Travel Guide > Asia > Thailand > North Thailand > Chiang Mai Province > Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai (Thai เชียงใหม่) is the largest city in the North Thailand region. It is roughly 700km north of Bangkok.
You have to visit the Elephant Nature Park and spend at least one night there. It's highly rated by CNN, BBC, National Geographic and Time Magazine and the King of Thailand.
In Thailand there are so called elephant "camps" which are brutally treated elephants that have bleeding backs from the ropes that strap the chairs to them so toursits can ride them. The Elephant Nature park is a charity and rescues these, so the elephants are free and you can ride them naturally. You also go on trips organised by the park to vaccinate elephants kept elsewhere. Other activities at the park include bathing the elephants in the river, playing with the other animals and taking trips to the markets (day and night).
The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is where vendors hawk various goods such as statues, t-shirts, DVDs, and Thai food. The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is open every night but is more expensive than the Sunday Night Markets which take place in the Ta Pae Gate area and stretches into the middle of the old city. You can find more traditional Thai clothing and goods at this market and it's a good experience to simply check out the different local food available here.
Wararot Market is the largest local market in Chiang Mai and is also well worth a visit. It is where the locals come to shop so is less geared toward the tourist but is an absolute experience with all the sights and smells.
Muang Mai Market is a must visit for any food lover. It is the fresh food wholesale market for Chiang mai located on the west side of the river near the US Consulate. There is an amazing variety of fresh food on sale some of it straight off the back of farmers' pick up trucks.
To the north of Chiang Mai is Doi Suthep, a large mountain adorned with the temple of Wat Phrathet Doi Suthep. Anyone catching a song-theaw up the slopes (a tuk-tuk can't drive up the mountain) will be rewarded with fantastic views of Chiang Mai and the sights of a traditional Thai temple.
There are also many waterfalls along the way to the temple where the sweaty traveller can stop to cool off. Some of the waterfalls do charge an admission fee to foreigners though.
Past Wat Doi Suthep is PhuPhing Palace which offers yet another cultural experience for the keen tourist. Be sure to get there before 3pm though as the palace closes then.
Moat and Library
Walk the fantastic moat and taken in the ruins that create it then visit the library to learn about how Thai's learn about Western culture.
Songkran is the biggest party of the year, held during the hot month of April. In the past, people would throw water among themselves in nice way to bless each other. These days, the festival has evolved into an all-out water fight that takes a whole week. Chiang Mai is the spot in Thailand where Songkran is celebrated for the longest period. The rest of Thailand limits the Songkran festival to some few days. The reason for this is that the festival originated from Chiang Mai in the past and so the city feels more strongly attached to it than anywhere else in Thailand.
Loy Krathong is a major festival celebrated in the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (usually around November). Although it's celebrated throughout Thailand, the festivities in Chiang Mai are renowned for being the best. During Loy Krathong, people release traditional hot air balloons (Kome Loy) into the sky, set off traditional fireworks and place Krathong (little rafts) on water.
Most budget travellers coming from within Thailand will probably arrive by either bus or train, though there is an international airport servicing Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is found to the west of the old city.
Chiang Mai Train Station is located near the Ping River.
Many travellers take the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. A total distance of about 700km, the trip generally takes about 12 hours to complete. Many backpackers choose to take the overnight sleeper as this saves them a night's accommodation, although the day train does allow you to take in the scenery. While 12 hours can seem like a long time, it actually flies by as the scenery is quite interesting to look at. Don't expect to get any great photos, however, as it doesn't take long for the train windows to get dirty. Your only option here is to stand between carriages along with the smokers. You might also like to take your own food as the food served on the train is very basic and not to everyone's taste.
Upon arriving in Chiang Mai, the train station actually has several large sign boards listing several hotels and guest houses, their amenities and room prices. If you haven't pre-arranged your accommodation, this makes it less of a gamble than just listening to some tuk-tuk driver who probably is getting a commission by enticing you to a particular hotel.
