Chiang Mai is a city located in northern Thailand. It is well known for experiencing elephant encounters, the lantern festival, and the abundance of culture it offers. Inside the city center there is a temple on every corner with plenty of opportunities to learn more about buddhism. Planning a stay in Chiang Mai is a great way to get in touch with Thai culture. A variety of food and activities awaits you!
The Details of the Stay
First step of any trip is often how to get there and where will you stay once you arrive.
How to get to Chiang Mai
The joy of Thailand is there are so many options for transportation between areas of the country. Our top two are by flying or by bus. The airport is only a few minutes outside of the city center. This makes it a very accessible way to get into town. Check out websites like AirAsia, SkyScanner, and ThaiViet Jet Air to find cheap flights from a variety of locations. These are primarily going to be budget airlines so expect cheaper options but fewer accommodations. Generally flights are closer to $80-120 depending on luggage allowance.
The second option is taking a bus. An extremely common option when in Thailand. Do note that it can take anywhere between 12-24 hours to reach different locations depending on the distance between. Most of the buses also do not run on time. Generally they leave a little late and arrive a bit late. The best site we’ve used is 12GO. It’s really easy to compare prices, time, and quality using this site. They are also super great about refunds if you end up changing your bus or if there are issues with it. Always check when booking what the refund policy is. You can expect to pay less than $50 per person when taking a bus, often closer to $20-30.
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
Staying close to the town center is going to be your best option if you want to be in the hustle and bustle of it all. The main town area is a square with a mote around it. The airport is to the south west corner of this square. We chose to stay to the south east. Generally if you like to walk, this is going to be your best spot to be. Everything is within walking distance and easily accessible without feeling overcrowded. Prefer not to walk? Grabs are super cheap since you are so close to the center of town. If you don’t already use Grab, we recommend it as the main form of transportation in Thailand. Especially if you don’t feel comfortable renting a car or motorbike.
Check out Expedia to book your stay!
Things to do in Chiang Mai City
When researching activities and hidden gems in the city, there’s two categories to consider. These are in the city and outside of the city. Both are amazing options but require different planning. For in the city, walking or taking a Grab is pretty typical. There’s also public transport like a Tuk Tuk or a songthaew. Definitely cheaper but also slower if you plan to go beyond town in them.
In Town
A must-see is the gazillion temples throughout the town. Ok that might be dramatic but truly there is one on every corner. The main ones that are recommended are Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phrachao Mengrai (reflection one). A great opportunity is the monk chats that they offer at some of the temples. It’s an opportunity for the monks to work on their english and for you to ask any questions you might have. There is also a couple that will hold classes for free that include meditation time. Spirituality is abundant in this town. Google is a great option to help find yoga and meditation classes. One of the parks in the city center offers free yoga on certain days.
After walking around town all day, head to Chom Cafe for a delicious dinner. There unique cafe consists of a gorgeous garden area that leads to the restaurant. It’s a perfect spot for photos! The food is a bit more expensive due to the style of restaurant but totally worth it! It’s closer to the edge of town so taking a Grab is a good option to get there.
End of the day means night bazaar is opening. We absolutely loved exploring the night markets throughout Thailand and this bazaar in Chiang Mai is no different! Expect to find cheap food, good energy, and cheap souvenirs. Tons of clothes and trinket booths line the area. There’s generally a couple throughout town so check in to see which one is happening for each day of the week.
Outside of Town
The first on the list is always the temples. If you missed out on the monk chat in town, Wat Doi Suthep holds them daily. Another favorite is Wat Umong. This temple area is quite a bit larger and more unique than others with the network of underground tunnels to explore. Wat Pha Lat is easily my number one as it is a jungle temple. Extremely serene and picturesque. It is pretty easy to access and they offer guided experiences that include meditation. We recommend arriving pretty early in the day at this one to avoid any crowds.
As you head out of town, go a bit farther to reach Doi Inthanon National Park. It is around 1.5-2 hours outside of town and totally worth the drive. With the two gorgeous Chedis it’s hard to miss this park. The hiking areas are beautiful and easy to traverse. There are some small fees but overall it should be a fairly cheap experience beyond paying to get there. Booking an 8 hour Grab is a great way to see everything outside of town in one day.
If you prefer doing excursion and guided experiences, many people book elephant encounters and day trips to Chiang Rai. For elephant encounters, it’s recommended to book them online. This allows you to look at reviews and determine if it is an ethical experience. Day trips to Chiang Rai are great if you don’t have time for a full visit. It will be a very long day though due to the distance between the two towns. Check out the links below for guided trips.
General Recommendations
Chiang Mai is a great town to experience a combination of culture, authentic Thai experiences, and get in touch with your own spirituality. This town is one we recommend mostly walking in. Renting a car would likely be difficult due to the lack of parking and busy streets. Download Grab ahead of time if you do need transportation for your stay. Carry some small bills with you during the travels. Many places, including temples, have small smoothie stands outside for super cheap. Almost all the temples are free so it’s a great activity if you are trying to save money. As always, respect the culture and the temples by dressing appropriately and taking your shoes off before entering.
We hope you found this information helpful! Drop us a comment about your trip to Thailand below. Need more info? Check out these posts!
