Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Chiang Mai day tour

Chiang Mai based tour guide, and now my good friend, Phil picked me up from my place of accommodation one morning and drove me to Wat Ket Karam by the River Ping. According to a stone inscription at this temple, it was built by King Sam Fang Kaen in the fifteenth century. The Wat Ket Karam pagoda is worshipped by people who were born in the year of the dog according to the Chinese zodiac system. The pagoda contains Lord Buddha’s clothes and strands of hair, which he left behind when he joined monkhood. It also contains one of his teeth.



The other attraction within the temple premises is the Wat Ket Karam Museum, which was established in 1999. This museum preserves the valuable items of the Wat Ket Karam community. The first hall displays items from the community, including a shrine of Buddha images in Myanmar style, household objects and Lanna musical instruments. Most of the household objects are pottery items, placed on a wooden shelf and exhibited in a manner in which they were used in the past. The second hall contains items including a large ceremonial cloth displayed on shelves inside a glass cabinet, books, religious items, glassware, bowls and contemporary items such as fans, ceiling boards and water pumps. It also features a display of old pictures, images of Buddha, a traditional Burmese fan, some works of Lanna literature, wooden, stone and cement figures of Hindu Gods, ancient weighing scales and an old gramophone record. There are displays of a dragon flag, ancient clothes and traditional clothes, presented in cabinets of hung around the walls.



After spending a good hour looking around the temple and the museum premises, we crossed the Nakornping Bridge and walked over to the Warorot Market, or Kad Luang, as it is known locally. This is the biggest and oldest local market in Chiang Mai, the place to visit if one is looking for local products. The market offers almost everything ranging from food, clothing and jewelry. I had been here eight years ago, but what I hadn’t realized then was that the market was spread out over several blocks. Phil gave me a proper tour of the market, and because I thought it was so good, I went back there in my free time later for several more visits. This market offers a delightful local shopping experience. It is clean and well-maintained. The vendors are friendly and polite. The stalls are literally uncountable and the market could get busy. It is not to be missed when one is visiting Chiang Mai.



After our visit to the Warorot Market, we hired a tricycle rickshaw for a short ride to the other side of the river. It was time for lunch. They say that you have not been to Chiang Mai if you haven’t had a bowl of khao soy (northern Thai egg noodle curry) and visited Doi Suthep. So what was I waiting for? A bowl of khao soy at a local restaurant!

After lunch, we drove to the Tha Pae Gate, which is a famous city landmark. It holds a historical significance, standing as the remains of the old city’s fortified wall. Located on the eastern wall, it dates back to the year 1296, but the present-day Tha Pae Gate was rebuilt in 1985-86. It is a great resting area in the afternoon heat. It offers a beautiful view of the canal and the fountains. There are also great shops, restaurants and local markets in the vicinity. Tha Pae Gate is a good place to visit especially on Sunday evenings, when a walking street night market is organized along the Ratchadamnoen Road, starting from the Tha Pae Gate, with roads closed to traffic. I have been to the walking street night market twice and enjoyed myself both times. Also, this is the biggest walking street night market I have seen so far, busy and with so much to see and buy.



After a cup of coffee in the Tha Phae neighborhood, we ended the day tour, but having lived in Chiang Mai for almost two months, I have gathered plenty of local experience, and one of this is using rot daeng, or red taxi, for local travel. I have used the red taxi several times to travel to the city center and Doi Suthep. It’s a very inexpensive (and local) way to travel around Chiang Mai. It could be a bit time consuming, though, as drivers wait for passengers to fill the car to capacity.



Chiang Mai has a lot to offer, and in one day there is only so much that one can cover. I am grateful to LJ Biz for organizing the day trip for me with the major Chiang Mai attractions packaged for me in a localized manner. Thank you!




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1 comment:

  1. hi i wolud like to appriciate your above post that was such a awosome one thanks LTC Package|Pilgrimage Tour Package

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