Expert Chiang Mai Travel Guide, Thailand

As you journey through Chiang Mai, Thailand, your senses will be flooded—temple incense clouds, delectable mango sticky rice you’ll be dreaming about for weeks, steaming broths, meat skewers—so many things you’ll want more time to devour with your eyes and your nose and your stomach. We’ll get into all that and more in our EXPERT Chiang Mai travel guide.

Visiting Chiang Mai is definitely worth it. Here, you can experience the best Thailand has to offer (whether it’s food, nature, or culture) in one beautiful, accessible package.

Read our accompanying Chiang Mai itinerary as you prepare for your trip.

Before You Go

• Arrange pickup from Chiang Mai Airport
• Read our guide on how to score the cheapest flights
• Book your train or flight to Chiang Mai
• Search for discounted hotel stay or vacation rental
• Protect your travel plans with trip insurance
• Check phone plan for international data or get a SIM card for Thailand
• Consider renting a car in Chiang Mai
• Review our carry-on packing list 
• Learn everything you need to know about traveling through airport security
• Pack the right travel cameras and comfortable travel clothes

Chiang Mai Travel Guide

Chiang Mai is probably best known for its famous temples (with well over 100+ in the city), including Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chiang Man, and Wat Phra Singh. Chiang Mai is also renowned for its proximity to nature elephants, and laidback pace of life that’s popular with expats.

It’s easy to see why Chiang Mai, Thailand is one of the best honeymoon destinations in Asia.

Our Chiang Mai travel guide is going to unpack everything for you in an organized format that will answer all of your questions about traveling to Chiang Mai.

We’ll go into the city basics, including:

• language, currency, transportation, food, voltage, population of Chiang Mai, weather in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai air quality, Chiang Mai rental car, Chiang Mai airports, and more.

We’ll also discuss:

• where to stay in Chiang Mai, what to do in Chiang Mai, the best day trips to take, and where to go next in our Chiang Mai travel guide.

Why We Made a Travel Guide for Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, Thailand is one of our favorite places in the whole world.

I studied in Chiang Mai, Thailand before I became a travel blogger, and it was this opportunity in the Land of Smiles that restructured my priorities and reaffirmed travel and exploration as my true passion.

Waterfalls, stunning treks, and other adventurous delights certainly have a heavy hand in my love for Chiang Mai, Thailand, in addition to the affordable cost of living in Chiang Mai. The cuisine is delicious and the people are warm and friendly.

There are so many amazing things to do in Chiang Mai, from stuffing your face on delicious street food, Chiang Mai trekking in the jungle, seeing a Muay Thai fight, ziplining in Chiang Mai, to bathing with elephants at a Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary.

I’ve been around here and there, but no matter where else I travel, Chiang Mai will always have a piece of my heart. That’s why we’re ecstatic to share ESSENTIAL advice for Chiang Mai travel in our Chiang Mai travel guide with you.

This ULTIMATE Chiang Mai Travel Guide will feed you all the juicy info you need to visit this belove northern Thai city.

A visit to Chiang Mai is truly an essential part of any Thailand itinerary, and this Chiang Mai travel guide will be an invaluable resource for your journey.

So get on now, and bury your nose in our Chiang Mai travel guide:

Wat Chiang Man

Language in Chiang Mai

Most people in Chiang Mai speak standard Thai.

A phrase that describes the way of life in Chiang Mai is mai pen rai, which is essentially the equivalent to “no worries” or “hang loose.”

There are some older people who still speak the local Northern Thai dialect (also known as Lanna).

English is pretty common in touristed areas and restaurants. Many restaurants in these areas have menus in English, and most important street signs are written in Thai and English (as in the rest of Thailand).

If you venture outside of the tourist spots, you’ll find far less English.

And remember, mai pen rai, baby!

Chiang Mai Population

How many people are in Chiang Mai?

The population of Chiang Mai’s urban area currently stands at about 1.2 million people, making it the second largest city in Thailand.

