Home › When to Visit › January
Chiang Mai - Things to Do in Chiang Mai in January

Things to Do in Chiang Mai in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

January Weather in Chiang Mai

30°C (86°F) High Temp
16°C (60°F) Low Temp
10 mm (0.4 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

  • Peak cool season weather - those 16°C (60°F) mornings are genuinely pleasant for northern Thailand, perfect for sunrise temple visits and mountain hikes before it warms up. You'll actually want that light sweater at dawn.
  • Burning season hasn't started yet - January sits in that sweet window after monsoon rains clear the air but before farmers start burning fields in February-March. Air quality averages 50-80 AQI, which is about as good as Chiang Mai gets these days.
  • Yi Peng Lanna International happens in late January 2026 - while the famous November lantern festival gets all the attention, this smaller Buddhist celebration features temple ceremonies, procession floats, and cultural performances without the tourist circus. Locals actually attend this one.
  • Shoulder season pricing with good weather - you're past the Christmas-New Year peak but still getting dry season conditions. Hotel rates drop 30-40% after January 5th, and you can book popular cooking classes or elephant sanctuaries just 3-4 days ahead instead of weeks.

Considerations

  • Temperature swings are real - that 14°C (25°F) difference between morning and afternoon means you're peeling off layers by 10am and adding them back at sunset. Packing gets annoying when you need options for both 16°C (60°F) and 30°C (86°F) in the same day.
  • Chinese New Year falls January 29, 2026 - expect crowds from January 26-February 2 as Chinese tourists flood in for the holiday week. Popular attractions triple their visitor numbers, hotel prices spike back up, and you'll need reservations for everything decent.
  • Rainfall is unpredictable in January - while the average is low at 10 mm (0.4 inches), those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly. It's not the afternoon pattern you get in monsoon season, so you can't plan around it. Might rain at 11am, might rain at 7pm, might not rain at all.

Investigate Other Months

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
View Year-Round Climate Guide →

Best Activities in January

Doi Inthanon Summit Hikes and Waterfall Trails

January mornings on Thailand's highest peak can drop to 5-8°C (41-46°F) at the 2,565 m (8,415 ft) summit - genuinely cold by Thai standards, which makes the cloud forest hikes spectacular. The cool air means you can tackle the 2.5 km (1.6 mile) Kew Mae Pan trail without overheating, and waterfalls like Wachirathan are still flowing well from residual monsoon runoff. Sunrise at the summit regularly offers clear views before afternoon clouds roll in around 1pm. The rhododendrons start blooming late January if you're lucky.

Booking Tip: Half-day tours typically run ฿1,200-1,800 including transport from Old City. Book 5-7 days ahead through licensed operators - look for those including the Kew Mae Pan trail permit, which requires a local guide and caps daily visitors at 300. Start times around 6am are worth it for summit clarity. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Old City Temple Cycling Routes

Those cool 16-18°C (60-64°F) mornings from 6-9am are perfect for cycling the 6 km (3.7 mile) moat loop and temple-hopping inside the Old City walls. By 10am it's already 26°C (79°F) and less pleasant on a bike. January means minimal rain risk during morning hours, and the lower humidity compared to other months makes the effort actually enjoyable. You'll catch monks receiving alms at dawn, and Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang open at 6am before tour groups arrive.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals run ฿50-100 per day from guesthouses - the basic single-speeds are fine for flat Old City terrain. Guided morning cycling tours cost ฿800-1,200 and typically include 4-5 temples plus breakfast stops. Book the night before or same morning. Avoid afternoon cycling in January - that 30°C (86°F) heat and 70% humidity combination gets sticky fast.

Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Visits

Cooler January weather means elephants are more active during midday hours compared to hot season when they seek shade. The 16°C (60°F) mornings can actually feel cold when you're wet from bathing elephants in mountain streams, but by the time you're walking with them through forest at 11am, that 28°C (82°F) temperature is comfortable. Sanctuaries north of the city at 400-600 m (1,312-1,968 ft) elevation stay 2-3°C (3-5°F) cooler than downtown. Mud is less of an issue than rainy season, but those 10 scattered rain days mean you might get wet anyway.

