Thailand is a huge and diverse country and when planning your holiday you will probably want to have something other than beautiful islands and beaches on your itinerary. Therefore, many people include the city of Chiang Mai, located in the north of Thailand, in their holidays. It is a vibrant city that is especially famous for its magnificent temples and location in the mountainous region of Thailand. So let’s talk a little bit more about it. Is it worth a visit?
How to get there?
Chiang Mai has an international airport that serves both domestic and international flights. You can fly here for example from Bangkok or Phuket. However, if you don’t want to take a domestic flight and you like adventure, you can also arrive here by train from Bangkok. Trains usually depart from Hua Lamphong Station and your journey will take 11-15 hours. This is a very nice experience ride through the inland of Thailand, during which you can enjoy the magnificent views of nature and picturesque Thai villages. Tickets can be viewed and purchased at this link.
Where to stay
The city of Chiang Mai is divided into several areas. Some areas are touristic, others are for digital nomads who live in Chiang Mai for the long term, and some are for locals. However, if you’re only travelling to Chiang Mai for a few days, you’ll probably want to have everything near you.
We therefore recommend staying in the old historical centre (old quarter). There is an incredibly wide range of accommodation in the area, from cheaper hostels and hotels to the more luxurious ones. So it’s up to you which option you choose.
For us, the most important thing was the location of the accommodation and we were looking for a hotel in the middle price category. We stayed specifically in the hotel Roseate Hotel Chiang Mai which met all our requirements. We paid 17€ per night for two people without breakfast, which you don’t really need in Thailand. The rooms were spacious, clean and air conditioned. The hotel was close to the night market, and we also had some great restaurants and cafes and beautiful temples nearby. The full list of accommodation in Chiang Mai can be found at this link.
Rules for entering temples
To visit the temples and enjoy the beautiful Thai culture to the fullest, you need to follow a few rules. One of them is an appropriate dresscode, which applies especially to women. To enter the temple, you must have your shoulders and knees covered. Guys can wear short pants.
If you want to explore the interior of the temples, you need to take off your hat, cap or any other headcover. They prohibit flying drones around temples without permission. Usually, admission to the temples is free or by voluntary contribution.
The most beautiful temples in Chiang Mai and its surroundings
There are an incredible number of temples in and around Chiang Mai, each one of them is unique. You probably won’t be able to visit all of them during your visit, so we’ve added some tips on our favourites here.
Some of them are located in the historical centre of the city, others are several kilometres away and you will need a scooter, a car, a taxi or a group tour to visit them. Chiang Mai also has a very well-functioning online taxi service, Grab, which you can use for transfers.
Silver Temple (Wat Sri Suphan)
For us, the most beautiful temple in the whole Chiang Mai was the Silver Temple. The temple is open every day from 7am to 7pm, but as one of the few temples there is an entrance fee of 50THB. Water is also included. An interesting feature of this temple is that only men are allowed to enter the interior, women can only admire the temple from the outside.
Wat Suan Dok
A very nice complex is also Wat Suan Dok, which is also located in the historical centre of the city. There is no charge for this temple and it is open every day from 6am to 6pm.
Wat Umong
This temple is located about 10 minutes by scooter from the historic centre. The beautiful atmosphere is given by the park in the middle of which this complex is situated. There is no entrance fee to the temple, but if you want to see the ancient tunnels, you pay a symbolic entrance fee. You can also feed the fish in the pond at this place.
Wat Pha Lat
Located approximately 17 minutes from Chiang Mai city centre. This is one of our favourite temples as it is located in the mountains, you can also enjoy a beautiful waterfall in the surrounding area and overall it is a nice escape from the hot days in the city centre. Admission is free and the temple is open every day from 6am to 6pm.
Wat Phra That Doi Southep
Among the most famous temples in this region is definitely Wat Phra That Doi Southep. You will have to climb dozens of stairs to reach it. We therefore recommend you bring plenty of water and visit in the early morning hours to avoid the heat and crowds. Entrance fee is 30 THB. There are also plenty of souvenir stands in the area where you can buy drinks and other refreshments.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Nearby is a huge Buddha statue, which is also worth a visit. Again, there is no charge for entry. The complex can be visited from 6am to 6pm and you can buy some souvenirs in the area as a souvenir or ice cream to refresh yourself.
Other temples in downtown Chiang Mai that are worth mentioning:
- Wat Lok Moli
- Wat Rajamontean
- Wat Pa Prao Nai
- Wat Chang Taem
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Wat Mahawan
Want to know about other activities and unique places in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai? Read more in our ebook Thailand: Ultimate guide to paradise.
Gastronomy in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is not just about beautiful culture. If you are a lover of good Thai food or great coffee, you will find it here. What even surprised us was that the prices in restaurants were even lower than in other parts of Thailand. For such a classic main meal in a local restaurant like Pad Thai you will pay about 60-70 THB. And there are plenty of good local restaurants! In some, you may even have to queue up to get a free table.
Our favorite restaurant was Aroy Dee and Its Good Kitchen. Both are located in the old town. Also worth mentioning is the Khao Soi Maesai restaurant, which was recommended by the Michelin Guide. It’s a great place to sample Khao Soi soup, a typical dish of northern Thailand. You will pay about 60 THB for it here. However, you will have to wait in line for 20-30 minutes to get in. However, this restaurant is only open until 4pm, so if you head here for dinner, you’ll be disappointed.
There are also many great cafes in Chiang Mai. Worth mentioning for example are:
- Mars Cafe
- Good Shot Coffee Bar
- Caramellow Cafe
- Green Roasters
- Chom Cafe & Restaurant
E-Book Thailand
If you are a lover of culture and great food, the north of Thailand may be the perfect place to include in your Thai itinerary. Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? In our ebook you will find more than 400 locations and many practical tips on how to travel around Thailand and save money .
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- Tips and tricks to enjoy your holiday in Thailand to the fullest and save money
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- Tips on restaurants, hotels and excursions in each area
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