Prices in Chiang Mai

Prices in Chiang Mai are very affordable, but can range widely, depending on if you’re paying tourist or local prices.

Local meals start at around 40THB ($1.10) for a dish, whereas if you eat at a western restaurant you can expect to pay at least four times that.

Local transport via songthaew starts at about 20THB for short rides, with the price increasing by distance. Tuktuks (40THB+) and taxis are more expensive, yet still affordable.

Accommodation prices range from less than $20 per night for basic rooms all the way up to over $200 per night for top-of-the-line luxury.

Voltage in Thailand

The Voltage in Thailand is a 230V voltage at 50hz.

The most common outlet type for electric plugs in Thailand is Type C, the most commonly used one around the world.

Some outlets for electric plugs in Thailand are a hybrid that can accommodate plug types A/B (North American), C, and O (a Thailand-only plug).

Travelers from countries that use over voltages (such as the United States) will need to bring a voltage converter if they want to use certain appliances (hair dryer, etc.).

If you need to adapt your plugs to fit in the local sockets, you can always find a plug adapter. We recommend this Universal Travel Adapter.

Chiang Mai Time Zone

Chiang Mai and the rest of Thailand are on Indochina time (GMT+7), which is seven hours ahead of London.

Thailand doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time, so the time doesn’t change throughout the year.

Weather in Chiang Mai

Due to its northern location and moderate altitude (about 300m), the weather in Chiang Mai enjoys a somewhat milder climate compared to much of Thailand.

Our Chiang Mai travel guide will now go into the seasons in Chiang Mai, including the best times for Chiang Mai air quality.

Chiang Mai is generally regarded to have 3 seasons:

The cool season from November – February, has temperatures ranging from 10c at night to 28C during the day.

Rain is rare during this season, making it the best time to visit Chiang Mai for outdoor activities.

The hot season (March – May) isn’t recommended as the best time to visit Chiang Mai because of the heat and poor air quality in Chiang Mai.

Temperatures rise to 32-40C during the day, and the local environment takes on a dry and dusty look.

With dust and smoke from fires in the area, this is the time of year when the air quality in Chiang Mai can take a hit, so we wouldn’t recommend visiting during this time, if possible.

The rainy season (June – October) is actually a pleasant time to visit Chiang Mai.

The monsoon rains wash away the dust and smoke of the dry season, and also bring down the hot temperatures a bit. Despite the name, it usually doesn’t rain all the time.

Instead, there will be short and intense downpours.

If you come prepared to deal with some rain, it’s a beautiful time to visit, and considered by many to be the best time to visit Chiang Mai. The landscape becomes more lush during this time, and the threat of rain keeps crowds lower.

How to Get to Chiang Mai

“The Rose of the North” is a compact city (though still the largest in Northern Thailand of about 200,000), and traveling to Chiang Mai is easy.

From Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Most people traveling to Chiang Mai will come through/from Bangkok.

You can easily get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok via plane, train, bus, or rental car.

Here’s some advice about Chiang Mai travel from Bangkok:

Chiang Mai Airports

There is one airport in Chiang Mai.

Whether you’re flying in to Chiang Mai from Bangkok or someone else, all arrivals to the Chiang Mai airport will come through the the International Airport in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai International Airport hosts incoming flights from throughout Asia and Thailand.

Flights within Thailand to Chiang Mai are very cheap and quick (as low as $10 and 1hr 15m from Bangkok), and are a convenient, affordable method to get to Chiang Mai.

Air Asia Chiang Mai flights are run by a discount airline, and are reliably affordable. Find Air Asia Chiang Mai flights here.

✈️  Learn other tips for finding dirt cheap flights in our guide, How to Find Cheap Flights.

Headed to Thailand yourself? Check out this Thailand Visa Guide

Bangkok to Chiang Mai Train

Flights aren’t the only way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

You can take Bangkok to Chiang Mai train starting at around 580THB ($15.80) for the 2nd class sleeper with fan.