Booking Tip: Full-day sanctuary visits run ฿2,500-3,500 depending on group size and inclusions. Book 10-14 days ahead in January, especially for smaller group experiences limited to 6-8 people. Look for programs emphasizing observation over interaction - genuine sanctuaries don't offer riding. Morning pickups around 8am mean you're working with elephants during their active hours. See current options in the booking section below.

Northern Thai Cooking Class Sessions

January brings peak season for several ingredients used in northern Thai cuisine - fresh turmeric, galangal, and kaffir lime are all harvested now, and morning market tours that usually start these classes showcase the best produce variety of the year. The 9am-1pm class timing works perfectly with January weather - you're cooking during the comfortable 22-26°C (72-79°F) morning hours, and you finish before the hottest part of the day. Classes with outdoor cooking stations are actually pleasant now versus brutal in hot season.

Booking Tip: Half-day classes run ฿800-1,500 and include market visits and recipe booklets. Book 3-5 days ahead for popular schools - January sees decent demand but not the November-December crush. Morning classes are better than afternoon for weather and market freshness. Look for small group sizes under 12 people and classes teaching 5-6 dishes minimum. Vegetarian-only classes are widely available if you ask when booking.

Sticky Waterfalls and Mae Sa Valley Exploration

The limestone cascade at Bua Thong (Sticky Waterfall) is climbable year-round, but January's lower water flow makes it safer and easier to grip the porous rock while climbing up the 100 m (328 ft) falls. The surrounding Mae Sa Valley offers orchid farms, butterfly gardens, and scenic viewpoints that are all more enjoyable in 24-28°C (75-82°F) temperatures versus the 35°C (95°F) you'd face in April. Morning visits around 9-11am give you good light for photos and fewer crowds than afternoons.

Booking Tip: Entry to Sticky Waterfalls is ฿300 for foreigners. Combined valley tours including multiple stops run ฿1,500-2,200 for half-day trips. The 60 km (37 mile) round trip from Old City takes 90 minutes each way, so factor in 4-5 hours total. You can rent a scooter for ฿200-250 daily and do it yourself, though the mountain roads require confident riding skills. Book guided tours 2-3 days ahead or arrange through your accommodation.

Chiang Dao Cave and Mountain Area Trips

The 70 km (43 mile) drive north to Chiang Dao is spectacular in January - clear morning skies mean you'll actually see Doi Chiang Dao's 2,175 m (7,136 ft) limestone peak, which is often cloud-covered by afternoon. The cave temple complex stays a constant 20-22°C (68-72°F) inside, offering relief from midday heat. January's dry conditions mean easier access to the upper cave chambers, and the surrounding area offers hiking trails through teak forests that are genuinely pleasant at 600 m (1,968 ft) elevation where temperatures run 3-4°C (5-7°F) cooler than Chiang Mai city.

Booking Tip: Cave entry is ฿40, guide service ฿100-200 if you want to explore beyond the first lit chamber. Full-day tours combining the cave, mountain viewpoints, and local villages run ฿1,800-2,500. Book 3-5 days ahead. If driving yourself, leave by 7am to maximize clear mountain views before clouds build up after noon. The area has decent guesthouse options if you want to overnight and catch sunrise on the mountain.

January Events & Festivals

Late January

Yi Peng Lanna International Festival

The late January Buddhist celebration features temple ceremonies at Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, traditional Lanna dance performances, and procession floats decorated with flowers and lanterns. Unlike the tourist-focused November Yi Peng, this is primarily attended by locals making merit and participating in cultural traditions. You'll see traditional northern Thai costumes, hear Lanna music performances, and can join in temple activities if you dress respectfully and follow protocols. Evening processions through the Old City happen around 7-9pm.

