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Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Great adventure and very authentic cultural experience Almost no language barrier; most people speak English – Certainly all who deal with Tourism speak English Start the program with a group city tour. It gives the participants a feel for the culture and the city. Highly recommend visiting a temple, a market, taking a rickshaw ride followed by lunch at a traditional Thai Restaurant Day Your Way with Car and Driver. Every participant selected this and LOVED the chance to explore on their own. Some toured additional palaces or temples, some took extra time shopping, and some opted to visit the more “touristy” monkey, snake, or tiger shows that appeal to the mass tourists Chiang Mai is more relaxed than Bangkok; it's truly a country way of life Be sure to take a cooking class! The day begins with a trip to the local markets to select the fresh produce where you actually learn what you are cooking … and what the Western equivalencies are. Chef was interesting and smart. Each person had their own cooking area and dedicated staff helper, and the food was delicious and you receive all recipes Tented camps offer a true chance-of-a-lifetime experience Easy split with Bangkok; several daily flights; just over an hour Great shopping - home of Thailand's first night market Experience the Elephant Camps - just an awesome time! Plenty of things to do in Chiang Mai	Visa & Customs Information U.S. State Department Travel Advisory Chiang Mai is beautiful, cultural and different, and is home to some of the most gracious people in the world Expectations need to be altered a bit; guests could see the country or city from an air-conditioned Range Rover and stop at only 5-star locations … but they would miss the charm and adventure that this destination has to offer To experience the real Chiang Mai, guests need to take a ride in a rickshaw or ride bareback on an elephant or stroll through the local street markets Planning anything in another country is difficult, but the 17-hour time difference limits over the phone discussions with the hotel, DMC and local vendors It's still a third-world country; not a lot of modern conveniences Chiang Mai may not have the cleanliness standards that guests are accustom to in the U.S. Bring bug repellent! Find someone who speaks the language to help you barter at the night market Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object Chiang Mai is very congested; it's always on the go; very little down time Attire is also somewhat of a challenge. All temples and palaces have very strict, modest dress codes for both men and women No shorts, no sleeveless shirts and skirts must be below the knee. Shoes cannot be worn in places that are sacred, etc. Make sure you have communicated this well to your attendees … or they will not be admitted into these locations Airlift challenges for first- and business-class seats; it took a lot of effort to find enough seat for a group Finding appropriate restaurants is challenge; while Chiang Mai caters to western tourists, they still sometimes fall short of expectations Many restaurants and venues do not have western-style restrooms; often difficult to find in “local” spots Don’t be afraid to try the local food. Thai people are very proud of their cuisine and they will make it YOUR way if you ask. The Chiang Mai Chicken Soup is to die for Restaurant service tends to be slow Known as the "Rose of the North," Chiang Mai has natural beauty and plentiful agricultural areas

Great adventure and very authentic cultural experience
Almost no language barrier; most people speak English – Certainly all who deal with Tourism speak English
Start the program with a group city tour. It gives the participants a feel for the culture and the city. Highly recommend visiting a temple, a market, taking a rickshaw ride followed by lunch at a traditional Thai Restaurant
Day Your Way with Car and Driver. Every participant selected this and LOVED the chance to explore on their own. Some toured additional palaces or temples, some took extra time shopping, and some opted to visit the more “touristy” monkey, snake, or tiger shows that appeal to the mass tourists
Chiang Mai is more relaxed than Bangkok; it's truly a country way of life
Be sure to take a cooking class! The day begins with a trip to the local markets to select the fresh produce where you actually learn what you are cooking … and what the Western equivalencies are. Chef was interesting and smart. Each person had their own cooking area and dedicated staff helper, and the food was delicious and you receive all recipes
Tented camps offer a true chance-of-a-lifetime experience
Easy split with Bangkok; several daily flights; just over an hour
Great shopping - home of Thailand's first night market
Experience the Elephant Camps - just an awesome time!
Plenty of things to do in Chiang Mai

