Chiang Mai Destination Guide

Among some of the highest mountains in Thailand and along the beautiful Ping river you will fine the 'rose of the north' called Chiang Mai. It offers many attractions and thousands of foreign visitors flock here fore their Chiang Mai holiday each year. Chiang Mai's historic strength derived from its important strategic location on an ancient trade route, and long before the modern influx of foreign visitors the city served as an important centre for trade. Chiang Mai is well known among travellers as a shoppers paradise, it also offers the traveller lots of natural and historical attractions and some of the best Chiang Mai hotels.

In recent years Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city, although it lacks the cosmopolitan gloss of Bangkok.

Experience Chiang Mai travel from a locals perspective by taking one of the many Chiang Mai tours and staying in one of the many Chiang Mai hotels. This Chiang Mai Destination guide will guide you through the many things to do and see on your Chiang Mai holiday. If you are looking for more information on Thailand in general, the Thailand Country Guide will give you all the information you need.

Chiang Mai Destination Guide

Follow the links to the right or scroll further down the page for details on some of the many interesting tourist attractions in Chiang Mai:

Northern Thailand's rich and varied cultural heritage is reflected in the architectural styles of the charming Buddhist temples that you see on your Chiang Mai travel. Sri Lankan, Lanna Thai, Mon and Burmese influence can be seen amalgamated into an appealing whole.

Chiang Mai has a whopping 300 temples including a few that are on the outskirts of the city and is just one of the many highlights in Chiang Mai . The most venerated temples are the ones that came up during the noble Lanna Thai period. While the large temples are usually crowded, there are a few quaint ones which are not on the Chiang Mai holiday tourist circuit.

It is essential to be appropriately attired when you visit a temple. Men should wear long trousers and women should be dressed modestly, avoiding revealing attire of any kind. To do otherwise will be treated as offensive behaviour towards other worshippers and the monks of the temple. The Thais are thrilled when visitors evince a keen interest in Lord Buddha's life and teachings.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, in the north western part of the city, is situated on top of a hill. This is one the most well known temples here and it dates back to 1383. As legend goes, a relic of Lord Buddha was placed on an elephant's back and the elephant was allowed to roam till it marked the chosen place by trumpeting and lying down there. The view of the city from the temple is absolutely breathtaking, especially on clear days, and is essential for any Chiang Mai holiday.

Wat Phra Singh is a splendid example of classic northern Thai architectural style. It was built in 1345 and is located inside the city. The Phra Singh Buddha, a greatly revered figure, is housed here. This figure was brought to the Wat Phra Singh from Chiang Rai several years ago. Meditation sessions are conducted in the temple premises and visitors can participate in these sessions.

Wat Chiang Man takes a place of pride as the most ancient temple in the city of Chiang Mai. This temple was constructed under the supervision of King Mengrai who lived in the city for the purpose. Phra Satang Man, a crystal Buddha, and Phra Sila, a marble Buddha, are two important figures of Lord Budhha housed in this temple.

Wat Chedi Luang, built in 1401 in the Lanna style, has a large chedi, which is the most distinguishing feature of this temple. It took several years to build this chedi. Only two thirds of the chedi stands now, as the rest was damaged in an earthquake in the 16th century.

The Eighth World Buddhist Council was held in the Wat Ched Yot in 1977. This temple dates back to 1455 and is on the outskirts of Chiang Mai.

Wiang Kum Kam, lying to the south of Chiang Mai, is the place where a city flourished under King Mengrai. He later founded Chiang Mai, which eclipsed the importance of Wiang Kum Kam. Ruins of several temples can be seen at this site.

Wat U-Mong is nestled among the foothills to the west of Chiang Mai and the places of interest here are a cave and a forest. A peculiar attraction here is the image of a not very pleasant looking, fasting Buddha made in concrete. You will also find the trees covered with pithy Buddhist adages in English and Thai.

Wat Phra Jao Mengrai that lies off Ratchamankha Road, close to Heuan Phen, is home to a quaint wooden temple. Those looking for peaceful surroundings will love this place.

The National Museum: Chiang Mai's National Museum is an ideal place for imbibing interesting information about the Lanna heritage.

Chiang Mai Local Museum: Several traditional and local artefacts are showcased in the local Chiang Mai museum. This museum aims to teach the city's school children about their history and culture.

Sbun Nga Textile Museum: There are two sections in this interesting museum. The front part has been devoted to permanent exhibits while the rear section is used for cultural activities and for housing temporary exhibits. Visitors will also find the souvenir shop exhibition hall interesting. Beautiful examples of Lanna art can be seen here.

Chiang Mai University Art Museum: This museum functions under the aegis of the Fine Arts Faculty of The Chiang Mai University. The main aim of this museum is to promote an understanding of art in this part of Thailand.

Museum of World Insects & Natural Wonders: This museum was set up by an enthusiastic couple with all the exhibits that they found interesting. A medley of items like meteorites, insects and fossils make the museum a unique one.

Wat Gate Museum: An assorted compilation of artefacts greets visitors to this museum. One of the noteworthy exhibits is an old Siamese 'White Elephant' flag. Phonographs that are more than 100 years old can be seen here. These belong to the days of Chiang Mai's teak-wallahs.

