Life in Thailand with the Chang Mai family. What hotels in Chiang Mai have nice views? Rainy season in Chiang Mai and weather: when is the best time to go
Surrounded by Thailand's highest mountains, Chiang Mai is the country's idyllic and mysterious northern capital. The city is considered one of the most important cultural centers - more than 300 temples were built here.
Chiang Mai is Thailand's fifth largest city, but the atmosphere here remains calm and relaxed. The peaceful and picturesque panorama is not changed either by new stylish shops or modern boutique hotels.
The surrounding tranquility is largely due to the city's proximity to mountains and large green areas, including Mount Doi Suthep and Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which offers panoramic views. Thailand's highest peak is located in Doi Inthanon National Park, 60 km away.
Tourists prefer to book hotels in the historical center of the city, surrounded by picturesque streets, old temples and the city moat. Many hotels are located in the Chiang Khan area, where the famous Night Market takes place.
Loy Kroch is considered the center of the city's nightlife. This is where Ratchadamneung Street runs, where Chiang Mai's main night pedestrian market takes place. Don't forget to buy an umbrella in Bo Sang village and eat a cup of khao soi soup.
You can get to Chiang Mai either by flying into Chiang Mai International Airport or by arriving from Bangkok!
Chiang Mai is the northern province of Thailand, which has long been recognized as its cultural center. The picturesque landscape, abundance of greenery, many cultural and national monuments and a special cosmopolitan atmosphere attract travelers and expats from all over the world.
General information
The capital of the province is Chiang Mai Town. It is the center of all of Northern Thailand and the fifth largest city in the kingdom. It is located 316 meters above sea level on a plain surrounded by rural settlements and mountains. Among them, the highest peak in Thailand (2776 m) is Doi Inthanon. It is located 90 kilometers west of the city, and is the only place in the kingdom where snow sometimes falls.
Atmosphere of Chiang Mai
Climate
Chiang Mai's northern location on a hill makes its climate more temperate than in the south. Here, on the previously mentioned peak of Doi Inthanon, the Thai pole of cold is located, where the temperature can drop to -8°C.
Like the rest of the kingdom, Chiang Mai has three seasons:
- Moderate. It is considered the most successful period for traveling to this region. Starts in November and lasts until February. During the day the temperature rises to +25…+30°С, but at night it can drop to +15°С and below.
- Hot. This season lasts from March to June. At this time, the heat reaches its maximum temperature of +40°C, and the jungle and numerous agricultural lands begin to burn (in March-April). In addition to the melting temperature, the city is also shrouded in a smoke screen. This is the worst time to travel to Chiang Mai.
- The rainy season covers 4 months from July to October. At the beginning of summer, the monsoon arrives from India to the province, bringing with it heavy but short-lived showers and significant relief. The temperature drops a little, it becomes easier to breathe, the vegetation quickly recovers, and with it the mosquitoes arrive. This period is more successful for visiting the cultural capital of Thailand than the previous one.
Geography
The city of Chiang Mai is located at 18°47′20″ north latitude and 98°59′00″ east longitude, 700 kilometers north of Bangkok. The province borders Burma and Laos and is part of the legendary Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia.
Population
The capital Chiang Mai has a population of about 170,000, and the entire province has a population of more than a million. At the same time, local residents differ significantly from the general population of Thailand. In appearance, they are more similar to the Chinese, have darker skin and are relatively short in stature. In addition, one cannot help but notice the differences in the temperament of the inhabitants of the north. They are much calmer and friendlier than other Thais, although some may say: “Where is it, calmer?” This is largely due to the fact that the Lanna kingdom, whose capital was Chiang Mai for a long time, developed separately from Thailand, forming its own genotype and cultural characteristics.
The province is home to a large number of mountain tribes and nationalities, which have their own characteristics in culture and way of life. Most of the population professes Buddhism.
Nature and landscape
The northern nature of Chiang Mai fascinates with its splendor and leaves no one indifferent. The mountainous landscape of the province is covered with lush tropical forests, among which are scattered numerous villages of local tribes. The city itself is comfortably located in the floodplain of the Ping River, among mountain ranges and hills.
Economy
Residents of high mountain villages are engaged in agriculture (growing rice and tea), raising livestock and hunting. Most of Chiang Mai's population earns a living from agriculture or related occupations. In addition, the capital is famous throughout Thailand for its artisans and carpet production. Tourism is in second place.
Time in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai clocks show 3 hours more than in Moscow. As in Bangkok, international coordinated time in Chiang Mai is indicated as UTC +7.
Language
Most local residents speak one of the dialects of the Thai language. Residents use English to communicate with tourists, but it should be noted that as you move away from the capital, speaking it becomes increasingly difficult.
Holidays
One of the most colorful and fabulous holidays not only in Chiang Mai, but throughout Thailand is Loi Krathong. Residents of other regions of Thailand and foreigners come to watch the launch of sky lanterns by thousands. Loy Krathong is celebrated in every province of the kingdom, but it is here that it reaches such scope and beauty!
