
Activities for special occasions
May your next celebration be memorable
In the olden days, a trip to Chiang Mai would have involved a multi-day long expedition or a rocky elephant trek through spectacular but somewhat precarious terrain. Thankfully, Thailand’s second city is now easily reachable by plane (or overnight train if you’ve got the time) and if you’d like to get under the skin of the country, it should be firmly on your travel list. The former seat of the semi-independent Lanna kingdom, the city is steeped in history and you’ll hop around a plethora of temples in shoeless serenity, learn about Lanna culture, and meet Buddhist monks at Wat Chedi Luang. At the other end of the spectrum, the Night Bazaar will have you honing your haggling skills like a pro, and there are a multitude of tantalising cookery courses for learning the (spicy!) tricks of the north’s cuisine. Then, leave the urban scenes behind and venture into the glorious countryside to breath in the mountain air, trek through lush jungle, and visit the fascinating hill tribes…
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Embedded high in the hills of Thailand's cultural heartlands, Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Lanna kingdom. Discover its history, which is evident in every building including the many beautiful temples. Visit the supremely sacred Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for a peaceful moment spent overlooking the city below. Astounding natural surroundings are on your doorstep, which means scenic cycles, trekking and river rafting in the jungle, visiting an elephant sanctuary and meeting members of northern Thailand's ancient hill tribes. After all that, you're bound to be peckish so head to the Night Bazaar for a taste of local Lanna cuisine like Khao Soi curry, Chiang Mai sausages and Miang Kham wraps.
The intriguing mix of old and new; outdoor and urban; nature and culture; shopping and eating - and the chance to sit back and enjoy some R&R or get stuck into everything on offer.
At the end of the day, head to the mountain top temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, ten miles from town. It’s the most sacred in the region and has the best views of the city, hands down.
If you can, avoid travelling in March and April – this is burning season for the local farmers, and the acrid tang can be a tad overwhelming.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Dry Season
Dry Season
Dry Season
Dry Season
Dry Season
Mixed Season
Wet Season
Wet Season
Wet Season
Wet Season
Dry Season
Dry Season