Highway 118 goes north from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and Highway 11 goes south to Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae and around to Nan. Highway 1 connects with Highway 11 and goes all the way to Bangkok
Travellers coming to Chiang Mai by bus will arrive at the Arcade Bus Station, which is near the train station on the east side of the Ping River. Chiang Mai has bus services to most main Thai towns. Buses leave frequently to Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Mae Sai, Nan, and other cities. Green Bus Thailand covers most routes in the Northern Regions and tickets can be booked on their website.
Chiang Mai is an easy city to get around in for those with no transport of their own.
There are several landmarks that the traveller can use to get around. The most obvious thing you'll notice when you arrive is the square moat that still stands in the city centre from days long gone by. The gates and some of the walls are still standing as well and it is easy to use this landmark as a good way to gain your bearings. The road around the inside and outside of the moat is one way however, and it can be confusing for the first-timer as you are often required to over-shoot your destination and then do a u-turn to double back. As long as you remember that the inside road goes anti-clockwise and the outside road goes clockwise you should have no problems.
For the brave, motorcycles are can be rented for about 150 Baht a day for a manual 100cc bike, or slightly more for an automatic version. Make sure you ask for a helmet when renting a motorbike as the police around Chiang Mai have been known to pull foreigners over for not wearing a helmet even though there are a lot of Thais who do the same thing! You usually have to leave your passport with the owner when you rent the bike. Some places accept other forms of ID like drivers licenses.
If you prefer to be safer, then tuk-tuks (three-wheeled motorized pedicabs) and song-thaews (red pickup trucks with two rows of seating at the back) offer easy alternatives for those who want to move about. Song-thaews are a lot cheaper than tuk-tuks and a cross city fare will cost you about 40 Baht. Song-thaews only go on main roads and most drivers don't speak English well, so it might be more convenient for the newcomer to hop on a tuk-tuk. Tuk-tuks are more expensive but faster than song-thaews. They will also drop you right at the front door of wherever you are wanting to go. A basic rule with both song-thaews and tuk-tuks is to negotiate the prices before you get into the vehicle. You avoid nasty arguments this way and both parties usually end up happier.
The usual line for tuk-tuk drivers in Chiang Mai is that fuel is expensive and hence their prices are so expensive. With a little haggling and perseverance, you can usually bargain the price down a bit. Another tip for bargaining with song-thaew drivers is to haggle in a group. They usually give a group discount for more than one traveller. Watch out for the song-thaew and tuk-tuk drivers around the Arcade Bus Station though. They are well-known to increase the price for the new tourist in Thailand. You can easily get around this by being in a group.
Chiang Mai has no public transport within the city. You can catch local buses to the towns and villages in the surrounding areas though.
If you go east past the Night Bazaar from Ta Pae Gate you'll eventually end up at the Ping River which boasts a series of riverside restaurants. These are more expensive than your typical local restaurant but the atmosphere is more modern, they have live bands, and you'll be able to find English speaking staff.
Riverside Restaurant is one of the most popular serving both Thai and international food and featuring live music throughout the evening. For a really local experience try Antique House or for excellent live Blues see legendary local guitarist Took at The Brasserie
Another great local eating experience is at Anusarn Market near the Night Bazaar. There are a number of Hawker style restaurants the pick of the bunch of which is Best Taste Kitchen.
At lunchtime try Huen Phen on Ratchamankha Road. This restaurant serves authentic northern style food at very reasonable prices. It is packed daily with locals.
Eat at the cafe opposite Gecko book store.
Tuskers Bar and Grill is one of Chiang Mai's best bars. Just off the Moat Road they have a large bar area and beer garden with great food and drink. It is very popular with local expatriates, locals and tourists and holds regular party nights.
Guitarman is a great venue for live music with big names playing there regularly.
