Old City
Temples, gates, walkable guesthouse streets
City hotel guide
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand and the capital of Chiang Mai Province, serving as the cultural heart of the region. With an urban population of approximately 1.2 million, the city extends beyond its historic core into surrounding districts like Hang Dong, San Sai, and Saraphi, forming a metropolitan area with over a million residents. The city center, defined by a 1.6 km x 1.6 km square bordered by ancient brick walls and a moat, contains the city municipality with a population of 127,000. Founded in 1296 as the new capital of Lan Na, Chiang Mai sits on the Ping River in the Thai highlands. In 2017, it was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts. For hotel travelers, the compact old city offers easy access to heritage sites, while the sprawling urban area provides diverse accommodation options across multiple districts.
1,339Hotels
7Brands
7Programs
🕐 Asia/Bangkok · 💱 THB
Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Best time to visit
☀️ Best months: Jan–Mar, Nov–Dec
Jan27° / 16°💧18mm
Feb29° / 17°💧83mm
Mar33° / 21°💧25mm
Apr35° / 23°💧55mm
May32° / 24°💧282mm
Jun32° / 24°💧231mm
Jul31° / 24°💧366mm
Aug30° / 23°💧418mm
Sep29° / 23°💧487mm
Oct29° / 22°💧199mm
Nov29° / 20°💧42mm
Dec28° / 19°💧38mm
High/low are monthly means, 💧 is mean monthly precipitation (2022–23, Open-Meteo); green = comfortable & drier.
Where to stay
Nimmanhaemin
Cafes, boutiques, malls, younger nightlife
Night Bazaar / Chang Klan
Markets, tour desks, busy hotel strip
Riverside / Wat Ket
Quieter riverfront, heritage hotels, dining
Santitham
Local, low-key, good value near Nimman
Chang Phueak
North moat area with markets and local food
Area guides are reference info (AI-assisted, web-grounded); never ranked by price or commission.
Getting there & around
From the airport
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is the main airport, just southwest of the Old City. There is no airport train or metro. The easiest arrival is an official airport taxi or ride-hailing car to the Old City, Nimman, Night Bazaar, or Riverside, usually about 10-25 minutes depending on traffic. RTC city buses have operated airport routes linking the airport with central areas; check the current stop and timetable on arrival, as service patterns can change. Red songthaews and tuk-tuks may be useful for light luggage but agree the destination and fare before leaving.
CNX airport guide (official info · terminals · lounges) →
Around the city
Chiang Mai has no metro system. For visitors, the practical mix is walking inside the Old City, red songthaews for shared main-road trips, tuk-tuks for short hops, and Grab/Bolt-style ride-hailing for door-to-door travel, especially at night or with luggage. If RTC city buses are running on your route, they can be useful for airport, Nimman, Old City, and mall trips; tourists generally do not need a special transit pass, so pay by the accepted onboard method and confirm locally. Traffic builds around the moat, Nimman, schools, and night markets; avoid relying on tight transfers. Rent a scooter only if properly licensed and confident in Thai traffic.
🚆 Chiang Mai Railway Station
As of 2026-06-20 — confirm current schedules/fares with the operator.
Loyalty program coverage
Before choosing where to stay
Where to Base
The Old City (Sriwichai and Mengrai wards) is ideal for travelers wanting to walk to heritage sites. Kawila ward on the east bank offers a quieter atmosphere. For resort-style stays or nature, consider Hang Dong in the south or Mae Rim in the north.
Getting Around
The historic center is compact and best explored on foot or by bicycle. Travel to extended districts like San Kamphaeng requires taxis or songthaews. The city layout follows the Ping River, with bridges connecting the west and east banks.
Best Season
The cool dry season from November to February is the peak tourist period with pleasant weather. The rainy season from June to October features lush greenery but higher rainfall. Year-round visits are possible, but check seasonal weather patterns for outdoor activities.
