Chiang Mai is the largest city of northern Thailand, founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the capital of the Lanna kingdom. The old centre is surrounded by a square moat and remnants of walls and hides more than thirty Buddhist temples, of which the most famous is Wat Phra Singh. Above the city rises Doi Suthep mountain with a golden temple and a view. Chiang Mai is home to markets, Thai cooking classes, massages and craft shops and is considered the most pleasant city in Thailand for a longer stay. The surroundings offer elephant sanctuaries, waterfalls and Doi Inthanon National Park with the highest mountain in Thailand. From Bangkok a plane flies in an hour and a train runs in twelve hours. The best time is November to February, when it is dry and pleasant; in March and April it is hot and smoky from field burning, in summer it rains. You pay in baht and prices are low.
The places worth your time in Chiang Mai, and what to expect at each
Doi Suthep
A golden temple of the fourteenth century on Doi Suthep mountain, sixteen kilometres from the city, the holiest temple of northern Thailand. Three hundred and six steps or a cable car lead up to the temple. From the terrace there is a view of Chiang Mai.
Tip: Entry costs about three euros. Go in the morning for the view; bring clothes that cover shoulders and knees. In the afternoon there are crowds.
old city
The square old city surrounded by a moat with more than thirty temples. Wat Phra Singh is the most important, with a beautiful chapel and a golden stupa. Temples are open daily.
Tip: Entry to most temples costs about one euro. Go round the old city by bike or tuk-tuk. Cover shoulders and knees.
old city
The ruin of a giant stupa from the fifteenth century that was once the tallest in Lanna and housed the Emerald Buddha. Today it is calm and a place for meditation. Talks with monks are held here.
Tip: Entry costs about one euro. In the afternoon 'Monk Chat' talks with monks in English are held. Come at sunset.
old city
A Sunday night market on the main Ratchadamnoen road selling crafts, clothing, food and souvenirs. It is the largest and best market in Chiang Mai. Music plays and the street is full.
Tip: The market starts at five in the afternoon and runs until midnight. Bargain; start from half. Food is cheap and excellent.
Chang Khlan
A traditional night market on Chang Khlan street with souvenirs, textiles, crafts and food. It is open every evening and nearby are massage parlours, bars and restaurants. It is a good start to the evening after visiting temples.
Tip: Prices are bargained. For food go to the food court. The market is touristy, but interesting.
60 km from Chiang Mai
An elephant sanctuary in a valley where rescued elephants live, which formerly worked in tourism or logging. Visitors feed and observe the elephants, not ride them. It is an ethically sound way to see elephants.
Tip: The full-day programme costs about eighty euros; book a month ahead. Choose a sanctuary without elephant riding.
60 km from Chiang Mai
The highest mountain in Thailand at 2,565 metres, in a national park with waterfalls, hill-tribe villages and two pagodas of the king and queen. The summit is cool, the vegetation a mountain forest. It is a popular full-day trip.
Tip: Entry costs about eight euros. Bring a jacket, as it is cool at the top. The journey from Chiang Mai takes two hours.
Chiang Mai
A half-day cooking class in Chiang Mai that includes a market visit, preparing four to six dishes and tasting. It is one of the most popular activities. You learn pad thai, curry and mango with sticky rice.
Tip: A class costs about thirty euros; book in advance. Wear comfortable clothes.
by Doi Suthep
A forest temple of the fourteenth century with a network of tunnels where monks meditate and a pond with goldfish. It lies at the foot of Doi Suthep and is calm. It is the quietest temple in the city.
Tip: Entry is free. Come in the morning, when it is calm. Bring repellent, as there are mosquitoes in the woods.
Photos: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep — JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) (CC BY-SA 3.0) · The Old City and Wat Phra Singh — This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author an (CC BY 4.0) · Wat Chedi Luang — Kingkidton (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Sunday Walking Street — Takeaway (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Night Bazaar — Nawit science (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Elephant Nature Park — Joel Wiramu Pauling (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Doi Inthanon National Park — Swhemma (CC BY-SA 3.0) · A Thai Cooking Class — Thai Secret Cooking School (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wat Umong — Vano111ru (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: temples and cafés
The area around the temples with guesthouses, cafés and massages. Everything is at hand. Best for a first visit.
