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Dense jungle, waterfalls, wildlife, high mountains, beautiful valleys and breathtaking vistas: a small but promising list of what you can find in Thailand's greenest area, around Chiang Mai. That Thailand's nature can be spectacular is not known to everyone. Many travelers are mostly familiar with the country's tropical beaches and islands. But you will also find cozy cities, interesting culture and beautiful green areas. Chiang Mai and the surrounding area in northern Thailand have a lot to offer for every traveler. We gladly share our best travel tips for Chiang Mai!
What to do in Chiang Mai? These are our travel tips!
Thailand's second largest city can be found in the mountainous north, namely Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a unique city with its own culture, special festivals and its own traditions. There are countless reasons to explore Chiang Mai, but what really attracted us personally is the relaxed atmosphere in the city and the possibility to visit many different places. Among other things, you will find more than 300 temples in the area around Chiang Mai and because of its authenticity, the city is incredibly popular among backpackers, expats and digital nomads alike.
What things should you not miss while visiting this fun city? Read on for our ultimate travel tips for Chiang Mai.
1. Spend an evening at the Night Market
The biggest market in Chiang Mai is the Night Bazaar. The Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai is the city's most famous market and is a chaotic, crowded but incredibly fun market.
If you are staying in the center of Chiang Mai then the market is almost always easily accessible on foot. Of course, if you don't feel like walking, you can always be dropped off by a TukTuk. Chiang Mai is teeming with TukTuks!
The Night Market in Chiang Mai is open from 18:00 to 00:00. So you can spend a whole evening here and that is definitely recommended. We bought some nice souvenirs for the home front, had dinner among the locals, had an ice cream roll and enjoyed the chaos from one of the many nice terraces.
2. Visit the Doi Suthep Temple.
Chiang Mai's most famous temple is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple about 15 kilometers from the city center. Pilgrims from all over the world travel to Thailand throughout the year to visit this temple. This is because it is the holiest temple in northern Thailand.
To get to the temple, you will first have to brave 309 steps. A nice reward is the sunrise that you can watch from the top (if you get up early enough). The temple is named after the Doi Suthep mountain on which it is built and is about 1,060 meters high. Enjoy the views of Chiang Mai and the beautiful temple complex with murals, Buddha statues and the many offerings made by pilgrims.
3. Zipline through the jungle of Chiang Mai
That Chiang Mai is rich in beautiful natural surroundings is obvious by now. Are you a true adventurer and want to experience nature in a special way? Then choose to zipline in Chiang Mai. Floating between rolling mountains and green treetops and flying at high speed over lush jungle and flowing streams: ziplining in Chiang Mai is a unique experience!
There are several organizations where you can book the zipline adventure. We chose Skyline Adventure and were very enthusiastic about this. The guides, if you are nervous, try to take away your nerves completely and are incredibly helpful. Ziplining can be booked through Skyline Adventure's website and at the many tour stands in Chiang Mai center.
The longest zipline at Skyline Adventure is 900 meters. This has long been the longest zipline in Thailand. Meanwhile, there is one of 1,000 meters at Jungle Flight. A day of ziplining at Jungle Flight can be booked through the Dutch organization PM Tours.
While ziplining, you will pass different courses with various heights and lengths of ziplines. You will also abseil down dozens of meters. Scary at first, but so cool! At Jungle Flight you even have a rollercoaster zipline, where, as the name suggests, you get into a kind of rollercoaster and ziplined around. After ziplining, you are expected at the restaurant where you can enjoy an excellent Thai buffet that includes rice, green curry, pad thai, vegetables and fresh fruit. Many photos will be taken during the ziplining, giving you a nice souvenir of the active adventure.
4. Explore the jungle
Can't get enough of the beautiful greenery around Chiang Mai? Then go exploring in the jungle! You can do this by taking a multi-day hike through the jungle where you can have a back-to-basic experience in traditional Thailand in a small group. The Dutch organization Green Wood Travel offers for example light and heavier multi-day treks. During such a trekking you will meet different mountain tribes, walk through the impressive jungle and float down the river on a bamboo raft. Especially spending the night with mountain tribes in the jungle of Thailand is a special experience. The hike through the unknown environment guarantees 100% satisfaction.
Where are you staying in Chiang Mai?
There are numerous nice accommodations to stay in Chiang Mai, from hostels for backpackers to luxury resorts where you can completely unwind. Our favorites are Rainforest Hotel For something more luxurious and Hug Glur House and Tour Hostel If you are looking for a very inexpensive accommodation.
Our favorite hotspots in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of our favorite destinations in Thailand, not only because of the diversity of the city but also because of the delicious eateries you can find there. We help you get started with our favorite hotspots in Chiang Mai.
- Khunkae's Juice Bar for delicious smoothies
- Mr. Kai for authentic Thai cuisine
- Black Canyon Coffee for great coffee
- Teng Nueng: a small but cozy restaurant in the old town
How do you travel to Chiang Mai?
A major advantage of Chiang Mai is that it is easy and in some cases quick to reach. Most tourists traveling to Chiang Mai come from Bangkok or Ayutthaya by (night) bus. For a little more comfort, you can also travel to Chiang Mai by night train from Bangkok. If you are coming from anywhere else in Thailand, or perhaps even from another country, then flying is often a faster option. For the best flight options and to compare prices, we recommend you check out Skyscanner.
Traveling by night bus or train
When you are traveling through Thailand, traveling by night train is something you must have done at least once. The ideal and by far the most popular night train route is from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. This is because most travelers head north first after visiting the capital and then relax on the Thai islands. The distance between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is perfect to cover by train. Also, the overnight train is a lot cheaper than a plane ticket and in many cases more comfortable than a bus trip. Another advantage is that you save the cost of an overnight stay.
It is advisable to book your train ticket several days in advance. You can do this quickly and easily via 12GO.Asia, a website where you can book train, flight and bus tickets. The organization itself will go to the train station to buy your ticket after which you will receive a confirmation. You can pick up your ticket before departure at the office in Bangkok, near the train station. Your train ticket will show your compartment and bed number. This way you can board the train easily and quickly.
Everyone will experience the train ride differently. This is partly due to the train class you are in. For example, there are compartments with a fan but there are also options with air conditioning. Remember that you are still in a train, so vibrations and noises cannot be avoided. Therefore, bring earplugs if you are easily woken up by noises. Bringing your own food is also recommended.
The best travel period
For travel to Chiang Mai, it is advisable to consider three different travel periods. In our opinion, the best travel period is from November through February. During this period the temperature is most pleasant and precipitation is minimal. The rainy season is from June through October where you have a daily chance of several tropical rainstorms. After the rainy season, the area around Chiang Mai is very green and the waterfalls are well filled. The hottest period is from March through May where temperatures can rise above 40 degrees Celsius.
From Chiang Mai travel on to the mountain village of Pai
You can travel easily and quickly from Chiang Mai to one of Thailand's coziest and most relaxing mountain villages. A route of 130 kilometers and 762 turns through the mountainous region of northern Thailand leads you to the village of Pai. Curious about our scooter tour and the must-do's in Pai? Then read on about discovering the laid-back atmosphere in Pai.
Travander
At Travander, we’re all about exploring hidden gems, unique destinations, and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Our motto, “Let’s Travel and Wander,” reflects our passion for discovering both local treasures and faraway adventures. As experienced travel bloggers and travel consultants, we share insider tips, personal stories, and practical advice to help you make the most of every trip. From city breaks and weekend getaways to tailor-made travel itineraries, we guide you to the most beautiful and inspiring places. Explore the world with Travander and let us spark your next unforgettable adventure!
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