Chiang Mai

Travel tips you can trust

 

Why
Chiang Mai
is special

This northern Thailand city is rich in history and culture - and is surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty in the hills and mountains.

Chiang Mai
tips and insights

Top attraction

It's the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple on a high hill overlooking Chiang Mai. The traditional architectural design is superb. Many visitors energetically reach the temple by walking up a steep 290-step hillside stairway guarded at its base by photogenic Naga snake sculptures (see photo). The less physically motivated take the cable car.

Other major attractions

They includeThe temples of Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh Day excursions for elephant riding, hill tribe visiting, jungle trekking, white-water rafting Museum hopping Handcrafted souvenir shopping Thai cooking and massage courses.

Urban change

Regrettably, over the past decades the Chiang Mai urban landscape has been giving way to contemporary structures. Still, much of the endearing Chiang Mai heritage remains - and the locals are as commendably friendly as ever.

Name

Chiang Mai literally means "new city", which it was when it was founded in 1296.

When to come

Chiang Mai is intrinsically hot despite being in the hills. It's coolest from Mid-November to January, and that's the best time to visit. Try to avoid March to May (the hottest months) and May through early FallĀ (the wettest period).

Location in Thailand

Know these Thailand tips and insights

In Bangkok
Floating Markets
Golden Buddha Statue
Grand Palace
Temple of Dawn
Temple Emerald Buddha
Temple Reclining Buddha

Beyond Bangkok
Ayutthaya Temples
Chiang Mai
Phanom Rung Hist Park
Prasat Hin Phimai
Phang Nga Bay
Phi Phi Islands
Phuket
Sukhothai Historical Park

More pages
Thailand wonders - Top 5 rankings
Thai cuisine - Famous dishes

 

Dragon photo by Cloudscolors - CC-BY-SA-3.0

 

Tourism Authority of Thailand

 

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