Chiang Mai

The best time is from November to February. Days are dry and sunny, and nights are cool. From March to May it is very hot, and smoke from field burning often makes the air poor. The rainy season runs from June to October. Rain is usually short and heavy, and green hills are the reward.

The biggest annual event is Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, usually in November. People release lanterns into the sky and float small baskets on the river. Book rooms early for these nights.

• Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is a golden temple on a mountain west of the city. It has a long staircase, a cable car option and wide views over the valley.
• Wat Phra Singh is the most important temple in the old city. It is known for its Lanna-style buildings and a calm courtyard.
• Wat Chedi Luang has a huge brick stupa from the 15th century. Part of it was damaged in an earthquake, and it is impressive in this state.
• Wat Chiang Man is traditionally the oldest temple in the city. It is small and quiet, with elephant statues around the base of its chedi.
• Wat Umong is a forest temple with old tunnels and a stupa. It is a good place to escape the heat.
• Three Kings Monument is a monument to the three kings who founded the Lanna capital. It is a short stop in the center of the old city.
• Wiang Kum Kam is the ruins of an older capital south of the center. Visit it by bicycle or on a short ride.
• Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is the large evening market area east of the old city. Come for street food and souvenirs.

• Sunday Walking Street: Each Sunday evening, Ratchadamnoen Road fills with craft stalls and food. It runs from Thapae Gate toward the temple at the other end.
• Saturday market: A smaller night market runs along Wua Lai Road on Saturday evenings.
• Monk chat: Some temples in the old city offer a time to talk with monks. It is a good way to learn about Buddhism and Thai life.
• Cooking class: Many classes include a visit to a local market and cooking northern dishes.
• Ethical elephant visit: Choose a sanctuary where visitors feed and watch elephants and do not ride them.
• Songkran: In mid-April, the Thai New Year turns the city into a large water fight, centered on the moat.

Chiang Mai has good options for a day out. They are listed from closest to farthest.

• Mae Rim valley: about 30 minutes by car. Gardens, waterfalls and viewpoints in the hills north of the city.
• Lamphun: about 30 to 40 minutes by car. A quiet old town with temples from the Haripunchai period.
• Doi Inthanon National Park: about 2 hours by car. The highest mountain in Thailand, with waterfalls and cool air at the top.
• Chiang Dao: about 1.5 hours by car. A mountain with a large cave system and hiking.
• Chiang Rai: about 3 hours by car. Known for the White Temple and the Blue Temple. Many travelers go on a long day tour or stay overnight.

For more time in the north, these places are near Chiang Mai.

• Close to the city, Doi Inthanon National Park offers waterfalls and the highest peak in the country.
• To the north, Mae Rim and Mae Taeng have gardens, rivers and activity parks.
• Farther north, Chiang Dao is a good base for caves and hiking.

• By air: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is about 4 km southwest of the old city. Taxis take 15 to 20 minutes. Flights from Bangkok take about 1 hour 15 minutes, and there are also flights from other Thai cities and some Asian cities.
• By train: Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take about 12 hours. Chiang Mai station is about 2 km east of the old city.
• By bus: Long-distance buses arrive at the Chiang Mai Arcade terminal north of the center. The trip from Bangkok takes about 9 to 11 hours.

• Songthaew: These red shared pick-up trucks run across the city. Say your destination and agree on the price before you get in.
• Tuk-tuks and taxis: Agree on the fare in advance. Taxi apps also work and show the price before the trip.
• Motorbikes and bicycles: Rentals are common. A motorbike needs a valid license and a helmet. Accidents are a real risk for new riders.
• On foot: The old city inside the moat is small and flat. Sidewalks can be broken, and the heat makes long walks tiring.

• Is a car worth it?: Not for the old city. A car or motorbike is useful for mountain roads and day trips outside the city.
• Driving side: Traffic drives on the left.
• Parking: Parking inside the old city is limited. Use the lots near the gates or your hotel.
• Motorbikes: Helmets are required, and police check licenses. Make sure your travel insurance covers motorbike riding.

Northern Thai food is different from the food in Bangkok. Try khao soi, a curry noodle soup, and sai oua, a herb sausage. Sticky rice is the usual side. Dishes are often milder and less sweet than in the south.

The best eating areas are markets and street stalls. Look at the food stalls around the Night Bazaar area and Warorot Market, and the cheap local eateries inside the old city. Many cafes in the Nimmanhaemin area serve Thai and international food.

Chiang Mai is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft is uncommon, but keep an eye on bags in busy markets.

• Scams: Be careful with drivers who offer very cheap "tours" that stop at gem shops. Check the price of rides before you start.
• Motorbikes: Traffic accidents are the main danger for visitors.
• Air quality: From February to April the air can be smoky. People with breathing problems should plan carefully.
• Water: Drink bottled or filtered water.
• Royal family: Do not speak or write badly about the monarchy. It is a serious crime in Thailand.

King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna kingdom. Before this he built an earlier capital south of the city, now visible at Wiang Kum Kam. A river flood forced the move.

The old city is still shaped like a square with a moat, and parts of the brick wall remain. Wat Chedi Luang was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. Three Kings Monument remembers Mengrai and two allied kings. Burmese rulers held the city from the 16th century until 1774, and it later joined the Siamese kingdom.

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