Chiang Mai is often considered Thailand's second-largest city, but has a population of just 127,000. The Rose of the North, as it's known, was founded in 1296 and remained the capital of the Lanna kingdom until 1558. The city's rich historical and cultural heritage can still be admired today. The Old City is surrounded by remnants of ramparts with a gateway for each point of the compass, and the city boasts a large number of ancient temples. The city is quite large, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, perched on the mountain of the same name, watches over the city.

What to visit Chiang Mai?

When to go to Chiang Mai?

When to discover Chiang Mai? From November to February, it is the dry and cool season and the best time to go to Chiang Mai. The sun shines, but temperatures can drop quite low or even touch the freezing point, especially at night. In April, a hot inter-season (about 25°C) begins, which lasts until the end of May with alternating tropical rains. From June onwards, it is the rainy season, although it is less frequent in the north. It lasts until October and culminates in September, the month of the low tourist season. July, August and September are the three months of the low tourist season in Chiang Mai. If you go to Thailand in April, don't miss the Water Festival, or Songkran, which celebrates the Buddhist New Year, everyone drinks themselves in the streets, laughs guaranteed!

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

Chiang Mai has a tropical savannah climate with three seasons: the warm season with temperatures between 30°C and 35°C (March/June), the rainy season with daily rains (June/October) and the cold season with temperatures between 15°C and 30°C (October/February). In February and March, air pollution is often above recommended international standards.

Jan.
13° / 29°
Feb.
14° / 32°
Mar.
17° / 35°
Apr.
21° / 36°
May
23° / 34°
June
23° / 32°
Jul.
23° / 32°
Aug.
24° / 31°
Sept.
23° / 31°
Oct.
22° / 31°
Nov.
19° / 30°
Dec.
24° / 29°
Budget

Thailand in general and Chiang Mai in particular is a cheap destination. The standard of living is much lower than in a European country like France, 60% on average. One eats in restaurants and sleeps in guesthouses for a modest sum and even in luxury hotels for an excellent quality-price ratio. The currency is the baht, you can easily exchange it and pay by credit card. Tipping is customary but not mandatory.

Procedures

You don't need a visa for Thailand and Chiang Mai if you stay there for less than 30 days. And one return trip to the border (Laos, Myanmar or Cambodia...) is enough to renew this 15-day stay permit (4 renewals allowed). Beyond that, you will have to make an additional flight each time you leave the country.

Health

No mandatory vaccines for Thailand and Chiang Mai but DT-Polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended. If an anti-malaria treatment is officially recommended, a protection against insects is enough in the south, but for the north and Chiang Mai except if you go to the surrounding mountains the risks of malaria are quite high and the protection requires a treatment. Water is not drinkable, it is recommended to drink bottled water and to avoid raw vegetables and seafood in the popular shops.

How to go to Chiang Mai? Our advice & tips

Thailand has long been a mass tourism destination and is under attack by many tour operators, but not all offers are equal. Take the time to choose the right tour according to your travel desires and do not hesitate to compare the services offered. Beware of low prices, they do not always include transfers, drinks and meals. Even if Thailand is an affordable destination, this can be a significant amount of money on a long circuit.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

Domestic and international flights are concentrated in Suvarnabhumi, located 35 km east of Bangkok. No particular risks for people travelling alone, the country is generally safe, but care must be taken with personal belongings in tourist areas, as theft can occur. You should know that drugs are not a joke in Thailand. A simple consumer faces a minimum of 10 years in prison. Eating and staying in Chiang Mai is no problem.

Domestic flights are convenient and quite cheap. There are also ferries between the islands and the mainland. In Thailand, the buses which make the connections between the cities offer a varied level of comfort and all the budgets will find there their account. As for the railway network, it is rather good in Thailand, but the not really modern cars are not very comfortable.

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Pictures and images Chiang Mai

Détails architecturaux de Wat Chedi Luang. Anya Newrcha - Shutterstock.com
Dévotion au Wat Phra Doi Suthep. S.Nicolas - Iconotec
Saucisses traditionnelles de Chiang Mai. Jérôme BOUCHAUD
Porte historique de Tha Phae. Jérôme BOUCHAUD

Discover Chiang Mai

When to travel?

When to discover Chiang Mai? From November to February, it is the dry and cool season and the best time to go to Chia...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Chiang Mai has a tropical savannah climate with three seasons: the warm season with temperatures between 30°C and 35...
Read more about it

Budget

Thailand in general and Chiang Mai in particular is a cheap destination. The standard of living is much lower than in...
Read more about it

Formalities

You don't need a visa for Thailand and Chiang Mai if you stay there for less than 30 days. And one return trip to the...
Read more about it

Health

No mandatory vaccines for Thailand and Chiang Mai but DT-Polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended....
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

Domestic and international flights are concentrated in Suvarnabhumi, located 35 km east of Bangkok. No particular ris...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Thailand has long been a mass tourism destination and is under attack by many tour operators, but not all offers are...
Read more about it

Getting around

Domestic flights are convenient and quite cheap. There are also ferries between the islands and the mainland. In Thai...
Read more about it

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