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Фотогалерея ‒ Chiang Mai, Thailand

Guide to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Island Virtual Tour

Chiang Mai, located in the northern province of Thailand, offers a serene contrast to the bustling beach scenes and vibrant nightlife found elsewhere. Instead of surf and beach parties, you'll discover glistening Buddhist temple rooftops, cozy coffee houses serving locally grown coffee, and numerous festivals, including the enchanting Flower Festival.

The heart of Chiang Mai is its Old Town, a historical quarter where well-preserved fortress walls once defended against Burmese invasions. Consider taking a taxi or motorcycle ride to the Royal Flower Park, a hidden gem often omitted from standard tours. It's a tranquil and stunning spot.

A must-visit in Chiang Mai is Doi Suthep, the primary pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The temple is particularly enchanting at night, seeming to float in the air thanks to its illumination and hillside location. For aficionados of traditional Thai temple architecture, the Silver Temple and the Temple of the Lion Buddha are also worth exploring.

One of the city's highlights is the Long-Necked Women's Village. Besides this unique attraction, many tourists also enjoy visiting the local zoo, exploring the night market, and indulging in the soothing hot springs. Chiang Mai offers a diverse and enriching experience for travelers.

Photos of Chiang Mai

Tips for tourists

Population
131000
Time zone
GMT+7
Language
Thai
Currency
Thai Baht (THB)

Tours to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has risen to become one of today's most popular tourist destinations, even though it's a landlocked city in northern Thailand.

A standard package tour typically covers medical insurance, flights to Bangkok, transfers to Chiang Mai, accommodation, and meals. Prices for such a package range from $1,200 to $1,600 USD for a week-long vacation (8 days, 7 nights) per person, depending on the season.

Chiang Mai is a hub for pilgrimage and religious tours, including opportunities for yoga, meditation, and immersion in Buddhist culture. These tours typically cost between $1,100 to $1,500 USD for a 10-day experience.

However, exploring Chiang Mai independently often proves more rewarding, as the city boasts numerous attractions, such as authentic coffee shops, unique temples, and the enchanting Royal Floral Park, which may not be part of standard tour programs. The city offers a wealth of experiences beyond what organized tours typically cover.

Interesting places in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai rightfully holds the prestigious title of Thailand's cultural capital. The city boasts a wealth of architectural, religious, and natural attractions. Exploring local parks and visiting places of worship offers a harmonious blend of experiences. For those who seek modern pleasures, indulging in live music or savoring locally produced coffee at charming establishments is also a delightful way to spend time in this culturally rich city.

Sights

Travel budget

Flight ticket prices

Chiang Mai has an international airport that receives flights from neighboring countries such as Laos and Myanmar. However, there are no direct flights from Europe to Chiang Mai. Most tourists first arrive in Bangkok and then take a domestic flight (from 40 EUR) or travel by bus or train (from 10 EUR). Another popular option is to transfer in Singapore, Dubai, or Doha, with flights operated by Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, and AirAsia.

Flights from Berlin, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, and Paris to Bangkok take 10–14 hours, followed by a 1.5-hour flight to Chiang Mai. Ticket prices from Europe range from 550–750 EUR in the low season to 900–1100 EUR in the winter peak. The best prices are usually available 2–3 months before departure.

The best hotels in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is ideal for travelers with a wide range of income levels. There are plenty of inexpensive accommodations as well as luxury apartments.

A budget double room per night (OYO 338 V-Twin Donjan Service Apartment, Chiangmun Boutiquе) will cost from 9 USD.

3-star hotels (Chada Mantra Hotel, Hotel Rosy, MD House, Hug Hostel Rooftop) offer similar conditions for an amount from 20 USD.

4-star hotels (The Wing Boutique Hotel, At 8 Nidhra Thapae Take Me To Old City, Maninarakorn Hotel) have a double room costing from 33 USD.

Luxurious 5-star hotels (Wintree City Resort, Le Meridien Chiang Mai, Smile Lanna Hotel) offer a similar room for an amount from 67 USD per night.

The cost of vacation

Chiang Mai is one of the most affordable resorts in Thailand. You can live and eat here for a very modest amount. If you take care of choosing air tickets in advance, then a vacation in Chiang Mai will be quite budget-friendly.

We have calculated an approximate estimate for a vacation for four days and three nights, based on the following costs:

  • flight to Bangkok airport;

  • accommodation in a 3-star hotel including breakfast;

  • lunch and dinner in a restaurant;

  • travel on a city songthaew;

  • cultural program (visiting a temple and a zoo).

The budget for a trip to Chiang Mai
Flight from 835 USD Accommodation from 20 USD
Average check in a restaurant from 6 USD Excursion from 20 USD
Transportation fare from 1.7 USD
Total: From 1000 USD for 1 person for 4 days of vacation.

Chiang Mai: tips for tourists

How to prepare for a vacation in Chiang Mai? First of all, learn the tips and flyhacks from tripmydream!

Visa to Chiang Mai

Citizens of most European Union countries do not need a visa for short-term tourist trips to Thailand. They can stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa if they arrive by air and up to 15 days if they enter by land. However, the rules are subject to change, so it's best to check the latest information before you travel.

Airport

Chiang Mai has an airport that receives domestic flights within Thailand and international flights from nearby countries. Most tourists land first at Bangkok airports, located 665 kilometers away from Chiang Mai, and then travel directly to the resort.

Transfer

To get from Bangkok airport to Chiang Mai, you can take a bus (from 400 to 900 THB), a pre-booked transfer minivan (from 900 THB), or an airplane (from 1000 to 5000 THB, depending on when the ticket was purchased). The journey by road will take from 8 hours, by air - 1 hour.

Car rental

To rent a car in Chiang Mai, it is important to have an international driver's license, know at least a little English or Thai, and be over 21 years old. Driving experience of more than a year is required. The price of renting a car starts from 25 USD per day of use.

Transport

Chiang Mai's main public transportation options are buses and songteos (from 50 THB). Alternatives include more expensive but maneuverable tuk-tuks, motorcycle cabs and traditional cabs (from 100 THB).

Safety

Chiang Mai's title as Thailand's cultural capital emphasizes the inherent safety of the area. But don't abuse it, so it's advisable to leave valuables in the hotel safe.

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