Ah, Thailand! It seems as though we just can’t enough! Our second round here was for a very specific reason: Songkran. We weren’t sure where to celebrate it, but since we had already seen the southern islands, we figured it was time to discover a new part of the country. That’s why we headed to Chiang Mai, to see a totally different part of the country. And it didn’t disappoint. Here’s our guide to Chiang Mai for first-time travelers.
We had heard all the hype about Northern Thailand: the chill vibes of Chiang Mai, the insane temples of Chiang Rai and the hippie town of Pai. We wanted to see for ourselves, especially since Songkran was supposed to be pretty epic in Chiang Mai.
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Table of Contents
How to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
Our journey in Thailand started in Bangkok, and there are a ton of ways to get from the capital to Chiang Mai. Keeping an eye out on flights, you can get a pretty cheap one to Chiang Mai. Ours was a little under $100USD for the two of us, including luggage. A total steal!
Although it’s not the most eco-friendly way of getting there, it’s the fastest way for sure. And sometimes, it’s just slightly more expensive than taking the bus or train, but a hell of a lot shorter and more comfortable!
Just know that the buses and trains are also good options to get to Chiang Mai. There are plenty of day and night buses and trains that go to Chiang Mai that may be a little more budget-friendly but less time-friendly.
There is something for every type of traveler. We hear the bus and train are great ways to see the country-side, unless you go at night, of course!
What to know about Chiang Mai for first-time travelers
A little history for you – Chiang Mai was the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. Many places still carry on the Lanna traditions and vestiges, like the Old City which still has its walls and moats. Chiang Mai is also home to hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples. But more on those later.
Chiang Mai is your base to explore the north of Thailand. It’s also your gateway to Laos or Myanmar as it’s the largest of the northern cities. Most buses leave from here so it’s pretty convenient. And the city is pretty cool too.
How long to spend on Chiang Mai for the first time
If you really want to spend some quality time in Chiang Mai, we would recommend at least four or five days here. Although there is so much to see and do, you also want to be able to chill around and take it is. After all, this is the vibe in the city.
If you are strapped for time, you can cram it all in 2-3 days, but we would really suggest slowing down here. The prices are more affordable than in most other parts of Thailand, and there is quite a bit to see and do.
Expats in Northern Thailand
One thing you will surely notice in Chiang Mai is that it’s a little paradise for digital nomads and expats. They’re everywhere, so it sometimes feels like you’re not really in Thailand anymore. The same is true for Chiang Rai and Pai as well.
Chiang Mai is still a pretty chill city, so we can understand why so many have chosen to call it home. And you can totally understand why we spent more than 10 days here.
Just keep in mind that the north is more than just a bunch of cities and things to do. It’s a vibe. So just let go and enjoy your time here. And don’t feel bad that you didn’t do and see everything on your list. The whole philosophy here is to not have a list.
What to do in Chiang Mai for the first time
One of the main things you will notice about Chiang Mai is the impressive number of temples. There are hundreds of them around the city. Just walk around and you will see a ton of them, one around every street corner. We kid you not! Some are worth checking out more than others, but here are the main ones.
Wat Chedi Luang
This temple is in the historic center of Chiang Mai. It’s one of the oldest temples in Thailand, dating back to the 14th century. There are different parts of this temple. One of which is the city pillar. Somewhat upsetting is the fact that women can not enter it, because we menstruate, and will ruin the sanctity of the place. The feminist in both of us dies a little when we read things like this! Anyway, two other temples are still pretty cool, especially the one in ruins.
The temple is situated in the Old City, and there are signs directing you on how to get there, so it’s a fairly easy temple to visit.
Doi Suthep
15 km away from the city, Doi Suthep is situated on top of a mountain that gives you amazing views of Chiang Mai. You can easily hire a car to take you there, or take one of the songthaews there. We didn’t make the trek there, because we were all templed out, but from what we hear, it’s quite lovely! There are also tons of tours that include this stop in their itinerary if you prefer visiting places hassle-free.
Sticky Waterfalls
We totally wish we could have gone here, but the trek was a bit too much for us. These are the famous Bua Tong waterfalls near Chiang Mai that have so much calcium built up, that they have become “sticky”. You’ll have crazy grip on them, just channel your inner SpiderMan. The falls are over an hour away from Chiang Mai, and there are many ways to get there.
You can hire a private car or a songthaew to get there. Just make sure you split it with a few people so you make your buck go further. We didn’t know anyone in town, so this was not a great option for us.
If not, you can always take a scooter or motorbike if you are comfortable, which we were not. This way, you can drive up there on your own, and spend as much time there as you’d like. This just gives us another reason to go back to Thailand (as if we needed any more!)
Visit the Elephant nature park… or don’t
This is probably going to be the highlight of your trip to Thailand! You will see a ton of offers to see elephants and play with them. The only thing we ask is that you do your research! If they offer you to ride an elephant, to watch it paint for you, to see it do tricks for you, and even to give it a bath, you need to refuse it. These are all places that abuse their elephants.