Story
The Kingdom of Lanna, whose name translates to a million rice fields, covered most of Northern Thailand and flourished even before Ayutthaya became strong. Chiang Mai's rich history can be traced back 700 years, making the city the most historically significant in Thailand.
After his victory over the Haripunjaya kingdom, King Mengrai of Lanna decided to move his capital from Chiang Rai, and founded a new city in 1296. Without further ado, he called it “new city”, which in the Thai version sounds like Chiang Mai.
During the power struggle between the Lanna princes and the governors of Burma, Chiang Mai was greatly devastated. Because of this, five hundred years after its founding, the city had to be founded again, and in 1796 the inhabitants of the surrounding settlements were resettled here. After this, the capital began to be ruled by the vassals of Siam, whose influence was abolished only in 1939, with the death of the last of them.
A notable point in Chiang Mai's recent history is that it became the birthplace of one of the kingdom's prime ministers, Toxin Shinawatra.
Orientation
The capital of the province is the city of Chiang Mai, with a total area of about 40 km². Along the perimeter of the old part of the city there is an ancient wall and a water ditch. Unlike other Thai cities, attractions here are evenly distributed throughout the territory.
The province is divided into 21 districts and 2 sub-districts. In total, there are about 1,050 high mountain villages in the region. Most of their inhabitants are representatives of the Karen and Lua tribes.
Superhighway
From Phitsanulok and Lampang, outer highway No. 11 leads around Chiang Mai from the east and north. This road is also called the Superhighway.
Other routes leading from the city:
- No. 107 (Th Chang Phueak) - leads north to Phang;
- No. 1095 - departs from the 107th and leads to Pai and Mae Hong Son;
- No. 118 (Th Charoen Muang) - leads to Chiang Rai;
- No. 108 - leads to Mae Sariang and Mount Intanon;
- No. 1004 (Th Huay Kaeo) – to Mount Suthep.
The transport center of the city is the largest Varorot bazaar, around which Chinatown is laid out.
10 kilometers from Chiang Mai there is a fairly high mountain called Doi Suthep, covered with a lush rain forest. It is visible from anywhere in the city, and sometimes Thais even say: “If you haven’t seen Doi Suthep, you haven’t seen Chiang Mai.” This is a relatively high forested mountain located in the national park of the same name. At its top there is a majestic Buddhist temple.
Districts
The city of Chiang Mai is divided into new and old areas. Their main difference lies in the different concentration of temple complexes and ancient ruins. The tourist center with its hotels and restaurants is located in the east of the old town. The main street is Moon Muang. At its intersection with Tha Pae Street, the main city square is located. At the intersection of the super highway with Huai Kaeo Street there is a fashionable area with expensive hotels and restaurants.
Map
Features of the holiday
There is no sea in Chiang Mai, and accordingly, beach lovers have nothing to do here. Tourists from Russia, for the most part, choose the coast for their travels, and therefore there are very few of our compatriots here, although recently there has been a tendency towards an increase in the total number of Russians in Chiang Mai. However, the bulk of tourists are Europeans.
Traveling the Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is a popular tourist destination that spans the borders of three Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Myanmar and Laos). In the past, this territory was an opium paradise famous throughout the world. Today in Thailand the only reminder of this is the opium museum.
Chiang Mai's close proximity to Chiang Rai, Pai and Burma makes the city an ideal base for exploring northern Thailand and the Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia.
Bike trips
Many tourists go to Chiang Mai to conquer one of the most interesting mountain bike trails on Doi Suthep. The long and challenging route on this mountain is intended for professionals, but may not be safe for beginner cyclists. For the latter, the cross-country route, which runs through the eastern border of Doi Suthep Park, is more suitable. This is a shaded and not very long route, the descent along which will cause a lot of positive emotions.
Features of life: longstay or wintering
Longstay in Chiang Mai is very different from living in other cities in Thailand, as the province itself is quite distinctive and unique. The differences are visible in everything: in the temperament of the local residents (northerners are very kind, smiling, and calm), in the large number of cultural monuments, in the special charm of the northern tropics and the absence of the sea, the relative cheapness of life... the list goes on for a very long time. If we draw a parallel between Chiang Mai and any Russian city, St. Petersburg comes to mind.
Visas
It is better and more convenient to extend a tourist visa while in Chiang Mai at the border with Myanmar or Laos. A visa run from Pattaya or the islands is more expensive.
You can get to the borders with Burma or Laos on your own, or by purchasing an excursion from local tour operators. All procedures at the border take no more than an hour, so it is quite possible to resolve the issue of visa extension in 8 hours.
Urban transport
When talking about the peculiarities of life in Chiang Mai, one cannot fail to mention the city transport system, because for many it can become a real headache. Today there are two systems in operation in the city - old and new. The latter is an attempt by the authorities to streamline public transport and move away from the old system, and it is assumed that this will happen over time.
Smog in Chiang Mai
Another important point that travelers should be aware of. During the hot season (February-April), heavy smog hangs over Chiang Mai. The smoke screen extends as far as northern Laos and eastern Burma. Moreover, this is not just a gray haze like, for example, in Bangkok or another large metropolis, this is real smoke from forest fires and burning garbage in rice fields.
