Welcome to my favourite destination in Thailand: Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has such a special place in my heart. It is full of culture, beautiful scenery, wildlife and amazing things to do. I have recently visited Chiang Mai for the second time and can confirm that it still remains as my number one destination in Thailand.
Located in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is the largest city in the region. Within this post I am going to provide you with an up to date travel guide on this magical city and highlight why you should prioritise a visit here on your Thailand Itinerary.
How to Get to Chiang Mai
You will be glad to know that Chiang Mai is easily accessible. Most people who visit will take a domestic flight within Thailand, commonly from Krabi or Bangkok. However, there are other cheaper options – which I have also explored myself.
Domestic Flight – Chiang Mai has its own airport and flights run domestically throughout Thailand. You should be able to find a flight for approximately £45.00 – the flight time is 1 hour 15 minutes. I use Bangkok Airways for all domestic flights in Thailand and have always had a positive experience.
Sleeper Train – For those of you on a backpacking budget, the sleeper train will be your best option. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with my experience on the overnight train. Most people will take the train from Bangkok but we boarded from Ayutthaya. Our train left at 21:06 and arrived in Chiang Mai at 08:40 – just under 12 hours. I paid £25.00 for a 2nd class ticket and booked on 12go Asia. You can get a cheaper ticket directly at the station but the trains are often full up in advance. The journey went very quickly as it was overnight and the bed was surprisingly comfy.
Bus – You can also book bus tickets on 12go Asia – I have never personally travelled to Chiang Mai by bus but I have spoke to people who have – it sounds less comfortable than the overnight train but is cheaper. Tickets start from approximately £15.00
When to Visit Chiang Mai
Luckily, Chiang Mai can be visited all year round but the best time to visit is between November and February, as it is the dry season. You will have guaranteed sunshine and comfortable temperatures but due to peak season, you can expect everything to be more expensive.
Many prefer the climate of Chiang Mai over Bangkok as the heat is much less intense. If you are hiking in the mountainous regions, you may even want to wear a lightweight jacket or shirt.
The rainy season begins in July and lasts until October. It is still possible to visit during these months as the storms usually only last a couple of hours. You will also benefit from lower prices – great for those of you on a budget!
How Long to Stay in Chiang Mai
Many people recommend just 3 days but I have to be honest, there is so much to do that you definitely need more if you want to see all that Chiang Mai has to offer.
I would recommend spending at least 5 days, even 7 if you have the time in your itinerary. You will find that there is soo much to do in Chiang Mai that it is not possible to cram everything into just a few days. I have just completed my second trip to Chiang Mai and I managed to find new things to do which I hadn’t even heard of the first time I visited.
If you can only spare 3 days, then it is definitely still worth visiting and you will still have time for the main sites and trips.
Getting Around Chiang Mai
Grab/Bolt – The most convenient way of getting from place to place is by Grab or Bolt. Bolt is almost always cheaper than Grab and it is easy to find a driver at all times of the day. I mostly rely on Bolt in Chiang Mai as it is cheap, convenient and safe.
Walking – If you are staying in the centre, Chiang Mai is easily walkable. To save money on a backpacking budget, I have spent a lot of time walking to temples, restaurants, markets and shopping centres.
Moped/Car Rental – You can rent a bike or car for cheap in Chiang Mai but be aware that it is very busy and the roads are not the easiest to drive here.
Tuk Tuk – You won’t struggle to find a tuk tuk driver here. Although their prices are not ridiculous, I do find Bolt to be a lot cheaper. Make sure to negotiate prices as the drivers always state higher at first.
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
The Old City is the best place to stay for backpackers looking for cheap deals at guesthouses and hostels. You will find yourself in walking distance from many sites and markets.
Wat Ket is where I would recommend to stay in Chiang Mai for cheaper prices. You will find yourself within walking distance of the Old City and next to a beautiful river. I recommend Celosia Hotel for reasonable prices, with a pool.
Nimmanheamin – A great place to stay if you are a digital nomad or looking for good nightlife. It has an artsy vibe and many coffee shops. You can expect more expensive prices to stay here.
