Is Chiang Mai worth visiting? 20 top reasons to visit Chiang Mai Thailand

For us, Chiang Mai has got a special place in our hearts. We absolutely loved spending one month in the city and discovering all the incredible things that it has to offer.

Chiang Mai is, without any doubt, one of the most vibrant cities in northern Thailand. Known for its rich cultural heritage, delicious food and affordable price, in this article, you will find all the reasons why is Chiang Mai worth visiting. Why visit Chiang Mai? We have highlighted all the points why you should visit this fantastic city during your next trip to Thailand.

From the tasty and unique food that has been influenced and influenced other surrounding cultures to the digital nomad lifestyle and cheap rates for fantastic homestays, Chiang Mai has everything you need for a pleasant stay in Thailand.

So, plan your trip to Thailand and make sure you’re visiting Chiang Mai.

Best time to visit Chiang Mai

It’s always a good idea to visit Chiang Mai; however, choosing the correct month is important. The best time to visit Chiang Mai is from November to February. The temperature is mild, and the days are mainly dry.

From late February to April in Chiang Mai is the burning season. Farmers burn their fields in preparation for the next crop season. Therefore, there is a lot of pollution in the air, and the air quality is not the best. Hence, avoid visiting Chiang Mai during these months.

The wet season runs from May to October. It’s still nice to visit Chiang Mai during these months; however, you will need to pack according to the rainy weather. We were in Chiang Mai in November and had a couple of rainy days, but we still enjoyed the city. 

Reasons why visit Chiang Mai 

Is Chiang Mai worth visiting?

Home of some of the best temples

Temples in Chiang Mai are just unique. One of the reasons why visit Chiang Mai is for sure because of its unique and ancient temples. From Wat Chedi Luan in the old town to the famous Doi Suthep temples, you will love every temple in the city. Make sure you step inside these temples and admire the incredible details. Remember to wear appropriate clothes when entering the temples. 

Things to know before visiting Chiang Mai temples

• Dress code – You must remove your shoes when entering the temple buildings. Shoulders and knees must be covered
• Respect – Please remember that you are in a sacred place for locals, therefore be quiet and respectful when entering the temples
• Do not take photos of monks without permission

Delicious Northern Thai food

Still, now, we are craving some Thai food. Above all the reasons why Chiang Mai is worth visiting, there is the food on top of our list! We tasted the best food ever while in Chiang Mai. From the typical Khao Soi (coconut curry noodle soup) to the best pad thai ever, Northern Thai food is the best.

You can try typical local food from the many night markets that are happening in Chiang Mai and taste a bit of everything. We recommend eating at Grazie Thai Local Food. Despite the Grazie name, which can lead to Italian, this is the best Thai place ever. We ate there almost every time, and we tried all the menu. So highly recommended!!

Best night markets in Thailand

From the Sunday night market to the Night Bazaar, a market is always happening in Chiang Mai. During the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Walking streets are full of shops and food stands. You will be amazed to see how huge the Sunday market is. It’s one of our favourites; locals and tourists love spending evenings walking around the market. The majority of the markets in Thailand start to close around 10 PM, so make sure you arrive earlier to grab some food. 

It’s a walkable city

What we loved the most about Chiang Mai is that you don’t need a scooter to go around. You can easily walk around the city; yes, there are pedestrian paths, unlike Bali. From one side of the city walls to the other, it’s 30 minutes of walking. We stayed a bit outside the city walls, and it took us 10 minutes to reach the nearest gate where the Sunday Market was happening. If you need to reach a further destination, you can hop on a songthaew, a red bus that will see across the city. Remember to negotiate the price before, usually 30 THB per person.

Great day trip opportunity

Many Digital Nomads decide to stay in Chiang Mai for a bit longer than expected. It happened to us as well, and it was our first time in Thailand. One of the main reasons why Chiang Mai attracts travellers is mostly for the incredible countryside; in fact, from here, you can plan a day trip to the beautiful Doi Inthanon National Park.

We did this tour and loved exploring the national park with a guide. Also, from Chiang Mai, you can plan a day trip to Chiang Rai and discover all the famous temples that Chiang Rai has to offer. The ride is about 3 hours from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, and it’s absolutely worth it.

Additionally, from Chiang Mai, you can visit the small town of Chiang Dao, which is home to the impressive Chiang Dao Cave and has many hiking trails and hill tribe villages. We don’t mention the infinite waterfalls that surround Chiang Mai, and most of them are free to enter, so an additional reason why you should book your flight to Thailand.

Incredible nightlife

While in Chiang Mai, we had the best time ever with our friends, experiencing the incredible nightlife. Starting from Zoe in Yellow and ending in a karaoke night bar, Chiang Mai nightlife is one of our favourites so far. The Pae Gate area is great for a night out if you’re staying in the old town; but even around the Nimmanhaemin area, one of the coolest spots for digital nomads in Chiang Mai, is filled with trendy bars that are nice for a night out with friends. Going out is not expensive; Chiang Mai is still way more affordable than other destinations in Thailand, so make sure you have fun, but not too much!

Chiang Mai is a vibe

There is something about Chiang Mai that makes it unique, perhaps the atmosphere or the people, but every time we talk about this place, a smile comes out on our faces. It’s our favourite place in Thailand, and we love to come back as much as we can. 

Once you step inside the city, you will feel a sense of calm and relaxation that sometimes is hard to find in other cities. The fact that everything is way more affordable makes you even want to stay longer in Chiang Mai. As digital nomads, we can now see clearly why this city is one of the top-rated. 