January 29, 2026

Chinese New Year Celebrations

January 29, 2026 marks Chinese New Year, and Chiang Mai's significant Chinese-Thai community celebrates with lion dances, temple ceremonies at Wat Lok Molee, and special food markets in the Warorot Market area. The Chinatown district along Chang Moi Road sets up red lantern displays, and restaurants offer special New Year menus. Expect larger crowds from Chinese tourists during the January 26-February 2 holiday week, but the festive atmosphere adds energy to the night markets and shopping areas.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light sweater or fleece jacket - those 16°C (60°F) mornings are actually chilly by Thai standards, especially on scooters or during temple visits at dawn. You'll wear it 6-9am then carry it the rest of the day.
SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index hits 8 even in January, and the cool morning air tricks you into thinking you're not burning. Reapply every 2 hours if you're outdoors midday.
Lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho - those 10 rain days are unpredictable timing, and afternoon showers can hit anywhere from 11am to 8pm. Storms last 20-40 minutes typically.
Breathable cotton or linen shirts - avoid polyester in 70% humidity, which gets clammy by mid-morning. Long sleeves are useful for temple visits and sun protection.
Comfortable walking sandals with back straps - you'll be removing shoes constantly at temples, so slip-ons are practical. But you need grip and support for uneven temple grounds and mountain trails.
Long pants or knee-length skirt for temple visits - required at major temples, and lightweight cotton works for both modesty and comfort in 28-30°C (82-86°F) afternoon heat.
Small daypack for layer management - you'll be adding and removing that sweater, jacket, and sunscreen throughout the day as temperatures swing 14°C (25°F) from morning to afternoon.
Electrolyte packets or rehydration salts - available at 7-Eleven but worth bringing from home. The humidity makes you sweat more than you realize, especially during temple climbing or hiking.
Insect repellent with DEET - mosquitoes are less intense than rainy season but still present, especially near waterfalls and in the Mae Sa Valley. Dengue risk exists year-round.
Scarf or lightweight shawl - useful for temple shoulder covering, sun protection, and as an extra layer during those surprisingly cool mountain mornings at places like Doi Inthanon where it can hit 5°C (41°F).

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations before January 20 to avoid Chinese New Year price spikes - rates jump 40-60% from January 26-February 2, and popular guesthouses in the Old City sell out completely. After February 3, prices drop back to normal shoulder season rates.
The 6-9am window is golden in January for outdoor activities - you get that 16-20°C (60-68°F) comfort zone, better air quality before traffic builds up, fewer tourists at temples, and clearer mountain views before afternoon clouds. By 11am it's already 28°C (82°F) and less pleasant for exertion.
Locals eat khao soi more in cool season - the rich, hot coconut curry noodle soup is Chiang Mai's signature dish year-round, but you'll notice it tastes better when you're actually cool enough to want hot soup at lunch. Try it at small shophouse restaurants in the Old City where locals queue up, not the tourist places on Nimmanhaemin.
Air quality can shift quickly even in January - download the AirVisual app and check PM2.5 levels each morning. If it spikes above 100 AQI due to unexpected burning or weather inversions, skip outdoor activities and focus on indoor temples, museums, cooking classes, or shopping. The variation day-to-day can be significant.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underpacking warm layers because Thailand equals hot - those 16°C (60°F) mornings feel genuinely cold when you're on a scooter at 7am or visiting mountain areas. First-timers show up with only tank tops and shorts, then end up buying overpriced fleeces at tourist shops near Doi Suthep.
Booking everything for Chinese New Year week without realizing it - January 26-February 2, 2026 sees massive crowds, inflated prices, and fully booked popular activities. If your dates are flexible, avoid this week entirely. If not, book elephant sanctuaries and cooking classes at least 3 weeks ahead instead of the usual 5-7 days.
Assuming January means zero rain - those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly throughout the month, not in a predictable afternoon pattern like monsoon season. Tourists skip bringing rain gear, then get caught in a 30-minute downpour at 2pm with no shelter. The rain is brief but can be intense.

Explore Activities in Chiang Mai

Continue Planning Your Trip

December

Travel guide for December

February

Travel guide for February

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Chiang Mai

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.