The nation of numerous shades – Thailand is one of the world’s most famous travel destinations that you can find in the bucket list of almost every traveler. Be it Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Kanchanaburi, or Krabi, there are numerous in its fold and each with a different reputation. Where Bangkok and Pattaya are known for its vibrant nightlife, Phuket is more known for its city life, Kanchanaburi for its national parks, and Krabi is a paradise for nature lovers – there’s something for everyone in Thailand. But this is just about all those famous cities in Thailand. There are destinations that are less popular yet, offering plenty of opportunities to tourists to be a part of once in a lifetime experience. I am talking about Chiang Mai. So why visit Chiang Mai? Just to let you know, the city of Chiang Mai is another cultural capital of the country. Certainly, this isn’t enough to convince your mind about why go to Chiang Mai, right? Well, in that case, I have compiled a list of 20 reasons Why visit Chiang Mai is a must. So, let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Why Visit Chiang Mai? 20 Best Reasons
Weather
This is one of the main things every traveler considers before visiting a destination. In the case of Chiang Mai Thai, the weather remains quite pleasant and is ideal for travel. Being located at a higher altitude, the city of Chiang Mai witnesses favorable weather conditions. Tourists often compare the weather of Bangkok or Chiang Mai, and it’s always Chiang Mai that gets the upper hand. Though the weather remains pleasant throughout the year, it’s the cool or dry season which is considered to be the best month to visit Chiang Mai. The season begins in November and ends in February and the average temperature during these months remains 26°C.
Scenic Beauty
If it is between Chiang Mai vs Bangkok – which one to visit to explore the natural beauty, then it has to be Chiang Mai Thailand. An important reason why a lot of travelers visit Chiang Mai is the picturesque natural beauty. It is the home to the beautiful lush rainforest dotted with gorgeous waterfalls and exotic animals. Everything in the territory of Chiang Mai is centuries old.
History
Just to let you know, Chiang Mai is also a historical destination. It was once the ruling capital of the Lanna Kingdom. As a part of this, you can explore the ruins of the great civilization. There are walls that engirdle the entire city. These walls were built centuries ago to protect the city. Besides, for many years, the city also holds an important historical significance for trade and commerce.
Sacred Sites
You would be amazed to know that it’s not Bangkok where you will get to see a large number of temples, but it’s the Chiang Mai. There are more than 300 sacred sites in the region and this is just one reason why visit Chiang Mai is a must. The city is often known as the epicenter of the Buddhist past. If you really have some interest in exploring the religious significance of Buddhism in Thailand, then you have a key reason to visit Chiang Mai. The architectures of religious complexes are exquisitely designed that beautifully reflect the history of different kingdoms that once ruled the region. You can even find the architecture of famous Burmese and Lanna kingdoms. Along with temples, the Thailand travel tour in Chiang Mai will also give you a chance to visit monasteries.
Street Food
The best food tour in Chiang Mai awaits you to treat you with some delicious treats. Yes, the delectable food of Thailand is not just restricted to Bangkok, Chiang Mai is also a popular spot for all the food lovers. Along with that, there are numerous farms in the region, and hence, you can expect to savor the taste of fresh food. Street food in Chiang Mai is an experience that one must look to indulge in while on your visit to Chiang Mai.
Adventure Activities
If sacred sites, history, and nature isn’t your thing, then surely you would love to indulge in some adventures. From hiking to river rafting to rock climbing to water abseiling, there are a number of thrilling activities you can indulge in on your trip to Chiang Mai. Along with that, zip-lining and kayaking are also quite famous adventure activities in Chiang Mai. In addition, the jungles of Chiang Mai also gives you the opportunities of dirt biking for an ultimate experience. Whatever adventure you are looking for, the fact is, Chiang Mai is ready with it.
Festival City
The city of Chiang Mai is also known as the hosting ground of some amazing festivals. Doesn’t matter in which season you’re visiting Chiang Mai, the fact is, there is always something happening in the city. Loi Krathong is a popular festival that is observed in the month of November. During this festival, you can see people worshipping the water goddess with sky lanterns and banana containers. The Songkran Festival is another popular event that is observed in the month of April. During the festival, people take baths in the waters as a part of the ritual. Chiang Mai Flower Festival, observed in the month of February, also attracts a huge crowd of tourists.
Connectivity
A few decades ago, it was a task to get to the city of Chiang Now. But now, things have changed. Connectivity to Chiang Mai from any part of the country has become a lot easier. Even if you are visiting Chiang Mai from Bangkok, the transport connectivity is pretty good. Despite being a mountain area, Chiang Mai boasts great connectivity through air, rail, or road. Flights run on a daily basis from all the major cities including Bangkok. All you just need to do is board a flight or a bus to get into the wilderness and scenic beauty of Chiang Mai.
Coffee Culture
For all the coffee connoisseurs, Chiang Mai is a paradise that is known for its amazing coffee culture. There are coffee shops in every nook and corner of the city where you can go and savor the taste of delectable coffee. Along with serving the delicious taste of coffee, these coffee shops also sell coffee beans produced in the hill-tribe villages.
