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The First-Timer's Guide to Chiang Mai
What I’d Do on a First Trip
WHAT I’D DO ON A FIRST TRIP
After living in Thailand for years, Chiang Mai is one of those places I think first-time visitors often underestimate.
People come for the temples and elephants—and you absolutely should experience both—but that’s only part of what makes northern Thailand so special.
Chiang Mai moves at a completely different pace than Bangkok. It’s greener, quieter and surrounded by mountains. There’s a huge creative community, an incredible food and coffee scene, and some of the best opportunities in Thailand to get out of the city and experience the landscape.
My biggest advice? Don’t rush it.
Here’s how I’d experience Chiang Mai for the first time.
WHAT I’D DO ON A FIRST TRIP
After living in Thailand for years, Chiang Mai is one of those places I think first-time visitors often underestimate.
People come for the temples and elephants—and you absolutely should experience both—but that’s only part of what makes northern Thailand so special.
Chiang Mai moves at a completely different pace than Bangkok. It’s greener, quieter and surrounded by mountains. There’s a huge creative community, an incredible food and coffee scene, and some of the best opportunities in Thailand to get out of the city and experience the landscape.
My biggest advice? Don’t rush it.
Here’s how I’d experience Chiang Mai for the first time.
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LENGTH OF STAY
How Long Should You Spend in Chiang Mai?
I recommend at least 3 nights, but ideally 4.
You want enough time for a day exploring Chiang Mai itself, at least one day outside the city, and some breathing room to actually enjoy it.
This isn't a destination where you need to schedule something every hour. Part of Chiang Mai's appeal is wandering into a temple you didn't know existed, spending longer than expected over coffee, or realizing you've somehow spent two hours eating your way through a night market.
If you can, leave some space in your itinerary.
what to do
How Long Should You Spend in Chiang Mai?
I recommend at least 3 nights, but ideally 4.
You want enough time for a day exploring Chiang Mai itself, at least one day outside the city, and some breathing room to actually enjoy it.
This isn't a destination where you need to schedule something every hour. Part of Chiang Mai's appeal is wandering into a temple you didn't know existed, spending longer than expected over coffee, or realizing you've somehow spent two hours eating your way through a night market.
If you can, leave some space in your itinerary.
what to do
My Favorite Things To Do in Chiang Mai
You’ll see these red shared trucks everywhere in Chiang Mai. Flag one down, tell the driver where you’re going and confirm the price before getting in.
They’re inexpensive, easy to use and one of those quintessential Chiang Mai experiences you should try at least once.
Chiang Mai’s relatively flat terrain makes cycling a fun way to explore, especially around the quieter streets of the Old City.
Grab a bike and spend a morning temple hopping, stopping for coffee and wandering down side streets—but stick to calmer roads, as traffic can get hectic outside the center.
Grab is my go-to when you want the easiest way to get from point A to point B. It works much like Uber: enter your destination, see the fare upfront and request a car through the app. It’s particularly useful for getting between neighborhoods like the Old City and Nimman or when you don’t feel like negotiating a fare.
transportation
Getting Around Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is much easier to navigate than Bangkok, but don't assume you'll walk everywhere.
If you're staying in the Old City, walking is possible, but these transportation types will help you navigate anywhere you want to go in Chiang Mai with ease.
accommodation
Where to Stay
Chiang Mai is sprawling and where you stay will impact your experience. Below is my quick quide.
Favorite for first-timers is Old City or just outside its walls. It gives you easy access to temples, boutique shops, markets and more.
Read on to learn more about each region or check out my recommendations.
Stay here if you want temples, markets and historic Chiang Mai right outside your door.
It's particularly good if you only have a few days because you can walk to many of the city's major sights.
Stay here if you want to be close to the action without being right in the middle of it. The Ping River area has some of Chiang Mai’s most atmospheric hotels, restaurants and bars, with a slower, more relaxed feel than the Old City or Nimman. You’ll need a short ride to most of the major sights, but that’s the trade-off for more space and tranquility.
Stay here if you want Chiang Mai’s more modern, creative side at your doorstep. Nimman is packed with excellent coffee shops, restaurants, bars, boutiques and galleries, and it’s one of the easiest neighborhoods to explore on foot. You’ll be farther from the historic temples, but if café hopping and going out are high on your list, this is where I’d stay.
Stay here if the resort is part of the experience. Mae Rim sits outside central Chiang Mai, surrounded by mountains, rice fields and tropical countryside, and is home to properties like the Four Seasons.
It’s a completely different experience from staying in the city: peaceful, beautiful and perfect if you want to slow down.
The trade-off is location. You’re not popping into the Old City for dinner, so I’d choose Mae Rim for a resort-focused stay or combine it with a few nights in Chiang Mai rather than use it as your only base.
experience
What To Do in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of those places where what you do outside the city is just as important as what you do in it. I’d leave room for the temples and cafés, but I’d also plan at least one or two experiences that get you cooking, exploring the mountains or experiencing northern Thai culture.
These are the experiences I’d prioritize for a first trip.
For many people, this is the reason they come to northern Thailand. Just be selective about where you go.
I prefer experiences focused on observing elephants and learning about them rather than rides, performances or forced interactions. There are options around Chiang Mai that combine time with elephants with hiking, waterfalls and even overnight village stays
If you're going to take a cooking class anywhere in Thailand, Chiang Mai is a great place to do it. Many experiences go beyond the kitchen, starting at a local market or organic farm before teaching you how to make dishes like curry paste, pad Thai, tom yum and, of course, khao soi.
My tip: Choose one that includes a market visit. Learning about the ingredients makes the experience so much more interesting—and you'll actually understand what you're ordering for the rest of your trip.
Don't spend your entire trip inside the Old City. Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains, jungle and countryside, and getting outside is one of the best parts of being here.
Depending on how adventurous you want to get, you can hike, bike, raft, visit waterfalls or head into Doi Inthanon National Park.
You can absolutely wander Chiang Mai's temples on your own (and I think you should) but a good guide can give you the context you're missing when you're simply looking at beautiful buildings.
Look for experiences that combine temples, markets, local neighborhoods and conversations with people who can help you better understand northern Thailand rather than just photograph it.
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