Riverside – Recommended for families with a higher budget. There are many high end resorts in this area and great shopping opportunities.
Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary has got to take the number one spot when it comes to things to do in Chiang Mai (well for me anyway because elephants are my favourite animal!)
There are many elephant sanctuaries to choose from and I will discuss the 2 which I believe are the best, to my knowledge.
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary – I have visited this sanctuary twice now and can highly recommend a visit to one of their camps. This organisation has camps across Thailand and multiple within Chiang Mai. You can choose from a half day experience, a full day experience or even stay overnight! Spend the day learning about the elephants, feeding bananas, making medicine balls, taking photographs, enjoying a shower and mud bath alongside the elephants. I always have the best experience at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and have met some lovely people on both visits. For the half day visit you can expect to pay £42.50 per person. Book Here
On both of my visits, I have been lucky enough to spend time with baby elephants. My boyfriend actually got chased down the river by a baby elephant on our first visit!
The elephants seem very content and are well looked after by the guides. I can happily say that visiting here is always a great experience in Chiang Mai.
Elephant Nature Park – A leading rescue and rehabilitation centre located in Chiang Mai which offers morning, afternoon, full day and overnight experiences. You are only allowed to watch the elephants here, no bathing takes place. So if you are looking for an authentic experience I would recommend visiting the Elephant Nature Park.
Wachirathan Waterfall
Quite possibly one of the best waterfalls in Thailand, Wachirathan Waterfall is located within Doi Inthanon National Park. It is a must see when in Chiang Mai.
I was incredibly lucky to see a rainbow across the waterfall as you can see in the picture above. This was one of my favourite sites in Chiang Mai. The nature here is unbelievable and found just outside of the city.
If you book a Doi Inthanon tour, it is likely that this waterfall will be included so make sure to check before planning a separate visit.
Doi Inthanon National Park
The nature and scenery is beautiful at Doi Inthanon. It is the highest mountain in Thailand and offers spectacular views across Chiang Mai.
There are various nature trails to walk on Doi Inthanon, or you can commit to the hike which takes about 2 hours. We booked a full day trip to Doi Inthanon which included a nature trail walk, a stop at the waterfall, a visit to the temple on top of the mountain, a small hike and a stop at a local coffee plantation. You can book a full day trip for approximately £30.00
You will find Doi Inthanon Temple towards the peak of the mountain. It is a must see when visiting the national park due to its unique 2 modern pagodas and pretty flower garden.
Be aware that the entrance fee of 100 baht is not included in the national park fee.
Wat Phra Singh
I would describe this temple as one of the prettiest in Chiang Mai. It was the first temple that I explored in Chiang Mai and has a really special energy about it. Wat Phra Singh is a Buddhist temple located in Old City, depending on where you are staying you can most likely walk here from your accommodation.
Wat Phra Singh also is home to life-like replicas of influential monks at the time of the temples development. I actually thought they were real at first!
Hike The Monk's Trail to Wat Pha Lat
I would say that Wat Pha Lat is a hidden gem although we did find that a lot of people knew about it. Hidden within the jungle, Wat Pha Lat is a beautiful temple surrounded by nature.
The hike is known as the monks trail and takes about 45 minutes each way. The path is clear but can be considered moderate as it is at an incline and has multiple branches that you have to cross over. At times, the path is very bumpy and uneven so be sure to wear suitable footwear – although monks do it in sandals!
Once you arrive at Wat Pha Lat, you will be surrounded by nature. It is such a mystical and peaceful place, like something out of a fairy tale.
The temple itself is stunning and one of a kind. I would say this is probably my favourite temple in the whole of Thailand.
If you are feeling active, you can then hike up to the peak of Doi Inthanon from this point, it will take about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden
Another gem for nature lovers in Chiang Mai: Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden offers a relaxing escape from the city.
There is so much to explore here including 3 hiking trails, a glasshouse with an indoor waterfall, a canopy walkway above the jungle and a huge glasshouse full of cacti.