At this time, the number of cases of exacerbation of pulmonary and heart diseases increases significantly, and healthy people feel very uncomfortable:
- The sky becomes clouded with clouds of smoke and turns gray.
- A smoke screen hangs in the air, visibility is reduced.
- In many areas there is a burning smell, it becomes difficult to breathe, nasal congestion, and watery and stinging eyes may appear.
- There is much more dust in the rooms.
At this time, not only all tourists leave Chiang Mai, but also many local residents, preferring to escape the smoke on the coast.
Medicine
Chiang Mai has a large number of medical centers of the highest level, so many people come here to solve their health problems. In particular, dentistry and the obstetrics system are well developed here.
Transport
Chiang Mai has a very well-established intercity transport system. Tourists have a fairly large choice in the method of travel, from bus and train routes with very different levels of comfort and ticket prices to air flights.
When it comes to urban transport, things are not so simple. Compared to Bangkok, Chiang Mai's public transport system is not as developed. Locals prefer to travel by songthaew or personal transport, so city buses become unprofitable and are launched on the route once every half hour to an hour. Basically, you can move around the city in the following ways:
Songthaew
The city has an old and a new songthaew system. According to the old tradition, multi-colored songthaews walk around the city, the starting point for which is the Warorot market. The blue ones go south to Lamphun, the white ones also go south and east, and the yellow ones go north. The cars do not have license plates, destinations are indicated in Thai, travel within the city costs 10-15 baht. The main problem is that in some streets and throughout the old city these songthaews do not walk.
For this purpose, there are red songthaews, the passage of which, theoretically, costs 15 baht. Why theoretically? Because they don't have a route. Or rather, it exists, but it is known only to the driver, and changes depending on his wishes. In fact, it is a taxi that picks up several passengers, who are on the way with the driver. Locals usually ask the driver where he is going, and the question of whether they will continue their journey with him is decided by itself. But with foreigners everything is more complicated. Their songthaew drivers will take you in any requested direction (even if it is not on the way), but the price at the same time is double, or even triple, like a taxi.
This system irritated everyone for a long time, and the city authorities tried to implement fixed routes. They are still described in Thai, but at least they are distinguished by multi-colored lines on the windshield, the color of which corresponds to a particular route. So, having a map of Chiang Mai, it’s not difficult to figure it out.
Knock Knock
You can travel faster by samlo (as tuk-tuks are called here), although with less comfort. Depending on your bargaining skills and your destination, the trip can cost from 40 to 150 baht. The main thing is to discuss the issue of the cost of travel for one person before the trip. It is noteworthy that tuk-tuk drivers rarely have change, and therefore it is preferable to carry small denomination banknotes with you.
Taxi
There are taxis in Chiang Mai, but they are rare. Usually they are ordered by phone, since it is practically impossible to catch a car on the street. In addition, it can be difficult to convince the driver to turn on the meter. If you can do this, the tariff is 30 baht for the first two kilometers, and four baht for each subsequent one.
Motorbikes and cars
The best way to get around in Chiang Mai is to ride on rented motorbikes. There are a great many rental points in the city; renting a motorcycle is not difficult at all. On average, the daily commission is 150 baht, and is reduced when concluding a long-term contract.
It will cost more, from 600 to 2000 baht per day, to rent a car, which can be rented at the airport or in the city center. In addition, in Chiang Mai it is possible to rent a car or minibus with a driver. This is the most convenient option for small companies or for trips out of town. Prices for such services start from 1,500 baht per day, plus fuel costs.
Bike
For more sporty tourists, there are bicycle rental shops in Chiang Mai. In the old city this is a fairly calm and safe way to get around. Depending on the brand and quality of the bike, rental costs can range from 30-250 baht/day.
Temples of Chiang Mai
In total, there are more than 300 temples in the province, about ten of which have a special place due to their historical and architectural features. The temples are undoubtedly the main heritage not only of northern Thailand, but of the entire kingdom as a whole, while they combine the styles of the ancient state of Lanna, Burma and Sri Lanka. Even if you're not a "Vatoman", you should visit the most outstanding temples in Chiang Mai.
The most famous Wat in the province is perhaps Wat Phra Singh. Here you can see ancient gold frescoes on red lacquer in the Lanna style. Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in the city. Presumably, it was built before the founding of Chiang Mai. Within its walls is kept a miniature crystal Buddha, which, according to legend, is capable of causing rain. And outside the city walls, among the forest, is the ancient temple of Wat Umong, which was built by King Mengrai for the revered forest monk. This is a fairly quiet, secluded place where you can relax near the ponds.
Food
Catering establishments in Chiang Mai please with their abundance and relatively low prices. In addition, here you can try dishes unique to this part of Thailand, for example, “Khao Soi” (wheat noodles in broth with chicken or beef) or “Hang Lei” (pork curry prepared according to an ancient Lanna recipe).
In addition to restaurants serving traditional Thai cuisine, tourists can easily find establishments specializing in international cuisine in Chiang Mai. Here you can taste dishes of Italian, French, Irish, German, Spanish, Mexican and many other cuisines of the world. These can range from cheap eateries and snack bars to sophisticated restaurants. There is no such choice anywhere else in Thailand.
