Chiang Mai, Thailand is the kind of place where you plan for a short trip, realize it’s amazing, then make plans to return for a longer stay. You can see in the video why and if it’s your first time, here’s what I recommend you try.
Where To Stay
There are a lot of hotels in Chiang Mai but if you want something central and cozy, Wannamas is a good choice. It’s near the Saturday and Sunday markets, has a home vibe and servers breakfast daily.
Get Coffee And Go
Akha Ama Coffee sources all of their beans from local farms around Chiang Mai. The food is strong and the drinks creative – try the mana mana, a blend of strong espresso, honey, and orange.
As your caffeine buzz kicks in you can walk a few minutes to the nearby Wat Phra Singh. It’s a beautiful complex of several temples with large open spaces, statues, and monks often engaged in meditation. There are plenty of temples in Chiang Mai and in town this is one of the most central. Admission is free to the site, the main temple has a small charge. A short car ride away is Wat Chedi Luang.
Getting Around
To avoid the heat during the day your best bet is to use the Grab app. It’s a local ride sharing service that let’s you pay by car, see how much a ride will cost, and choose from cars to tuk tuks. There’s even an option for electric vehicles if available and overall much more convenient than hailing a cab on the street.
Highlights And Food
There are temples and then there is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This large temple complex sits on a mountain overlooking Chiang Mai and is one of the most interesting, peaceful, and idyllic places that shouldn’t be missed. You can arrange a ride through your hotel or take public transportation up – with the ride being around 30-40 minutes from town. Be prepared to walk when you are at Doi Suthep and plan to stay at least 90 minutes, there is so much to experience here.
There are also some amazing places to eat from street food to the healthiest local Chiang Mai dishes you can find. Don’t neglect visiting Chiang Mai during a trip to Thailand and for some extra fun, plan your trip around Songkran.
