J+L in Transit

Welcome to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, about 430 miles north of Bangkok. It is also a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna. The Old City is surrounded by an ancient wall and moat. Within the city are many old temples. Getting around town is easy — plenty of red pickup trucks called songthaews roam around the city, acting as shared taxis. The food in Chiang Mai was very good, and the people are friendly!

View from Hotel Balcony

Songthaew, Transport Method of Choice in Chiang Mai -- Sort of Like a Shared Taxi

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the Old City of Chiang Mai. The temple was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The name literally translates to “Temple of the Big Stupa”.

Entrance to Wat Chedi Luang

Buddha Statue Covered in Gold Leaf

Inside the Temple at Wat Chedi Luang

Golden Statues at the Front of the Temple

Ancient Stupa at Wat Chedi Luang

Another Temple Building at Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Phra Singh

Wat Phra Singh is another large Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai’s Old City. This temple traces its origins back to 1345. The pure-white temple stupa is smaller than Wat Chedi Luang’s — but still very impressive!

Entrance to Wat Phra Singh

Gold Statue in Front of Wat Phra Singh

Golden Buddha in Temple at Wat Phra Singh

Side of the Temple at Wat Phra Singh

Stupa at Wat Phra Singh

Painting on the Wall of Temple

Another View of Painting

Make a Wish, Hit the Gong

Window of Temple

Loy Krathong

We happened to visit Chiang Mai during the biggest festival of the year, Loy Krathong. Loy Krathong is celebrated all throughout Thailand, but Chiang Mai is the largest celebration. Many Thais visit during this time to set off fireworks, launch floating lanterns, and send floating flower boatds down the river. The floating lantern tradition actually was part of another festival, Yee Peng, but the two are celebrated together these days. The festival lasts several days, with hundreds of beautiful glowing lanterns rising into the sky every night.

Kids Light a Floating Paper Lantern

Watch the Thai Family Launch Their Floating Lantern

Paper Lantern Floating Up Into the Sky

Waiting for Our Lantern to Fill with Hot Air

Almost Ready to Let Go...

Festival Lanterns Were Everywhere

Traditional Dance Performance

Colorful Decorations

Paper Lanterns

A Potter Making Clay Tea Light Holders

Arts and Crafts Time: We Made Some Krathong, Sort of a Flower Boat to Float Down the River

Lin with the Krathong Lady

Around Town in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai was a great town to explore with so many good restaurants, coffee shops, massage places, and beautiful scenery everywhere.

Chiang Mai Tuk-Tuk

We Hesitated to Order a Burrito in Thailand, But It Turned Out Good!

Mango Sticky Rice

Fried Brown Rice and Vegetables

Chiang Mai Ancient Coffee

Gate in the Old City Wall

Night Market

Foods at the Night Market

Night Market Pad Thai

Waffle Lady

Even Monks Need Cash

Stupa on the Side of the Road, Chiang Mai

Pad Thai

Curry in a Coconut

Ice Cream in a Coconut

Three Kings Statue

Satay Street Food

Temple at Night

Another Pad Thai

Khao Soi, Sort of a Curry and a Specialty of Chiang Mai

Durians Were Not Welcome in Many Places (Too Smelly!)

Breakfast

Fried Rice

More Pad See Ew

Yumm

Heading Out of Town

Because of Loy Krathong, every hotel in town was booked. We ended up heading out of town into the mountains after a couple of days because we couldn’t extend our hotel reservation. Stay tuned for the next post…

Packed Up and Moving On