Housing
Housing in Chiang Mai is cheap even by the standards of the kingdom. There is a very wide offer on the real estate market with accommodation options from economy to premium class. In the city you can rent a room in a guest house for 350 - 500 baht/day. More comfortable condos cost tenants, on average, 500-1,500 baht per day.
Housing of an even higher level from 1,500 baht. The Chiang Mai hotel base includes an offer of conditions from 2 stars and above. For example, the cost of a double room in a two-star hotel will start from 5,500 baht per week, and in a five-star hotel - from 25,000 baht per week.
For those wishing to stay in Chiang Mai for a long period of time, there is a large selection of accommodation in different price categories and degrees of distance from the center. For example, a good condo here can be rented for 7,000-15,000 baht per month, and a house for 10,000-20,000 baht/month. Moreover, when concluding a contract for a year, landlords give a good discount and offer a wider choice.
Attractions
The main attraction of Chiang Mai, of course, are the temples. However, it is a mistake to believe that this is the only thing you can see in this province. There is a wide variety of art galleries and themed exhibitions, where you can see the work of both local and Myanmar artists. In addition, Chiang Mai has many magnificent gardens and parks. For example, the garden of the royal winter palace of Phu Ping. Outside the city you can admire the most picturesque landscapes in the kingdom. The Ping River floodplain is surrounded by rice fields, green hills and mountain ranges. Among them, the highest peak in Thailand is Doi Inthanon. And under the canopy of the tropical forest hide the settlements of mountain tribes.
Animal lovers will find plenty to enjoy at the Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium. There are also many places in the province where you can interact with elephants. Moreover, not just to watch the performances or ride a horse, but also to learn the peculiarities of the life of gray giants and personally take part in caring for them.
Entertainment
In Chiang Mai, lovers of nightlife will easily find entertainment to their liking, although its scope cannot be compared with the entertainment events of Bangkok or Pattaya. There are discos, go-go bars, and live music here.
One of the most popular attractions in Chiang Mai is the Sunday Market. Every weekend, huge numbers of people flock here from all over the region to buy or sell all sorts of locally produced goods. They are based on agricultural products and crafts. Also at the market you can see a wide variety of performances by local residents.
Few tourist areas in Thailand can boast of having decent rafting spots. They are in Chiang Mai. The most interesting rafting takes place during the rainy season, at which time the rapids on the rivers have 4-5 steps. Outdoor enthusiasts are also offered walks under the rainforest canopy, elephant rides, river cruises, rock climbing and the now famous Flight of the Gibbon excursion.
Very often, tourists come to Chiang Mai for knowledge and spiritual enrichment. There are a huge number of different schools and courses here. Here you can practice languages, learn yoga, culinary tricks, shamanism or Thai boxing. In addition, there are special places where people come for retreat and practice meditation.
Prices
If you compare prices in Chiang Mai and Pattaya, then accommodation, food and locally produced clothing are cheaper here. And the cost of trips to Songthaew is more expensive.
How to get there
There are several options for how to get to Chiang Mai:
By plane
The province has its own international airport. It is located just three kilometers from the provincial capital and serves a large number of international and domestic flights. You can get here by flight from Bangkok, and you can buy very inexpensive tickets from low-cost airlines, which fly in large numbers from Don Muang Airport.
By bus
From Bangkok, from the Mo Chit terminal, many buses leave for the northern capital. These can be either public flights, costing 200 baht per ticket, but spending at least 12 hours on the road, or highly comfortable 1st class cars, costing 550 baht per ticket, which cover the distance in 9 hours.
By train
To get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by rail will take 12-15 hours. Trains with carriages of varying comfort depart from Huala Phong Station according to a regular schedule. The cost of tickets depends on which class the tourist chooses.
Ticket prices depending on the time of day and the comfort level of the carriage:
Day flights: Night flights:
2nd class – 281 baht 1st class – 1400 baht
3rd class – 121 baht 2nd class – 900 baht
Cellular communications and Internet
Cellular communications in Chiang Mai are represented by 1-2-Call, TrueMove and DACT Happy, which are unchanged in Thailand. As in other regions of the country, it is much more profitable to use the services of Thai operators rather than overpay for roaming.
The quality of Internet connection in Chiang Mai is better than on the islands. There are many points in public places where you can connect to the network via Wi-Fi for free or for a reasonable fee. Prices at internet cafes range from 10 to 60 baht/30 minutes. Connecting to the network via 3G with a local SIM card is the cheapest option.
Safety
As we wrote above, during the hot season Chiang Mai has a very high level of smoke, which can pose a serious danger to people with cardiopulmonary diseases and allergy sufferers.
Tap water in Chiang Mai is not drinkable. For these purposes, they use bottled water, which can be purchased in large quantities anywhere in the city in special vending machines, or you can order a delivery service.
The province as a whole is a safe region. However, tourists should still be vigilant about their property. Like all places with a large concentration of tourists, Chiang Mai is not without thieves, scammers and other scoundrels dreaming of easy money.
Hotels in Chiang Mai, where to stay?