The ride is much slower than a flight, taking about 11 hours.

Buses to Chiang Mai

Buses to Chiang Mai are available from Bangkok and other cities throughout Thailand, and vary in duration as well as cost depending on the point of departure.

Chiang Mai Bus Terminals

There are three bus terminals in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai bus terminal 1, known as Chang Phueak Bus Station, is just north of the Old City.

Local city buses and buses running to nearby destinations in Chiang Mai province leave from here.

Chiang Mai bus terminals 2 & 3, also known as the Chiang Mai Arcade bus terminal, is located 3km east of the Old City.

Long-distance buses to places around Thailand, including Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, and Bangkok, arrive and depart from here.

Tuktuks in Chiang Mai

How to Get Around Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a relatively small city, at less than 20 sq mi (40 km). So, it’s simple to get around the city.

From many locations in Chiang Mai, you can easily get a tuktuk, taxi, or shared songthaew to your destination.

You can also take a tuktuk tour of Chiang Mai.

When traveling in any foreign country, it helps immensely to have the name of your destination written in the native language, to show the driver where you’re going.

Local transport in Chiang Mai is very affordable (even as low as 30-60 THB per ride).

While there’s no Uber in Thailand, but the Grab taxi app functions the same way. It’s a convenient way to get exactly where you want to go, though it’s more expensive and requires a mobile connection.

Learn more about how to get around Chiang Mai on our Chiang Mai itinerary.

Chiang Mai Car Rent

Chiang Mai rental cars are affordable and available, starting at around $26/day. While a car is a fantastic option to get around Chiang Mai and its surrounding areas, be very careful driving in a foreign country.

Get a budget car rental for Chiang Mai. Prices fluctuate, so you can also compare Chiang Mai car rent prices at this site.

In Thailand, drivers drive in the LEFT lane (the opposite of America, where we drive in the right lane). This is particularly important to remember when turning onto any new streets—be sure to remind yourself LEFT LANE, LEFT LANE, every time you turn!

Drive safely and defensively, and be ready to adapt to different driving conditions than you may be used to at home.

For example, motorbikes are everywhere and you will have to get used to motorbikes zooming past all around you. Street lights also take much longer to to change than they do in the U.S.!

Chiang Mai Motorbike For Rent

Our favorite way to get around Chiang Mai is by motorbike. It’s fun, it’s incredibly affordable (starting at less than 200THB/day), and helps you experience the local way of life.

If you decide to rent a motorbike, we urge you to be safe and follow local laws and regulations.

What Chedi Luang

Neighborhoods of Chiang Mai

Our Chiang Mai travel guide will now breakdown the major neighborhoods to explore in Chiang Mai.

We will go over specific accommodation recommendations in the next major section: Where to Stay in Chiang Mai.

Travelers visiting Chiang Mai tend to focus on the neighborhoods of:

•  Old City
• Doi Suthep
• Suthep
• and Nimman

Old City

Chiang Mai Old City, found within a 1.5 sq. km moat and Chiang Mai gate, is the historic center of Chiang Mai.

A popular area for travelers to visit and stay in, the Old City houses some of the city’s oldest and most famous temples inside of the Chiang Mai moat.

These include Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Chiang Man.

There are many day tours in Chiang Mai to show you around Old City. While it is pretty simple to navigate on your own, a tour can offer you information and education.

Old City also hosts a couple Chiang Mai night markets, including the Sunday Night Market and the Tha Pae Walking Street (both on Sundays).

You’ll also find a Saturday Night Market in Chiang Mai.

Be sure to take a Night Market foodie tour and catch a Muay Thai fight in or near Old City.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Doi Suthep

Doi Suthep offers some of the top sights in our guide to Chiang Mai.

Doi Suthep refers to both the mountain itself and the temple partway up the mountain, visible from much of Chiang Mai (known as Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep).

You can easily get a songthaew or taxi ride up to the Doi Suthep temple from many places in the city.

