Chiang Mai It is one of the most pleasant cities to visit in Thailand because it combines all the great things that Thailand has to offer its visitors - successful nightlife, Sites and attractions which will be enjoyed by young and old, colorful markets, Large shopping centers, Hotels in a wide price range And of course lots of delicious places to eat at a funny price.
As such, Chiang Mai attracts crowds of travelers every year including families with small children, loving couples who travel there as part of their honeymoon vacation, groups of young people and also those who travel alone and want to meet new friends for the trip in this vibrant city.
Let's go for a little tour in the city that is considered the capital of northern Thailand - and for good reason!
Recommended hotels in Chiang Mai
As expected from a large and touristic city throughout the year, you can find in Chiang Mai many places to stay in a wide price range, thus adapting the guest house to your preferred type of vacation and the budget you want to devote to this issue. Another characteristic of a large and touristic city is that the best places in it are snapped up quickly, so you should close the hospitality corner as early as you can, then come back here and continue planning your vacation in the city.
Here are some recommended places to start:
Wing Bed - A small hotel that offers its guests a pleasant 3-star stay, but despite its basic facilities, it is considered a favorite and especially popular among tourists visiting Chiang Mai who do not want to spend their money on the city's luxury hotels.
The hotel is located in the old city near central sites so that you can walk from it to popular places you want to visit and before you leave the hotel you can start the day with a rich breakfast served every day.
The Empress Hotel - A 4-star hotel which is suitable for those who want to receive pampering accommodation but still not spend considerable sums of money on it. In exchange for a pocket-friendly price, you can enjoy modern rooms, a spa center, a gym with modern facilities, a swimming pool and several culinary options.
In terms of location, the hotel is in the calm area of the city but not far from the main attractions so you can get around the city easily but after returning to the hotel enjoy a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.
Le Meridien Chiang Mai - A luxury hotel that offers 5-star accommodation alongside a hysterical location right in the heart of the old city. This is a luxury hotel suitable for those who want to enjoy a particularly pleasant vacation, couples on their honeymoon and those who want to spend their time in the hotel and enjoy the pampering facilities.
Among the hotel's facilities - a spa center with a rich menu of treatments, a well-maintained swimming pool with a spectacular view, particularly spacious rooms and also an excellent restaurant with local dishes alongside great dishes from Italian cuisine.
- Chiang Clan
- city center
- Chiang Mai
For more recommended hotels in Chiang Mai click here >>
History on the edge of the fork
Chiang Mai is considered the largest city in the region Northern Thailand But despite this, the atmosphere is so peaceful and pleasant that you can be mistaken and think that it is a small town. The city we know today began its journey about 700 years ago when the kingdom of Lana disintegrated, which means that the ancient settlement in the place began long before this period.
After Thailand became an independent country, it was decided to declare Chiang Mai the capital of the north, thanks to the important history centers located in its area, including quite a few sacred sites that tell the story of the Lanna people. Indeed, to this day there are museums in Chiang Mai dedicated to this history, magnificent temples and of course endless green spaces.
The location of Chiang Mai along with its recognition as the capital of the north soon made it a central and lively place where locals came alongside tourists, and the city became one of the most visited places in the Kingdom of Siam. However, the real acceleration occurred during the 20th century when the city underwent a transformation and became the thriving city known to visitors today.
Visitors to Chiang Mai will enjoy many historical and heritage sites that unfold the fascinating and complex past of the Kingdom of Siam, tropical nature in all its glory with spectacular flora and fauna, a culinary experience that is unparalleled throughout Thailand and, of course, many attractions, but the real charm of Chiang Mai lies Precisely in the special atmosphere that prevails in it - some will say that its pace is somewhat slow, but that only adds to the magic and romance that is in the air.
Recommended sites and attractions not to be missed in Chiang Mai
There are many things to see and do in Chiang Mai, so you can dedicate a weekend to visit it or even spend a month there - it all depends on your preferred type of vacation, the pace of your trip and of course how many attractions you want to do and which sites you want to visit.
