Old city
Ideal for: first visit, culture
Inside the old walls and moat, with many temples, within walking distance of everything.
Chiang Mai
The great city of the north, with its temples, markets and surrounding mountains.
Plan your stay in Chiang Mai
Best areas to stay in Chiang Mai
Nimman
Ideal for: solo, couples
A modern area of cafés, restaurants and shops.
Around the Night Bazaar
Ideal for: nightlife, shopping
Lively in the evening, between the old city and the river.
Practical info about Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is calmer than Bangkok and easy to get around. It is a good base to explore the mountains and villages of the north, on organised tours or with a driver.
For activities involving animals, check how they are cared for and choose places that respect their welfare.
What to see in Chiang Mai
- Old-city temples: Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang;
- Doi Suthep, the mountain temple overlooking the city;
- night markets and the Sunday market;
- the northern mountains, on day trips: villages, waterfalls, Chiang Rai and the White Temple.
From Bangkok, about an hour’s flight or a night on the train. All our tips in Travel in Thailand.