Chiang Mai is a land of misty mountains and colourful hill tribes, a playground for seasoned travellers, a paradise for shoppers and a delight for adventurers. On a trip to Chiang Mai, the curious traveller can expand their horizons with Thai massage and cooking courses. Others will be bowled over by the variety of handicrafts and antiques. The wild child will find plenty of lively nightlife, and the epicure can indulge in wonderful cuisine. Despite its relatively small size, Chiang Mai truly has it all.
Located 700 km (435 miles) north of Bangkok in a verdant valley on the banks of the Ping River, Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 as the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. Today it is a place where past and the present seamlessly merge with modern buildings standing side by side with venerable temples. Not convinced yet? See our 10 Must See and Do list.
There is so much to see and do around Chiang Mai that it can seem a little overwhelming to first-time visitors. To simplify things, we’ve selected the absolute best of the best around the so-called ‘Rose of the North’. This includes the must-see attractions, must-try restaurants, the most comfortable hotels and the best places to go bargain hunting. We’re confident that our concise guides will give you all the information you need to plan a fantastic stay in Chiang Mai.
First Time in Chiang Mai? How to pick the right area for your hotel...
Choosing a hotel in the wrong area can ruin your holiday so it's worth spending a couple of minutes looking at the pros Read More»
10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers a diverse range of natural and cultural attractions – beautiful temples, hill-tribe villages to Read More»
10 Best Hotels in Chiang Mai
These Top 10 Chiang Mai Hotels is an eclectic mix, from a chic riverside retreat and Asian-style artist’s loft to Read More»
2 Days in Chiang Mai
You will be able to see and do a lot in two days in Chiang Mai thanks to its compact size, plentiful one- and even Read More»
10 Best Restaurants in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai’s dining scene offers a diverse blend of traditional northern Thai cuisine, regional Thai flavours and Read More»
10 Best Shopping Experiences in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the few places where you can visit a factory or artisan’s workshop, watch crafts people at work, or Read More»
Chiang Mai is quite a large place, with a lot of choice when it comes to hotels. Narrowing a choice of hundreds of properties down to just the one that’s perfect for you can be a challenge, but we think we can make it easier for you. We’ve picked out the best places in Chiang Mai according to a variety of budgets, locations and styles, so you can find the best hotel for your needs and preferences.
10 Best Hotels in Chiang Mai
These Top 10 Chiang Mai Hotels is an eclectic mix, from a chic riverside retreat and Asian-style artist’s loft to Read More»
10 Best Luxury Hotels in Chiang Mai
The Best Luxury Hotels in Chiang Mai all have a certain charismatic air, a delightful sense of place, top-notch service Read More»
10 Best Affordable Hotels Chiang Mai
The best budget hotels in Chiang Mai are sourced from all over town to ensure that anyone looking for a hotel that’s Read More»
10 Best Hotels in Old City
The best hotels in Chiang Mai Old City follow a theme of classic Lanna-style architecture, gorgeous interiors and Read More»
10 Best Chiang Mai Riverside Hotels
A stay on the Riverside in Chiang Mai is all about relaxation, and the finest hotels and resorts strive to provide the Read More»
10 Best Hotels in Night Bazaar
Booking a hotel in the Night Bazaar area of Chiang Mai offers the ultimate in convenience. Shops, restaurants, spas, Read More»
The historical city of Chiang Mai is quite a diverse place, with different neighbourhoods have very distinct personalities. At its heart is the beautiful Old City. Outside its almost perfectly square moat and ancient city walls is the bustling Night Bazaar, the peaceful Riverside and the modern Nimman Road. If you want to be sure that you are getting everything you want out of your time in the city, you should check out our area guides to see which part best suits you.
Chiang Mai Old City
Chiang Mai has great food and fantastic shopping, but its lofty peaks, lush forests and mighty rivers of Chiang Mai Read More»
Night Bazaar
The main venue for shopping in Chiang Mai, the Night Bazaar is a must-visit. Located at the intersection of Chang Khlan Read More»
Riverside
The understated elegance of Thailand’s second city shuns the development of five-star hotels along its riverbanks in Read More»
Nimman Road (Nimmanhaemin)
Nimmanhaemin Road, as well as the surrounding area that’s normally just called ‘Nimman’ – is by far the coolest Read More»
Tha Pae Gate
Tha Pae Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in Chiang Mai and is part of the crumbling city wall which once acted Read More»
Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep is a constant part of life in Chiang Mai. This mountain overlooks the city from the northwest, providing Read More»
Chiang Mai is most famous for its beautiful ancient temples, though there is much more to see and do. The striking mountainous landscape around the city provides a lot of wonderful natural attractions and is home to two tribal villages. In the city itself, there are unique museums, fantastic spas and beautiful gardens and parks to enjoy. Check out our pick of the best things to see and do around Chiang Mai to get the most out of this cultural capital of Thailand.
