Last updated on April 17th, 2024
Wat Chedi Laung Temple, © Can Stock / olegd
Visit Chiang Mai – Ancient City
The main attraction for those who visit Chiang Mai is the ancient city. The Chiang Mai ancient city is still surrounded by old gates and a large rectangular moat. Ta Pae Gate is one of the most popular of the many gates. Cars and motor bikes drive through the gates to enter the ancient city. Inside the walls of the ancient city you can visit the Wat Chedi Luang Temple, the Wat Chiang Man and the Wat Prah Singh temple.
Wat Phra Singh Temple, Visit Chiang Mai
Visit Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep
The other popular destination for those who visit Chiang Mai is the large park west of town on Doi Suthep Hill. The Doi Suthep Buddhist Temple or Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the main attraction there. See the stupa and the White Elephant Shrine. On the way to Doi Suthep Temple, visit Wat Chet Yot Temple, Wat Pha Lat Temple and the Huai Rap Sadet Waterfall. Continue past the Doi Suthep Temple to see Bhubing Palace and the Hmong Village, where they sell traditional handicrafts.
Doi Suthep Temple, © Can Stock / kawing921
Loi Krathong Festival
Royal Park Rajapruek – flower gardens established for an exposition in 2006. Visit during New Year’s Eve, the Loi Krathong Festival in November or during the Chiang Mai Flower Festival for 3 days in February.
If you visit during the Loi Krathong Festival, you can also enjoy the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. At the Y Peng Lantern Festival, thousands of rice paper lanterns that are launched into the night sky using heat from a small flame in each lantern. The rice paper lanterns are called Khom Loi. The effect on the night sky is mesmerizing, because the lanterns are all launched at the same time.
Yi Peng Lantern Festival, © Can Stock / athousandwords
Visit Chiang Mai – Other Sights
- Mae Ping River Cruise
- Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens
- Ride a Songthaew shared taxi truck, a tuk-tuk motorized tricycle or a hand pulled rickshaw.
- Visit a night bazaar.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Shopping
Visit Chiang Mai – Hotels
- Tamarind Village
- Sireeampan Boutique Resort and Spa
- We Terminal Hotel – very reasonable rates, near the airport.
Wat Phra Singh Stupa, © Can Stock / shanin
More Things to See and Do near Chiang Mai
- Chiang Dao Cave Temple
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Travel to Chiang Rai in the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.
Royal Park Rajapruek, © Can Stock / Reeed
Chiang Mai Elephants
- The Elephant Nature Park rescues elephants. Your ticket includes pick up in the Ancient City for your one hour journey to the park. No elephant rides here.
- Chiang Mai Trekking – bathing with a small elephant family, jungle treks on foot.
- Measa Elephant Camp – watch elephants work and paint pictures. Get a certificate as an elephant trainer. The Measa Elephant Camp sill offers elephant rides too, which is an experience that is becoming harder to find in Chiang Mai.
Wat Chiang Man, © Can Stock / shanin
Savor the Tastes of Chiang Mai
- Have dinner served on a Khantoke pedestal. Try a Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show.
- Try a Chiang Mai cooking lesson.
Wat Chedi Laung, © Can Stock / BasPhoto
Get to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai International Airport is about a 1 hour flight from Bangkok. The city is too small for a rapid transit system. A taxi cab ride takes about 20 minutes from the airport to reach the downtown attractions. Motor bikes are a common mode of transportation in Chiang Mai. There is regular rail service between Chiang Mai and Bangkok, but it takes more than 12 hours. So, most tourists get to Chiang Mai by flying.
Lanterns at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Chiang Mai Weather
The Chiang Mai weather has average high temperatures of about 92 F (33 C) for most of the year. Average lows are about 75 F (24 C) most of the year. The hottest months are April and May, when average highs reach 96 F (36 C) while lows are around 72 F (21 C). During the monsoon season from June to October, average highs are a few degrees lower, while lows are unchanged. August and September are the rainiest months. In the dry season, from December to February, highs and lows moderate only a few degrees.
November and February are ideal months to plan a visit, both for climate and for the festivals that happen in those months.
Visit Chiang Mai – Background
Royal dynasties built the city of Chiang Mai in 1296. These royal dynasties ruled Chiang Mai for nearly 700 years. The ancient city center is still surrounded by a city wall and a moat. Many gates allow traffic to enter into the historic ancient city center. About 150,000 people live in Chiang Mai. The city has hundreds of Buddhist temples. Many of the temples were built in the 1300s. Chiang Mai has received international attention because of the popularity of its festivals. The annual Loi Krathong Festival floats candles in the river. The Yi Peng Lantern Festival floats lanterns up into the night sky. Chiang Mai is also a popular area for tourists to visit elephant sanctuaries. The opportunities for tourists to ride an elephant are disappearing.
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