The map below contains accommodation options from all major booking services, so you can easily find a suitable hotel for yourself and immediately book it online.
It is considered the spiritual and religious center of the country.
It’s worth noting right away that there is no sea in Chiang Mai. But this is where you can get acquainted with customs and traditions.
Chiang Mai was founded as a fortified city; the name of the city itself translates as “new city”. The center and gathering place for tourists is the so-called “square” - an area separated by a dilapidated stone wall. Numerous temples located inside the “square” will help tourists understand Buddhist traditions. The infrastructure of Chiang Mai is well developed - it is a large city that has all the benefits of civilization.
In addition to cultural and historical monuments, Chiang Mai, like any other city in Northern Thailand, will be remembered for its unusually beautiful mountainous terrain. This is the best place to experience the hospitality of the locals.
Tours to Chiang Mai
Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.
During the day +31 °C
Weather
The weather in the northern regions of Thailand differs from the hot climate in the south of the country. During the winter months, from November to February, temperatures in Chiang Mai drop to 15°C and rainfall is rare during this time. From March to June, the air temperature stays around 30° - 40°C, and it becomes very humid, although there is not much precipitation at this time. From July to October it usually rains constantly.
In the mountains of northern cities it is always cold; the temperature at any time of the year can remain at only 5 degrees above zero. When going to the mountains, do not forget to take warm clothes with you. Unfortunately, the city experiences high levels of smoke, especially from January to March. At this time, rice fields are burned, so the whole of Northern Thailand smells of burning.
Hotels
A cluster of hotels is located in and near the “square” - the center of Chiang Mai. Hotels in the city center, as a rule, are located close to each other, so the view from the room window may be of the neighboring building, and not of the picturesque mountains. In general, accommodation in Chiang Mai can be described as modest and low-priced. Although here you can find comfortable hotels with large rooms and all amenities.
Attractions and entertainment
Chiang Mai is the center of excursion tourism. Dozens of mountain tribes live in its vicinity, including the famous Karens, who decorate the necks of women with rings.
You can take a tour to a tribal village, go on a mountain trek, or simply explore the temples, of which there are more than 300 in Chiang Mai. Inside the ancient city walls of Chiang Mai are beautiful temples and stupas. The famous Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple is striking in its beauty. According to legend, the site for the construction of the temple was chosen by an elephant loaded with sacred relics - the animal stopped and trumpeted, signaling the “decision”. To reach the temple, you need to climb over 300 steps, but the view is worth it.
In addition to the temples, you can explore the gardens of the Bhuping Royal Palace, and on the way look into the village of a mountain tribe. There is a market near the village where you can buy authentic crafts or try a national dish. An excursion to an orchid farm or an elephant village would be interesting.
The most memorable national park near Chiang Mai is, perhaps, Doi Inthanon National Park. Here you can visit the highest mountain in Thailand, which is 2,565 meters above sea level.
The surrounding area of Chiang Mai is famous for several natural hot springs. Thermal springs are usually located on the territory of a national park. Here you can take a walk, relax or heal by bathing in geysers with mineral water.
Animal lovers will love visiting the Night Safari. Here you can ride through a huge green area, home to zebras, giraffes, hippos, ostriches, monkeys, lions, tigers and many other animals. What will be most memorable is feeding the inhabitants from your hands. It is difficult to walk through the territory of the huge Chiang Mai Zoo in a day. A huge number of animals, birds and insects live here in comfortable conditions. You can stand next to the enclosure where pandas live, watching such cute animals, for more than an hour. You can also see a huge number of monkeys, tigers and lions, koalas, penguins, giraffes, roe deer and other inhabitants.
Fans of active recreation will appreciate rafting on the Me Teng River and rock climbing on Mount Crazy Horse (a huge monolith 60 m high). There are more than 130 routes.
In Chiang Mai, you can learn to cook Thai food by attending a culinary school. In just a few hours, local cuisine masters will teach you how to cook Tom Kha, Tom Yam, Pad Thai or other Thai delicacies.
Chiang Mai is also called the “Rose of the North” for its flower festival, which takes place on the first weekend of February. The streets of the city are filled with flowers, festive processions and folk festivals take place, and an atmosphere of general fun reigns.
The second interesting festival, Loi Krathong, takes place in November - among the events is the lowering of flower wreaths, festive processions, a float parade and a real belly festival. At night, thousands of paper lanterns fly into the sky.
From Chiang Mai it is convenient to get to other cities in northern Thailand. You can use public transport or go on your own trip with a rented car. Do not forget to be as careful as possible - in addition to the mass of impressions from visiting fabulously beautiful places, you will face the difficulties of moving through mountainous terrain. From Chiang Mai you can get to the cities of Pai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and other equally interesting places in Thailand.
Kitchen
Inside the city there are many cafes offering Thai, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. Finding restaurants with European cuisine is more difficult, but there are still a lot of such establishments in Chiang Mai. The menu of establishments is usually compiled in Thai and English. The low cost of breakfast, lunch or dinner will pleasantly surprise you.
Transport
You can get to Chiang Mai by plane, train or bus. The airport, located in the city center, is the second largest airport in Bangkok after Suvarnabhumi. Inside the city, and especially in the center, unfortunately, there are almost always traffic jams.
