Chiang Mai, Thailand: travel guide
The Rose of the North — a cultural heartland of ancient temples, night bazaars, mountain elephant camps, and serene Lanna traditions.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- CNX
Top places to visit in Chiang Mai
Tha Phae Gate Old City Walk
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h
The most photographed gate of Chiang Mai old city walls (1296 CE), Tha Phae Gate opens onto the Tha Phae Road leading to the Night Bazaar. Sunday Walking Street ends here. The open square is a hub for local life, festivals, and evening…
Night Bazaar Chiang Mai
Market · 4.3 rating · about 3 h
A sprawling evening market along Chang Klan Road with hundreds of stalls selling handicrafts, clothing, souvenirs, and street food. The adjacent Anusarn Night Market has excellent Thai and international food. A reliable evening destination…
Riverside Night Market Saturday
Market · 4.3 rating · about 3 h
Chiang Mai Saturday Walking Street along Wualai Road — a 1km pedestrian market with over 600 stalls of handicrafts, hill tribe silver jewellery, Lanna ceramics, organic foods, and street food. Runs from 4pm to midnight every Saturday.
Mae Rim Valley Adventure Hub
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 5 h · entry THB 800
The Mae Rim valley north of Chiang Mai is the centre for adventure activities — ATV off-roading, white-water rafting on the Mae Taeng River, zip-lining through jungle canopy, and bungee jumping. Half-day and full-day packages widely…
Wat Phra Singh
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry THB 40
The most important and grandest temple in Chiang Mai, containing the revered Phra Singh Buddha image in the beautifully decorated Wihan Lai Kham chapel. The temple complex dates to 1345 and showcases the finest Lanna architecture in the…
Maya Mall Nimman Entertainment Hub
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
The modern anchor at the end of Nimmanhaemin Road, Maya Mall is the go-to for cinema, international food chains, and brand shopping in Chiang Mai. The rooftop terrace has good mountain views.
Chiang Mai Night Safari
Wildlife · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · entry THB 800
A large nocturnal wildlife safari park with trams and walking trails through illuminated habitats. Home to tigers, lions, Asiatic black bears, giraffes, and over 100 species. The night feeding shows are entertaining for families.
Wat Umong Forest Temple Tunnels
Temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h
A unique 13th-century Lanna temple complex in a forested area west of the Old City, built around a network of underground brick tunnels containing Buddha images. The forested grounds have a serene lake, deer, and dozens of inspirational…
Three Kings Monument Plaza
Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h
A striking bronze monument of the three kings who founded Chiang Mai in 1296 — Mangrai, Ngam Muang, and Khun Ram Kamhaeng. The plaza in front is the social heart of the Old City and the setting for major Loi Krathong and Songkran festivals.
Wat Lok Moli Lanna Monastery
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
A beautiful 14th-century Lanna-style temple just north of the Old City moat, notable for its massive white chedi and collection of ancient bronze Buddha images. Less visited than the main Old City temples but architecturally striking.
Buak Hard Public Park Chiang Mai Old City
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
The beloved Buak Hard Park at the southwest corner of the old city moat — a green oasis of manicured gardens, rose bushes, and the morning culture of Chiang Mai as locals do Tai Chi, walk their dogs, and the city slowly wakes up at dawn.
Sticky Waterfalls Buatong
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
A unique travertine waterfall where calcium carbonate deposits create a grippy surface, allowing visitors to walk directly up and down the falls barefoot without slipping — a genuinely magical experience unlike any waterfall in the world.
Things to do
- Chiang Mai Songkran Water Festival Experience Heritage · 8 h
- Chiang Mai Ancient Walled City Heritage Walk 1296 Heritage · 3 h · from THB 340 per person
- Chiang Mai Lanna Cuisine Khao Soi Heritage Tour Heritage · 4 h · from THB 690 per person
- Elephant Nature Park — Full Day Ethical Elephant Experience Nature · 7 h · from THB 2,600 per person
- Chiang Mai Mae Taeng White Water Rafting Grade IV Water Sports · 6 h · from THB 1,000 per person
- Chiang Mai Doi Pui Hmong Hill Tribe Village Heritage · 5 h · from THB 690 per person
- Chiang Mai Doi Inthanon Highest Peak Sunrise Nature · 10 h · from THB 1,400 per person
- Chiang Mai Bo Sang Traditional Umbrella Village Heritage · 3 h · from THB 170 per person
Day trips and tours
- Elephant Sanctuary Half-Day Experience 5 h · from THB 1,800
- Doi Inthanon & Karen Hill Tribe Day Tour 10 h · from THB 1,200
- Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle Day Trip 12 h · from THB 1,300
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
- Old City about THB 2,000 per night
Historic walled city with temples and night bazaar
- Nimmanhaemin about THB 2,500 per night
Trendy area with cafes, restaurants, and shopping
Hotels
- Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai 5-star · THB 28,000 to THB 120,000 per night
- AMANOR Hotel Chiang Mai 5-star · THB 4,500 to THB 8,500 per night
- Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai 5-star · THB 25,000 to THB 90,000 per night
- Rosewood Chiang Mai 5-star · THB 22,000 to THB 100,000 per night
- The Regent Chiang Mai Resort & Spa 5-star · THB 15,000 to THB 50,000 per night
- Anantara Chiang Mai Resort 5-star · THB 15,000 to THB 60,000 per night
Where to eat
- Sunday Walking Street Food Chiang Mai Thai, Street Food, Northern Thai · about THB 150 per person
- Huen Phen Old City Northern Thai, Thai, Heritage · about THB 250 per person
- SP Chicken Chiang Mai Northern Thai, Street Food, Grill · about THB 120 per person
- Cowboy Hat Lady Braised Pork Leg Thai, Street Food, Northern Thai · about THB 60 per person
- Talad Warorot Morning Market Thai, Street Food, Northern Thai · about THB 100 per person
- Nimman Night Bites Soi 9 Thai, Street Food, Market · about THB 150 per person
- Zoe in Yellow Bar Nimman Bar, Western, Thai · about THB 400 per person
- North Gate Jazz Co-op Bar, Western, Jazz · about THB 400 per person
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Chiang Mai
- May 35°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for May: 167.5 mm, 12 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHIANG MAI (WMO 48327)).
- Aug 32°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for August: 223.3 mm, 17.1 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHIANG MAI (WMO 48327)).
- Sep 32°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for September: 207.2 mm, 14.7 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHIANG MAI (WMO 48327)).