Where Is Chiang Mai & Why Visit?

Where is Chiang Mai? It is in northern Thailand, among the misty mountains. When visiting the area, we quickly realize that there is much more to Thailand than the beach resorts.

It is set in a gorgeous setting by the Ping River. In addition to outdoor activities such as hiking, waterfall, climbing, and bird watching, it offers hundreds of temples to visit as well as first-class dining.

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Some History of Chiang Mai, Thailand

In addition to asking where is Chiang Mai, it is also relevant to inquire about its history as well.

It was founded in the late thirteenth (13th) century by Mangrai, the first king of Lanna, and replaced Chiang Rai as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. The Lawa are the people in northern Thailand, and the Lawa language is based on the Wa and Blang languages found in Burma and China.

With the decline of the Kingdom of Lanna, Chiang Mai lost importance and, in 1774, became part of the Thonburi Kingdom. Because of civil unrest, Chaing Mai was abandoned between 1776 and 1791.

The current city was created in 1915 and upgraded to a city municipality in 1935. In 2006, it was the site of the Chiang Mai Initiative between ASEAN and ASEAN+3 countries.

Chiang Mai is on Trip Advisor’s 2014 list of “25 Best Destinations in the World” to visit.

Where Is Chiang Mai? Some Interesting Facts

• this is the largest city in Northern Thailand
• it is the second-largest city in Thailand and capital of Chiang Mai province
• the population is approximately 115,000 people
• the meaning of Chiang Mai is “new city”
• it’s located on the Ping River and has gained historical significance because of its proximity to major trading routes
• the city resides in a valley in a river basin
• the city has several parks and green spaces
• the area has a tropical savanna climate so it is warm to hot throughout the year
• over 14 million people visit the city each year and 9.5 million are from Thailand
• The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau anticipates Chaing Mai being a global destination for meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and conferences in the next five years
• the oldest temple in Chiang Mai is Wat Chiang Man and it was constructed in the 13th century
• there are several museums in the city related to art and Lanna culture
• because of the increase in tourism in Chiang Mai, the city has introduced a non-motorized transport (NMT) system to reduce the strain on the city’s natural resources
• the arts and crafts market has increased as a result of tourism
• agritourism promotes agricultural products and educates the public on farming
• many Chinese have settled here due to the low cost of living and liberal climate
• many festivals are held throughout the year with the Chiang Mai Flower Festival being a three-day event in February when the tropical flowers are in bloom
• many Buddhist celebrations take place throughout the year
• the majority of the locals speak Thai but many older residents also speak the Lan Na Kingdom’s unique language known as Lanna, Kham Mueang, or Northern Thai
• since English is considered the unofficial second language of Thailand many locals speak English, especially in the tourist areas
• Chiang Mai has 16 international schools and several universities
• Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand and a national park
• there are three shopping malls in the city
• the Night Bazaar features handicrafts and local art
• Tha Phae Walking Street or Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market is the most famous food and handicraft market
• Chiang Mai Zoo is the oldest zoo in Northern Thailand
• Horse racing is popular and betting is legal
• Local transportation consists of cars, motorbikes, taxis, buses, and rickshaws. In 2017 electric tuk-tuks were introduced.
• there are 10 trains a day to Chiang Mai railway station from Bangkok
• the 4th busiest airport in Thailand is Chiang Mai Internation Airport
• Chiang Mai is a friendship city with Austin, Texas
• the currency is the Thai Baht (THB) (currently 1 Thai Baht equals USD 0.03)
• October to January has the best weather in Chiang Mai

