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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7 Days in Thailand
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Thailand for First Timers
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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)
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.
Hotels & Resorts
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Shangri-La Chiang Mai
Refined rooms & suites in a posh hotel featuring a poolside bar, a spa & a Szechuan restaurant.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
Elegant resort offering upscale rooms & suites, refined restaurants & a posh spa, plus a pool.
U Chiang Mai Hotel
Chic hotel with a 24-hour fitness center, a European bistro-style restaurant & an open-air bar.
Meliá Chiang Mai
Understated rooms & suites in a premium hotel offering a spa, plus a rooftop bar with city views.
Restaurants & Food
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Central Chiangmai
A large modern shopping mall on the Chiang Mai superhighway with extensive dining, retail, and a celebrated food hall.
Nimmanhaemin Road
Trendy district with artisan cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops
Khoei Chiang Mai - Northern Food (Chiang Mai Restaurant)
Authentic northern Thai cuisine on Thanon Santitham, serving traditional Chiang Mai dishes daily at mid-range prices.
The Good View Bar & Restaurant
Riverside Thai restaurant and bar with live music, open nightly until 1am in Chiang Mai.
Temples & Culture
View allDoi Suthep Temple
Hilltop temple overlooking Chiang Mai with stunning golden chedi
Tha Phae Gate
Chiang Mai's iconic eastern gate to the Old City, a historic Lanna-era landmark free to visit any time.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
A hilltop golden Buddha temple near Chiang Mai offering panoramic city views, free entry, and genuine tranquillity.
Wat Chedi Luang
Temple complex with a partially crumbled 15th-century chedi & a pillar believed to protect the city.
Markets & Shopping
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Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Bustling night market featuring street food vendors & local crafts, plus souvenirs.
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center
Sprawling, upscale mall features dozens of boutiques, gift shops, eateries & a cinema.
Central Chiangmai Airport
Northern Thailand's largest shopping complex, ideally placed beside Chiang Mai International Airport.
One Nimman
Retail shops, cafes & food stalls share space in a modern marketplace with big windows & a hip vibe.
Activities & Tours
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Chiang Mai Night Safari
Large zoo with many animal species, day & evening tram safari rides, kids' activities & shows.
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
A geothermal park near Chiang Mai where visitors soak, picnic, cook eggs in boiling springs, and camp overnight.
Wachirathan Waterfall
A powerful multi-viewpoint waterfall inside Doi Inthanon National Park, famous for morning rainbows and easy paved access.
Chiang Mai Zoo
Sizable zoo & aquarium with a snow dome, panda exhibit & kids’ water park, plus animal feedings.
Nightlife & Bars
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The North Gate Jazz Co-Op
This laid-back venue presents a regular lineup of live jazz artists in a casual space.
Zoe in Yellow
Bustling nightclub complex with DJs playing electronic & hip hop music & serving alcohol in buckets.
Warm Up Cafe
Iconic Chiang Mai nightclub on Nimman Road with live music, multiple zones, and mid-range prices.
MAI The Sky Bar
Rooftop bar atop the Melia hotel offering panoramic Chiang Mai views, open nightly from 5 PM to midnight.
Wellness & Spas
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Zira Spa
Luxurious spa with refined treatments & massages for men & women in elegant surrounds.
Calm Massage and Spa ( Inthawarorot branch )
A highly regarded Thai massage and spa near Chiang Mai's Old City, praised for skilled therapists and a genuinely calming atmosphere.
Refresh Thai Massage – Old City Chiang Mai
A highly regarded traditional Thai massage studio on Ratchamanka Road in Chiang Mai's historic Old City.
Calm Massage and Spa ( Chiang Mai Gate branch )
A highly regarded Thai massage and spa near Chiang Mai Gate, well-placed for a mid-sightseeing retreat.
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.