Incredible Day Trips
Well, if you are looking to spend a few days in Chiang Mai, there are plenty of day trips for tourists that will keep engaged here. The city is adorned with striking mountain scenery and has a lush green jungle that includes enough day trips for every type of traveler. You can also explore the crumbling walls of the city and its surrounding beauty. A day trip to Elephant Nature Park, Doi Suthep, and Inthanon National Park are some best things to do in Chiang Mai.
Rejuvenating Spas
Being a nature’s paradise, Chiang Mai also offers its tourists the chance to get relaxed and enjoy a soothing spa massage. It’s no hidden secret that Thai massage is the world-famous means of soothing your mind, body, and soul. There are plenty of spa centers where you can book your visit to enjoy an ultimate spa massage. It’s indeed a once in a lifetime experience that you can’t afford to miss and another reason why visit Chiang Mai is a must.
Vegetarian and Vegan Food
Chiang Mai understands the needs of every traveler. Since there are people who love vegetarian and vegan food, the city has plenty of venues to rejoice if you are one of them. There are a good number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Chiang Mai that offer you some delectable treats if you are on a meat-free diet. One of those many options, a popular one is Aum Vegetarian. This restaurant is known to offer a wide range of meat-free delicacies that taste delectably good. Here you can enjoy both Thai and Western delicacies and that too at great prices. Free Bird Cafe is another popular option to choose if you are looking for vegan food in Chiang Mai. Along with that, there are some more highly preferred vegetarian or vegan eateries like Taste From Heaven, Dada Kafe, and Reform Kafe.
It’s Highly Affordable
One of the main reasons why tourists prefer Chiang Mai over other cities in Thailand is because the city is highly affordable. Doesn’t matter for how many days you’re in Chiang Mai, the fact is, you can spend days here without even worrying much about your budget. It is counted amongst one of the most budget-friendly destinations in the country of Thailand. The accommodation is quite cheap. You just have to pay a few bucks for a night. Transportation in Chiang Mai is also incredibly cheap as compared to other cities like Bangkok. When it comes to food, well, you can savor an entire meal within a dollar. I know what you’re thinking – that’s super cheap, right? Indeed! Besides, there are plenty of things to do in Chiang Mai that are absolutely free.
Chiang Mai is a Short Drive Away From Chiang Rai and Pai
Well, if you choose to visit Chiang Rai on your vacation to Thailand, you give yourself another two short trips to Chiang Rai and Pai. If your Thailand itinerary still has space to adjust another few trips then you have a good reason to visit Chaing Mai. Chiang Rai is one of the most iconic locations from where you can see Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Whereas, Pai is known as a hippy destination with a laid-back atmosphere. Travelers visit this place to spend some relaxing time and indulge in some thrilling adventures.
Chiang Mai is Friendly and Safe
Safety has always been a major concern for travelers. Surely, you don’t want to visit a place which is unsafe for tourists. But when it comes to Chiang Mai, well, the city is very friendly and safe. Even for female solo travelers, the city is exceptionally foreigner-friendly and safe. However, there are several risks like pickpockets and tuk-tuk scams that you must be aware of.
Thai Culture
You can say, Chiang Mai is an ideal place to experience Thai culture. It boasts the perfect reflection of Thai culture in Thailand. Such is the charm of this city, you might end up sharing a tuk-tuk ride with locals who are extremely friendly and hospitable. Not just this, even the street food in Chiang Mai is more authentic than street food of Bangkok. If you wish to be a part of Thai culture, then you can also look to take a cooking class here in Chiang Thai.
Interact With Elephants
If you are planning a trip to Chiang Mai, the Elephant Nature Park is a must-visit attraction. It is the place where you can actually spend some time with elephants. You can observe them in a natural and unexploited habitat. Not just this, you can also bathe and feed the elephants. The time spent at Elephant Nature Park is a really soothing experience that you don’t get to indulge in everywhere.
Traditional Khantoke Dinner
Chiang Mai Cultural Centre is another popular spot that you can’t afford to miss on your trip to Chiang Mai. This is also the place where you can be a part of the famous and the traditional Khantoke Dinner. Being a part of the traditional dinner, you are supposed to dine cross-legged on the floor while enjoying the traditional Thai performances. This dinner basically reflects the ancient practice of eating a communal meal as a part of the tradition.
Museums
Chiang Mai is home to numerous museums and art galleries showcasing both historic and modern art. Unlike other cities or destinations, museum experience in Chiang Mai is quite refreshing as most of the museums are located in the complexes of temples.
Digital Nomad Community
You would be amazed to know that Chiang Mai is one of the best places for ex-pats and digital nomads. The internet here is fast and cheap, and there are internet cafes everywhere in the city. It has the best communities to search for like-minded people who you would love to meet to expand your network.
If you talk about reasons to visit Chiang Mai on your Thailand tour, well, I could give you many more. But the aforesaid are the ones that matter the most when it comes to convincing travelers to plan Chiang Mai Travel. Hope this must have helped you to make up your decision.
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