If you’re riding a motorbike while traveling to Chiang Mai, it’s fun to drive up from the city. Drive carefully, as there are some windy mountain curves.

The draw of Doi Suthep is the combination of the natural beauty of its surroundings and the splendor of the temple grounds, making it one of the most recommended sites in our Chiang Mai travel guide.

We recommend visiting the temple early in the morning, as it can get busy later in the day. You can even visit Doi Suthep at night.

Doi Suthep mountain is home to a national park as well (Doi Suthep National Park). Grab a ride down to the Montha Than waterfall trailhead, where you pay a 100 baht entrance fee (plus vehicle fee) to enter the park.

Montha Than Chiang Mai Waterfall near Wat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Suthep

Our favorite part of Chiang Mai is the Suthep district, in between Doi Suthep and the Nimman district. We love Suthep’s winding, tree-covered alleys and proximity to nature.

Wat Umong

Suthep is also home to two of our favorite Chiang Mai travel guide sites: the temples of the mysterious and lush Wat Umong and brightly shining Wat Suan Dok.

The buzzing Langmor Night Market near Chiang Mai University’s south gate is one of our most-loved places to eat street food in Chiang Mai, whether it’s sushi, steak, or Thai grilled chicken.

Suthep also has some beer gardens and cute cafes, such as No.39, a cafe with a beautiful pond and a slide.

No. 39 Cafe

Booking.com

Nimman

Nimman is an area to the northwest of the Old City. Popular with travelers and expats alike due to its cute and trendy cafes, restaurants, and hotels, the Nimman area is centered around Nimmanheaemin Road.

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

Since Chiang Mai is so affordable, accommodations can start as low as $5 or $6 a night.

$50 can go a long way towards getting a much nicer boutique hotel in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai also has some incredible luxury resorts if it’s within your budget, such as the Anantara Chiang Mai.

In any neighborhood you choose, you’ll find a variety of accomodations, ranging from local apartments in Chiang Mai, Thailand to cute boutique hotels. We always like to use Booking.com or Agoda in Chiang Mai, as well as in the rest of Asia.

Most travelers to Chiang Mai will stay in either the Old City or the Nimman area for their central locations.

We, personally, like to stay in the western Suthep district near the base of Doi Suthep for a quieter, more local experience closer to nature, but if you have limited time in Chiang Mai, it might not be the most ideal location for you.

But if you have more time, Suthep will offer you more of a local, laidback experience.

Booking.com

List Lodge in Chiang Mai

Lisu Lodge

If you’d like to escape into nature, we definitely recommend a stay at the Lisu Lodge, an eco-lodge run by the local hill tribespeople, surrounded by verdant hills and scenic fields of rice and tobacco.

The Lisu Lodge is located outside the city, and will take you deeper into the stunning nature of northern Thailand.

Muay Thai fight at Thapae Boxing Stadium

Chiang Mai Nightlife

While Chiang Mai doesn’t have quite the wild nightlife scene of Bangkok or Pattaya, the city still has a couple poppin’ spots for nightlife that we’ll go over now in our guide to Chiang Mai.

If you’re traveling as a family and don’t want to hit the bars, you can take a Chiang Mai Night Safari.

Another family-friendly activity for nightlife in Chiang Mai is this Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show.

Backpackers flock to a corner of the Old City near the popular bar/club Zoe in Yellow. There are several bars in this area that play dance music and attract partiers. It’s definitely the top place to go for backpackers looking to party in Chiang Mai.

THC Rooftop Bar is also popular among backpackers (and study abroad students, I can testify), offering cheap drinks, live music, and a vibrant atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a taste of the local nightlife in Chiang Mai, check out RIM CURVED. This laidback spot is a great place to soak up local vibes, cheap beers, and a variety of Thai bar food. There’s often live music here, and a translated menu with some humorous translations (Bib egg freckles horse power frames, anyone?).

