health and blessed in their life.

Thailand Trip Day 11

Day 11 : After settle down, today early morning I start to explore this beautiful old town city Chiang Mai. Take Tha Pae Gate as base direction, I headed to north and south direction until I see another moat gate of Chiang Mai old city at each direction.

If you walk slowly, each direction to another moat gate takes you about 30 minutes. On the way there are few small lane on the left and right of the main road flourishing with coffee shops, guesthouses, tour packages agencies, massage shops, local residence houses, stalls selling foods and drinks, and Wat (temple).

To mentioned too, local food here are ranging from 25 baht to 50 baht and the drinks are ranging from 15 baht to 35 baht. For the coffee shops that built along the central Chiang Mai targeted to tourists, the food prices range from 60 baht to 250 baht and above and the coffee drinks prices range from 45 baht and above. In addition, cross the road of Tha Pae Gate do have international fast food chain shop – Mc Donald and Starbucks. Local foods here are quite small portion per dishes.

Day 12 : Wake up early morning, I start to explore towards east and west direction of Tha Pae Gate. Walk eastward takes me to famous market, Warorot Market and Ton Lam Yai Market. These 2 market is combination of wet market and dry market and do have stalls selling clothes, handicraft, and foods. The chestnuts (500 gram for 180 baht) here is very fragrance and crunchy, highly recommended. Both markets occupy quite large scale of spaces. There are a lot of other shops and goldsmith shops in this area.

When I arrive here at 7 am, Warorot Market and Ton Lam Yai Market are just open, but some stalls selling clothes and handicraft are not opened yet, and the besides shophouses are not open shops yet. The rest of the shops and stalls here opened at 9 am.

Opposite road of these 2 markets is Chiang Mai old city famous Night Bazaar. It starts operate every night from 7 pm until 1 am midnight. Night Bazaar gathers many western and Asian tourists especially those who are stay at star hotels. Few with stars big hotels are operated here. It has a lot of stalls open stretch along the shops and Anusarn Market (night market). Anusarn market does have stage performing Thailand traditional dance and besides of it is eateries food court. The journey to Warorot Market, Ton Lam Yai Market, Night Bazaar take around 20 minutes from Tha Pae Gate.

Afternoon I walk westward to Wat Phra Singh. Wat Phra Singh is a famous and big temple inside Chiang Mai old city precinct, together with Wat Chedi Luang. Both attract tourist buses bring in tourist to visit these over few hundreds years historical temple. Wat Phra Singh do have 700 years of history. On Sunday, Sunday Market is operated here stretching along the road from Wat Phra Singh to Tha Pae Gate. It takes 20 minutes to walk from Tha Pae Gate to Wat Phra Singh. If you like to stroll night market and buying, it might take you more than 3 hours to walk along the Sunday Market. Always bargain before you buy, normally around 20% of selling price. However, some minor stalls don’t let you bargain. Sunday Market is the most famous market in Chiang Mai and has the most local people coming here.

Thailand Trip Day 4

Day 4 – Day 9 : Today mark the start of my meditation course. At 9.30am I take Songthaew to Wat Rampoeng, Northern Insight Meditation Centre. Wat Rampoeng provides 10 days and 26 days basic meditation course. It accepts international students (foreign meditation people). They do have monk able to speak English and as translator between foreigner and abbot when reporting

Before you decide to go Wat Rampoeng to meditate, you should have resolution and dedicated mindset to meditate. It is really tough for those who like to talk. There are no talking, no handphone and no communication. What you do since you wake up at 4am until sleep at 10 pm is meditate, meditate, and meditate.

The meditation starts with mindfulness prostration. After that, proceed to walking meditation and then sitting meditation. Walking meditation and sitting meditation interchange every 15 minutes. The walking meditation and sitting meditation duration are increase everyday by 5 minutes. Sometimes depend on condition whereby when reporting and abbot review your progress, abbot allows you to maintain for same meditation duration.

At the last 3 days of 26 days basic course, you will be requested to meditate for 3 days 3 nights non stop without sleep. However, it is still dependence on individual meditator.

