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.
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Chiang Mai City Guide
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Things to Do in Chiang Mai
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Solo Female Travel in Thailand
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Thailand Cultural Etiquette
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Songkran Festival Thailand
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Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
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Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers 607 curated places to explore across 7 categories. Choose from 80 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 114 restaurants and dining spots. Visit 88 temples and cultural landmarks. Book from 131 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.
Pick where to stay in Chiang Mai
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Hotels & Resorts
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Shangri-La Chiang Mai
Upscale hotel near Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar, offering spacious rooms, a pool, spa, and Szechuan dining.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
A luxury riverside resort in the heart of Chiang Mai, blending colonial elegance with Thai heritage.
U Chiang Mai Hotel
Chic boutique hotel on Rachadamnoen Rd offering a fitness centre, European bistro, and open-air bar.
Meliá Chiang Mai
A premium hotel on Charoen Prathet Rd offering elegant rooms, a spa, and rooftop bar with city views.
Restaurants & Food
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Central Chiangmai
Chiang Mai's largest modern mall, with two food halls, designer boutiques, and a grocery store along the superhighway.
Nimmanhaemin Road
Chiang Mai's trendiest street, packed with modern cafes, organic eateries, art galleries, and boutique shops.
Khoei Chiang Mai - Northern Food (Chiang Mai Restaurant)
Authentic northern Thai restaurant in Chang Phueak serving traditional Chiang Mai cuisine at mid-range prices.
The Good View Bar & Restaurant
Riverside Thai restaurant and bar with nightly live music, open every evening until 1am.
Temples & Culture
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Doi Suthep Temple
A sacred mountaintop Buddhist temple from 1383, offering a golden chedi and sweeping views over Chiang Mai.
Tha Phae Gate
Chiang Mai's iconic eastern Old City gate, a restored Lanna-era landmark surrounded by a lively public square.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
A hilltop Buddhist temple southwest of Chiang Mai, free to enter and genuinely peaceful year-round.
Wat Chedi Luang
A towering 14th-century ruined chedi at the heart of Chiang Mai's Old City, open daily until late.
Markets & Shopping
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Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
A sprawling nightly market on Changklan Road blending street food, local crafts, and lively atmosphere.
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center
A modern, well-organised mall in Chiang Mai offering shopping, dining, and entertainment daily until 10pm.
Central Chiangmai Airport
Chiang Mai's largest shopping complex, conveniently located beside the international airport.
One Nimman
A hip open-air shopping complex on Nimmanahaeminda Road blending indie retail, cafes, and street food.
Activities & Tours
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Chiang Mai Night Safari
A large wildlife park offering day and night tram safari rides through natural animal habitats.
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
A geothermal park 30km east of Chiang Mai with hot springs, egg boiling, gardens, and camping.
Wachirathan Waterfall
A powerful, photogenic waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park with paved paths, multiple viewpoints, and morning rainbows.
Chiang Mai Zoo
A large hillside zoo in Chiang Mai featuring an aquarium, red pandas, and a wide variety of animals.
Nightlife & Bars
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The North Gate Jazz Co-Op
A beloved live jazz venue near Chiang Mai's old city walls, open nightly with a buzzing, budget-friendly vibe.
Zoe in Yellow
Chiang Mai's iconic open-air nightlife complex in the Old City, with DJ music, dancing, and mid-range drinks.
Warm Up Cafe
A Chiang Mai nightlife institution on Nimman Road, blending live music, a dance floor, and food.
MAI The Sky Bar
Rooftop bar atop the Melia Chiang Mai with panoramic city views, open nightly from 5 PM.
Wellness & Spas
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Zira Spa
A highly regarded luxury spa in Chiang Mai's old town, offering professional massages and treatments daily until 10pm.
Calm Massage and Spa ( Inthawarorot branch )
A well-regarded massage and spa near Chiang Mai's Old City, praised for attentive care and a genuinely calming atmosphere.
Refresh Thai Massage – Old City Chiang Mai
A highly regarded massage spa on Ratchamanka Road, known for skilled therapists and traditional Thai treatments.
Calm Massage and Spa ( Chiang Mai Gate branch )
A well-regarded traditional Thai massage and spa in Chiang Mai's historic old city, steps from Chiang Mai Gate.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chiang Mai
When should you avoid Chiang Mai?
March to early May brings the burning season, when farmers clear fields and air quality drops significantly — AQI regularly exceeds 200. If you have respiratory issues, skip this window entirely. The rest of the year is pleasant, with November to February offering cool nights dipping to 15°C.
How do you get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Flights take about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with fares from ฿800 on AirAsia or Nok Air. The overnight sleeper train (departs Bangkok around 6pm, arrives 7am) is a classic experience — book a second-class sleeper berth for ฿800–1,000. 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 are plenty of kid-friendly activities: elephant sanctuaries, zipline courses at Flight of the Gibbon, the Chiang Mai Zoo, and easy temple visits. Many 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, specialty coffee, craft cocktails, and co-working spaces. Most visitors split time between both; they're a 10-minute songthaew ride apart.