Chiang Mai
Three hundred temples, a mountain on the doorstep and a food scene that quietly beats the capital. Chiang Mai moves slower than Bangkok and rewards people who let it.
The old city and the mountain
The moated old city is walkable and full of teak temples. Doi Suthep sits 15 minutes up the mountain and is best at 7am, before the tour buses. Doi Inthanon, an hour and a half further, is a full day and worth it for the cloud forest.
Why people stay longer
Cooking classes, elephant sanctuaries, coffee farms and the Sunday Walking Street all sit within half an hour of each other. If you are building a two-week trip, give the north three nights rather than two — the difference is a day without a car.
Things to see in Chiang Mai
Temple
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
The golden chedi on the mountain above Chiang Mai, reached by 306 steps or a very short funicular.…
National park
Doi Inthanon National Park
Thailand's highest mountain, 2,565 metres, with cloud forest, two royal chedis and the Wachirathan waterfall.…
Sanctuary
Elephant Nature Park
A rescue sanctuary in a river valley north of Chiang Mai where elephants are observed, fed and walked — never ri…
Market
Sunday Walking Street
A kilometre of Ratchadamnoen Road closed to traffic every Sunday evening, filled with crafts, food stalls and te…
Temple
Wat Chedi Luang
A massive 15th-century ruined chedi in the middle of the old city, once home to the Emerald Buddha.…
Village
Doi Pui & the Hmong Village
A Hmong village and royal project gardens on the ridge above Doi Suthep, 1,400 metres up.…
Tours that include Chiang Mai
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4.9 (145)
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4.9 (180)
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4.9 (80)
Best of Thailand
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4.9 (110)
Luxury Thailand: Private Villas
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Experiences here
Add Chiang Mai to a longer trip
Most travellers combine it with two or three other places. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the route.