Meditation is really worth to experience, because it strengthen your mindset, allow you to face all the challenges with calm and resolution.

Day 10 – I am discharge from Wat Rampoeng. It is mistake cause by English language misunderstanding. Although later the foreign meditator officer ask me to stay back since it was cause by mistake, I decided to leave since I already done the closing ceremony without giving reason to abbot when asked why to leave the day before.

After left Wat Rampoeng, I headed to Tha Pae Gate as recommended by monk Phra Lim from Wat Rampoeng by motorbike (arranged by Phra Lim, really thanks to him) and then Songthaew.

Tha Pae Gate is a place where guesthouses were flourished. The guesthouses here range from 200 baht for single fan room to 550 baht for twin air-con room. It also depend on quality of guesthouses, some even expensive than hotel. Tha Pae gate is located central of Chiang Mai. You can reach Night Bazaar, Sunday Market, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Warorot Market and Ton Yam Lai market within walking distance. Each guesthouse do have own restaurant that provides foods (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and drinks with prices range from 50 baht to 150 baht. I strongly recommend all backpacker and traveler to rent a bicycle with 50 baht per day to tour around Chiang Mai ancient city. Chiang Mai ancient city is a tranquil and beauty city surrounding by moat and wat.

My recommendation is Julie guesthouse and Kavil guesthouse (for backpacker who looks for cheap accommodation). They look more promising in quality and cleanliness. If you see some ants and mosquito, it is normal in northern Thailand. All houses here‘s door and windows are covered by mosquito net to prevent mosquito and ants and insects entry. Julie guesthouse (180 baht per single fan room) is most popular among the tourist especially westerner backpacker.

All of the guesthouses here do provide hot water bath and Wi Fi (signal always very low). Some of guesthouses are awarded with certificate by Lonely Planet, Trip Advisor, Rough Guides and sticker of recommendation. You can take this as clue and gauge for the quality. I am late when arrive here, so I don’t notice it at the time.

Thailand Trip Day 1

Day 1 : Take 2.45pm flight to Bangkok. The flight takes 2 hours to arrive Bangkok Thailand. Thailand time zone is one hour behind Singapore time zone. However, Thailand daylight and night are same to Singapore. It means at 7 pm at Thailand, the sky as dark as 8pm in Singapore. My smartphone timing is automatically adjusted to Thailand time zone timing. I take the Airport Rail Link to Hua Lamphong railway station.

After 4 hours waiting at Hua Lamphong railway station, I onboard to 10pm train to Chiang Mai. The experience in the train is not bad though. Sometimes I feel the sleeper bed bumping up and down when lying. This will especially obvious if you take upper decker sleeper seat. The train contains three difference section/kinds of seat – air-con sleeper seat, non air-con sleeper seat, and normal sitting seat. I realize all westerner take non air-con sleeper seat. Non air-con seats have open window to let the fresh air flow in. The train is clean and comfortable.

 The train takes 17 hours to arrive Chiang Mai railway station, after traverse through villages, paddy fields, and greenery jungle road. The panoramic near to Chiang Mai along the journey is really nice and like picturesque. Looking far forward, it was flat land covered by greenery paddy field, and scarecrow squatting at the passageway of paddy field, some wear clothes and some without. They are like a guardian help their owner to take care of the paddy field from intruder. The air is so fresh when I stand at the connecting cabin section looking outside, breathing and taking photo.

 The train was delayed two hours to reach Chiang Mai railway station. It is common for the delay of train in Thailand. The delay normally can go up to 4 hours for Bangkok to Chiang Mai journey.

Day 2 : After arriving Chiang Mai railway station at 3pm, I take a Tuk-tuk to my hotel with the journey of 15 minutes drive away. It costs me 100 baht (actually less than 50 baht can get the Tuk-tuk already, and Songthaew roughly 30 baht, being ripped off).

