Chiang Mai
Bangkok gets the headlines but Chiang Mai is where a lot of travelers end up staying longer than planned. Over 300 temples packed into the old city moat, a night market where you can eat until you physically can't, and mountains close enough to escape to for the afternoon. Everything is cheap — a pad thai for 40 THB, a full Thai massage for 200 THB. The vibe is slower up here, the air is cooler (except March–April when the burning season smoke gets bad), and the coffee scene is surprisingly great.
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Chiang Mai travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Chiang Mai?
3–4 days for the city itself, but plenty of people stay a week or more and don't regret it. Day 1: Old city temples — Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh are the highlights. Day 2: Doi Suthep temple in the morning (bring a jacket, it's cooler up there), then Sunday Walking Street if it's the right day. Day 3: Ethical elephant sanctuary visit (skip anywhere that offers rides — Elephant Nature Park is the gold standard). Day 4: A cooking class (around 1,000 THB, includes a market visit). The rest just sort of happens — coffee shops, massage, repeat.
Is Chiang Mai good for digital nomads?
It's basically the digital nomad capital of Southeast Asia, and for good reason. Fast wifi cafes everywhere, co-working spaces for 200–400 THB/day, apartments for 8,000–15,000 THB/month, and a meal never costs more than 60–80 THB at local spots. The timezone works for both European and Australian business hours (sort of). The biggest downside is the burning season smoke in March–April — a lot of people leave during those months.
What should I eat in Chiang Mai?
Northern Thai food is different from Bangkok food and arguably better. Khao soi is the signature dish — coconut curry noodles with crispy noodles on top, 40–60 THB at street stalls. Sai ua (northern sausage) is smoky and herbal and available at every market. The Saturday and Sunday Walking Street markets have endless food stalls. For sit-down, Huen Phen does proper northern Thai food in an old teak house. And the coffee is genuinely excellent — local beans from the surrounding mountains, roasted well, at cafes that rival anything in Melbourne or Portland.