CHIANG MAI TRAVEL GUIDE

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and the the main base of activities for most travelers who come up north. The city is full of culture, friendly locals, incredible food markets, dozens of beautiful temples, a relaxed vibe, beautiful landscapes. It’s become something of the new “it” spot for expats and digital nomads in the last few years. You can now find a lot of delicious Western food, cafes, and bars all around the city but despite that the old Thainess of the city hasn’t gone away and a visit here will leave you enamored. Be sure to budget extra time – it’s easy to get stuck here! I love the city and always find something to do here.

 

Typical Costs

Hostel prices – Dorm rooms can be as little as 125 THB, and guesthouses start at around 200 THB per night. For a nicer room with air-conditioning, expect to pay about 300 THB per night. Most of the hostels and cheap guesthouses are located within the old city. My favorite guesthouse in the city is Julie’s. The SoHostel, while more expensive, is a nice European style hostels with large kitchen, laundry services, and nicer beds.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels start at 440 THB per night, and go upward from there for a room with hot water, a comfy bed, and air conditioning. There are lots of Airbnb options here too as companies rent out serviced apartments when they don’t have tenants so look into them if you’re traveling as a group or want an alternative to a hotel. The prices are roughly the same.

Average cost of food – Chiang Mai has some of the best street food in Thailand, and dishes cost 25-50 THB. Most restaurant meals cost around 170 THB for a main dish and a drink. Western food begins at that price as well and goes up from there. Dada Kafe, Dash, the Chaing Mai Gate Market, and Sunday Market are all foodie spots you shouldn’t miss!

Transportation costs – The most common way to get around Chang Mai is by songthaew (covered shared taxis). The regular fare should be around 20 THB (30 THB at night) for trips around town. Don’t let them overcharge you.

Money Saving Tips

Stick the local markets, avoid the fancy organic, health restaurants, and stay in the old city to save money. Chiang Mai can be as a cheap or expensive as you want (like most of Thailand). Two city specific ways to save money in the city are the following:

Bargain hard – At all of the markets here, you have to bargain hard. Don’t take the first price and don’t be afraid to walk away. They inflate prices greatly here since Chiang Mai is such a popular shopping destination for tourists.

Take the songthaew – At 20 THB for anywhere in the city, this is the cheapest way to get around (other than walking). They go everywhere and run all night. There’s no reason to take a taxi around the city.

Top Things to See and Do in Chiang Mai

Visit Wat Doi Suthep and its 304 Steps – Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, perched high on the flank of Suthep Mountain, is Chiang Mai’s most famous temple. The pagoda in its center supposedly contains some of the relics of the Lord Buddha. The temple is visited throughout the year by thousands of tourists and Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world. It offers great views of the surrounding area and city and at 6 pm each day, you can watch the monks chant. The temple can be reached by climbing a steep staircase comprising 304 steps (however, you can also ascend by funicular railway).

Tour all the temples – Located within the old area of the city and around the wall are many beautiful Buddhist temples. The city is filled with temples, some dating as far back as the 13th century. The main ones worth seeing are Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Jet Yot.

Bargain at the night bazaar – Chiang Mai is the main handicraft center of Thailand and the night bazaar is the largest center for the selling of all sorts of crafts in Chiang Mai. Everything is sold at non-fixed prices, and you can bargain battle to your death. If you plan to do some shopping in Thailand, this night bazaar will be where you’ll find the best deals.

Take a cooking class – Chiang Mai is the most popular place in Thailand for cooking classes, offering a great variety of classes and amazing deals. You begin your class by going to the market and learning about Thai produce before heading back to the kitchen to cook a few dishes and eat a lot of food.

Go jungle trekking – This town is a main starting point for all sorts of jungle trekking tours. I like the three-day ones the best but the longer the tour, the more interesting and secluded places you visit. Be careful with whom you sign up, as many guides simply walk with you and don’t tell you much about the land or wildlife. Moreover, if you visit a tribal village, make sure the money stays with the villagers, and that they aren’t being exploited, which happens a lot up here!

 

Located an hour outside Chiang Mai, the Elephant Nature Park rescues abused and injured elephants from around the country. It’s a sanctuary for them (and a bunch of dogs and cats). You can come visit for a day or spend a week volunteering and taking care of elephants. It’s a phenomenal day trip, gives back to the community, and let’s you help these beautiful animals. After coming here, you will know why you should NEVER ride an elephant in Thailand.

Go zip lining – If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, go zip lining. Chiang Mai has many operators offering beginner and advanced zip lining courses. The two biggest operators are Flight of the Gibbon and Eagle Trekkers.

Eat a kantoke dinner – Experience both the Northern Thai food and culture at the same time. At this event, visitors are seated in the floor around a circular tray laden with Northern dishes, and eat while watching traditional Thai and Northern dances and hill tribe culture shows.

Cruise down the river – Cruise down rural Mae Ping on a two-hour journey that will take you past beautiful scenery in the heart of Chiang Mai. Enjoy the pleasant pace of the boat. Stop to visit a local farm and its herb and fruit gardens – or relax and have a Thai dinner on board.

Chat with monks – Monk chats are a chance for visitors to learn about the country’s religion and culture and for monks a chance to practice English. It’s a popular cultural activity that occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Wat Dok Suthep in the city.

Celebrate the Yi Peng Festival – This annual festival takes place in November. Citizens release thousands of paper lanterns into the air, which symbolically carry dreams and wishes towards the heavens. The festival lights is a beautiful, memorable experience.

Go whitewater rafting – It’s possible to go whitewater rafting on the Maeteng River. Rapids range from levels two to four, and are at their most intense during the rainy season, August-October.

Shop at Warorot Market – If your nights are already fully-booked, consider visiting this popular market during the day. Located near the river, it’s open daily until 6pm. This is a great place to shop for clothes and get some really cheap food.

Head to the Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium – In the 1950 Harold Mason Young, son of American missionaries, started rescuing and caring for injured animals, and his collection started getting visitors. Hence the birth of the zoo, when the Chiang Mai government donated 24 acres to aid in his efforts. The zoo has grown to over 200 acres now, and houses a large variety of animals, and boasts two aquariums. The marine aquarium is the largest in Asia, and they also have one of the very rare giant pandas every born in captivity.

Visit the Tribal Museum – Highlighting Thailand’s minority hill tribes, this ethnographic museum offers exhibits ranging from tribal clothing and jewelry items, videos on tribal life, and outdoor gardens modeling reconstructed tribal huts. Once a month, there is also a tribal market with people selling handmade goods.