Major city · Thailand
Chiang Maiเชียงใหม่
Choose Chiang Mai for temples, food and mountain day trips in northern Thailand: three to four nights, best outside the burning season.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cooler and dry)
- avoid Feb–Apr (crop-burning smoke and poor air quality)
- Airport
- CNX
- Nights
- 3–4
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, founded in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna kingdom. A moated old city holds dozens of temples, and the surrounding hills support trekking, waterfalls and mountain temples. It is cooler and slower than Bangkok.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CNX Chiang Mai International (Close to the old city; taxi or ride-hailing)
Weather and climate
Chiang Mai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Red shared pickup trucks (songthaews), ride-hailing apps and tuk-tuks cover the city. Hire a driver or join a tour for the mountains.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old City
Walkable to temples, cafes and the Sunday market.
Nimman
Cafes and restaurants, north-west of the old city.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Smoke season can make air quality poor: check the air-quality index before booking.
- Choose animal-tourism operators carefully: ask about welfare policies.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes at temples.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chiang Mai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (cooler and dry) · avoid Feb–Apr (crop-burning smoke and poor air quality)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 3 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialTourism Authority of Thailand
- secondaryWikivoyage — Chiang Mai