เชียงใหม่A walled old city of golden temples, night markets and mountain roads.
Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of northern Thailand: a relaxed, walkable city of hundreds of temples inside a square moated Old City, framed by forested mountains. Founded in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, it still feels like its own little country, with its own dialect, its own food and a slower pace than Bangkok.
Days here fall into a happy rhythm: temples and museums in the cool of the morning, a long lunch of khao soi, an afternoon in a café or on a cooking class, and evenings at the night markets. Nature is on the doorstep, with Doi Suthep above the city, waterfalls and Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon, within a day's reach.
It is also an excellent base for ethical wildlife experiences, handicraft villages and day trips to Pai and Chiang Rai. Plan around the seasons: November to February is cool and clear, while late February to April brings crop-burning smoke that can make the air unhealthy.
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿ · THB)
- Language
- Thai and Northern Thai (Kham Mueang)
- Time zone
- UTC+7 · no daylight saving
- Elevation
- About 310 m above sea level
- Airport
- Chiang Mai International (CNX), about 15 minutes from the Old City
- Best season
- November to February: cool and dry
Top things to do in Chiang Mai.
50 places we chose and described by hand. Open any of them, with photos, hours and directions, in the catalogue below or in the app.
Places to visit
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Doi Suthep
The golden mountain temple that watches over Chiang Mai.
- Wat Phra Singh Old City
Chiang Mai's most revered temple, in the heart of the Old City.
- Wat Chedi Luang Old City
A towering ruined chedi that once held the Emerald Buddha.
- Wat Chiang Man Old City
The city's oldest temple, founded by King Mangrai himself.
- Three Kings Monument Old City
The statues of the three kings who founded Chiang Mai in 1296.
- Tha Phae Gate Old City
The Old City's iconic east gate and heart of the festivities.
- Wat Umong Doi Suthep foothills
A forest temple with ancient tunnels, a lake and resident deer.
- Wat Suan Dok Old City (west)
A forest of white chedis against the backdrop of Doi Suthep.
- Wat Chet Yot (Wat Jed Yod) Nong Hoi
A 15th-century temple with seven spires inspired by India.
- Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) Wualai
A dazzling temple whose ordination hall is made of silver.
- Doi Inthanon National Park Chom Thong (day trip)
Thailand's highest peak, with waterfalls, cool air and royal pagodas.
- Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls Mae Taeng (day trip)
Climb up the cascades on grippy limestone that never gets slippery.
- Royal Park Rajapruek Mae Hia
A beautiful botanical garden with a royal Lanna-style pavilion.
Restaurants
- Khao Soi Khun Yai Old City
A tiny old-school stall serving one of the city's best bowls of khao soi.
- Huen Phen Old City
Traditional Lanna cooking in a charming old teak house.
- Cherng Doi Roast Chicken Suthep
Smoky grilled chicken and sticky rice, a local institution.
- Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak Chang Phueak
Melt-in-the-mouth stewed pork leg on rice, served by a famous cowboy-hat lady.
- Khao Soi Lam Duan Fah Ham Riverside
A riverside classic known for khao soi with beef, chicken or pork.
- The Riverside Bar & Restaurant Ping River
A beloved riverside restaurant with live music and Thai-Western menu.
Activities
- Elephant Nature Park Mae Taeng (day trip)
A well-known sanctuary where rescued elephants roam free. No riding.
- Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Various (Old City & countryside)
Shop at a local market, then cook khao soi, curries and more.
- Jungle Zipline & Canopy Tours Mae Taeng (day trip)
Zip between giant trees in the forests near Mae Taeng.
- Muay Thai Lesson Various (Old City & Nimman)
Train with Thailand's national sport in a friendly local gym.
- Women's Prison Massage Centre Old City
A traditional Thai massage by trained inmates, for a good cause.
- Bo Sang & San Kamphaeng Craft Villages San Kamphaeng (day trip)
Handmade umbrellas, silk, celadon and woodcarving in the eastern suburbs.
- Monk Chat Old City
Talk with novice monks about Buddhism and life in the temple.
- Pai Day Trip Pai (day trip)
A winding mountain road to a laid-back hippie town with canyons and hot springs.
- White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) Day Trip Chiang Rai (day trip)
An extraordinary contemporary white temple in Chiang Rai province.