When check in hotel, receptionist request for credit card details. I let them write down my credit card detail (this is really wrongdoing). After checking into my hotel room and bathed, I called my credit card bank to cancel my credit card functionality. Remember to insist of not providing credit card details to hotel receptionist (it is not compulsory and many tourists not given). It is my mistake for not thinking further and wisely. At the end they told me this is for deposit purpose in case I consume the drinks and snack inside the hotel room.

After that, I meet with another lady backpacker who takes upper decker sleeper seat with me on the train, and go to visit Chiang Mai University. Chiang Mai University is one of the recommended must go tourist spot in Chiang Mai. It covered large space of areas and have a lot of plants and greenery spaces. Here also places for me to understand their university’s environment, facilities and study culture.

At night, we go to Wat Phra Singh and Sunday Market. Wat Phra Singh was raised to the status of royal Wat (first class) under the royal patronage in 1941 AD. Sunday Market is just in front of Wat Phra Singh and stretch along the way to Tha Pae Gate. At Sunday Market you can see stalls selling local design clothes, handicraft, arts, wooden carving handicrafts, foods, fruit drinks, shoes and etc. You must bargain to get better price and the bargain normally around 20% of the selling prices.

Day 3 : Wake up early morning, today I take Songthaew (pickup taxi) to Doi Suthep temple Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (160 baht for round trip). Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai. It located at the middle of Doi Suthep hillside. Doi Suthep’s scenery is so picturesque and serene. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep receives a lot of tourists either Asian or westerner.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was built by King Phaya Kue Na of Lanna kingdom. King Phaya Kue Na engaged the Lord Buddha’s relics that he kept in his shrine for 13 years to the pagoda of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. He took the relics on the back of elephant and prayed for the sacred place. The elephant walked to the sacred Doi Suthep mountain and showed the significance that this is the most suitable place to keep the sacred relics by acclaiming and walking around for 3 times.

For traveler and backpacker, you can rent a motorbike costs 150 baht per day to go to Doi Suthep and Chiang Mai University. Chiang Mai University is next to the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain. From foot of Doi Suthep to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (entrance fee 30 baht) takes around 20 minutes journey. On the way up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most sacred monument of Kruba Siwichai was established as another place for the people to worship. You can relax at the beautiful natural waterfall of Montatarn as well as another sacred temple, Wat Palard, which is the first stop of the sacred elephant while took the journey of sacred relics to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Futher up of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is Bhuping Palace (entrance fee 50 baht). Bhuping Place is the royal winter residence in Chiang Mai where the Royal family stays during seasonal visits to the people in the northern Thailand. There is many beautiful flowers planted in Bhuping Palace.

Singapore Night Life

As night falls, Singapore takes on another faces to offer a vibrant nightlife and entertainment choices. There are nightclubs for the party enthusiast to revel the night away; bars and lounges for the thirsty hippos and chill cats; and live entertainment venues for the livewire revellers. Singapore nightlife spots are popular among Singaporean as a places to enjoy and relax after whole day of stress from work, and the places to engage with friends. Singapore nightlife spots  also attracts a lot of foreign business executive, professionals, foreign worker and traveler, immerse themselves into local nightlife and enjoy the party and environments.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay – a refurbished riverside of old warehouses – consists all exclusive bars and restaurants.  There are also moored Chinese junks (tongkangs) that have been refurbished into floating pubs and restaurants. A plastic jellyfish-looking roof has been built  with fountains in the centrepiece of the five blocks shophouses of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs and huge fans in place to cool the customers moving between crowded areas. When at night, Clarke Quay full with Singaporean and foreigner come for exclusive dinners, drinks, chill outs, and partying. All in all, Clarke Quay is highly recommended great for nightlife outing in the heart of Singapore.

Zouk Club Singapore

Zouk opened its business in Singapore in 1991 and has become a world famous clubbing institution, credited by introducing dance music and club culture to the region. Zouk offers best clubbing in Singapore for boundless entertainment & splendid nightlife experience. Zouk has won the Singapore Tourism Board’s “Best Nightspot Experience” award 6 times.

