Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a land of misty mountains and colourful hill tribes, a playground for seasoned travellers and a delight for adventurers. On a trip to this tranquil city, curious travellers can expand their horizons with Thai massage and cooking courses. Others will be bowled over by the variety of handicrafts and antiques. There are plenty of lively nightlife spots and excellent eateries specialising in local cuisine.

Chiang Mai is 700 km north of Bangkok, set in a verdant valley on the banks of the Ping River. The city was founded in 1296 as the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom and it still proudly wears its distinctive culture and long history for all to see. However, it's now a place where the past and the present seamlessly merge with modern buildings standing side by side with venerable temples. Despite its relatively small size, Chiang Mai truly has it all.

What to see & do in Chiang Mai

Where & what to eat in Chiang Mai

Food and dining in Chiang Mai offers a unique world of experience, largely devoid of the curries you find in Thai restaurants, but full of hearty, savoury meats and vegetables. The food here tends to be fattier than it is in southern Thai cooking and the soups have a clear broth instead of using coconut milk. Chicken, pork, fish, eggplant, bamboo shoots and cabbage are common. The flavour palate is...

10 Best Local Dishes from Chiang Mai
Mealtimes in Chiang Mai are often among the highlights of a trip. Like its art, language and cultural heritage, Chiang Mai food is distinct from its cousins to the south and east. A much more pronounced influence from Burma and China is...
10 Great Restaurants in Chiang Mai
Great restaurants in Chiang Mai come in a variety of forms, representing a range of cultures and cuisines as well...
10 Best Local Restaurants in Chiang Mai
This guide to the best local restaurants in Chiang Mai presents top places in a city famous for its historical...

Where to shop & what to buy in Chiang Mai

Shopping in Chiang Mai covers everything from vibrant cultural night markets with locally handmade crafts to farmers' markets with fresh and prepared food and drink, to ultra-modern shopping centres. One of the best experiences is to explore the Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen filled with energetic food and crafts markets. The Saturday Walking Street occurs on Wualai and offers a similar experience. Baan Kang Wat is a bit further out but...

5 Best Markets and Night Markets in Chiang Mai
Night markets offer the best shopping options in Chiang Mai. The range and diversity is excellent, and they're found dotted all over the city. If you're in town at the weekend then you have even more options to choose from,...
10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Chiang Mai
The best places to go shopping in Chiang Mai differ greatly from what you’d find in Bangkok. Forget designer labels...
5 Best Malls in Chiang Mai
The best shopping malls in Chiang Mai offer an impressive choice of high-end lifestyle and fashion stores. Even with the...

Where to go & what to do at night in Chiang Mai

Nightlife in Chiang Mai offers a balanced and refined experience that's nevertheless active and vibrant, less wild than Bangkok, but with plenty of good drinks and live music. In the Old City, head to Zoe in Yellow, among the most popular nightclubs in the city, or visit some of the laid-back neighbourhood bars and live music spots. At Riverside, you'll find high-end bars and elegant restaurants with stunning Ping River...

10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Chiang Mai
The best things to do after dinner in Chiang Mai range from chilling out at riverside bars to clubbing. Live acts are also big in the Chiang Mai nightlife scene yet not all are loud and raucous. Most of the...
10 Best Bars, Live Music, and Nightclubs in Chiang Mai
Bars, live music venues and nightclubs in Chiang Mai are numerous and varied, appealing to couples and groups alike. The picturesque city in Northern Thailand is perhaps best-known for its stunning natural scenery, charming temples, and laid-back pace of life....

Useful information

Getting Around Chiang Mai
Getting around Chiang Mai is fairly easy as many attractions are within easy walking distance of the main hotels and each other. Walking is a great way to appreciate the city's ancient charm. An afternoon spent wandering the twisting sois (alleyways) of the old city is a pleasant way to lose yourself amid genuine Thai life. If you don't wish to walk, there...
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