For a late night drink the most popular spot is Jackies Van located around the corner from Tuskers and next to the legendary nightclub Spicy
On the eastern side of the moat is Chiang Mai's main backpacker area, Ta Pae Gate. This is the area where the cheapest guest houses, most cheap foreign restaurants, and backpacker pubs and clubs are found. It is also close to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Sis Bed and Breakfast | 1 Soi 8 Phrapokklao Rd. T.Phasing | Guesthouse | 90 |
| 3b Boutique Bed & Breakfast | 209/2 Chiangmai-hod Road Tumbon Pa-dad Amphur Muan | Hostel | 96 |
| @Pong-O Guesthouse | 62/3 Jae-dee Plong Rd Chang Puak | Guesthouse | - |
| A9 Place | 51 Sukgasem Rd, T. Patun A.Muang Chiang Mai | Hostel | 88 |
| Airport Resident Chiangmai | 47/2 Soi Mahidol , T.HaiYa , A.Muang | Apartment | - |
| All In 1 Guesthouse | 31/1 Moonmuang Road, Soi 1-2 T.Prasingha | Hostel | 92 |
| Athitan Villa | 19/5 Moo 4 Padaed Muang | Hotel | - |
| B&B TNT Chiangmai | 25/2 Moo 3 Khua Mung, Sarapee | Hostel | - |
| Baan Gong Kham | 117/2 Patan rd.,A.Muang , Chiangmai ,Thailand 5030 | Hotel | - |
| Baan Klang Vieng Hostel | 127/1 Moon Muang road, Soi 5, Muang | Hostel | 83 |
| Baan Lamyai | 219 Moo5,T.Baan Klang,A. Sunpatong,Chiangmai 501 | Hotel | - |
| Baan Namping Riverside Village | 59 mu 7 Chonlapratarn Road Kuamung , Saraphi | Hotel | 57 |
| Baan Phumthai | 86 Moo 5, Sansainoi Sansai | Hostel | - |
| Baan Sammi Nature Resort | 79 M. 6, T. Pa Lan, A. Doi Saket | Hostel | 73 |
| Backpacker House | Suthep road Soi Wat U-mong, Muang | Hostel | 20 |
| Banilah | 11 Sotesueksa Road. Changphuek, Muang | Hostel | 88 |
| BeenthereDonethatrooms & The Rest | 81/1 Klongcholpratarn road Suthep district,Moeng Chiang Mai | Hostel | - |
| Ben Guesthouse | 4/4,4/11 Chiangmai-Lamphun Rd., Soi 2, Watkate, Mu | Guesthouse | 67 |
| C H Hotel | 10 Soi 8, Cgaroenprathet Rd., Changklan District, Amphur Muang | Hotel | 70 |
| Chaba House | 19/26 Jedyod Soi 4 A.moung | Guesthouse | - |
| Chaba Village | 1/1-2 Moo.8 T.Makhamlung San Pa Thong | Guesthouse | - |
| Chaing Maan Residence | 23 Soi 1 Rachapakinai Rd. Sripoom Muang | Guesthouse | - |
| Chaing Mai International Youth Hostel | 54 Papraw rd (Moo Ban Oon Ruen) | Hostel | 82 |
| Charcoa House Bed&Breakfast | 4 Soi.1SriPhum Rd. T.SriPhum A.Maung Chiang Mai | Guesthouse | - |
| Chiang Dao Nest | 144/4 m.5 Ban Tham Chiang Dao Chiang Dao | Guesthouse | 97 |
| Chiang Dao Nest 2 | 91 Moo 5 Chiang Dao | Guesthouse | 100 |
| Chiang Mai 5 Stars International Youth Hostel | 66/71-72 Mo Ban Raming Tipayanate Road | Hostel | 58 |
| Chiang Mai River House | 85, Fah Ham, Lanka Soi 1 A. Muang | Guesthouse | - |