ZoukOut is an annual music dance festival held in Singapore since 2000. One of Asia’s biggest music dance festivals, ZoukOut is organized by Zouk Singapore. DJs that have performed at ZoukOut include Paul Van Dyk, 2ManyDJS, Masters at Work, Gilles Peterson, Richie Hawtin, Sven Vath, Peter Kruder, James Lavelle, Armin Van Buuren and Stereo MCs. ZoukOut has also won the Singapore Tourism Board’s “Best Leisure Event Experience” award thrice.

 Red-Light District Geylang

Geylang is a combination of shophouse scenery and hectic day and night life, including foreign workers quarters and karaoke lounges provides an alternative view of elements the rest of modern Singapore generally does not have. Shophouses along Geylang  area are protected from redevelopment, fruit stalls and several famous eateries have sprung up along the major road. Geylang is paradise for Singapore foodie, and many nice local foods can be found there.

A section of Geylang used to be the red-light district of Singapore. Thousands of Asian prostitutes mostly from other countries like Thailand, Indonesia, China and Malaysia work in Geylang, and visitors and locals alike flock to Geylang each evening and stay till morning. The district was home to hundreds of brothels. Some were regulated and legal by Singapore government, while others operate behind the scenes illegally. The legal houses in Geylang operating in sex practices were easily identifiable; their house numbers were large and bright red.

Shopping Paradise

As a open free trade country to attract global investor to Singapore, Singapore low tax has bring the benefit to Singapore as a shopping paradise to purchase branded goods with cheaper prices.  Come to Singapore, a few prime shopping district is a must go to grab your favourite items and goods especially branded handbag like Louis Vuiton, Hermes, Guicci. There are Orhard Road, NEX, Vivo City, and Bugis.

Orchard Road

Orchard Road is a 2.2 kilometers long street that is the retails and entertainments hub of Singapore. Orchard Road is a Singapore major tourist attraction, in addition to being the most popular shopping paradise in the Singapore. Orchard Road  contains numerous upmarket restaurants, coffee chains, cafés, nightclubs and hotels. It is also the site where the Istana located, an official residence of President of Singapore.

Each year, shopaholics from the region and visitors flood to Orchard Road to get their hands on bargain buys during the Great Singapore Sale  GSS from May to July. With prices slashed up to 70% off its original prices at the Orchard Road and in suburban shopping malls throughout Singapore, this much-anticipated annual mega sale promises nothing less than tremendous bargains on a dizzying array of items from both Singapore locals brands and international brands. In this period, there will be special privileges specially created for tourists to enjoy the range of exclusive lifestyle promotions, including gourmet dining, wellness experience, and nightlife & entertainment options. Among the most visited malls at Orchard Road is 313@Somerset, ION Orchard, The Ngee Ann City, The Paragon and the Lucky Plaza.

VivoCity

VivoCity is an iconic retail, entertainment & lifestyle destination that stimulates visitors with its vibrant mix of retail and entertainment concepts. VivoCity features wide, open spaces for waterfront relaxation and entertainment, and a full calendar year of exciting festivals and events that will attract Singaporean and foreign visitors. VivoCity is the largest retail mall in Singapore with a gross floor area of 1,500,000 square feet, design by Japanese architect Toyo Ito inspired by wave of the sea as where it located, waterfront of Harbourfront. VivoCity name is derived from the word vivacity carrying the meaning of “evokes a lifestyle experience that is modern, stimulating and accessible to everyone, a place bubbling with energy and flowing with vitality”.

VivoCity has Singapore’s largest cinema multiplex with 15 screens and 2,172 seats by the cinematic company Golden Village, along with one of the largest cinema screens in Asia. Companies such as Toys “R” Us and Dairy Farm have their flagship outlets in VivoCity. VivoCity’s design allows it to accommodate over 300 different tenants, including many new-to-market brands and retail concepts.