The lively Nimman area is popular with locals and foreigners alike. There’s lots of busy bars here, including Warm Up Cafe, featuring food, drinks, and DJs who play Western and Thai music.

Infinity and Tawan Daeng are loved by locals for their energetic dance floors and late-night parties, while hidden gems like North Gate Jazz Co-Op offer live music and a laid-back vibe.

You can catch a ladyboy show at the Chiang Mai Cabaret show every night near the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

There are also nightly Muay Thai fights at stadiums around Chiang Mai.

Khao Soi, one of the Chiang Mai foods you MUST try

Chiang Mai Food

We can’t give advice for Chiang Mai travel without recommending some delicious local Chiang Mai food.

Comfortingly garlic and saltily sour, and (much like the Vietnamese food we’ve also written about), the Chiang Mai street food I’d limp toward after every wild night out taught me the meaning of food is love.

Chiang Mai may not have the kinds of lovely beaches you’ll find in Hua Hin, but it certainly has one heck of a culinary sea to dive into. 

Our favorite of the Chiang Mai foods are the northern speciality khao soi and khao ka moo (pork leg on rice).

A signature dish of Northern Thailand, khao soi is a coconut curry noodle soup topped with crispy noodles and served with lime, shallots, pickled mustard greens, and chili paste.

You can get khao soi around the city at various Chiang Mai street food vendors, but our favorite Chiang Mai restaurant to get it is Khao Soi Mae Sai, which is a Michelin-mentioned spot dating back to 1989 off of Huay Kaew Road.

We love to eat khao ka moo at the cowgirl foodstall featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show, “No Reservations.” You’ll find it at the Chang Phueak gate (run by a Thai woman in her famous cowboy hat), just to the north of the old city, where there’s a nightly food market that opens around 4-5 PM each evening.

Local Thai Chiang Mai restaurants are plentiful throughout Chiang Mai, and Western/foreign restaurants are easy to find, especially around Old City and Nimman.

Kaeng Rong Baan Suan

A notable Chiang Mai restaurant to try authentic regional northern Thai food is Kaeng Rong Baan Suan.

You’ll find the flavors are very different than Thai food we usually eat in America!

Kanjana Restaurant

Another favorite dining spot in Chiang Mai, Kanjana Restaurant is known for its authentic Northern Thai flavors and cozy ambiance.

Try their khao kan chin (steamed rice with pork blood), gaeng hang lay (Northern Thai pork curry), and sai ua (spicy sausage) served with fresh vegetables and dipping sauces.

Huay Tung Tao Lake Floating Hut Restaurant

Affordable feast in a floating hut on Huay Tung Thao lake

We also recommend the floating hut restaurant on Huay Tung Tao Lake for tasty Thai food at reasonable prices in a unique and peaceful natural setting. Our favorite thing to get here is whole fried fish.

Learn more about this restaurant on our Chiang Mai itinerary.

Floating hut restaurant on Huay Tung Thao Lake

Street Food Stands

If you get anything from this Chiang Mai guide, we hope it’s that you’ll explore some of the local food stands you’ll find in Chiang Mai.

There are day tours in Chiang Mai that can take you to markets, show you around, and help you translate, if that might help you feel more comfortable. This one, for example, takes you to a market to buy ingredients, and then shows you how to cook them.

Chiang Mai Gate Food Market

Open every evening, Chiang Mai Gate Food Market is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to sample a wide variety of Northern Thai dishes at affordable prices.

From stir-fried noodles and curry rice to grilled meats and fresh seafood, there’s something for everyone to stuff in their mouths!

Tom Kha Goong (Coconut Shrimp Sour Soup) in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Street Food in Chiang Mai to Try

Street food Chiang Mai vendors are widely available throughout the city.

In fact, a foodie venture exploring the street food in Chiang Mai is our absolute favorite thing to do in the city.

Chiang Mai noodles, curries, sweets and skewers are everywhere to be found, so don’t be shy!