We chose to go with Elephant Nature Park, for many reasons. You can read about our experience and see for yourself if this is the type of place you want to support. However, after having done more research, we realized that the best thing for these elephants is to not go to any of these parks, and to just let them be.
There are more and more studies being done, and we only realized later that none of these places, no matter how ethical they seem, don’t have the elephants best interest at heart. The best way to see these gentle giants is to go on a wild safari.
Take a day tour around Chiang Mai
If you are strapped for time, and can’t visit any other cities in the North, there are a ton of tours that can take you up to Chiang Rai to see all the famous landmarks there, including the White temple, Blue Temple and Black House. We saw some as low as THB1100 for a whole day out including transport and food. Expect to be crammed into a bus and on a very tight schedule with little time to explore. But if these are a must-see on your list, it may be worth it.
Walk around Chiang Mai
One of our favorite things to do in any city is to just walk around. You get such a good sense of the city by seeing what life is like on the streets. Luckily, there are tons of shops and food stalls around to keep you entertained. And Chiang Mai has an impressive number of street art for you to enjoy. So take a day or two to just stroll the streets of the Old City.
Where to eat in Chiang Mai for first-time visitors
There are a ton of places to eat in Chiang Mai. Especially in the Old City. And lucky for us, there are plenty of vegetarian options out there too! Here are a few places we really enjoyed.
Cat House: Right at the edge of the Old City, the Cat House is a great option for breakfast, lunch (even brunch) or dinner. Their meals range from Western to Middle Eastern to Mexican. Whatever you are in the mood for, they have it, and it’s delicious! Our favorites were the omelet (boring Derek) and the shakshuka with hummus. Delish!
Cooking Love: There are two of these kitchens. We went to the smaller one, that’s not attached to the hotel. All the food is affordable and delicious! Try the Khao Soi soup, a Chiang Mai staple, or the pineapple fried rice. Either way, you can’t go wrong with much on the menu!
Peppermaint guesthouse: A quaint little place that serves vegetarian and vegan meals. It’s small, but cozy, with just a few tables. The owner, an old lady, is quite a pleasure to talk to. We loved the massaman curry here. The critics are split on this place, so it may be hit-or-miss for you. We quite loved it here though!
North Gate Jazz Co-op: As the name suggests, the bar is at the North Gate of the Old City. With bands coming out to play pretty much every night, and cheap beer, could you really ask for more!? An awesome place to grab drinks and just chill while listening to some good beats. With seating inside and outside, on the sidewalk, try to get there early (around 9 pm) as it does get quite crowded. Some nights are open mic, so the quality of the band may not be the greatest.
Night market: A staple, a must-do and eat! There are tons of night markets around the city. We checked out one near Pantip Plaza, and another called the Bumrung Buri Market. Both have awesome options for vegetarians and meat-eaters. Take your pick of the busiest stall – those are usually the best ones anyway! Bon appétit!
Where to stay for the first time in Chiang Mai
The Old City is the place to be in Chiang Mai. This is where we recommend you stay if it’s your first time in this Northern Thai city. That’s where most of the action is, as well as the best temples and restaurants.
We didn’t stay anywhere that we would actually recommend. But what we do suggest is finding a place with a pool. The heat becomes pretty unbearable. For pricing, expect to pay about $5 USD for a bed in a dorm, some private rooms with shared bathrooms will even cost the same! 3-star private accommodations will set you back about $20 USD and will have a pool. While the higher end hotels can go upwards of $300 a night.
When to visit Chiang Mai for the first time
Depending on what you’re looking to do, and what your budget is, know that Chiang Mai has two distinct seasons.
From November to early February, expect the winter weather to bring you the best weather. Temperatures are cool and pleasant, and tourists know it! This is the high-tourist season in Northern Thailand. Expect to see crowds at most sights, and a spike in prices when it comes to accommodations.
From Mid-late February until late April, it’s the hot, dry season. There’s minimal rain and bad air pollution. The tourists are not so present during this time, except around the Thai New Year in April. You can also expect to pay a premium during this time.
From late April until late October, it’s Northern Thailand’s rainy season. Expect the weather to be humid but with cooler temperatures, which is a relief from the usual temperatures. And don’t worry too much about the rain, it doesn’t impact too much as showers are heavy but usually very quick. If you want to visit the city without too many people around, this is the time to visit!
Is Chiang Mai safe for first-time visitors?
Short answer, yes! Long answer, yes if you’re careful! The truth is, we never felt in danger anywhere in Thailand, from the southern islands to the northern cities. The Thai people are quite nice and everyone speaks English, so miscommunication doesn’t happen often.
As always, be careful with your belongings. Don’t leave them unattended and don’t flash expensive gear or jewelry around and you should be just fine.
We loved our time in Chiang Mai, and know this is a city we’ll come back to again. There is so much to see and do here, that even ten days were not enough. But we enjoyed taking it slow and chilling out here.
Are you excited about heading to Chiang Mai? What are you most looking forward to?
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