TH · Chiang Mai · 18.79°N 98.98°E
chiang mai
Old-city temples, khao soi at every meal and cooler air up in the hills.
- Best time
- November to February. Avoid March and April if you can, when smoke from the burning season hangs over the north.
- How long
- 3–4 days
- Getting there
- About 2.5 hours' direct flight from KL.
chiang mai
Dear group chat,Old-city temples, khao soi at every meal and cooler air up in the hills.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingChiang MaiTH, Chiang Mai
Photo: Nawit science · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Stefan Fussan · CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข้อความบอกกล่าวด้วย) Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. · CC BY 4.0 Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข้อความบอกกล่าวด้วย) Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. · CC BY 4.0 Photo: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.
Northern Thailand's laid-back city: a moated old town full of temples, mountains on the horizon and a slower pace than Bangkok.
Makan
Things to do
- Wat Phra That Doi SuthepThe gold temple on the mountain above the city.Map ↗
- The old city templesWat Chedi Luang and dozens more inside the moat.Map ↗
- Sunday Walking StreetThe old city's main street turns into a market every Sunday.Map ↗
- Doi InthanonA day trip to Thailand's highest mountain.Map ↗
- Ethical elephant sanctuariesChoose one that doesn't offer rides.Map ↗
Where to stay
Inside or near the old city, or Nimman for cafés.
Good to know
- Red songthaew trucks are the cheap way around. Agree the fare first.
- Check the air quality before you book a trip in March or April.
Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.