Nearby attractions
Wat Chedi Luang
Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phra Sing
Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Chiang Man
Buddhist temple in Muang Chiang Mai district, Chiang Mai province, Thailand
Ban Ho Mosque
mosque in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Chet Yot
Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Lok Moli
Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Suan Dok
Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai province, Thailand
Wat Buppharam
Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai Zoo
zoo in Thailand
Attaqwa Mosque
mosque in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai province, Thailand
Wat Chiang Yuen
Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai province, Thailand
Dining
Roti Pa Day
First-timers should order the plain crispy roti with condensed milk to start. The roti dough here is uniquely made without eggs, but slowly cooked to a crispy-chewy perfection in coconut oil. Choose from 20 toppings.
Guay Jub Chang Moi Tat Mai
This place specialises in Guay Jub with Sai Ua sausage, served in a unique peppery broth, featuring with crispy pork and pork liver. They also offer another delightful dish: fresh spring rolls, topped with sliced omelette and aromatic sauce.
Khao Soi Mae Sai
This shop serves the famous Khao Soi, featuring rich and slightly spicy curry notes. You can choose your preferred meat toppings, and the portions are so delicate that you might find yourself wanting another round!
Magnolia Café
With just four large communal tables, Magnolia Café is a simple, cosy spot enlivened by bold colours, vintage décor, and chandeliers. The owner-chef’s exquisite personal collection is on display, and she pays meticulous attention to sourcing high-quality ingredients, some from overseas. Their à la carte menu offers tasty, well presented fare from across Thailand. Dishes are distinguished by vivid, gutsy flavours; fried sun-dried squid with peanut sauce and fresh watermelon with desiccated salmon are exemplars. A complimentary pandan pudding is offered, making for a sweet and satisfying finish.
Rasik Local Kitchen
This thoughtful take on Thai cuisine unfolds in a casual, wood-accented space. The chef adds a personal touch to seasonal Thai ingredients in three menus: "Special", "Seasonal" and "Classic". We recommend asking about the catch of the day. Start with crispy rice crackers and Thai tomato salsa and pair your meal with Thai draft beer or aromatic alcohol-free drinks. Booking is required, as there are just 14-16 seats per service for each of the three daily rounds.
Huen Muan Jai
Tucked away in a quiet alley, this wooden Lanna-style restaurant has been around for over a decade. It stands in a garden and has open-air and indoor tables, plus private pavilions. The menu showcases the gamut of Northern Thai cuisine, from fiery dips to herby soups. Two recommendations are the spicy galangal dip with steamed mushrooms for its sweetness and aroma, and the spicy vegetable soup with serpent-head fish: fragrant, earthy and perfectly balanced.
WebsiteLung Khajohn Wat Ket
Located opposite Wat Ket Karam, this humble gem of a shop specialises in khao kriap pak mo – steamed rice dumplings with a truly generous drizzle of fresh coconut milk – and neatly wrapped tapioca dumplings brimming with sweet and savoury pork and peanut.
Tue Ka Ko Na Prince
For decades, this spot has been drawing in loyal fans with its tue ka ko – crispy deep-fried taro with sweet chilli sauce and peanuts. Light, fresh and never greasy, each batch is made to order. The fried tofu is also worth trying. Open only until they sell out, so come early.
Attraction data from Wikidata (CC0) and open sources, ranked by notability and distance — for reference.
See all guide-listed restaurants in Chiang Mai (Michelin / Black Pearl) →
Airport lounges (CNX)
Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon Club Lounge
Bangkok Airways Boutique Lounge
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge
Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon Club Lounge
Bangkok Airways Boutique Lounge
Bangkok Airways Boutique Lounge Domestic
Coral Executive Lounge
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge
The Coral Executive Lounge
The Coral Executive Lounge
Lounge access is reference info — confirm current terms with the operator; commission never ranks.
Flights to Chiang Mai
Off-site flight search (affiliate link — no in-app checkout, no price shown).
Search flights to Chiang MaiMost-covered hotels in Chiang Mai
Ranked by verified records and coverage depth — never by price, never by commission.
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Wintree City Resort Chiang Mai
5★0 recordsSparse
Bella Nara Hotel Chiang Mai
5★0 recordsSparse
Ping Pura Riverside Resort & Spa
5★0 recordsSparse
Anantara Chiang Mai Serviced Suites
5★0 recordsSparse
Shangri-La Chiang Mai
5★0 recordsSparse
RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort
5★0 recordsSparse
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
5★0 recordsSparse
Khum Phaya Resort & Spa Boutique Collection
5★0 recordsSparse