Things to Do in Chiang Mai

About Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai sits in northern Thailand, surrounded by mountains and packed with over 300 Buddhist temples. Monks in saffron robes walk the streets each morning collecting alms while vendors sell khao soi-the local curry noodle soup that defines the city's food scene. The pace is slower here. Temple bells ring across red-tiled rooftops at dawn, and the city wakes up gradually. By evening, the night markets open, selling silver jewelry, silk, and handicrafts made by local artisans. Doi Suthep temple overlooks everything from its mountain perch. You'll climb 300 steps to reach it. The view alone justifies the effort-on clear days you can see the entire city sprawled below. The Old City sits inside a square moat. Ancient walls still stand in sections. Cafes and guesthouses now fill converted shophouses, and the area has become a base for digital nomads and long-term travelers. Outside town, elephant sanctuaries offer a better alternative to riding operations-you'll feed and bathe the animals instead. Hill tribe villages dot the surrounding mountains, where communities maintain traditional practices and sell woven textiles. Several waterfalls hide in the jungle canopy within an hour's drive. Cooking classes here start at the market, where instructors explain ingredients before you grind curry paste on stone mortars. Most classes teach four to six dishes in a half-day session. The food is excellent-much better than what you'll find in Bangkok's tourist areas. Chiang Mai works for a weekend or a month. The cost of living runs low, the food scene keeps improving, and the temples never get old.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Rent a scooter (150-200 baht/day) for ultimate flexibility exploring temples and countryside. Always wear helmets and carry an international driving permit. For Old City exploration, use red songthaews (shared trucks, 30-50 baht) or grab ride-sharing apps like Bolt for fixed pricing.

Money: Thai baht is king-many vendors don't accept cards. Withdraw from official bank ATMs (220 baht fee) rather than street machines. Carry small bills for temples, street food, and songthaews. Budget 1,000-1,500 baht daily for mid-range travel including meals and activities.

Cultural Respect: Remove shoes and cover shoulders/knees before entering temples. Never point feet toward Buddha statues or monks. Women cannot touch monks or hand items directly-use a cloth intermediary. Dress modestly when visiting hill tribe villages and ask permission before photographing people.

Food Safety: Eat where locals queue-high turnover means fresher ingredients. Stick to fully cooked dishes from busy stalls. Avoid raw vegetables unless at upscale restaurants. Try khao soi, som tam, and mango sticky rice from established vendors. Bottled water is essential; ice is generally safe at restaurants.

When to Visit

November through February is the cool season and the obvious answer - night temperatures dip to 15°C (59°F) in the mountains, days are 25-30°C (77-86°F), and the air is (mostly) clear. Yi Peng lantern festival (November, exact date varies by lunar calendar) fills the sky with thousands of paper lanterns - book accommodation a month ahead and expect double rates. The night bazaar and Sunday walking street on Ratchadamnoen Road are packed but manageable.

March through May is burning season. Farmers clear fields across northern Thailand and the haze is no joke - AQI regularly exceeds 200, visibility drops to a few hundred meters, and you cannot see Doi Suthep from the city. If you have respiratory issues, avoid entirely. Songkran (April 13-15) makes it worth enduring if you want the world's biggest water fight - the moat area turns into complete chaos for three days.

Rainy season (June-October) brings afternoon downpours that clear in an hour and drop prices 30-50%. The countryside turns electric green, waterfalls are at full power, and Doi Inthanon's trails are at their most beautiful. A khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai costs THB 50, a Grab from the Old City to Nimman is THB 60-80, and a month in a serviced apartment runs THB 10,000-15,000 - which is why half the world's digital nomads are here.