Best for: cafés and modern life
A modern district with cafés, restaurants and galleries, popular with the young and digital nomads. It is lively and prices are mid-range. A good choice for a longer stay.
Best for: markets and hotels
The district with the Night Bazaar, hotels and restaurants. It has the widest choice of accommodation. Suits families.
Best for: calm and local life
Residential districts with cheap guesthouses and local restaurants. It is calmer. Suits budget travellers.
Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) is four kilometres from the centre; from Bangkok a plane flies in an hour. From Prague you fly with a connection in Bangkok or the Middle East. A taxi to the centre costs about three euros. The night train from Bangkok takes twelve hours; a bus thirteen.
Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) · 4 km
The old city can be walked or cycled. Red songthaews (shared pickup taxis) run around town. Tuk-tuks and the Grab app are cheap. For trips to the surroundings a scooter or car with a driver is handy.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Grab, Bolt, Maps.me
Chiang Mai has a tropical monsoon climate. From November to February it is dry and pleasant, around thirty degrees by day and fifteen at night. In March and April it is hot and smoky from field burning. From June to October it rains. The best time is November to February.
Best time
November to February
What to avoid
March and April (heat and smoke), June to October (rain)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 29° | 32° | 35° | 36° | 34° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 28° |
| Night | 15° | 16° | 19° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 22° | 19° | 15° |
| Rainy days | 15 | 10 | 25 | 85 | 170 | 160 | 200 | 250 | 270 | 150 | 50 | 15 |
Northern Thai cooking differs from the south: milder, with herbs, sticky rice and meat. A main dish costs two to five euros. People drink Singha beer, tea and fruit juices.
Khao soi
A curry noodle soup with coconut milk and crispy noodles, a speciality of the north. The best-known dish of Chiang Mai.
Sai oua
A northern spiced sausage with herbs and chilli, grilled. Served with sticky rice.
Nam prik ong
A paste of tomatoes and pork with chilli, served with vegetables. A typical northern delicacy.
Gaeng hang lay
A slow-cooked pork curry with ginger and tamarind, with Burmese influence. A hearty dish.
Mango sticky rice
A sweet dessert with coconut milk. Best in mango season.
Pad thai and fresh fruit
Fried noodles and fruit shakes on the street. Cheap and good.
Thai coffee and tea
Strong coffee and iced tea with milk. Drunk all day.
Coffee
THB 60–100
Khao soi
THB 50–100
Lunch in a restaurant
THB 100–250
A beer
THB 70–120
Doi Suthep (entry)
THB 50
Cooking class
THB 1,000–1,500
Guesthouse (night)
THB 500–1,500
Massage (hr)
THB 250–400
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Elephant Nature Park
60 km · 1 hr 15 min by car
An ethical elephant sanctuary where you feed and observe the elephants. It suits a full-day trip.
Doi Inthanon
60 km · 2 hrs by car
The highest mountain in Thailand with waterfalls and pagodas. It suits a full-day trip.
Chiang Rai and the White Temple
190 km · 3 hrs by car
A town with the famous White Temple. It suits a full-day trip.
Three to five days suffice for the temples, markets and the elephant sanctuary. For Doi Inthanon and Chiang Rai add two days. Many people stay for weeks.
November to February, when it is dry and pleasant. In March and April there is smoke from field burning and heat. From June to October it rains.
By plane with a connection in Bangkok or the Middle East in about twelve hours. From Bangkok by plane in an hour or by night train in twelve hours.
It is very cheap: lunch costs two to five euros, a guesthouse fifteen to forty euros a night. A massage costs eight euros an hour.
Yes, but choose a sanctuary without elephant riding, such as Elephant Nature Park. Avoid camps with rides and shows. The price is higher.
Yes, it is a safe city. Watch for scooters and accidents. In the dry season monitor air quality.
Czech citizens can enter Thailand visa-free; the length of stay changes, so check current conditions before travelling. The passport must be valid for at least six months.
Khao soi, sai oua and nam prik ong. With them mango sticky rice. Taste at the Sunday Walking Street market.
Fill in the required arrival card before your trip to avoid delays at immigration.
Complete Arrival CardCheck the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsLanguage
Thai
Currency
THB
Timezone
Asia/Bangkok
Dial Code
+66
Population
71.8M
Area
513,120 km²
Voltage
220V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Left
