Live Your Best Lives
Chiang Mai is a tree-lined town in northern Thailand with beautiful natural environment and cool climate. Everything in the city seems fresh and peaceful. In the early morning, devout civilians often kneel on the roadside to give flowers and vegetarian meals to monks. Chiang Mai is also a city with a long history and many cultural relics and temples.
Compared with the bustling and modern capital Bangkok, Chiang Mai has a completely different temperament: fresh air, quiet city, street scenes close to nature, and cultural heritage accumulated over a century are all the charm of this small city.
Chiang Mai is dotted with ancient temples and pagodas, which are worth a day to explore. You can also smell the atmosphere of historical dynasties. The two mountains surrounding Chiang Mai are also a favorite leisure resort for locals. The pastoral scenery outside the city is also a place for Chiang Mai's unique entertainment experience, where you can have close contact with elephants. The literary and fresh markets and night markets are also the most attractive part of Chiang Mai. The handicrafts here are world-famous for their elegance and exquisiteness.
The seasons are suitable. From April 13th to 15th, there is the Songkran Festival, a national event in Chiang Mai. In November, there is the Loy Krathong Festival, which features many traditional activities of northern Thailand, such as the famous 10,000-person sky lantern release event and the lantern float parade.
Big Buddha Pagoda Temple
Wat Chedi is the most famous of the six major temples in Chiang Mai. Walking through it, you can feel the religious culture of Thailand.
Shuanglong Temple
A famous Buddhist holy place in Chiang Mai. Legend has it that King Lanna released a white elephant carrying Buddha's relics into the jungle. The elephant came to Doi Suthep Mountain, cried three times, and fell to the west. The king then ordered people to build a temple here. The 309 steps in front of the temple are guarded by two long dragon sculptures, hence the name Doi Suthep.
Chiang Mai Old City
As Chiang Mai's Old Town, it is not only one of Thailand's important cultural heritage sites, but also arguably Chiang Mai's most fascinating place. The unique old town area is beautiful and quiet, with numerous relics, especially traditional Thai temples and pagodas, most of which are free to visit.
Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market
Chiang Mai's largest and most famous night market. Every Sunday at 4 p.m., traffic is restricted along Ratchadamnoen Road and several nearby side streets, transforming the nearly one-kilometer stretch from Tha Pae Gate, the eastern gate of Chiang Mai's ancient city, into a pedestrian street. This bustling market offers everything from food and drink to entertainment and shopping, and the bustle continues until midnight.
Recommended play time: about 3 days
Chiang Mai, founded in 1296, was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. It is culturally rich with a strong Buddhist heritage, historic temples, traditional crafts, and festivals reflecting northern Thai traditions.
Chiang Mai is in northern Thailand. It is accessible via Chiang Mai International Airport, long-distance buses, and trains from Bangkok or nearby provinces. Within the city, tuk-tuks, taxis, songthaews, and bicycles are common, and the Old City is walkable.
Temples and attractions typically open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The best time to visit is during the cool season (November to February) for pleasant weather and festivals.
Temple entrance fees range from 20–100 THB. Doi Suthep costs around 50 THB. Tickets are usually purchased on-site, though some tours or national park entries can be booked online.
For popular temples, guided tours, and national parks, booking 1–2 weeks in advance is recommended. Most other attractions can be visited without advance booking.
3–5 days are recommended to explore Chiang Mai city and surrounding attractions fully. Additional days may be needed for extended nature or cultural excursions.
Yes, guided tours are available in English, Mandarin, Japanese, and other languages. Audio guides are less common but may be available at major attractions.
Start with Old City temples (Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang), then visit Doi Suthep in the morning. Explore markets in the afternoon, and plan a day trip to Doi Inthanon or hill tribe villages.
Yes. Night markets, cultural shows, and evening temple visits are available. Some temples may have illuminated evening visits, and guided night tours are offered in the city.
Chiang Mai is busiest during November–February and during festivals. Weekdays and mornings are less crowded than weekends and holidays.
Temples, markets, and tourist areas have toilets, food stalls, restaurants, souvenir shops, and rest areas.
Most city attractions are accessible, though some temples and mountain areas have steep steps. Wheelchair access may be limited in older temples and rural locations.
Cash (THB) is widely used for street food and small shops. Cards and mobile payments are accepted in hotels, large restaurants, and shopping centers.
Yes. Many vegetarian, vegan, and halal options are available in Chiang Mai, particularly around tourist areas and markets.