More Chiang Mai street food to try is:

•  pad see ew (stir-fried noodles)
• kuaytiaw (or boat noodles, similar to pho)
• sai oua (grilled spicy herb sausage)
• khai jiao (Thai omelet)
• khao niaow ma muang (mango sticky rice)
• khao mok hai (Thai chicken biryani)
• fried quail eggs
• tom yum goong (sour soup with shrimp) or tom kha goong (coconut sour soup with shrimp)
• pa thong ko (Thai donuts)
• haw mok (fish custard—trust me, it’s DELISH)
• rotee (we like the banana chocolate with condensed milk!)
• pad pad boong (stir-fried morning glory)
• if you’re up for an adventure in Chiang Mai, fried bugs!

Here’s a post you can check out to learn more about local Thai dishes.

We found fried bugs at some of the local outdoor food markets, and have seen fried bug trucks some by at night at local bars!

Feeding the birds at the pond at Wat Umong

What to Do in Chiang Mai

Looking for the best things to do in Chiang Mai?

Get ready for an adventure in Chiang Mai!

If you’re planning a tight schedule, keep in mind that some places mentioned in our Chiang Mai travel guide are found in outskirts of the city or in nearby districts and will need some extra time allotted.

These include the Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, and Doi Inthanon, and the Sticky Waterfall in Chiang Mai.

We’ve included many of these on our 3 day Chiang Mai itinerary, so be sure to refer to that guide if you’d like more in depth information on some of the activities.

Without further ado, our Chiang Mai travel guide’s got a list for you coming right up of the best things to do in Chiang Mai.  Check it out in the next section!

Wat Pha Lat, reachable by the hiking the Monk’s Trail

Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Whatever you do on our Chiang Mai travel guide, it’s going to be incredible. 

Here’s a list of some of the top things to do in Chiang Mai to get you started!

• Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai
• Watch a Chiang Mai Muay Thai fight
• Watch A Chiang Mai Ladyboy Show
• Chiang Mai Jungle Trek
• Hike the Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat
• Have a cup of coffee at one of the Chiang Mai treehouse coffee shops
• Roll up your sleeves at get farming in Chiang Mai
• Visit the many temples of Old City
• Visit Wat Umong and feed the birds
• Ride in a hot air balloon for panoramic views
• Eat in a floating hut on Huay Tung Tao Lake
• Explore Warorot Market
• Visit the temple of Doi Suthep
• Visit Doi Suthep and Wat Umong at night
• Wander the Wiang Kum Kam Ancient City
• Do a foodie tour of the Chiang Mai Night Markets 
• Visit a Chiang Mai waterfall, such as Montha than or Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall in Chiang Mai
• Take a boat cruise on the Mae Ping River 
• Take a Chiang Mai tour of the city on tuktuk
• See tigers at Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai
• Take a Chiang Mai Night Safari
• Ride an ATV in Chiang Mai
• Try out Glamping in Chiang Mai
• Pick your own green tea with the Lisu Lodge
• Get adventurous on a Chiang Mai Zipline
• Visit the Chiang Mai Zoo
• Take a tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai to see the White Temple & more
• Soak in the hot springs in Chiang Mai
• Bamboo rafting in Chiang Mai
• Go white water rafting in Chiang Mai on the Mae Taeng River
• Take a cooking class like Mama Noi Thai Cookery Class or Galangal Cooking Class in Chiang Mai
• Chiang Mai Waterpark (Tube Trek and Chiang Mai Grand Canyon Park)
• Get a Chiang Mai Massage
• Souvenir shopping in Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or the Saturday Market in Chiang Mai
• Get your photo taken in traditional Thai clothing

Chiang Mai Ladyboy Cabaret

Chiang Mai Markets

If you’re a lover of local markets like us, make sure you check out Warorot Chiang Mai Market just outside the Old City’s eastern gate. You’ll find produce, fresh meat and seafood, and other typical Thai items here.