The Sky Park of the shopping mall is a popular place for all walks of life since its opening. The Play Court and the open spaces in the mall are also popular places with families and children alike in the mall. The Promenade and the entrance area with the water features around the mall a popular place for children to play in. The wading pool on the third floor is where many children play at besides the Play Court downstairs.

nex

nex  is a suburban shopping mall in Serangoon, located at the NorthEast Region of Singapore. nex is the largest mall in the Northeast region and one of the largest suburban malls in the Singapore.  There are over 350 tenants, with several anchor tenants. The mall claims to be unique in housing several major competitors, particular two supermarkets Fairprice Xtra and Cold Storage and two food courts Food Republic and Food Junction in the same mall. Freshness Burger and Kabe no Ana open their debut outlets in Singapore at nex.

nex has a SkyGarden situated on its rooftop. The SkyGarden comprises of a children’s playground with dry and wet interactive play equipment named KidzPlay and a dog park named K9 Park. K9 Park is the first dog park that is incorporated into a mall in Singapore. Dog owners allow to bring their pets into the mall via assigned lifts and escalators near the exterior of the mall. Only certain designated areas of the mall such as these are permitted to the pets. On the rooftop, there is also a Doggie Style Cafe that allows the pet owners and their pets to have a meal together.

Harbour Cruise

More than 600 years ago, the renowned Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho embarked on his grand and brave mission to discover new lands and peoples. Between the period 1405 and 1433, as commander of the Chinese Imperial fleet numbering more than 300 ships and 27000 men, he sailed across the oceans and seas, spreading China’s influence to Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and Africa. Some accounts say he also reached America – several years before Christopher Columbus.

Now you can experience the fun of sailing in a modern Chinese junk, designed and built to replicate the imperial splendor, of centuries ago. The vessel is modeled after the famous ship Da Fu (number four) of the ing Dynasty, when Chinese naval power was supreme.

This contemporary junk, with pagoda roof, ornately carved Imperial dragons  by her flanks and tiger’s head at the bow, cuts a striking swathe across the southern waters of Singapore.

The 43m long steel-hulled vessel takes 200 passengers comfortably. Sit in air-conditioned comfort on the main, second deck or third deck, or climb up to the observation aft0castle to enjoy the fresh sea freeze as the boat cruises smoothly through the harbour and outlying islands.

Cruising in the western anchorage, imagine how it would have appeared to Admiral Cheng Ho centuries ago. Instead of the large ships anchored here, waiting for quarantine and immigration clearance to enter the port of Singapore, e would have been greeted by small fishing boats.

On Kusu Island, also known as Turtle island, visit an ancient Chinese temple, a terrapin sanctuary and a Malay shrine. During the ninth lunar month, the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims, praying for good health, babies and a peaceful life.

Sentosa Singapore

Sentosa Singapore, formerly known as Pulau Belakang Mati (Island after death) is the centerpiece of Britain’s  unsuccessful “Fortress Singapore” strategy in World War II. Sentosa has been rebranded and resculpted into Singapore main tourist attraction, popular among Singaporeans as a quick island getaway.

The main attractions at Sentosa is Tiger Sky Tower, Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Underwater World, Dolphin Lagoon, Song of the Sea, Sentosa 4D Magix, Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure, Fort Silosa, Image of Singapore, Sentosa Luge & Skyride, MegaZip Adventure Park,  CineBlast, and Siloso Beach.

Tiger Sky Tower
The Tiger Sky Tower, previously known as Carlsberg Sky Tower, is Asia highest observation tower. Offering panoramic views at 131 metres above sea level across Singapore,or a height of 110 metres above ground, about 36 floors high, one can view the entire Singapore’s skyline on daylight, one might able to view part of Johor Bahru and Indonesia skyline.
The Tiger Sky Tower has a capacity of 72 in its enclosed, air-conditioned cabin.Tiger Sky Tower is a key point of interest and forms a distinctive landmark as it soars above the surrounding natural greenery.

Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom
Located in Singapore’s Sentosa Island, surrounded with lush tropical greenery, Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom showcases the stunning beauties of a different variety of beautiful butterflies and interesting insects.