- Mae Kampong Village Mae On (day trip)
A cool, misty mountain village with waterfalls, tea and homestays.
Entertainment
- Khantoke Dinner & Lanna Show Wualai
A traditional northern Thai dinner with dance, music and hill-tribe performances.
- North Gate Jazz Co-Op Chang Phueak
A legendary tiny jazz bar where locals and travellers jam into the night.
- Zoe in Yellow Old City (south)
A backpacker courtyard bar scene near Chiang Mai Gate.
- Warm Up Café Nimmanhaemin
Nimman's best-known club and live-music venue.
- Thapae Boxing Stadium (Muay Thai) Old City (east)
Watch Muay Thai fights in the heart of the Old City.
Hotels & stays
- 137 Pillars House Wat Ket (riverside)
A heritage teak mansion turned intimate luxury hotel by the river.
- Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Mae Rim
A luxury retreat set among rice terraces and water buffalo in the Mae Rim valley.
- Anantara Chiang Mai Resort Riverside
A riverside luxury hotel in a colonial-style building near the Night Bazaar.
- The Rachamankha Old City
A serene, Lanna-inspired boutique hotel in the heart of the Old City.
- Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai San Kamphaeng Road
A sprawling resort modelled on a Lanna palace, with its own rice fields.
- Shangri-La Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
A large upscale hotel next to the Night Bazaar with a big pool and spa.
- Akyra Manor Chiang Mai Nimmanhaemin
A stylish design hotel in the heart of Nimman with a roof terrace.
- U Chiang Mai Old City
A refined, modern-Lanna boutique hotel inside the Old City walls.
- Mad Monkey Hostel Chiang Mai Old City (east)
A social budget hostel with dorms and private rooms near Tha Phae Gate.
Shopping
- Sunday Walking Street (Tha Phae Road) Old City
Chiang Mai's biggest night market, stretching across the Old City.
- Saturday Walking Street (Wualai Road) Wualai
A smaller, more local craft market on the silversmiths' street.
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Night Bazaar
The city's nightly market area with souvenirs, clothes and food courts.
- Warorot Market (Kad Luang) Riverside
A traditional market with northern snacks, fabrics and spices.
- MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center Nimmanhaemin
A modern mall in Nimman with a rooftop garden and food hall.
- One Nimman Nimmanhaemin
A trendy open-air complex of shops, cafés and weekend markets.
- Central Festival Chiang Mai Fa Ham
The city's largest mall, with a cinema, supermarket and dozens of restaurants.
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From the Thailand Guide app’s catalogue: OpenStreetMap places with traveller notes from Wikivoyage and photos from Wikimedia Commons. Photos marked “Representative” show the same kind of place, not this exact one. Neighbouring islands and day-trip areas may be included. “Open now” uses listed hours in Thailand time; confirm hours and access before travelling.
Best time to visit Chiang Mai.
The best time to visit Chiang Mai is November to January. Chiang Mai has three seasons. The cool, dry season from November to February is the most pleasant, with sunny days, cool nights and clear skies. From late February to April it gets hot and smoky from crop burning, and April is the hottest month. The rainy season from May to October turns the mountains green, with afternoon downpours that are usually short; August and September are the wettest.
Approximate long-term monthly averages in °C and millimetres of rain. These are planning notes, not a weather forecast.
Chiang Mai travel tips.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes before entering halls, and sit with your feet pointing away from Buddha images. Women should not touch monks or sit beside them.
Ethical elephant tourism
Choose sanctuaries where elephants aren't ridden, made to perform or chained for tourists. Ask how the animals are cared for, and avoid places that advertise riding.
Hill-tribe communities
Northern Thailand is home to Karen, Akha, Hmong and other communities. Visit through responsible operators, ask before taking photos and avoid treating villages as attractions.
Lanna food
Northern cooking is milder and more herbal than central Thai food: sticky rice, grilled pork sausage, chili dips (nam prik) and coconut curry noodles.
Festivals
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong (November) fill the sky with lanterns and the river with floating baskets. Songkran in April is Thailand's water festival.
Keep your cool (jai yen)
Staying calm and smiling is valued everywhere in Thailand. Raising your voice loses face and rarely helps.
Plan Chiang Mai on your phone.
Save places, see what is open now, check the weather and air quality, and browse all twenty guides in the free Thailand Guide app. Works offline.