10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers a diverse range of natural and cultural attractions – beautiful temples, hill-tribe villages to Read More»
10 Must-See Temples in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is not exactly short of a temple or two. There are over 300 ‘wats’ scattered throughout the city and Read More»
Chiang Mai Night Safari
Modeled after a similar attraction in Singapore, this expansive park features three animal zones and a range of Read More»
Bargain hunters rejoice! Chiang Mai has among the best selection of street markets of anywhere in Thailand. It’s also home to many unique handicrafts and designers, offering goods very different from those available elsewhere in the country. While perhaps a little lacking in malls, the city has a real artisanal vibe and a greater variety of boutique stores. If you like shopping and you want to find something other than the usual big brands, you’re going to love Chiang Mai.
10 Best Shopping Experiences in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the few places where you can visit a factory or artisan’s workshop, watch crafts people at work, or Read More»
Central Festival Chiang Mai
Central Festival Chiang Mai is the first full-scale lifestyle shopping centre and the forms part of a triad of new Read More»
Sunday Walking Street Market
At Sunday Weekend Walking Street, Chiang Mai comes to life in a vibrant spectrum of art, crafts, music and food – with Read More»
Seeing everything that Chiang Mai has to offer in a short time is quite an ambitious goal. An organised tour can certainly make things simpler. With one of the day trips and excursions from the following pages, you get your transport arranged for you, expert local guides to help you understand the wondrous sights and an optimised itinerary to help you get the most out of limited time. Take a look at our tours of the best sites around the city.
All Tours in Chiang Mai
Make the most of a visit to this beautiful part of the Thai Kingdom with an organised tour that takes all the hassle out Read More»
Top 10 Tours in Chiang Mai
The vast expanse of Chiang Mai’s lush, forested mountains offers a refreshing escape for those in search for tranquility Read More»
Cycling Tours in Chiang Mai
With ancient temples, misty mountains, verdant jungles, and winding rivers, Chiang Mai and its surrounds offer some of Read More»
Featured Stories
Infinity Club Chiang Mai
Infinity Club Chiang Mai is a large nightclub playing a mix of electronic, dance and house music. It is located between Read More»
First Time in Nimman – What To Do
Your first time in Nimman Road could be a little disappointing, if you don’t know what to look out for. The road itself Read More»
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai was among the pioneers of the new ethical elephant attractions which have swept Read More»
10 Best Things to Do With Kids in Chiang Mai
This list of the best things to do with kids in Chiang Mai does not include temples. This may come as a surprise when Read More»
CM Entertainment Complex
CM Entertainment Complex is a narrow, covered alley of beer bars, with a Muay Thai boxing ring right at the end. Located Read More»
Chiang Mai Grand Canyon
Chiang Mai Grand Canyon is a waterpark built in an abandoned limestone quarry. The quarry has been empty for many years Read More»
Chiang Mai’s nightlife varies from the classy to the carefree. Chill out at bustling backpacker bars, sip cocktails on rooftops, enjoy live music at reggae, blues and rock venues or dance the night away at high-energy discos. There are even a few night markets for those who prefer shopping to partying. Whatever kind of evening you’re looking for, you’ll find something to suit you here. Check out our nightlife pages to see what’s happening after dark around your hotel.
10 Best Nightlife in Old City
The Old City in Chiang Mai is best known for its refined culture and relaxed ambiance during the day, but at night the Read More»
5 Best Rooftop Bars in Chiang Mai
Here’s our five favourite rooftops in Chiang Mai, from golden oldies 24 floors up, to swish new terraces with shisha and Read More»
10 Best Nightlife Experiences in Chiang Mai
Here are some of the finest nocturnal pursuits in Chiang Mai; an electic concoction of activities and entertainment Read More»
Chiang Mai’s dining scene is outstanding. The choice available is excellent, ranging from first-class fine-dining restaurants with international menus to little local joints specialising in the area’s unique and tasty cuisine. Chiang Mai food is especially remarkable, with an emphasis on small shared dishes. Don’t forget to try to delightful khao soi while you’re here! With our helpful guides, you can find the best eateries in town to suit your budget, preferences and location.
10 Best Chiang Mai Food
Like its art, language and cultural heritage, Chiang Mai food is distinct from its cousins to the south and east, Read More»
10 Best Restaurants in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai’s dining scene offers a diverse blend of traditional northern Thai cuisine, regional Thai flavours and Read More»
10 Best Restaurants on the Riverside
Many of the best restaurants in Chiang Mai are located along the Ping River in the Riverside district of Chiang Mai. Read More»
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