The most convenient way to move around Chiang Mai is by songthaew (a truck equipped to transport passengers), which can be seen literally at every step. The route of the songthaew is determined by the driver depending on the stops required by passengers. In Chiang Mai, you can ride a three-wheeler or even take a rickshaw. Other transportation options are sedan taxis or motorcycle taxis. Also in Chiang Mai you can rent a car, motorbike or bicycle.
Shopping
Chiang Mai is famous for its night market, which runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Here you can buy various souvenirs and decorative items created by local residents at low prices. Northern Thailand and especially Chiang Mai are famous for their interesting handicrafts: clothes and shoes, souvenirs, toys, umbrellas, etc. If you can't make it to the night market, don't despair. You can see and buy interesting and unique handmade souvenirs in small shops located literally at every step in Chiang Mai. Interestingly, here you can watch the process of creating masterpieces of local residents.
Chiang Mai is located in northern Thailand, close to the border with Laos and Burma. It is the second largest city in the country, after Bangkok.
If in Russia St. Petersburg is called the cultural capital, then in Thailand Chiang Mai is such - this is evidenced not only by numerous royal temples, parks and residences, but also by constant festivals, exhibitions and similar cultural events and activities.
There is no sea here, and therefore Chiang Mai is significantly less popular among tourists compared to other regions of Thailand. But for those for whom the presence of the sea is not a determining factor when choosing a place to live, Chiang Mai does not leave them indifferent. We came to Chiang Mai for the second time, and again only for 1 month, but if it weren’t for our pre-thought-out future plans and purchased tickets, we most likely would have stayed here for 3-4 months. Why? Read on.
One of the most significant advantages of Chiang Mai for us is the climate; it is much milder here than in the southern part of Thailand. This may seem strange to those who are now reading this article, looking out the window at a snow blizzard, but the constant heat is very tiring. Here now the weather is just perfect, in our opinion - I don’t know how many degrees exactly, probably around 27-28 during the day, about 20 in the morning and evening, and 16-18 at night, it’s just wonderful to breathe.
In general, we both love freshness - if possible, we open all the windows wide open, and if it’s hot outside, we turn on the air conditioning. When we were visiting our parents in St. Petersburg last fall, we couldn’t get used to the heating, which made the apartment very stuffy - it was easier for us to put on sweaters and open the windows so that there was a constant flow of fresh air. So in Chiang Mai now this is what is needed in this regard. We don’t even turn on the air conditioner during the day, although when we were looking for housing, this item would have been mandatory for us.
Also, Chiang Mai is located on a hill, among small mountains, and there is no such humidity as in coastal cities and, especially, on the islands - it’s easier to worry about equipment, which in conditions of high humidity has the unpleasant property of becoming moldy.
2. People
Chiang Mai is home to a prestigious university and offices of many IT companies. European, Australian, American, and Russian expats who come to live here are more focused on working in comfortable conditions than on idleness in the tropics. So here, there's a lot less of that Rastafarian crowd that smokes weed and plays drums on the beach all day.
Of course, there are different people, IT specialists also have their own specifics, but in general, we can say that the intelligentsia lives here to a greater extent, in the good sense of the word
3. Infrastructure
Chiang Mai is not the capital, so it doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. We have already expressed our dislike for the Thai capital more than once.
With all our tolerance and desire to find the positive in everything, Bangkok somehow doesn’t grab us, no matter how hard we try to love it. It’s not that there is any disgust towards it, no, it’s just, for example, it’s not a city, but a dream, and it’s just a great city, and Ho Chi Minh City is not bad, but for some reason I don’t like Bangkok, we don’t understand why many people love it that way.
The shops
So, Chiang Mai does not have the disadvantages of the capital, but at the same time, it is a large city, and accordingly, the infrastructure here is well developed. There are shops and hypermarkets for every taste (including Macro with cheese and chocolate), shopping centers with cinemas, .
There are also specialized stores, including those with photographic equipment. Prices, however, are a little higher than in Bangkok, as it seemed to me, and now is not the best time for purchasing equipment, but still. When I needed to change the polarizer (filter), I couldn’t buy it.
Cafes and restaurants
The city has a huge number of cafes, restaurants and coffee shops, and for any budget, from Thai small-town eateries to pretentious and themed restaurants 
Coffee shops, by the way, are especially popular here. We now live 4 kilometers from the center, there are, in principle, not many foreigners here, and there are at least 5 coffee shops in the area, and Thais hang out there all the time. Well, the prices are good news - a good cappuccino starts from 40-50 baht ($1.3-1.5).
Medicine
Chiang Mai has several excellent hospitals of European level, as well as good Thai hospitals (we wrote a little about this in an article about).
Although, however, in Thailand everything is generally fine with this, there are large hospitals almost everywhere, even on the islands (Phuket,) with the exception of very small islands, like Koh Chang, etc.
Distant work
Coworking spaces are also popular in Chiang Mai. We work at home, so this doesn’t particularly concern us, but for many, for one reason or another, it is more convenient to work in specially equipped places where there are work desks, good Internet, a snack bar, coffee, etc. 
