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South Thailand has a lot to offer and with our comprehensive island-hopping guide you can enjoy its full beauty. From the bustling streets of Phuket
Discovering the Cultural Wonders of Chiang Mai: A Travel Guide
Visiting Chiang Mai in Thailand is an experience that should not be missed. Known as the „Rose of the North“, Chiang Mai is a mystical and charming city that is the cultural capital of northern Thailand. It’s a city that has a rich history and cultural heritage, with beautiful temples, ancient ruins, and fascinating museums. But Chiang Mai isn’t just about history and culture – it’s also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, with its beautiful mountain ranges and lush forests.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, make sure you include Chiang Mai in your itinerary. In this article, we’ll provide you with tips on how to get there, why to visit, and the best activities to do.
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1. How to Get to Chiang Mai
Getting to Chiang Mai is easy, with flights from major cities in Thailand and other countries. The Chiang Mai International Airport is located just a few kilometers from the city center, making it convenient for travelers. We took the plane from Bangkok Don Muaeng to Chiang Mai and the train for the return way.
By Air: There are several airlines that operate flights to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, Phuket, and other major cities in Thailand. International airlines such as Air Asia, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines also operate flights to Chiang Mai from their respective countries.
By Train: You can also take a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The journey takes around 12-15 hours and is a great way to see the countryside. Be sure to book a few weeks in advance as tickets are selling quickly. We booked the 2nd class sleeper train for around 28€/30$ per person. The compartment consists of bunk beds lined up next to each other and you should best book one downstairs. Then you have more space and a window. The lights will be on all night, so better bring a sleep mask and ear plugs because you will sleep in a „room“ with 20 other people.
By Bus: Buses are the most economical way to get to Chiang Mai. Several bus companies operate services to Chiang Mai from Bangkok and other major cities in Thailand.
2. Why to Visit Chiang Mai
There are plenty of reasons why you should visit Chiang Mai. Here are some of the top reasons:
Cultural Heritage: In and around Chiang Mai are over 300 temples, making it a great destination for those interested in history and culture. The most famous temple is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located on a mountain overlooking the city.
Outdoor Activities: Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains and lush forests, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. You can go trekking, rafting, or zip-lining in the nearby national parks.
Night Markets: Chiang Mai is famous for its night markets, where you can shop for local handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs. The most popular night market is the Sunday Walking Street Market, where you should definitely try local street food.
Festivals: Chiang Mai is home to several festivals throughout the year, including the Songkran Festival (Thai New Year) and the Yi Peng Festival (Loy Krathong). These festivals are the perfect way to experience the local culture and traditions.
3. Where to Stay and Eat in Chiang Mai
The old town of Chiang Mai has a rectangle form and it is best to stay inside of the old city walls, so you can also walk to most of the sights. We stayed at the Cozy Inn Chiang Mai. It has small but clean rooms. It is located in the center of the town on a quiet street. We paid 7,50€ per person and night which is really fair. We can also recommend 18 in Town Homestay which is also located in the city center. If you want an option with a pool and co-working area, the Isty Hotel or the Book Design Hotel are good choices!
For food, we can recommend Kat’s Kitchen for authentic Thai cuisine with huge portions or It’s good kitchen with really delicious Thai food – been there three times. You should definitely try the Khao Soi here, it’s amazing (but spicy)! Another good restaurant we went to was Goodsouls Kitchen.
4. Activities
There are plenty of activities to do around Chiang Mai. A lot of them are located outside of the city, so you’ll need a driver, taxi, or rent a scooter like we did. It’s better to spend a few Dollars/Euros more for a better scooter as streets, especially in Doi Inthanon, can be bad. Be sure, to check previous damages of the scooter and take pictures and videos of it.
4.1 Visit Temples
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a must-visit temple, with stunning views of the city from the top of the mountain. The entrance fee for foreigners is 30 Baht (0,80€/1$). We recommend going there early in the morning or late in the afternoon as it’s not so hot and less crowded. You will need around 30 minutes by scooter from Chiang Mai. On the way from Chiang Mai to Doi Suthep you can stop at Wat Pha Lat. The entrance here is free, it’s not so crowded and the temple is a little bit more mystique, because it’s more in the woods.
Other temples worth visiting include Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. We only visited the second one which has a giant Buddha statue inside the main temple. Admission is free!
4.2 Do a Cooking Class
Chiang Mai is famous for its cuisine, and taking a cooking class is a great way to experience the traditional Thai dishes. You can learn to cook Pad Thai, Tom Yum soup, and other popular dishes. Many cooking schools offer half-day or full-day classes, including visiting the local market to buy ingredients.
We did our half-day course with Smile Organic Farm and paid 800 Baht (21€/23,50$) per person. That’s an average price for a cooking class in Chiang Mai. You’ll be picked up at your hotel between 8 and 8.30 am or in the afternoon (for the evening class). It includes a stop at a local market. After that they’ll bring you to the cooking school which is located 30 minutes outside of Chiang Mai.
The good thing about this class: you can choose what you want to cook and don’t need to stick to a menu! Kevin cooked Khao Sai (a traditional dish from Chiang Mai) and Cashew Chicken and Kathi did classic Pad Thai and Panang Curry. It was delicious and the cooking class was total fun! If you want to know more about Thai Dishes, check out our newest article about the Thai cuisine!