Hill Tribe Museum: This is an ethnological museum with exhibits relating to tribal cultures. Apart from tribal costumes, the lifestyle, education and beliefs of the tribals are illustrated here, using material they themselves made. This museum is used as a study and research centre due to the quality of the exhibits.

The Flower Festival in Chiang Mai is an annual event held in February during the first weekend of the month. The city is all dressed up in vibrant colours of electric orange, various shades of pink, purple and even white. Bougainvillea, petunias, and other flowers in profusion seem to have given Chiang Mai its flowery name, ‘Rose of the North'. The three day long flower festival attracts a lot of visitors. The cool and clear evenings in the pleasant ambience of the flower festival ensure that all Chiang Mai hotels and flights are booked well in advance.

The Loi Krathong Festival is a visual treat with colourful paper lanterns with candles in them, pretty girls turned out in their traditional best, colourful parade floats, tonnes of tasty food, and fireworks to top it all. The Loi Krathong festival is a three day long affair. The festival dates are set in such a way that the last night of the festival is the twelth full moon for the year, which generally falls in November. This festival is held in Mae Jo, a small town which lies to the north of Chiang Mai. The launch of the festival is very scenic with hundreds of hot air balloons, or ‘khom loy' as they are locally known, being launched at the same time. The festival commences on a Saturday night. This is a must to see and do in Chiang Mai.

Songkran is a festival held to celebrate the Thai New Year which falls in mid-April. The Chiang Mai Songkran celebrations are very popular as there are plenty of fun activities integrated with several religious rituals. The most popular activity is the friendly water-fight held all over the city. People have a lot of fun in the parades and there is even a beauty competition to select a Miss Songkran.

The Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival is held during 20 - 22 January. The festival venue is Ban Bo Sang, Sankampang, where the village's central road is used to host a ‘street fair'. Stores decorated with traditional lanterns and umbrellas in typical Lanna style on both sides of the street impart a festive ambience to the whole scene.

Here is an opportunity to do something really offbeat. You can volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park where 30 rescued elephants are housed. The park is situated about 60 km to the north of the city. It takes about an hour to reach the park. If you think volunteering sounds like too much work for your Chiang Mai holiday, you can always opt for a day trip and just visit the elephants.

Like the idea of visiting elephants? Well, there are more at the Maesa Elephant Camp which can be reached in half an hour from the city centre. Activities at this camp range from elephant rides to enjoying an elephant show in which the pachyderms play football and even do some painting.

If you are looking for music for relaxation, head straight for the Mae Ping River's eastern bank. Charoenrat Road here has several kinds of music for you. Choose from Thai, country tunes, jazz, pop, rock and even western music played by live bands.

All that rocking to music is sure to leave you hungry. You will find restaurants in this area dishing up Chinese, Western and Thai food. The night bazaar at the Narawatt Bridge gives a good view of restaurants along the riverside.

If you visit many pubs and restaurants, on your Chiang Mai holiday, to catch some different music, you might be a bit disappointed; most bands keep changing their venue by the hour so you might probably hear the same band again!

See first hand how the Lisu, Karen, Hmong and Ahka tribes live by visiting them as part of an organised Chiang Mai trekking trip. Other activities on this Chiang Mai tour include elephant back rides and treks through the forest and hills on foot. Chiang Mai trekking is a very popular tourist attraction and activity.

Bhuping Palace, which is the royal winter palace, is at a distance of 22 km from Chiang Mai. You cross Doi Suthep on the way to the palace. The Thai royal family stays at the palace from time to time. When royalty is not visiting the palace is open to the public. The pretty landscaped gardens of the palace are a real treat to behold as part of your Chiang Mai holiday experience.

Visit the Chiang Mai Zoo as part of your Chiang Mai travel, located at the base of Doi Suthep. There are over 7,000 animals housed here in near natural habitats. Enjoy a night safari, taking in the sights and sounds of the animals kingdoms nocturnal habits.

The Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery is a quiet place that pays tribute to the times gone by. The cemetery is located in Thanon Chiang Mai-Lamphun and is at a distance of about 800 m to the north of the Chaing Mai hotel, the Holiday Inn, earlier known as the Sheraton.

Exploring the old city on foot and on cycles is a very popular pastime here and great idea for any Chiang Mai holiday. Chiang Mai trekking, horse riding, elephant riding and balloon rides are the options open to the more adventurous sort. Looking for a Chiang Mai tour with a difference? Try motorcycle touring (Enduro-Moto Cross), scooter touring, and bicycle tours. You can also have loads of fun with bungee jumping, karting, paintball, rock climbing, rafting, and can even play some cricket. There are an abundance of outdoor activities to add to your Chiang Mai travel plans.

Nightlife in Chiang Mai is not as varied as the nightlife in Bangkok. The Northern part of the city has a few discos and karaoke bars. Head for Moon Muang, Charoenrat Road, Tapae Gate and Loi Kroh Road for entertainment on the eastern bank of the Ping River.

Nimmanhaemin Road, located to the west of the city centre, is popular with young Thais. The pubs here are a fine mix of a restaurant, a nightclub and a bar. Loud music by live bands pulls in youngsters by the droves. The musicians are mostly students out to earn some money.