• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-496829699333
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai",
  "destination": "Chiang-Mai",
  "title": "chiang-mai",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Chiang-Mai",
  "region": "Southeast-Asia",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Thailand",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Chiang Mai

Thailand

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Colorful Lamp Festival and Lantern in Loi Krathong at Wat Lok Moli is a beautiful old temple in Chiang Mai.

© Pakin Songmor/Getty Images

Overview

The former seat of the Lanna kingdom is a blissfully calm place to relax and recharge your batteries – in a city still firmly Thai in its atmosphere and attitude.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Chiang Mai? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your Thailand trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Treasures of Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket

12 days / 11 nights

highlights

  1. 1Experiencing Bangkok’s enchanting floating markets and thrilling railway market on a guided tour
  2. 2Embracing the agricultural lifestyles of Thailand’s Chiang Mai region with community farmers
  3. 3Touring and, often, tasting the outputs of Phuket's pineapple, coconut, and rubber groves
from $2,815

per person

book this tripsee trip details

Explore more trips

  • Adventures in Paradise: Southern Thailand's Island Oases
    Thailand

    10 days / 9 nights

    Adventures in Paradise: Southern Thailand's Island Oases

    FROM $2,800

    per person

    See Trip Details

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-762861748431
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai",
  "destination": "Chiang-Mai",
  "title": "chiang-mai",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Chiang-Mai",
  "region": "Southeast-Asia",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Thailand",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

You can visit fascinating temples, taste delicious cuisine and even climb a sticky waterfall. Here are the top things to do in Chiang Mai.

Read full article

Best Time to Visit

With rainy and smoky seasons, it can be tricky to choose the right time to visit Chiang Mai. Plan around the weather and holidays with these tips.

Read full article

Things to Know

Plan your trip to Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai with these tips on safety and etiquette.

Read full article

Transportation

From tuk-tuk (autorickshaws) and rót daang to walking and buses, it's easy to get around Chiang Mai. Here's how to do it.

Read full article

Free Things to Do

You can take in Chiang Mai's natural beauty, ancient monasteries, and hike up to a gorgeous temple without spending a baht.

Read full article

Best Neighborhoods

Discover the best of Thailand's cultural hub, neighborhood by neighborhood.

Read full article

Day Trips

The region around the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai is ripe for exploration. These five day trips will show you the best of the area.

Read full article

Money and Costs

Learn how to make your bhat go further in Chiang Mai, with tips on how to get around, where to eat and shop, and where to find your zen.

Read full article

Traveling with Kids

From elephant encounters to theme parks in the jungle, here are the best family experiences in and around Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-840412547520
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai",
  "destination": "Chiang-Mai",
  "title": "chiang-mai",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Chiang-Mai",
  "region": "Southeast-Asia",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Thailand",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Chiang Mai

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-949001062017
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai",
  "destination": "Chiang-Mai",
  "title": "chiang-mai",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Chiang-Mai",
  "region": "Southeast-Asia",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "Thailand",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}