Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand, is known for temples inside an old moat, night markets and the forested hills above town.
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Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand and the capital of Chiang Mai province, about 700 km north of Bangkok. It was founded as the new capital of the Lan Na kingdom, and its name means "new city" in Thai. The old city is a roughly square area about 1 mile on each side, once walled in red brick and still ringed by a moat. Inside it are older temples such as Wat Phra Singh, which dates from 1345.
Doi Suthep, a temple on the mountain west of town, is visible from much of the city, and the national park around it has hiking trails. The Sunday night market on Rachadamnoen Road runs from 5 PM to 10:30 PM, with motorized traffic closed. The main thing to plan around is smoke. From December to April, fire smoke often pushes air quality below recommended levels, and March is often the worst month. Travelers with breathing problems should plan carefully, and a few days is enough to see the old city and get up into the hills.
Chiang Mai in five
- Skip the burning seasonSmoke from field burning often makes the air bad from February to April. Check the air quality before you book.
- Ride songthaews or GrabThe red shared trucks go anywhere in town; agree the price before you get in.
- Go up Doi Suthep earlyThe temple above the city is about 30 minutes by car. Go before 8am for the view and the quiet.
- Sunday Walking StreetThe Sunday night market runs along Ratchadamnoen Road through the old city.
- Choose elephant camps with no ridingPick sanctuaries where you watch the elephants rather than ride or bathe them.
Things to do in Chiang Mai
See all attractions in Chiang Mai
Need to know
- Airport
- Chiang Mai (CNX), about 15 min from the old city
- Getting there
- Night train from Bangkok, about 11–13 hours, or a 1h15 flight
- Getting around
- Songthaews, Grab, rented scooters
- Best base
- Inside the old city or around Nimman
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh29°Low17°Cool, dryJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh32°Low18°Dry, smoke startsFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, smoke starts
- MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh36°Low22°Smoke, hotMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Smoke, hot
- AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh37°Low24°Hottest, SongkranAprilClear
Poor
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, Songkran
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh35°Low25°Hot, rains beginMayRain
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains begin
- JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Green seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 246 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- JulyRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°RainyJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 354 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°RainyAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 420 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- SeptemberRain26 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh30°Low23°Wet, lushSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 382 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Wet, lush
- OctoberRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low21°Rains endOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 211 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rains end
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Dry, Yi PengNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Yi Peng
- DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low17°Dry, coolDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
Average daily high and low in Chiang Mai, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Chiang Mai
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 99%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 35%
Chiang Mai Province
09:32 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today32°23°35%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed32°23°14%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Thu32°23°16%Thursday: Rain. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri31°22°61%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sat28°22°92%Saturday: Rain. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Sun30°22°57%Sunday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Mon30°21°75%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 05:26 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.74 THB
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Chiang Mai, the full guide- Paiabout 3 hours by minivanA hill town of hot springs and canyons, better with a night.Read the guide
- Chiang Raiabout 3 hours by roadThe White Temple and the northern hills, stronger as an overnight.Read the guide
- Doi Inthanonabout 2 hours by carThailand's highest peak, with waterfalls and cool air.
Before you go to Chiang Mai
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Rules for Chiang Mai, checked
- Visa exemption depends on your passport and changes often. Check entry rules on the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book.Source
- Complete Thailand's digital arrival card (TDAC) online before you arrive, and keep the confirmation. Check whether the rule still applies on the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.
- Cover shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes before entering a temple hall. Do not point your feet at Buddha images.
- Save the police and ambulance emergency numbers in your phone before you travel, and note the address of your hotel in Thai or English.
- Riding a motorbike needs a license valid for motorcycles in Thailand. Check your travel insurance policy for motorbike cover before you rent one.
Plan around Chiang Mai
Entry, seasons, coasts and money
Read the guidePaiHot springs and canyons in the hills
Read the guideChiang Mai to PaiMinivan, bus, scooter or private driver
Read the guideChiang RaiThe White Temple and the far north
Read the guideBest time to visit ThailandDry, hot and smoky months by region
Read the guideThailand entry rulesVisa-free stay and the TDAC
Read the guideeSIM and dataStaying online in the hills
Read the guideChiang Mai FAQ
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
November to January is cool and dry with clear skies. February to April is smoky, and May to October is the green, rainy season.
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
Three days covers the old city temples, the night markets, Doi Suthep and a sanctuary visit. Add one to two days for Pai or Chiang Rai.
How do I get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Fly in about 1h15, or take the sleeper train in 11–13 hours. Buses are cheaper but slower, and the train is the most comfortable ground option.
Should I stay in the old city or Nimman?
The old city for temples and walking, Nimman for cafés, boutiques and a newer feel. Both are a short songthaew or Grab ride apart.
Can you ride a scooter in Chiang Mai?
Thai law requires a motorcycle license, and many travel insurers will not pay claims without one. Roads up to Doi Suthep are steep, so many visitors use songthaews instead.