Explore Chiang Mai’s best waterfalls

Calling all nature lovers, Chiang Mai is the right place for you. Chiang Mai is home to some of the most stunning waterfalls in Thailand. From the famous and most instagrammable Bua Thong Waterfall, known as Sticky Waterfall, to Huay Kaew Waterfall, you will need a couple of days to visit them all. 

Other waterfalls to visit in Chiang Mai

• Mae Sa Waterfall
• Monthathan Waterfall
• Mae Ya Waterfall
• Wachirathan Waterfall

Best cooking class

We mentioned before that Chiang Mai food is one of the best in Thailand. Well, one of the main reasons why Chiang Mai is worth visiting is for its cooking class. Booking a cooking class in Chiang Mai will allow you to learn more about Thai cuisine. And, believe us, Thai cuisine is broader than you expect or ever experienced back home. You can enjoy a half day of cooking and learning how to prepare some of the popular dishes in Chiang Mai. We learned how to make Pad Thai, Green Curry Soup and the typical northern Thailand Khao Soi. We recommend this cooking class here! 

Celebrate Songkran and the Yee Peng Lantern Festival

There are two important events worth witnessing in Chiang Mai. First, Songkran is the Thai New Year celebration and is held in mid-April. It’s a three-day celebration with pacific water fights on the streets. The water fight tradition comes from the belief that water symbolises purification.

In fact, during Songkran, people splash water on each other to wash away the past year’s bad luck and to welcome the new year with a fresh start. Another important celebration is the Yee Peng Lantern Festival, which is held in November and sees thousands of lanterns released into the sky, creating an unforgettable spectacle.

Affordable city in Thailand

Compared to other cities in Thailand, Chiang Mai is really affordable. In fact, it’s considered one of the best destinations for budget travellers. In a month in Chiang Mai, we spend £1000, including accommodation, transport, food and activities. You can watch our Reel here. In addition, some activities and temples are free to visit, which makes your stay in Chiang Mai even more pleasant. 

Perfect for Digital Nomads

Chiang Mai is a popular destination for digital nomads. The cost of living is so affordable that renting a place for longer is the best way to have a routine while travelling. So many cafes and co-working spaces offer good Wi-Fi, perfect for your working day. If you’re staying in the old town, there are so many cute cafes that we recommend, My Secret Cafe in Town and Ombra Cafe n3.

Or if you’re looking for a co-working space, here are a few you should check out Yellow Co-Working Space.

Best things to do in Chiang Mai

How to reach Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has a small international airport which is located 4km away from the city centre. Easy to reach. Once you arrive at the airport, you can grab a taxi or private car (Book your pick-up) and reach the centre within 20 minutes, depending on traffic. This is because so many flights are arriving from Chiang Mai, mainly to South East Asia destinations like Singapore, Bangkok, Bali and many more.

Is Chiang Mai safe?

Chiang Mai is considered a safe destination in Thailand, even for solo travellers. We felt completely safe when walking around town and even during the busy night markets. Alessia was so comfortable going around the city by herself, even at night. However, always be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables supervised. Pickpocketing can happen in busy areas, so always be mindful. 

Chiang Mai travel insurance

Don’t travel anywhere without travel insurance, no matter your journey. Thailand is safe but you never know what it can happen during your journey. If you are renting a bike in Thailand is always good to be covered with a travel insurance.

Hey Mondo | COVID-19 coverage, medical expenses and total travel costs. A fantastic app with 24-hour medical care and no extra charges. You can save 5% on your insurance by booking through our link.

SafetyWing | COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and insurance can be purchased while travelling for digital nomads.

Useful apps to have in Thailand

• Bolt – For Taxis, sometimes cheaper than Grab
• Grab – Taxi and food delivery 
• Google Map
• Line – Popular messaging app among locals. We used it to book a table for the cabaret show in Chiang Mai
• FoodPanda – App that allows you to order food delivery

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Watch our YouTube Video

Q&A Is Chiang Mai worth visiting

Is it worth it to go to Chiang Mai?

Absolutely yes! Chiang Mai is unique because everyone loves it. It’s affordable, walkable, home to the best food in Thailand and has the vibes! If you’re coming to Thailand, Chiang Mai is worth visiting, even for just a few days. Although, we recommend spending at least a week in Chiang Mai.

How many days should you spend in Chiang Mai?

5 days are enough to explore Chiang Mai. However, if you’re travelling slowly and want to spend more time, we recommend between 1 and 2 weeks. It might sound like a lot, but Chiang Mai has much to offer. We originally planned 10 days in Chiang Mai and ended up spending a month. 

What is so special about Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is unique and is well-known for its beautiful ancient temples. In addition, the city provides incredible natural attractions worth visiting in Thailand. What makes Chiang Mai so unique is the atmosphere that locals create. Everyone is just so friendly and approachable; there are so many activities that you can do and places to visit. 

Is Chiang Mai or Phuket better?

Chiang Mai is different from Phuket because there are fewer tourists and the reason is that Chiang Mai doesn’t have a beach. Phuket is bigger than Chiang Mai; however, Chiang Mai is better. It’s the perfect location for cultural activities, hiking and exploring. Conversely, Phuket is a great holiday destination in Thailand and still worth spending at least 3 days.

Should I go to Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai?

Both! Chiang Mai is a must if you’re coming to Thailand. There is no better place than Chiang Mai to experience real Thai life. However, Chiang Rai is home to some of the most incredible temples ever, like Blue Temple, White Temple and Wat Huay Pla Kang. Watch our Reel here to see a preview of Chiang Rai temples.

Which month is best for Chiang Mai?

November to February is the best month to visit Chiang Mai. The season is dry, and the temperature is mild.

WHERE TO GO NEXT?

There are so many incredible places in the world still to explore. If you’re looking for more inspiration for your next travel, here are a few destinations that we suggest: