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Chiang Mai is called the Rose of the North: modern cafés and malls, surrounded by 700-year-old temples and mountains. It feels nothing like Bangkok or Pattaya, closer to Kyoto in mood: calm, green and slow. We loved it so much that five days felt short.
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A little history
In 1296, King Mangrai made Chiang Mai the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. That's why you still see brick walls and old city gates, and temples like Wat Chedi Luang that keep that history alive.
Getting there
There are no direct flights from India, so fly into Bangkok first. From Bangkok, flights to Chiang Mai leave about every 30 minutes and take around an hour. We booked last minute and paid about ₹18,000 for two, return. Booked in advance, it's closer to ₹12,000–15,000 for two.
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Open Trip.com →Best time to visit
November to February. The monsoon ends in November and the weather stays cool. Avoid the rainy season, when Chiang Mai floods.
Where to stay
Chiang Mai splits into the Old Town (the walled square) and the rest:
- Old Town: quiet, peaceful nights. Best for a relaxed holiday.
- Night Bazaar area and Nimman: crowds, music, food and cafés.
We did both: three nights in the Old Town, one in Chiang Rai, and the last near the Night Bazaar.
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Open Agoda →Getting around
Bolt (slightly cheaper) and Grab both work. The red songthaews (shared red trucks) go anywhere in and around the Old Town for about 30 baht per person. Hop on, say where you're going, and get off. Buy a Thai SIM, as it's very cheap.
Chiang Rai: take the bus and stay the night
We took the Green Bus at 10 am (about 4 hours). In Chiang Rai we covered the White Temple, the Big Buddha (Wat Huay Pla Kang) and Lalitta Café, plus the night bazaar, then the Blue Temple the next morning. There's also a Black Temple and more, so two days is ideal. Don't do it as a rushed day tour.
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See Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai on 12Go →Powered by 12Go system
7 temples worth your time
In Chiang Mai: Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phra That Doi Kham, Doi Suthep. In Chiang Rai: the White Temple, the Blue Temple, and Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha).
Guides: Chiang Mai Old City temples · White Temple · Blue Temple.
Doi Inthanon National Park
The highest point in Thailand, about 1.5–2 hours away. It went from 25° in the city to 9–12° at the top, and we hadn't packed jackets. There are waterfalls, the twin pagodas and a hill-tribe village, so keep a full day for it.
Our tip: instead of a group tour (about 1,500 baht per person on Klook), we asked our Grab driver from the day before. A private car for the whole day cost 1,500 baht total, with room for four. Full guide: Doi Inthanon day trip.
Markets (cheaper than Bangkok!)
Chiang Mai's markets are not overpriced, and they're much cheaper than Bangkok's, with things you won't find in Bangkok. If you like something, buy it here.
- Coconut Market: Friday to Sunday.
- Sunday Night Market: huge, once a week. We went from 6 to 10:30 pm and saw maybe half. Our guide.
- One Nimman: European vibe, live band, food stalls. Maya Mall is next door (branded shopping is better in Bangkok).
- Mae Kha Canal: felt quiet on a weekday. Try a weekend. More.
Cafés (skip the hotel breakfast!)
- Chom Café: beautiful and Michelin-listed, and the best food we had.
- Versailles de Flore: a Greek-gods, European palace setting with great food.
- Mars Café: a fun Mars interior. Go in the evening, as mornings are empty.
- Land of Angels: about an hour out. We didn't have time.
- Lalitta Café (Chiang Rai): a misty fairy-tale garden. Entry is 60 baht, and we spent 2–3 hours there.
More: Chiang Mai cafés.
Pro tips
- Carry cash. Only bigger cafés take cards, and local food and shopping are cash only.
- Apps: Grab, Bolt and Google Maps.
- Temple dress code: cover your knees and shoulders, with no sleeveless tops.
- Carry an umbrella. Even at 25–26° the sun is strong.
We always say: plan it yourself. It's your journey, and nobody knocks on your door saying it's time to leave.
📶FAQs
Is there a direct flight from India to Chiang Mai?
No. Fly to Bangkok (or Phuket/Krabi) first. Bangkok–Chiang Mai flights run roughly every half hour on Thai Airways, VietJet and Thai AirAsia.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
November to February: the monsoon is over and it's cool but not cold. Avoid the rainy season, when the city sees flooding.
Should I do Chiang Rai as a day trip?
We wouldn't. A day tour is rushed and tiring. Stay at least one night, ideally two.
TAGS: CHIANG MAI · CHIANG RAI · THAILAND · ITINERARY · TEMPLES · CAFES
💬 Questions & answers
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Prashant & Sunaina
A travel couple from Pune with Kashmiri Pandit × Maharashtrian roots, 8+ countries and counting. Every rupee shared.
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