By rail
Chiang Mai station, overnight sleeper from Bangkok, ~12 h
Southeast Asia · Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Old-city temples, night markets and misty hills
Getting there
By air
Chiang Mai International (CNX), ~4 km from the old city
Best time to visit
November to February — cool, dry and clear; Yi Peng lanterns in November
Don't miss
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Chedi Luang
The old-city moat and gates
Doi Inthanon National Park
Things to do
A Thai cooking class
The Sunday Walking Street
An ethical elephant sanctuary
Trekking in Doi Inthanon
Where to eat
What to pack
Layers for chilly mornings, temple-appropriate clothing, trekking shoes
A quieter corner
Wat Umong, a forest temple with meditation tunnels on the edge of town
Questions travellers ask
When are the Yi Peng lanterns in Chiang Mai?
In November. November to February is cool, dry and clear, so bring layers for chilly mornings.
Can I get to Chiang Mai by train from Bangkok?
Yes, the overnight sleeper from Bangkok takes about 12 hours. If you'd rather fly, Chiang Mai International (CNX) is about 4 km from the old city.
Which dish should I try first in Chiang Mai?
Try khao soi in the old city, then graze your way through Warorot Market and the night food stalls at Chiang Mai Gate.
Is there a quieter temple in Chiang Mai worth finding?
Wat Umong, a forest temple with meditation tunnels on the edge of town.
About Chiang Mai
- Hills
- Riverside
Where it is
Chiang Mai, the largest city of northern Thailand, lies in the valley of the Ping River among forested mountains, with the peak of Doi Suthep rising on its western edge.
History
King Mangrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296 as the new capital of the Lanna kingdom, and its moated old city still keeps its square plan. Lanna fell under Burmese rule in the mid-16th century and came under Siamese overlordship in the late 18th century, before being absorbed into the Thai state around the turn of the 20th century.
People
Many of Chiang Mai's people are Khon Mueang, northern Thais who speak Kham Mueang (Northern Thai) as well as Central Thai, and the surrounding hills are home to Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Lisu and Akha communities. The city is a centre of crafts such as the painted umbrellas of Bo Sang, silverwork, woodcarving and celadon.
Known for
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
- The moated old city and Wat Chedi Luang
- Night markets and the Sunday Walking Street
- Khao soi, the northern curry noodle soup
- The Yi Peng lantern festival
Did you know?
Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand, rises in Chiang Mai province south-west of the city, its summit forests protected as a national park.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.