Travel guide · Thailand
Chiang Mai travel guide
Lanna temples, night markets and mountain day trips in northern Thailand
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nawit science, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Founded in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai keeps a square old city ringed by a moat and fragments of brick wall, with dozens of temples inside. Beyond the moat are the café district of Nimmanhaemin, the Ping River and the forested slopes of Doi Suthep, crowned by the city's most sacred temple. It is a relaxed base for cooking classes, ethical elephant sanctuaries, markets and day trips to Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are November–February.
Key facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Best time to visit
- November–February
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- CNX
- Mid-range daily budget
- $60–$140 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Doi Suthep, Old city temples, Khao soi and Sunday Walking Street
Why visit Chiang Mai
- More than 100 temples in and around the old city, from the ruined chedi of Wat Chedi Luang to the gilded Wat Phra Singh, are mostly free or low-cost to visit.
- Doi Suthep's hilltop temple, reached by a 306-step naga staircase, looks over the whole city.
- Northern Thai food differs from Bangkok's: khao soi curry noodles, sai ua herb sausage and chilli dips with sticky rice.
- Weekend walking streets and the nightly bazaar sell crafts from the surrounding hill country.
- Ethical elephant sanctuaries, Doi Inthanon and mountain villages are all within a couple of hours.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 20 things to do.
Religious site · Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai's most sacred temple stands on the mountain 15 km west of the city, about 1,000 metres up.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Old City
Wat Phra Singh
The old city's grandest temple houses the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image in the Viharn Lai Kham, a small chapel with classic Lanna wooden gables and murals of 19th-century northern life.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Art
Religious site · Old City
Wat Chedi Luang
The great brick chedi at the centre of the old city was partly destroyed by an earthquake in the 16th century and now stands as a massive ruin with elephant sculptures on its base.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Old City
Wat Chiang Man
Considered the oldest temple in the city, founded by King Mangrai around the time of Chiang Mai's founding in 1296.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Old City
Tha Phae Gate and the old city walls
The rebuilt brick gate on the eastern side of the moat is the old city's best-known landmark and a meeting point for festivals and markets.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Market · Old City
Sunday Walking Street
Every Sunday evening, Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate to Wat Phra Singh closes to traffic and fills with stalls selling handicrafts, textiles and snacks, with food courts in temple grounds along the way.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
- Kids
Where to stay
Old City is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, budget and solo travellers
Old City
Temple-filled square inside the moat, with guesthouses and quiet sois
$$ · Best for shopping, first-timers, nightlife and families
Tha Phae and Night Bazaar
Market streets between the east moat and the river
$$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and couples
Nimmanhaemin
Trendy grid of cafés, galleries and condos near the university
$$$ · Best for couples, luxury and quiet stays
Riverside
Boutique hotels and teak houses along the Ping River
What to eat
- Khao soi — Chiang Mai's signature dish: egg noodles in a rich, mildly spiced coconut curry broth with chicken or beef, topped with crispy fried noodles and served with pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime.
- Sai ua — A coarse northern pork sausage seasoned with lemongrass, kaffir lime, galangal and chilli, grilled over charcoal.
- Nam prik noom — A smoky green-chilli dip made from roasted chillies, garlic and shallots, eaten with sticky rice, pork crackling and fresh vegetables.
- Gaeng hang lay — A Burmese-influenced pork belly curry with ginger, tamarind and garlic and little coconut milk, rich and slightly sweet.
- Khanom jeen nam ngiao — Fermented rice noodles in a tangy tomato and pork broth with dried kapok flowers and blood tofu, garnished with crispy garlic.
- Khao kha moo — Pork leg stewed for hours in soy and five-spice, sliced over rice with pickled greens and a boiled egg.
When to go
The best time to visit Chiang Mai is November to February, when the weather is dry, sunny and cool enough for temple walks and mountain trips. Avoid March, when smoke from agricultural burning frequently makes air quality unhealthy. The June–October rainy season is green and inexpensive, with showers usually in the afternoon.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool season | November–February | Dry, sunny and comfortable with cool nights; peak season for festivals such as Yi Peng and for trekking. |
| Hot and smoky season | March–May | Temperatures in the mid-30s and frequent haze from crop burning, easing when the first rains arrive in May; Songkran falls in April. |
| Rainy season | June–August | Lush and green with afternoon storms; low prices and few visitors, with waterfalls at their best. |
| Late rains | September–October | Heavy showers in September give way to drier, greener days in October before the high season. |
Getting there and around
Chiang Mai International Airport is only about 4 km south-west of the old city; the ride takes about 10–20 minutes by taxi or app car, and taxis leave from a counter in arrivals. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take about 11–13 hours.
The old city is walkable, and the rest of central Chiang Mai is a short ride away by red songthaew, tuk-tuk or app car. There is no metro; many visitors rent scooters, but traffic around the moat is heavy and accidents are common.
Plan your days
Three days covers the old-city temples, Doi Suthep, a cooking class and the weekend markets. Five days adds an elephant sanctuary and Doi Inthanon; a week allows Chiang Rai or a night in the mountains at Chiang Dao or Mae Kampong.
Practical information
- Currency
- THB
- Language
- Thai and Northern Thai (Kham Mueang)
- Plugs
- Type A, B, C and O sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled water or the inexpensive refill machines found around the city.
- Emergency number
- Police 191, ambulance 1669, Tourist Police 1155
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected but appreciated.
Scooter accidents are the biggest risk for visitors, especially on the steep mountain roads. From about February to April smoke can make air quality hazardous, so check readings and carry a proper mask. Dogs can be territorial on rural roads and trails.
Flights to Chiang Mai
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
Three days covers the old-city temples, Doi Suthep, a cooking class and the weekend markets. Five days adds an elephant sanctuary and Doi Inthanon; a week allows Chiang Rai or a night in the mountains at Chiang Dao or Mae Kampong. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
The best time to visit Chiang Mai is November to February, when the weather is dry, sunny and cool enough for temple walks and mountain trips. Avoid March, when smoke from agricultural burning frequently makes air quality unhealthy. The June–October rainy season is green and inexpensive, with showers usually in the afternoon.
+What is Chiang Mai known for?
Doi Suthep, Old city temples, Khao soi, Sunday Walking Street, Cooking classes, Elephant sanctuaries and Yi Peng lanterns. More than 100 temples in and around the old city, from the ruined chedi of Wat Chedi Luang to the gilded Wat Phra Singh, are mostly free or low-cost to visit.
+Is Chiang Mai expensive?
Chiang Mai is very affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $60–$140 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Chiang Mai?
Not in the city. A car or a hired driver is useful for Doi Inthanon, Chiang Rai and mountain villages; tours with transport are an easy alternative.