You can reach the botanical gardens by driving or hiring a driver. It is situated about an hours drive from the centre, dependant on traffic.
A ticket costs 100 baht for an adult and includes the canopy walkway.
You will find many different exotic flowers and plant species here located in a variety of greenhouses/glasshouses.
The botanical garden is large so I would recommend hiring a driver for some hours and exploring properly to get the most out of your trip.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival
If possible, I would highly recommend visiting Chiang Mai in November and planning your stay around the dates of Yi Peng Lantern Festival.
Once a year, on the full moon of the 12th lunar calendar month, Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated here in Chiang Mai. This tradition began in the 13th century by Buddhists.
The reason for releasing a lantern is to symbolise letting go of all negativity and suffering in time for the new year.
The festivities are usually held over three days and involve a lot of traditions, primarily the release of lanterns into the sky and floating krathongs on the river.
Loy Krathong involves releasing a floating lantern, known as a krathong, onto the river for the river spirits and the Goddess of Water.
Our visit to Chiang Mai in 2022 luckily aligned with Yi Peng Lantern Festival’s first day.
You have two options when attending the festival:
Take part in the local festivities for free, the lantern release is held at Nawarat Bridge. You can attend for free. Be aware that there is not a mass release of lanterns at Nawarat Bridge so you may prefer to attend the official event. Also, the release of lanterns outside of the official event has now been banned – although everyone was still releasing them. We were lucky enough to release a lantern ourselves here.
The second option is to book a ticket to the official event, where you will take part in the mass release of lanterns. This is a beautiful sight that I would love to see one day. Tickets do cost upwards of £100.00 and can be booked here
Scheduling your visit at the time of Yi Peng is 100% worth it. It really was a once in a lifetime experience and you get to experience and take part in a lot of Thai culture.
Cooking Class
Taking part in a cooking class whilst in Chiang Mai is a must!
Escape to the countryside for a day and enjoy making amazing Thai food with local ingredients. You will also get the chance to visit a local market where you can gain insight into where the locals shop and which ingredients are required for the main dishes.
I chose Lai Orchid Cooking Class as it seemed very authentic and you get to make a good range of dishes. It is located in the countryside with a lovely herb garden/farm.
You can choose from a half day morning/evening class or full day where you will get to make a drink and dessert too.
I paid £15.50 for the half day morning class and got to make pad thai, green thai curry, hot and creamy soup and curry paste.
Wat Chedi Luang
This is one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai and is situated within the walled part of the city.
The temple dates back to the 14th Century and is famous for its huge chedi. It is a very unique temple and an interesting site to visit.
The City Pillar, known as Inthakhin, is also situated here. According to legend, the pillar protects Chiang Mai so it is an important shrine here in the city.
Pong Yaeng Zip Line and Jungle Coaster
Looking for something more adventurous? Then take a visit here for some fun in the treetops.
The coolest attraction here is the jungle coaster – a sled on a rail track which reaches speeds of 40km/h and offers scenic views at the same time.
You can choose from multiple packages, starting from approximately £40.00
Anusarn Market
Located towards the bottom end of the Night Bazaar, Anusarn Market is open every night until midnight. You will find a huge variety of cheap food here and a vibrant atmosphere.
It is my favourite market in Chiang Mai, I came here most evenings for dinner. You will also find good quality souvenirs, clothing and artwork here.
There is a cocktail bar situated in the centre, I really recommend grabbing a drink here – it is reasonably priced. You can get a cocktail for 120 baht – under £3.00! Back in 2022, we enjoyed an evening with the owner of the bar and revisited in 2024.
So, should I add Chiang Mai to my itinerary?
100%
Your Thailand itinerary would be incomplete without a visit to the North of Thailand. Chiang Mai offers insight into Thai culture and is rich with temples, activities, nature and an amazing atmosphere.
Also, if you are a solo traveller, it is a great place to meet people or travel alone as it is very safe. I have spent time alone in the day and evening as a woman and feel extremely safe.
I am sure that you can see some of Chiang Mai’s beauty within this post but be sure to come and check it out for yourself!
