Chiang Mai
Northern Thailand's cultural capital surrounded by mountains
Listing data updated
About Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has been drawing travelers north for decades, and it's easy to see why. The Old City, a neat square moat enclosing over 30 temples, is walkable, leafy and far more relaxed than Bangkok. Step outside the moat and you'll find Nimmanhaemin Road's cafe culture, the massive Warorot Market on the river, and the slopes of Doi Suthep rising 1,600 meters to the west.
The city has become Thailand's unofficial capital for digital nomads and long-stay expats, with co-working spaces and excellent coffee shops on every block. But it's the surrounding mountains that set Chiang Mai apart: elephant sanctuaries in Mae Taeng, hill-tribe villages near Doi Inthanon (Thailand's highest peak at 2,565m), and some of the country's best trekking. Songkran here is legendary, three full days of city-wide water fights.
7 Days in Thailand
7-day itinerary
Thailand for First Timers
Specialist guide
Thailand Honeymoon Guide and 10-Day Itinerary
Specialist guide
Thailand Digital Nomad Guide
Specialist guide
Chiang Mai City Guide
Specialist guide
Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Specialist guide
Thailand Solo Travel Guide
Specialist guide
10 Days in Thailand Itinerary
10-day itinerary
Thailand on a Budget
Specialist guide
2-Week Thailand Itinerary
14-day itinerary
Thailand with Kids
Specialist guide
Solo Female Travel in Thailand
Specialist guide
Thailand Cultural Etiquette
Specialist guide
Songkran Festival Thailand
Specialist guide
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
Specialist guide
Muay Thai Training in Thailand (Camps, Costs and Where to Go)
Specialist guide
Where to Watch Muay Thai Fights in Thailand, With Every Stadium, Night and Ticket Price
Specialist guide
Wellness Retreats in Thailand, Every Type Sorted by Goal and Cost
Specialist guide
Meditation Retreats in Thailand, From Monasteries and Silent Retreats to the 3-Day Options
Specialist guide
The 20 Famous Thai Dishes to Try and Where to Eat Them
Specialist guide
Chiang Mai Lantern Festival 2026 (Yi Peng)
Specialist guide
Loy Krathong 2026
Specialist guide
Christmas in Thailand
Specialist guide
New Year's Eve in Bangkok
Specialist guide
Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting?
Specialist guide
Backpacking Thailand
Specialist guide
The Best Places in Thailand for Foodies, Ranked City by City
Specialist guide
3-Week Thailand Itinerary
0-day itinerary
Thailand Itinerary for 1, 2 or 3 Weeks, and How Many Days You Need
0-day itinerary
Thailand in December
Specialist guide
Thailand in January
Specialist guide
Thailand in November
Specialist guide
Thailand in February
Specialist guide
Thailand in April
Specialist guide
Thailand in May
Specialist guide
Thailand in September
Specialist guide
Thailand in October
Specialist guide
Thailand's Rainy Season, Region by Region
Specialist guide
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: Mid-February – April (smoke & heat)
Avg. temperature
16°C – 37°C(61°F – 99°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (about 75 min), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take 12–13 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city center)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Compare prices across major booking sites, and filter for free-cancellation rooms if you want to reserve now and decide later.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
One Key member prices
Compare rates on Trip.com
Strong across Asia
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Explore Chiang Mai by Category
Looking for a ranked itinerary-style list instead? Start with our Things to Do in Chiang Mai guide, then come back here to browse every listing by category.
Chiang Mai offers 653 curated places to explore across 8 categories. Choose from 82 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 140 restaurants and dining spots. Visit 82 temples and cultural landmarks. Book from 153 activities and tours.
Browse by category below or scroll down to see top-rated picks in each category. Every listing includes Google ratings from verified visitors, price ranges, and direct booking links where available.
Book ahead in Chiang Mai
The best-reviewed tours Klook sells in Chiang Mai, with today's prices. Most cancel free up to 24 hours ahead.
Where to stay
Best Hotels in Chiang Mai
My pick at each price level in Chiang Mai, going by Google's hotel class. Hotels from my ranked list of the 10 best come first, then the best-reviewed. Each button opens the hotel on Booking.com with your dates filled in.