| Chiang Mai Travel Lodge | 18 Kampaengdin Rd., Chan,gklan Muang, Chiang Mai | Guesthouse | 84 |
| Chormalee GuestHouse | 124-128 Charoen Raj Rd. T.Watket A.Muang | Guesthouse | - |
| Deejai Backpacker | 193/1-2 Ratchamunka Rd. Phasing | Guesthouse | - |
| Dreamcatchers B&B | 52/18 Ban Buak Khrok Tai T.Tawangtan A.Sarapee | Hostel | - |
| Elegant Lanna | 11 Chaiyaphum Lane 2 Changmoi | Guesthouse | - |
| Galare Guest House | 7 Chareonprathet Rd. Soi 2 | Guesthouse | 90 |
| Gongkaew Chiangmai Home | 5/2 Singharath Soi 3 Tumbol Sriphoom Muang District | Hostel | 88 |
| Green Tulip House | 18 Samlan Road | Guesthouse | 91 |
| Hollanda Montri Guesthouse | 365 Charoenrat Rd. Faham | Guesthouse | 100 |
| Home Chiang Mai | 32 Loi Khroa Rd. Chang Klan,Muang, Chiang Mai 5010 | Guesthouse | - |
| Hostelling International Mae-Rim Lagoon Chiangmai | 457 Prasumaru Rd. Pranakorn | Hostel | - |
| Imm Eco Hostel CHIANG MAI | 109 Bumrungrad Road, Tombon Watkate Muang | Hostel | 81 |
| Julie Guesthouse & Adventure Tours | 7/1 Soi 5, Prapokklao Rd., Muang | Guesthouse | 89 |
| Katam Place | 1/1 Sridonchai Road Muang | Hostel | - |
| Kiri Thara Hostel | 54 Papraw rd, | Hostel | 47 |
| Lanna Guesthouse | 100 Ratchadamneon (road) T. Sriphume A.muang Ch | Hostel | 69 |
| Lanna House | 267 Thapae Road A. Muang | Hotel | - |
| Liams Suan Dok Mai Guesthouse | 87/45 Moo 7 Tambon Faham Moo Baan Samakon Ampur Muang | Hostel | 88 |
| Mandala House | 71 Thapae Road Lane 3 T.Changklan A. | Hotel | 57 |
| Marisa Boutique Resort & Spa | 304 Moo 4, Muang-Ngai Chiang Dao | Hotel | - |
| MD House | 18/6 Rajvithee Rd. Amphur Maung | Hostel | 84 |
| Misoland ro Misone | 9 Nimmanhaemin Road Lane 7 T.Suthep A.Muang | Hostel | 63 |
| Moon Dance on the River | 85 Fah Ham, Samakke Rd. Lanka Soi 1 A. Muang | Guesthouse | - |
| Nature Lodge | 260 M00 1, Baan Thungdang, Tambol Lhongkhod, Amphur P | Hostel | 97 |
| New Mitrapap Hotel | 94-96 Ratchawong Rd ChangMoi Muang | Hostel | 78 |
| Palm Springs Lodge & City Resort | yungyuen@hotmail.com PalmSpringsLodge@gmail.com | Hotel | - |
| Panda House Chiangmai | 427/4 Wichayanon Rd., Chiangmoi Muang Muang | Hostel | 78 |
| Parami Guesthouse | 210 - 212 Charoenrat Rd. | Hostel | 89 |
| Parasol Inn | 105/1 Prapokklao Rd., Klangwiang Intersection Phrasing, Amphur Muang | Guesthouse | 70 |
| Pat's House | Rachvithi road soi 1 Tambon Sriphume Ampore Muang Chiangmai | Hostel | - |
| Photo Gallery Home Stay | 48/1 Nantaram Rd., T.Haiya A.Muang | Guesthouse | - |
| Proud Phu Fah | 97/5 Moo.1 Mae Rim Samoeng Rd. T. Pongyang | Hotel | - |
| Pun Pun Guest House | 321 Charoenrat Road | Guesthouse | - |
| Queen Victoria Chiang Mai | 252/13-14 Phra Pokklao Road | Hotel | 53 |
| R.C.N. residence | 35 Moonmuang 7 Muang | Hostel | - |