Warorot Chiang Mai Market

People of all walks of life, ages, everything, tunnel your entrance, a dash of images appearing between their limbs or lack thereof: buckets of slivering eels here, baby turtles there, a little flash of bloody fish heads, mouths hanging open like they’ve just watched the season finale of Stranger Things.

The Chiang Mai market of Warorot takes you through mounds of spices and fresh herbs, things you want to buy so you can stuff your face in them, sausages twisted into swirls, bags of sinister fungus, vendors assaulting you with eager eyes and desperate pleas. “Cheap-cheap” they all say, “just for you! Beautiful lady!” It’s local markets like these from which talented hands buy the ingredients for making the yummy food in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Outside the main area of the market, red trucks, or songthaews  honk in eternal cacophony, a sound grating further against the notes of howling tuk-tuks hailing you for their services, against the whine of whizzing scooters. It’s a feast for your senses!

Bird’s-eye view of Warorot Market

Chiang Mai Night Markets

The sulfuric steam of durian fruit beckons you further, through pyramids of dragon fruit and sticky mango rice.

Try the rambutan. Peel its urchin-like skin, the soft spurs that tickle your fingers. Slurp on its sweet fruit, swirling your tongue ’round and ‘round, slimy and juicy and soft like a peeled grape, nibbling it off the seed. You can buy a kilo because it costs 20 baht in Thailand, less than one U.S. dollar.

Don’t miss a foodie tour of the Chiang Mai Night Markets.

Rambutan for 20 baht

The city is home to several night markets, most notably the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. The Night Bazaar is just outside the Old City’s eastern gate and has loads of vendors selling typical Thai souvenirs (like Red Bull and Muay Thai shirts). The bazaar is held every night from 5PM – 12AM.

There’s various other night markets scattered around Chiang Mai, mostly focused on street food. No matter where you’re staying, you’ll probably be able to find some street food at night close by, (as in the rest of Thailand).

Best Day Trips from Chiang Mai

There’s a bounty of interesting day trips nearby to Chiang Mai.

• Doi Inthanon National Park (Thailand’s highest mountain at 2565m)
• Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls
• Visit Chiang Dao and Chiang Dao Cave
• Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
• Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
• Mae Sa Valley hike with a visit to Mae Sa Waterfall
• Mok Fa Waterfall

Trips From Chiang Mai

Our Chiang Mai travel guide’s got some inspiration for where to go next.

Chiang Mai to Pai

Beloved by backpackers, this town about 3 hours northwest of Chiang Mai offers a mix of laid-back vibes, partying, and natural attractions. It’s easy to get from Chiang Mai to Pai — private vans will take you there for about 150THB each way.

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

A trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand, will only take a short few hours.

Chiang Rai is most famous for its White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), and the borders with Myanmar and Laos. You can easily get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by bus, which takes about 3 hours and costs 165-260 THB.

There are also many affordable Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai tours that can pick you up from your accommodation in Chiang Mai, show you around Chiang Rai, and then return you back to your Chiang Mai accommodation at the end of the tour.

Arrange your tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai here.

Mae Hong Son

This small city near Thailand’s western border with Myanmar is surrounded by nature and offers an interesting viewpoint into life in Thailand’s frontier. Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son is about 6 hours on the bus, costing about 250THB.

You can arrange your own custom private Chiang Mai tour to Mae Hang Son here.

Wat Chalermprakiat

This extraordinary temple perched on top of karst mountains in Lampang province is unlike any other temple we’ve visited in Thailand.

Luxury Hill-Tribe Eco-Lodge in Chiang Mai: A Review

Muay Thai in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A Chiang Mai travel guide with everything you need to know about Muay Thai in Chiang Mai, including where to watch a fight, and where to train so that you can learn the Thai martial art for yourself.

Headed to Bangkok instead?

Check out this post on Bangkok Street Food and make sure to read One Night in Bangkok!

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• Travel Hack: Do a Cheap Flight Search Like a Pro
• Best Travel Drone Bag: Backpacking with a DJI Phantom

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