Compared to the non-stop, craziness of Bangkok, Chiang Mai might give the impression of a smaller, more relaxed city… at first. The moment you find yourself in one of their infamous round-a-bouts or see the motorbikes weaving in and out of traffic, you’ll remember exactly where you are.
Home to numerous expats and digital nomads, Chiang Mai has a slightly more westernized vibe to it. Between the amazing Thai food, you’ll find incredible fire roasted pizzas and endless coffee shops. The city is filled with colorful markets and rich temples, but adventure awaits outside the city in the countryside, rainforest and mountains.
You’ll find the Ping River, endless markets, a sprawling rain forest and towering mountains in Chiang Mai. Here’s my quick guide to the vibrant city of Chiang Mai:
Tips & Tricks:
Shop at the local markets — and don’t be afraid to haggle! I purchased 99.9% of my souvenirs and gifts in Chiang Mai. Lots of homemade items, as well the typical trinkets (nothing like an elephant shaped magnet). Be sure to check out the Sunday Street Market if you are in town.
Check the credibility of the tour operator. There are tour operators on every corner in Chiang Mai. While most are legitimate companies, there are shady businesses and straight out scams. Do your research before committing. I always check TripAdvisor and look for a Facebook Page/Website.
Getting around:
The most entertaining way to get around the city? Tuk-tuk. Be sure to negotiate on a price before starting the trip, as this can turn into a very simple tourist scam.
We found Chiang Mai to be a very walk-able city. At night, we used a tuk-tuk to get to and from restaurants, but our day-to-day explorations were done on foot.
Want to be like a local? You can rent motorbikes for a decent price. Be sure you bring an international drivers license, as the police do traffic stops.
Since it was our honeymoon, we did hire a private driver for hotel transfers and one of our excursions. Most excursions in Chiang Mai provide transfers and shuttles. Just send an email before your trip to confirm hotel pick up.
Where to Stay:
We decided to go with a local hotel, Rimping Village, while staying in Chiang Mai. The hotel embodied true, Thai hospitality. The hotel offered an incredible central pool, a daily breakfast buffet and a local concierge that helped with our every need. I would also recommend Pink Nakara Hotel or Rachamankha.
What to See & Do:
Elephant Nature Park. This is a MUST for your itinerary. This park offers a sanctuary for rescued animals. Not only do you get to feed the elephants, bath them in the river and learn more about them, you’ll be supporting an incredible organization. You can read more here.
Chiang Mai is home to 100’s of temples. Don’t try to visit them all, but be sure to include a few. My favorites? Wat Umong and Wat Phra Singh.
If you love Thai food and want to bring home a new skill set of cooking, book a Cooking Class. There are a ton of options in the city, but we opted for a private class outside of the city with Thai Farm Cooking School. You can read more about hilarious teacher, MB and our experience, here.
If you are looking for a fun excursion that is outside your comfort zone, zip-lining through the Chiang Mai forest might do it for you. Flight of the Gibbon was well organized and served an unbelievable homemade Thai meal afterwards.
Plans fall through? You can always book a Thai Massage.
Eating in Chiang Mai:
There are endless authentic Thai options, no matter where you are. I found the best Sticky Rice & Mango, Fried Bananas and Khanom Krok.
Find yourself a good espresso: Chiang Mai has quite the coffee culture. My favorite? Ristr8to
What are looking forward to doing in Chiang Mai? Do you have any recommendations?
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