Thailand
Chiang Mai travel guide
Temple bells, night markets, mountain air
A day-by-day plan built around local spots, ready in about a minute. Free.
What Chiang Mai is like
Chiang Mai rewards slow travel. Skip the main temples on day one—instead find yourself in Nimman after sunset, where hipster cafés hide in converted wooden houses and the crowd skews local. The night bazaar is sensory chaos: crispy mango sticky rice from the same stall since 1987, silk scarves that actually feel luxurious, the smell of grilled fish paste wrapping everything. Stay Old City for temple proximity and walking distance to Warorot Market at dawn. Take a cooking class in Huay Kaew—not the tourist version, the one where your instructor's grandmother judges your curry paste. The mountains genuinely cool things down October onwards. Motorbike into Doi Suthep-Pui National Park on a random Tuesday. Chiang Mai isn't loud; it's purposeful.
- Ancient temples
- Elephant sanctuaries
- Night bazaar
- Mountain trekking
- Cooking classes
- Lantern festivals
Before you go
- Best time to go
- November to February offers cool, dry weather perfect for temple exploration and outdoor activities, with the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in November being a major draw.
- Cost per day
- $35 budget · $75 mid-range · $180 comfortable
- Currency
- THB (฿)
- Plugs
- Type A, B, C
- Time zone
- UTC+7
See all of Chiang Mai's local spots in your plan
Pick your dates, pace and interests. Kairo plans each day around the spots that fit you, with insider tips, then links you to flights, stays and tours.
Plan a trip to Chiang MaiChiang Mai: common questions
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
November to February offers cool, dry weather perfect for temple exploration and outdoor activities, with the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in November being a major draw.
How much does a trip to Chiang Mai cost per day?
About $35 a day on a budget, $75 mid-range, $180 for a comfortable trip per person, before flights.
What currency is used in Chiang Mai?
THB (฿).
What plugs does Chiang Mai use?
Type A, B, C.