| Rachamankha Flora House | 177/1 Rachamankha Rd. T.Prasingh A.Muang Chiang Ma | Hostel | 98 |
| Romyen Garden Resort | 40/1-5 Moo 1, Baan Payaknoi Tumbon Taladkwuan, Amphur Doi-Saket | Guesthouse | - |
| Safe House Court | 178 Ratchapakhinai rd. Sriphum Muang | Apartment | 80 |
| Same Same Guesthouse | 104 Ratchaphakinai Road, T.prashing A.Muang | Hostel | 50 |
| Sawasdee Chiangmai House | 5 Praplokklao Rd. Soi 13 T.Sripoom A.Muang Chiangm | Guesthouse | 99 |
| Seven Suns | 155 Ratchamanka Rd. T.Prasing, A.Muang 50200 | Hostel | 75 |
| Smile House Boutique | 3/5 Suriyawong Road Soi 1, Haiya, Muang | Hostel | 80 |
| Spicythai Backpackers | 4/80 Nantawan Village Nimmanhaemin Rd, T.Suthep | Hostel | 87 |
| Swiss Ticino Home Stay and Restaurant | 194 Moo 1 - Pangtoem - T. Bankat - A. Mae Wang Chiang Mai | Hostel | - |
| T-Room Guest House | 23 Soi 3 Rachamankha Rd, T Phra Singh Muang | Hostel | 78 |
| TaNiTa (Old City) Resort | 139 Baan Nongeaw Hangdong | Hostel | - |
| TaNiTa (Riverside) Resort | 25/2 Mu3 Khowmong Salapee | Hostel | 87 |
| Tanita House | 152 Charoenrat Road T. Wat Kate, A. Muang | Hostel | 95 |
| Tea Vana Hotel | Lamphun Road, Wat Ket Sub-district Muang | Hotel | - |
| Tha Phae Garden Guesthouse | 60 Thaphe road Soi 3 Amphur Muang | Guesthouse | 87 |
| Thai Thai Kitchen | 18 Ratchawitee Road T.Sripoom, A.Muang | Guesthouse | - |
| Thapae Gate Lodge | 38/7 Moonmuang Soi 2 Prasing | Guesthouse | 79 |
| The Brick Road Cafe | 141/8 Ratchadamnoen Rd. T. Phra Singh; A. Muang | Guesthouse | - |
| The Britannia | 27/4 Moonmaung Soi 9 | Guesthouse | - |
| The Empire Residence Nimman Hotel&Apartment | 22/3 Nimmanhaemin Rd. T.Suthep A. Muang Chiangmai | Apartment | - |
| The Green Oasis | Prapokklao Road Soi 8 Muang, Prasing | Hostel | - |
| The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel | 153 Sridonchai Road, Tambol Chang Klan Mueang | Hotel | - |
| The International Chiangmai Hotel (Y.M.C.A.) | 11 Sermsuk Rd. | Hostel | 83 |
| The Paradise Spa Resort Chiangmai Hotel | 43/1 Moo6, T. Maerim, A Maerim | Hotel | - |
| The Pub | 189 Huay Kaew Road, | Hostel | 98 |
| The Royal Guesthouse | 5 Kho-Tha-Sarn, soi 4, tambon Chang Klan, A.Muang, | Guesthouse | 76 |
| Trekker Camp | 20 Paprow Rd. Padaad, Muang | Guesthouse | 86 |
| Wiang Jintra | 196/2 M.2 Tumbon Kunkong Aumper Hangdong | Hotel | - |
| Yourhouse Guesthouse | 8 Soi 2 Ratvithi Road | Guesthouse | 92 |
Most hotels and guesthouses offer internet services at very affordable prices. Some places are even complimentary for house guests.
This is version 30. Last edited at 17:16 on May 19, 09 by Utrecht (+8129). 20 articles link to this page.

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