True, working in such a place may not always be safe - in the summer, one of these coworking spaces was raided by representatives of the immigration office due to suspicion of illegal work. Then, however, everyone seemed to be let go, they thought something was wrong there, mistook this place for some kind of hangout, but the sediment, as they say, remained.
By the way, the issue of remote work in Thailand is not completely clear. On the one hand, working without a work visa is prohibited here. On the other hand, an employer who is located in another country does not seem to be a violation - and just the Chiang Mai immigration office itself made an official explanation confirming this hypothesis. But at the same time, this clarification is not the ultimate truth, so this point can be interpreted in different ways.
Services
The service sector in the city is well developed in every sense - there is a huge selection of hairdressers, beauty salons and massage parlors with a wide variety of massages at reasonable prices.
There are even a couple of centers where massages are given to the blind (they are famous for their skills) - this is the type of activity that allows them to earn a living, despite their illness.
We had such a massage - it’s tough, friends. In ordinary salons, we always ask you to do it harder, because masseuses very often suck and do it half-heartedly, but here we almost died!
Those. They do everything correctly and very well, it’s clear that it’s useful, but still, it’s very painful, so we don’t dare to go again yet)) But it’s definitely worth trying at least once, we recommend it.
Housing
Chiang Mai has a very good selection of housing - from simple rooms for $150 per month, to multi-room houses for $1000-2000 per month and more. Studios and 1-2 apartments in condominiums, including those with a swimming pool and fitness center on site, are very popular.
Moreover, you can live in the city - in a busy or quiet area, in the center or on the outskirts, in a 20- or 3-story house, or even in a separate house with its own green area or in a protected village, also with all the amenities.
We now live in a 19-story condominium, in a studio apartment on the 17th floor, with this view from the window 
The balloons, of course, do not fly all the time, but only a few days a year, but the view is still not bad. True, there is a large road under the windows, and because of this, the apartment, even though it is located so high, is still quite noisy.
But the building has its own swimming pool, so we go swimming almost every day - it’s very convenient, it’s a pity that the fitness center is under renovation.
For an apartment with an area of 46 sq.m., “full furnitured”, i.e. with furniture and a fully equipped kitchen (there is a microwave, and 2 multicookers, and an electric stove, with all sorts of fancy functions), we pay 8,500 baht + internet (350 baht/month) + water and electricity.
In principle, this is a pretty good option, and if it weren’t for the noise, it would be ideal. We were offered an apartment with windows on the other side; it was most likely much quieter there. But it already costs 14,000 (although there is also newer furniture). Previously, we probably would have chosen it, but now we couldn’t bear to pay almost 30,000 rubles for an apartment =)
4. Transport connections
Despite the fact that Chiang Mai is located far from the central part of Thailand, intercity transport links are well developed here - there are bus terminals, a railway station and an international airport.
For example, we're leaving straight from here. Well, more precisely, we fly from here, and besides that there are many direct flights to Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Macau, not to mention domestic flights to (Bangkok, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, Phuket).
So, the sea is not so far from here - only $70 and a two-hour flight away :) By the way, you can find a good flight here.
The only thing that is significantly less developed here than in Bangkok is public transport. Its role here is played by songthaews (covered pickup trucks), which, in principle, drive along certain routes, but the drivers do not always speak English, and periodically strive to offer their services to the farangs (us, that is), as a personal taxi.
You can probably get used to this if you live longer, but we generally don’t use public transport; we usually go everywhere on a motorbike.
5. Leisure
Everything is also fine with the organization of leisure time in Chiang Mai. The center, also known as the old city, the so-called “square”, surrounded by a canal and the remains of a fortress wall, is quite compact, 2x2 km, you can walk around the whole thing if you wish.
Inside is the old city with temples and palaces, 
restaurants, hotels and guesthouses for tourists of any income – from backpacker hostels to luxury hotels.
Behind the square there are many green corners, parks with lakes, flowers, fountains. Also very picturesque surroundings - national parks, waterfalls, mountains.
For example, I like the Doi Suthep temple, it is very close to the city, at the foot there is a national park with waterfalls, and from the temple itself, from the observation deck, there is an excellent view of the city, if there is no fog or haze)) 
Also, some people go to Chiang Mai for enlightenment, both spiritually and materially. There are centers for teaching yoga, meditation can be learned in the same Doi Suthep, 
or go to the Dharma Center and take it (the center is an hour's drive from Chiang Mai) - this was the second time we took the course there.
You can also learn different massage techniques, there are about a dozen massage schools here, each with its own concept, but in general, the technique from northern Thailand is highly valued among massage therapists.
There is also plenty of room for sports fans. There are several stadiums in Chiang Mai, one of which has an excellent 50-meter open-air swimming pool. Just the other day, annual running competitions were held - you could run a marathon, half-marathon or 10 km.
