ANN/THE STAR – Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, is celebrated for its lively cityscape, vibrant nightlife, delectable street food, and bustling markets. In contrast, Chiang Mai, a mountainous city, charms with its serene nature and tranquil atmosphere, offering an equally captivating experience to Bangkok.
Recently, my friend and I embarked on an adventure to explore some purported “hidden gems” in Chiang Mai, inspired by numerous posts on social media and travel articles online. Opting for an overnight train journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, our experience was, to say the least, a bit shaky.
While there are various travel options available from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the sleeper train is widely regarded as the optimal choice for a unique and memorable experience, especially for tourists. We boarded the train at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (also known as Bang Sue Grand Station), the main terminal in Bangkok for long-distance rail travel – located near the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market. The train runs daily and leaves Bangkok at the same time each day, at 6.40pm.
Tickets have to be booked online in advance; you can collect them at a travel company, or have them delivered to you for a small fee.
Once we got on the coach, we stored our bags and sat in our seats, waiting to begin the 12- hour journey – the longest train ride either of us had ever taken. An attendant is stationed at every coach to assist passengers and to help convert the seats into beds, which typically starts around 9pm.
When this is done and the curtains are drawn, passengers on the lower berth are able to sleep in darkness as everything is covered. In the morning, they get to witness a spectacular view from their windows. Imagine waking up to a view of lush greenery and dense clouds forming over the mountains – it’s not something everybody gets to see each day. Another thing to keep in mind is how the train moves. It’s not like sitting in an LRT, MRT or bullet train. The sleeper trains are older so you feel their every movement.
It may take a while for some people to get used to it, more so to fall asleep. It can also get pretty loud so do bring along earplugs, earphones or headphones to block out the engine noise.
EMBRACING NATURE
Over the years, the city of Chiang Mai has become quite a magnet for travellers seeking a calm and relaxing holiday. Chiang Mai is Thailand’s third largest city, and it is surrounded by mountains and the forest.
For those who love hiking, the city has various trails for you to try.
Rolling hills and verdant valleys aside, this city is also known for its cultural wonders – from ancient temples to lesser-known hill tribes to unique culinary experiences.
A golden temple called Wat Phra That Doi Suthep sits atop a mountain and overlooks the city.
Built more than 600 years ago and named after the Doi Suthep mountain, the temple is said to be an important historical landmark in Chiang Mai. Legend has it that the temple was built to house a piece of bone from the shoulder of Buddha.
Our first stop in the city was Dantayvada. Also known as the Dantewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park, this is one of Chiang Mai’s latest attractions that opened in 2021. It is located in Mae Taeng district, and it roughly an hour to get there from the town centre.
With enchanting man-made waterfalls and a gorgeous fields, the park is more than just a visual delight as it offers a respite from the bustling cityscape. The stunning jungle-like setting adds to the “otherworldly” charm of Dantayvada.
Mae Taeng is also home to one of the nation’s most unique hot springs – the Pong Dueat Geyser. There are hot spring pools here for travellers to take a dip or have a soak during their visit. For those who want to have a quick bite or take a breather from their adventures, there are a few coffee shops within the park to check out.
We got into our ehailing car and went back into town. We saw many stalls selling all kinds of trinkets lining both sides of the road. As we were going past a women’s prison, our driver, Gai, said that some of the offenders will be sent to a massage training programme as part of their rehabilitation. – Giselle Soo