Things to Do in Chiang Mai

• The Temples — wherever you look you will find a temple in Chiang Mai. Appropriate dress and behavior are required when entering a temple such as no hats or shoes and shoulders and knees must be covered. Also, pointing your feet at anyone or the Buddha statues is considered disrespectful. While the most popular temple in town ( and most crowded) is Wat Phra Singh, Wat Saen Muang Ma Luang is small and hidden down a small road near the city’s north gate and is a great place to take photos.
• Cooking Classes — since Chiang Mai is a foodie town, taking a cooking class is a fun and educational thing to do. There are classes at Asia Scenic and Grandma’s Cooking School.
• Doi Inthanon National Park — here you will find Thailand’s tallest mountain (8,415 feet/2564 meters). This park has a plethora of hiking trails and waterfalls. Cyclists also love this area. It is 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) from Chiang Mai. Booking a day trip is the best way to go if you don’t want to rent a car or hire a driver.
• Sticky Waterfall — also known as Bua Thong, is a multi-tiered waterfall made of mineral deposits and limestone. Ropes and wooden railings help with climbing. It’s never crowded and a great place for a day trip.
• Monks’s Trail — take this hiking trail to Doi Suthep, a very popular temple in the city. You will pass by a smaller temple, Wat Pha Lat. It’s a good hike as it takes about 90 minutes one way.
• Grand Canyon — this is a former limestone quarry carved out of red clay soil. Another great place for a day trip to swim and relax. There are three separate sections with two waterparks with bamboo rafts, obstacle courses, and cliff jumping.
• Meditation Retreat — one or two-day meditation retreats are available at Wat Suan Dok
• Elephant Sanctuaries — experience a very intimate wilderness adventure at Elephant Nature Park which is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center with day and overnight tours as well as volunteer opportunities. At Journey to Freedom, there are four or seven-day overnight programs.
• Cuisine — the food is excellent and combines curries, meats, vegetables, and noodle soups. Northern Thai sausage (Sai ua) is spicy and made from pork, spices, shallots, garlic, and dried chilies. Khao soi is a creamy coconut curry noodle soup with crispy fried noodles on top. Miang kham are small wraps filled with meat or vegetables. Gaeng hang lay is a yellow curry with shrimp paste, pork chunks, and a tamarind-based soup. There are many restaurants in the city at various price levels. Khao Tom Baht Diao is inexpensive for both food and beer. There are also food trucks and a night market. Goodneighbor Cafe is great for breakfast. The Klay Cafe is great for brunch. A popular restaurant, listed in the Michelin Guide, is Huen Muan Jai that specializes in Northern Thai food.
• Music & Events — live music and open mikes are found throughout the city. Check out the Boys Blue Bar and North-Gate Jazz Co-op. Many events like swing dance lessons, yoga, and salsa dancing are free at One Nimman, a huge shopping complex.
• Cafes — CAMP is open 24 hours and is great for digital nomads. Hub53 is a great co-working space with unlimited and hourly plans for business.
• Gyms — there are many gyms and boxing clubs in the city. Maxx Fitness is the nicest gym, while Heavy Hit Boxing Gym is located southeast of the city.
• Markets and Shopping — Jing Jai Farmer’s Market has great food and produce, while Talat Warorot is where the locals go to shop for clothes, food, and other items. Baan Kan Wat is an artist village with galleries and cafes with interesting building designs. The largest mall is Central Festival.
• Thai Massage — for massage, Oasis Spa is the best, but a bit pricey. Fah Lanna Spa is about 25% cheaper but the facilities aren’t as luxurious.
• Yee Peng (Lantern Festival) — the Yee Peng Festival is held during the full moon every year, usually in November. The event is scattered throughout the town in different locations, with people releasing lanterns.

Where Is Chiang Mai? Why Visit?

Now, when asked where is Chiang Mai we can offer some interesting details. As a smaller, more relaxing city compared to the crazy hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Chiang Mai offers a refreshing change of pace. There is plenty to see and do.

The foot is great, and it has much historical significance. The town centers around the old city with the commercial hub just outside the old city walls. The western part of town is more trendy with many cafes and co-working spaces for the digital nomad community.

The choice of Accommodation is numerous. Each part of town offers its own unique ambiance. The prices vary, but there are ideal places for folks with different budget requirements. Hotels, vacation rentals, hostels, and Airbnb.

For example, Hotel YaYee has nice views and is about USD 38 per night, while Akyra Manor is a bit more upscale at USD 138 per night. Baan Hanibah is a family-run guesthouse for USD 82 per night. Rates do vary by season.

You can find hostels from USD 10 to 15 per night. For long-term stays, you can find apartments anywhere from 300 USD to 1000 per month.

Lots to see and do here in a very warm and friendly culture. Consider putting Chiang Mai on your destination list.

Happy Travels,

Joseph William

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