At the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, visitors can have close encounters with 3,000 different species of insects – one of the largest collections in Asia.  Visitors can also see 1,500 live butterflies by taking a walk through the cool outdoor conservatory and watch young butterflies blossoming from the live pupae enclosure. In the live insect display section is a collection of live specimens which is closed separately in glass cases.  These live insects include dead leaf mantis, ghost spiders, jungle grasshoppers, long horned and single-horned beetles, ,an bugs, millipedes, scorpions and tarantulas.

A must – see outdoor experience for children, tourists and nature lovers alike, Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom has wowed visitors from all over the world. With the scents, sights and sounds of an authentic tropical rainforest, it’s a multi – sensory, interactive experience that’s guaranteed to engage you from start to finish.

Underwater World
Underwater World Singapore, situated on Sentosa Island of Singapore, is a unique and well-known oceanarium showcasing some 2500 marine life from 250 species from around the regions and is extremely popular with all visitors for providing fun, leisure and educational experiences.

At Underwater World Singapore, a ‘journey to the bottom of the sea’ begins with shallow rock turtle and ray pools. Be greeted next by brightly colored corals and exotic ocean dwellers before you embark on a spectacular underwater journey through our 83-metre-long moving travelator with a tunnel housing the majestic rays, fearsome sharks, great shoals of other fishes and a host of other creatures that inhabit the ocean depths.

Dolphin Lagoon
Dolphin performing an agile feat at the Dolphin LagoonThe Dolphin Lagoon is home to several Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins, also known as the “pink dolphins”. Several “Meet-the-Dolphins” sessions are held daily to allow visitors to enter the waist-deep pool and interact closely with the dolphins.

Song of the Sea
Songs of the Sea brings you a mesmerizing show with a live cast, dramatic effects and pyrotechnics. Water jets, flame bursts, lasers and captivating music make this a one-of-a-kind entertainment spectacle that’s fun for everyone. A rain or shine event, Song of the Sea is one performance that you won’t want to miss.
Sentosa 4D Magix
Sentosa 4D Magix presents an interactive movie experience with 4-dimensional digital effects.  This multi-million Sentosa 4D Magix Theatre is the first in Southeast Asia.  Using a state-of-the-art digital projection system, movies come to life right off the big screen.

Have a seat and feel a whole new generation in movie magic!  Equipped with in-built speakers as well as environmental effects like water features, seat vibration, leg ticklers and base shakers to give you THE ultimate difference. Be tossed about in your seats. Feel the wind blowing in your face and the water rushing your way.  Let the synchronization of this wide spectrum of special visual, sound, motion and environmental effects put you right in the middle of the action!

Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure
This personal mobile transporter is great fun and suitable for all ages. For first timer, the Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure starts with the Fun Ride introductory experience on a secure circuit. Trainers will help you familiarize and master this futuristic mobility device.

On the Guided Eco Adventure, advanced riders can enjoy a scenic glide along Siloso or Palawan Beach. Don’t miss Asia’s first night-time Go Green Segway Eco Adventure for an unforgettable after-dark experience.

Asia’s first and only night expedition on the Segway Personal Transporter (PT) makes its debut in Sentosa, Singapore. Also known as Gogreen After Dark (GAD) – Haunting of Blakang Mati, the spine-tingling adventure explores the dark, captivating past of Sentosa (formerly known as Pulau Blakang Mati).

Gogreen After Dark – Haunting of Blakang Mati promises a chance to travel back to 18th Century Sentosa, home to many merciless pirates, and to trace the origins of Pulau Blakang Mati. Re-live Sentosa’s beginnings by visiting the magnificent gun emplacements, the coastal trail and other intriguing landmarks such as the original site of the Dragon’s Teeth Gate.

Siloso Beach

Siloso Beach lies on the west portion of the southern coast. Siloso Beach is known as the place for beach volleyball among Singapore youngsters and other outdoor activities such as canoeing, skim boarding, mountain biking or rollerblading. There are also dining and shopping outlets along the Siloso Beach. The Rasa Sentosa Resort is located at the western end of Siloso Beach.