And, of course, there is entertainment for every taste - culinary master classes, walks along the river, Segway excursions, in one of the shopping complexes there is even an ice skating rink))
Chiang Mai is also famous for its huge zoo - we walked around it for a couple of hours, and then we only managed to see a third, probably :) Some animals can be fed, and some you can just watch 
Pandas are of the greatest interest to everyone - not every zoo has these funny little animals, so many people come here just for them 
There is also plenty of entertainment in the vicinity of the city - elephant riding and bathing, rafting, kayaking, eco-tourism, extreme parks in the jungle, etc.
And if we are just about to go to the cinema and the skating rink, then we have already spent the day in an extreme park in the jungle. Read about how we had fun on all kinds of zipping and met wild gibbons in the forest in the next article :)
Chiang Mai is also the starting point for the charming village of Pai and the city of Chiang Rai, with its famous White Temple. We were both there and there, we’ll tell you someday, so stay with us!
In all of Thailand, we love two places most of all - Koh Phangan and Chiang Mai. What are your favorite places in Thailand?
Or maybe not in Thailand, but in other countries :) Share in the comments!
Chiang Mai is the most important center of northern Thailand, the capital of the province of the same name, as well as the cultural capital and second most important city, after. Total area - 40,216 sq. km, population - 150,000 people. Chiang Mai is located along the Ping River, on a wide plain, at an altitude of 330 m, 702 km from and 245 km from the border with Myanmar (Burma).
Sometimes in Russian transcription the name of the city is written as Chang Mai and Chiang Mai, less often Chang Mai and Cheng Mai.
It dates back to 1296, when the King of Lanna - a state that was located here in ancient times - appointed the city as the capital, moving it from Chiang Rai and giving it the name Chiang Mai, which translates as “New City”.
It is surrounded along the entire perimeter by a large ditch, which was dug many centuries ago and served as protection from the attacks of the Burmese conquerors. Currently, this artificial moat is practically the only one in all of Thailand, which makes it one of the main attractions, along with temples and other ancient monuments.
There are not many high-rise buildings or long highways in Chang Mai, as, for example, in Bangkok; the entire city has retained its traditional outline and is fully consistent with the status of the cultural capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. Despite this, the infrastructure is very well developed; you will not lack a choice of hotels, restaurants, massage parlors, bars or tour agencies.
Chiang Mai is considered by tourists to be one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. The landscape of the city and its surroundings is a combination of mountains and plains, waterfalls and jungles, rice fields and fruit plantations.
The main source of income for the capital and the entire province of Chiang Mai is the export of rice, vegetables and fruits. Since the late 90s of the last century, tourism began to develop at a rapid pace, which also began to bring tangible profits.
Chiang Mai is divided into Old and New City. Most of the historical monuments are located in the old part, and there are also many inexpensive hotels and restaurants (especially in the east). This part is clearly visible on the satellite map and appears as a square from above (these are two parallel highways that encircle the city and have one-way traffic).
In addition to the administrative division, there is a natural division - the city is crossed from north to south by the Ping River, which is a tributary of the Chao Phraya.
In general, Chiang Mai is an average city, smaller than Bangkok, but larger than Pattaya and the main resorts in Phuket. During rush hours there are often traffic jams, albeit minor ones. In the Old Town, traffic is busy only along the perimeter, and on the remaining streets there are few cars and motorcycles.
Chiang Mai on the map of Thailand
How to get there
You can get to Chiang Mai in Thailand by various means of transport: by plane, bus, train. You cannot get here directly from Russia, Ukraine, or Kazakhstan, since Chiang Mai Airport only accepts domestic flights.
Cheap flights to Bangkok
You can buy air tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible using special search engines that collect data from all airlines.
If you are already in Thailand, you can take a domestic flight. If you want to save money, buy bus tickets at bus stations or travel agencies, as well.
Who should go to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a different Thailand. If you are tired of crowds of tourists (sometimes very drunk), pestering Thais who are trying to sell you something or somehow scam you out of money, of the stuffy climate and high humidity, then welcome to Chiang Mai. Here this is much less pronounced - there are not so many vacationers, only taxi drivers are trying to cheat, and the climate is much cooler and there is not much moisture in the air.
The province of Chiang Mai is located in the north of Thailand, so it does not have a sea. But it is beautiful in other ways - with amazing mountains and valleys, which are not found in the south and central part of the country. In its capital - the city of the same name - many ancient sights have been preserved (one brick wall, which in the past encircled the entire city, is worth it). Particularly interesting are the temples, which are much older than in other areas of the country. The city of Chiang Mai was the capital of the Lanna kingdom even at a time when Bangkok was a tiny village, which only residents of neighboring villages knew about.
The city was built in 1296 and currently Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of Thailand. The infrastructure here is quite well developed with hotels, restaurants and bars, and there are many travel agencies offering excursions around the province. There is nightlife and establishments for strawberry lovers, but all this is not very prominent, as in many popular resorts.
In general, if you like such historical places, then Chiang Mai is definitely worth a visit.
What to do and what to visit
Climate
The good thing is that it is not as hot here as in the rest of Thailand, when there is no rest from the heat even at night. Here, after sunset, it becomes noticeably cooler, and in the winter months the thermometer can drop below +20 degrees (and, for example, in Pattaya, Phuket or Samui at any time of the year and at 2 am from +26...+28).