Visa & Customs Information
U.S. State Department Travel Advisory
Chiang Mai is beautiful, cultural and different, and is home to some of the most gracious people in the world
Expectations need to be altered a bit; guests could see the country or city from an air-conditioned Range Rover and stop at only 5-star locations … but they would miss the charm and adventure that this destination has to offer
To experience the real Chiang Mai, guests need to take a ride in a rickshaw or ride bareback on an elephant or stroll through the local street markets
Planning anything in another country is difficult, but the 17-hour time difference limits over the phone discussions with the hotel, DMC and local vendors
It's still a third-world country; not a lot of modern conveniences
Chiang Mai may not have the cleanliness standards that guests are accustom to in the U.S.
Bring bug repellent!
Find someone who speaks the language to help you barter at the night market
Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object
Chiang Mai is very congested; it's always on the go; very little down time
Attire is also somewhat of a challenge. All temples and palaces have very strict, modest dress codes for both men and women
No shorts, no sleeveless shirts and skirts must be below the knee. Shoes cannot be worn in places that are sacred, etc. Make sure you have communicated this well to your attendees … or they will not be admitted into these locations
Airlift challenges for first- and business-class seats; it took a lot of effort to find enough seat for a group
Finding appropriate restaurants is challenge; while Chiang Mai caters to western tourists, they still sometimes fall short of expectations
Many restaurants and venues do not have western-style restrooms; often difficult to find in “local” spots
Don’t be afraid to try the local food. Thai people are very proud of their cuisine and they will make it YOUR way if you ask. The Chiang Mai Chicken Soup is to die for
Restaurant service tends to be slow
Known as the "Rose of the North," Chiang Mai has natural beauty and plentiful agricultural areas

City Overview

Things to do in Chiang Mai

Things to do in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name despite being well over 700 years old. In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants. Isolation helped to nurture and preserve the unique Lanna culture of which Chiang Mai became the core and capital, as well as the center of Buddhism in northern Thailand. The addition of hill tribes and their wealth of cultures enhanced an engaging diversity of residents who are warm, gracious and congenial.

The merging of the past and present is part of the charm of Chiang Mai, where ancient temples neighbor modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat. The remains of the fortified wall and main gates still welcome guests to the old town, where diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances flourish. An excellent infrastructure of good roads and reliable communication has made Chiang Mai the economic and cultural hub of northern Thailand.

The unique traditional heritage and rich culture of Chiang Mai proved to be the perfect foundation for the development of the city. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery make Chiang Mai one of Asia’s most attractive tourist destinations. Backpackers as well as luxury guests can enjoy themselves to the fullest. The pristine natural resources of waterfalls and mountains provide a stunning backdrop for all activities. One of Chiang Mai’s distinctive features is Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak. Chiang Mai’s genuine hospitality will make each shopping, dining and sightseeing experience a meaningful one.

Chiang Mai Travel Videos

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Chiang Mai

No significant clouds
Temperature: 34 °C
Wind: Calm
Pressure: 1010 hPa
Rel. Humidity: 18 %
Visibility: 8 km

Currency: The official currency in Thailand is the Baht
Time Zone: Golf Time Zone, Military, UTC + 7 hours
Language: The official language of Thailand is Thai. English is widely used and understood in major cities, but diminishes further away from the population centers. English is spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations
Electric System: 220 V 50 Hz

Best Travel Time

January – March
October – December

Tip

October - February is the high travel season.

Visitors Info

Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for the Royal Family; Visitors should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the Royal Children.
Never climb onto a statue to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.
Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one.
Do's and Don'ts

Public Holidays

Transportation in Thailand is easily accessible and is fairly-well organized

2010 Event Calendar

Tourist visas are entitled to refunds of the 7% value-added tax (VAT) paid on goods purchased at shops and department stores displaying “VAT Refund for Tourists” signs
More information on taxes and shopping

Depending on when guests travel . . .

Be sure to bring a swimsuit, daypack and raincoat/umbrella during the summer
Don't bring warm clothes if travelling in October-December, as some areas get cool
Compact binoculars are nice to have
Plan to carry a wrap in your bag to cover shoulders when entering a palace or temple

Community Comments

by Danielle S. on Jan 18th, 2012

Shopping, fun and adventure will always be present in this mystical city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The night market is filled with different sorts of goods, handicrafts made by the locals and an assortment of souvenirs. Not only native items but some gadgets also. Borsang and Ban tawai are just some of the shops to drop by.
by mgvane on Dec 2nd, 2011

Historical attractions are also a must-see in Chiang Mai. The Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is such an amusing holy place. The Chiang Mai Zoo and Night Safari exhibits fascinating wildlife, along with its over 400 species of animals. My favorite has got to be the chimpanzees and pandas! Wait til you see the Underground Ancient City of Wiang Kum Kam for it seems like as if you are in a totally different world.
by Angela on Sep 30th, 2010

Now my husband would love this place! Food is the best!

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Chiang Mai, Thailand

Plenty of things to do in Chiang Mai

Things to do in Chiang Mai

Best Travel Time

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