Chiang Mai is a relatively cheap place to visit comparing with Bangkok. It is also safe. Nobody actually attempted to con travelers as in Vietnam. The 3 important thing to remember is bargain, bargain and bargain for anything you need to pay for except accommodation.
The cost of the trip from Chiang Mai Airport to Seriwongse Hotel was about 120 baht by legal cab that you could pay at the airport. The journey was probably less than 30 minutes. Very convenient indeed.
Throughout my trip I was staying in Seriwongse Hotel (somehow the locals called it "Seriwong" by eliminating the "se"). Don't ask me what is the meaning of "se". The hotel was located near the famous nightly night market. The carpet in the room was slightly old but I had no issue with that. The room was generally good and the service was good as well. The staff were friendly and helpful. When my mobile phone failed to reach a local cab driver's mobile phone, one of the female staff even called him on her personal mobile phone for me without charging me any fee.
It was a relaxing slow pace trip for me. So, the first day, I basically did nothing except for exploring the night market.
On the second day I went to the following places:
Tiger Kingdom - you have the option to choose big tigers, medium tigers and small tigers to hang around with. I decided to pick big tigers as it was cheaper but higher risk I supposed. Anyway, I am still alive today. It costs 420 baht per person.
Maesa Elephant Camp - Entrance fee was 120 baht. 800 baht for 30 minutes elephant ride. 1200 baht for an hour elephant ride.
Note:
The above 2 places are nearby. So you could take a half day trip there by cab. I took the risk by taking illegal cab which cost me about 150 baht. He took me to some factories which was not part of then plan but I didn't mind. It was a norm for illegal cab drivers to do so in Thailand to obtain some sponsorship I supposed.
The following 2 places which I visited near Measa should be avoided especially the long neck Karen village:
Long neck village - It cost 500 baht to see some Karen vendors. Yes, vendors! There was no village. I personally think it's a rip-off. Yes, the dressed up in their native costumes but you would be very disappointed if you expected a village. I am still wondering where is the actual village.
Mae Rim Monkey School - It cost 200 baht. I was not that amazed as it was nothing unusual for me to watch a monkey show.
On the third day, I went to the white temple which was about 3 hours drive from Chiang Mai. You can skip the hot spring on the way there as it's just a resting place. The white temple was amazing though. There was no entrance fee. The journey cost me about 460 baht for two way by van. The driver took us to a honey factory which was not part of my plan but again I didn't mind.
On the forth day, I went to Doi Suthep which was relatively far from the town. There was Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which was located on a hill. It was the same temple that my grandparents visited decades ago as I could recall the photo I saw when I was a kid. The climb was very pleasant comparing to other temples I had visited in Laos and Cambodia. It was not too high. So forget about taking the cable car unless you are too old or have heart problem. There were some food, clothes and art vendors nearby. The prices were surprisingly not too costly unlike many tourism spots that rip off tourists. The journey cost around 200 baht. The old man (cab driver) didn't take me to any places I did not plan to go. The trip was about 1 hour plus from town.
The rest of the days, I was just loitering around the old city of Chiang Mai by walking from the hotel. The places I visited were:
Three Kings Monument
Wat Phra Chao Mengrai
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Phan Tao
Wat Chiang Man
Wat Phra Singh
There are 2 walking streets that are worth checking out if you're into shopping:
Saturday walking street - also called Wualai Walking Street which occurs on every Saturday night.
Sunday walking street - it ran along Ratchadamnoen Road at the old town.
The following markets are also worth visiting if you are curious about local markets:
Somphet Market - It's located in the old city near Tha Phae Gate. Basically, you can purchase some local food, fruits, vegetables, etc.
Warorot Market - It's located near Seriwongse Hotel. You could purchase local food, fruits, clothes, etc here.
The following are some prices of various items for budget purpose:
Fried rice - I managed to find a food stall with good food near Night Bazaar. It cost around 30 baht for fried rice.
Fried chicken wing - It cost around 10 baht for a fried chicken wing. You must try fried chicken/pork in Chiang Mai as they are delicious. Forget about KFC which sucks!
Khao soi - It looks like curry noodle served with pork or chicken in Chiang Mai style. It cost me around 30 baht.
Shorts - It cost me around 150 baht for a pair of military shorts.
T-shirt - It cost me around 140 - 150 baht for a t-shirt. 140 baht one was located in Night Bazaar not far from the place I had my fried rice.
Additional Info added on 22 March 2015:
Based on information I have gathered in 2015 after 2 years of my previous trip, the prices do not seem to have hiked. So, it is still a good place to visit comparing with Krabi which I won't go back again. In fact I got some information from my friends who are familiar with Thailand to avoid places like Phuket & Krabi which are too commercialised.
To those who are keen to know when is the right time to visit Chiang Mai, I was told to avoid the months of February, March, April & May due to the haze caused by burning of paddy fields during dry season.
Between May to October which is the rainy season, it's not too bad to visit because it normally does not rain the entire day. You can always rest in the hotel when it rains and go out when the rain stops. The weather is cooler with the rain. More often you will get rain at night which is very pleasant to sleep. It's not so crowded and everything could be cheaper because it's not peak season. My trip to Chiang Mai in 2013 was during this season and I don't mind the rainy season at all. Based on my experience, sometimes it rained pretty heavy in the late afternoon but the rain took only about 30 minutes. I would encourage you to have a rain coat ready, wearing shorts and sandals if you're traveling during rainy season - you may get a bit wet and flash flood may occur.
November, December and January are the winter months. I have been told that the weather is colder. Temperature may drop to 10 degree Celsius. This is the peak season when price of everything is likely to hike and you are likely to compete with the crowded tourists wherever you go. Probably this is the season I wish to experience in the future but I dislike that it is the peak season.
If I ever visit Chiang Mai again, I would really love to spend more time at Chiang Rai. I would be interested to spend some time at the villages of the hill tribes such as Karen, Hmong, etc. Mae Hong Son & Pai are some of the places I hope to visit.