#1Luxury · 5-star
Shangri-La Chiang Mai4.6 (4,289 reviews)
Upscale hotel near Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar, offering spacious rooms, a pool, spa, and Szechuan dining.
Check rates
#3Mid-range · 4-star
U Chiang Mai Hotel4.8 (2,000 reviews)
Chic boutique hotel on Rachadamnoen Rd offering a fitness center, European bistro, and open-air bar.
Check rates
#9Budget · 3-star
Cross Chiang Mai Riverside4.8 (994 reviews)
A boutique riverside resort in Chiang Mai offering stylish rooms, a spa, pool, and upscale dining.
Check rates
Hotels & Resorts
Shangri-La Chiang Mai
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
Meliá Chiang Mai
U Chiang Mai Hotel
Restaurants & Food
Tong Tem Toh
Huen Phen
Khao Soi Khun Yai
Free Bird Cafe
Temples & Culture
Doi Suthep Temple
Tha Phae Gate
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Wat Chedi Luang
Markets & Shopping
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Central Chiangmai
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center
Central Chiangmai Airport
Activities & Tours
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai
Mon Jam
Chiang Mai Night Safari
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
Nightlife & Bars
The North Gate Jazz Co-Op
Zoe in Yellow
Warm Up Cafe
MAI The Sky Bar
Wellness & Spas
The Women's Massage Center by Ex-Prisoners
Green Bamboo Massage
Zira Spa
Calm Massage and Spa ( Inthawarorot branch )
Transportation
Chiang Mai International Airport
Getting to Chiang Mai and Onward
Getting here
- BangkokChiang MaiFastest Flight, 1h 10–20m (+ airport time)Cheapest Express bus, $16–25Compare all 6 ways
- Chiang RaiChiang MaiFastest Minivan, ~3hCheapest Green Bus, Express class, ฿260–290Compare all 4 ways
- PaiChiang MaiFastest Private car, About 3hCheapest Prempracha minivan, About ฿150 at the counter (฿180–270+ online)Compare all 5 ways
Onward from Chiang Mai
- Chiang MaiBangkokFastest Flight, 1h 05–25m (+ airport time)Cheapest Rapid No. 102, fan seat, $7–12Compare all 6 ways
- Chiang MaiChiang RaiFastest Minivan, ~3hCheapest Green Bus, Express class, ฿260–290Compare all 4 ways
- Chiang MaiPaiFastest Other vans from the Old City, About 3–4hCheapest Prempracha minivan, About ฿150–220 at the counter, ฿270–355 onlineCompare all 6 ways
Live Bangkok → Chiang Mai departures on 12GoEvery route in Thailand, compared
12Go is a sponsored link. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chiang Mai
When should you avoid Chiang Mai?
Mid-February to April brings the burning season, when farmers clear fields and air quality drops sharply. AQI passes 200 on the worst days. If you've got respiratory issues, I'd skip this window entirely. The rest of the year is pleasant, and November to February brings cool nights dipping to 15°C.
How do you get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Flights take 1 hour 10 to 20 minutes, with fares from about $20 on AirAsia or Nok Air. The overnight sleeper is the classic way up. Train No. 9 leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:40 and arrives about 07:15, and a second-class berth costs ฿941–1,041. Buses run from Mo Chit and take 9–10 hours.
Is Chiang Mai good for families?
Excellent. The pace is slower than Bangkok, traffic is manageable, and there's plenty for kids to do: elephant sanctuaries, zipline courses at Flight of the Gibbon, the Chiang Mai Zoo, and easy temple visits. Plenty of restaurants cater to families and international palates.
What's the difference between the Old City and Nimman area?
The Old City (inside the moat) is where you'll find the big temples, budget guesthouses, and the Sunday Walking Street. Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) is the modern side: boutique hotels, speciality coffee, craft cocktails and co-working spaces. Most visitors split their time between both, and they're a 10-minute songthaew ride apart.
Planning your trip to Chiang Mai?
Essential planning guides for every Thailand trip — costs, timing, visas, and safety.