In general, one of the things thanks to which Chiang Mai is considered a beloved and popular place among travelers are the locals who live there - happy and smiling people, many of whom are engaged in traditional handicrafts which they also sell in the local markets and street stalls - household items, clothing and various souvenirs that you can purchase at affordable prices to pocket
In addition to these, there are also quite a few handicraft factories in the city that sell ceramics and pottery, various cotton products, jewelry, wooden tools, and much more.
Temples
Chiang Mai is well known in the many temples which are in it. In fact, it has so many Adi temples that if you visit a few of them, you will be satisfied with visiting such sites until the end of the trip. Among the most recommended temples to visit you will find Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep) which resides on Mount Doi Sutep and the Umong Temple (Wat Umong) Located right next to Chiang Mai University.
Loi Krathong Festival
An annual festival that takes place in the city every year in the month of November where it is customary to blow a special type of lamps (lighted balloons) into the evening sky and to sail small boats and straw baskets in the water sources in order to thank the goddess of water.
The flower festival
If you are traveling in Chiang Mai in February, you can enjoy one of the city's most famous fairs - a colorful and lively market with various stalls, street shows that act out scenes from Thai mythology and excellent music - all of which are made of prizes.
omegas
A trail of omega spots passing between tall trees in the heart of the jungle surrounding the city. This is a fun activity that can easily be part of a family bonding day and except for height restrictions and suitable walking shoes, there is no need to come with prior knowledge or prepare for it in advance.
Rehabilitation elephant farm
One of the activities that was until recently the most popular among travelers in Thailand was riding elephants. In recent years, with the increase in awareness of the suffering of the animals and the harsh treatment they receive in the riding farms, voices are heard calling for a boycott of the activity.
Instead of this activity, it is recommended to visit the rehabilitation farms where you can spend time with the noble animals, feed the elephants and also apply mud on them. All this, of course, without riding them and the proceeds from the activity are dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of more elephants.
night life
Despite the relaxed atmosphere that characterizes the city, at night it becomes bustling with life and many young people from all over the world fill the streets. Among the great activities that take place during these hours you will enjoy colorful night markets that are considered the largest of their kind in Thailand, various types of clubs and of course the famous cabaret shows.
Transportation and getting around in Chiang Mai
There are quite a few ways to get to Chiang Mai and it all depends on your preferred mode of transportation, your budget and of course your starting point from where you want to reach the beautiful city.
flight
This is of course the most convenient way and unsurprisingly also the most expensive of the various options. Flights to Chiang Mai depart from most of Thailand's airports, such as Bangkok's airport (the flight duration is about an hour), Koh Samui, Phuket and more. You can reach Chiang Mai by direct flight also from the neighboring countries.
If you want to discount the flight tickets, it is recommended to purchase them in advance and before the purchase become a member of the airlines' club (for free) and be informed about attractive promotions. For details on flights to Chiang Mai click here.
bus
This is the cheapest option although also the longest. For example, a bus departing from the capital city of Bangkok costs an average of NIS 50 in total (for a trip on the "expensive" bus with air conditioning, etc.) but the duration of the trip is about 12 hours.
The recommendation here too is to order the tickets in advance and schedule the trip for the night hours in order not to burn a day trip on the road.
a train
In terms of price, this is an intermediate option, since a train ticket costs 60-150 NIS, depending on the department in which you want to stay. Please note that the duration of the trip is similar to traveling by bus, but if you purchase a travel ticket that includes a bed in the first class, it is a fairly comfortable experience.
Tip from us: If you chose to get around using public transportation, buy a good lock and install it on your equipment because there are many cases of theft on buses and trains. In addition, do not leave valuable equipment unattended and of course make sure to secure the luggage.
In terms of getting around the city itself, the most recommended way is by taking a tuktuk or Motorcycle rental.
Tuktuk ride prices in Chiang Mai are considered among the cheapest in Thailand, so it is a cheap and accessible option. If you decide to choose the second option, be sure to purchase appropriate insurance and of course make sure to take pictures of the vehicle from every possible angle before you leave the rental agency so that they don't "wear" various types of defects that already existed.