4.3 Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
Visiting an elephant sanctuary is a must-do activity when in Chiang Mai. The Elephant Nature Park is a popular sanctuary where you can interact with rescued elephants, feed them, and even bath them. It’s a great way to support ethical elephant tourism and learn more about these magnificent animals. Please: check in advance if the tour operator is serious about sustainability and animal health.
You can do this as a day tour from Chiang Mai or stay at a hotel. We stayed at Chai Lai Orchid and it was amazing! They save abused elephants and want to improve their lives. Also, they are a non-profit organization, meaning they give all their earnings into a woman’s empowerment foundation.
They offer different activities including feeding and bathing the elephants and learning about the herd. We also loved the bungalows. They have two options: with mountain view or down the riverside. We had the first option and even had breakfast with the elephants! A true once in a lifetime experience!
4.4 Eat at a Night Market
As mentioned earlier, Chiang Mai is famous for its night markets. The Sunday Walking Street is a must-visit, with hundreds of vendors selling local handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs. Like the name says it takes time only on Sundays, so plan your visit of Chiang Mai for the weekend. The Night Bazaar and Anusarn Market are also popular with visitors.
We also loved the Wua Lai Walking Street which is only on Saturdays. In our opinion, the Sunday Walking Street has a bigger offer when it comes to food while the second one offers more handcrafted products.
Other markets are the Night Bazaar, the Ploen Ruedee Food Court or the Anusarn Market which are located east of the city center. We’ve been to the first two ones as well, but we prefer the 2 walking streets.
4.5 Climb the Sticky Waterfall (Bua Tong)
The Bua Tong waterfall or also called the sticky waterfall is located 60 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai. You will need about 1h 15 minutes from the city center by scooter. Go there early (it opens at 8 am) to avoid the crowds. The entrance is free. We arrived at 8.30 am and were the only ones. We had the waterfall for ourselves for half on hour which is amazing.
The Sticky Waterfalls are a group of 4 waterfalls. The water bubbles up from a natural spring, that has such high levels of minerals that it coats the rocks & prevents moss from growing. The high minerals make the stones so sticky. You will walk down over wooden stairs to the bottom level and then walk up inside the waterfall back to the top. It’s a surreal sensation and you can decide how wet you wanna get. You will need some ropes to hold on to at some parts but in total it is not difficult at all.
4.6 Explore Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon National Park is known for its lush forests, sparkling waterfalls, and breathtaking views that make it a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. It is has its name from the majestic Doi Inthanon Mountain, the highest peak in the country, standing tall at 2,565 meters above sea level. The National Park is located 1h 15 minutes from Chiang Mai and you best visit it with a rental scooter. There are also many companies that offer shared Mini Van Tours, but we prefer the freedom of exploring on our own.
The whole area is a hiker’s paradise. Around Doi Inthanon you can find several hiking trails that range from easy to difficult, offering something for hikers of all levels. The trails take you through lush forests, past sparkling waterfalls, and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
One of the most popular hiking trails is the Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail. This 360-meter-long trail takes you through a beautiful mossy forest, where you can spot several species of birds and butterflies. The trail ends at a wooden platform that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Doi Inthanon is home to several stunning waterfalls that offer a refreshing break from the mountain’s hiking trails. The most popular one is the Wachirathan Waterfall, which is located near the entrance of Doi Inthanon National Park. This waterfall drops from a height of 80 meters and is a must-do for all our fellow waterfall chasers.
Another popular waterfall is the Mae Ya Waterfall, which is located deeper in the National Park. This waterfall drops from a height of 30 meters and is surrounded by lush greenery and a natural swimming pool, making it a perfect spot for a refreshing dip.
Doi Inthanon is also home to several hill tribe villages that offer a glimpse into the mountain’s rich cultural heritage. The Karen and Hmong tribes are among the most prominent tribes in Doi Inthanon, and you can visit their villages to learn about their way of life and traditions.
4.7 What we missed but you shouldn't
- Mae Wang National Park: unfortunately the park is closed every year in March and April. So we weren’t able to visit this beautiful park. It is famous for its canyon (Phachor).
- Daytrip to Chiang Rai: if you don’t wanna sleep in another town (with all the unpacking and time consuming check in etc., we sometimes prefer that) you can visit Chiang Rai for all its famous temples as a day trip from Chiang Mai. You will find many tour operators in the city center.
5. Conclusion
Visiting Chiang Mai in Thailand is a must-do activity for anyone interested in history, culture, and outdoor activities. From stunning temples to lush forests and delicious cuisine, there’s something for everyone in this charming city.
The best time to visit is October to February. The weather during this period is mostly cool and pleasant, with a light breeze. Surely this is also high season. Normally you can avoid big tourist crowds visiting in other months but don’t make the same mistake we did and don’t go there during Burning Season.
Starting the end of February until April the air quality is really poor and you often don’t see a blue sky, although it’s sunny. Farmers in Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar burn their fields for the next season and that causes big and dangerous pollution. Officially the government has banned such clearing, but neither they nor the police seem to care. So definitely beware of that and if you are travelling around that time anyways you can check the air quality with this website!
Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends and family, Chiang Mai will leave you with unforgettable memories. So pack your bags and get ready to discover the mystical charms of visiting Chiang Mai in Thailand.
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