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The Ultimate Guide to Getting Around Mueang Chiang Mai Without the Guesswork

| Last Updated: April 2025

Lisa (yes, the Lisa) once sang “LA to Bangkok, can’t stop, so we don’t stop,” in her song Lifestyle, but let’s be real (delusional)—there’s a hidden verse that goes something like “LA to Bangkok…to Mueang Chiang Mai (as background vocals).”

Okay, maybe not, but that’s where the real magic happens. Think ancient temples, buzzing night markets, stunning mountain views, and soul-warming northern Thai food. It’s the perfect escape when the city chaos gets a little too loud.

But we get it—where do you even start? Where to stay? What to do? Should you wing it or go on a full guided tour? No worries, though! This is your ultimate guide to exploring Mueang Chiang Mai like a pro.

Time Zone

Indochina Time (GMT+7)

Best Time to Go

November through February is unbeatable if you’re planning a trip to Mueang Chiang Mai—cool mornings, dry afternoons, and perfect weather for wandering temples or heading into the hills. Plus, you’ll get to see Yi Peng and Loy Krathong when thousands of lanterns drift into the sky.

If you’d rather skip the crowds and snag better hotel rates, you can try for early June or late September. It’s quieter, prices drop, and you only need to watch for the odd rain shower. 

Things to Know

Currency: Thai Baht (Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Central Thai, Northern Thai (Kham Mueang)
Calling Code: +66

How to Get Around in Mueang Chiang Mai

  • Red trucks (songthaews) – These red pickup trucks with benches in the back are everywhere. Just flag one down, say where you’re going, and hop in if it works for the driver. It usually costs ฿30–฿60 (cash only).
  • Tuk-tuks – Loud, fast, and fun for short rides. Prices aren’t fixed, so be ready to haggle. Ask a local or your hotel what’s fair before you start negotiating. 
  • Grab – You can book a car or a motorbike through the app, and you’ll see the price before you go.
  • Scooter rentals – Great if you’re comfortable on two wheels. Rentals start at around ฿200 a day, and some places might require an international license.
  • Biking and walking – The Old City is flat and easy to explore. Renting a bike or just walking is a solid way to see the sights at your own pace.

Where to Stay in Mueang Chiang Mai

Cmor by Recall Hotels, Chiangmai

Media from recallhotels

Address: หมู่ที่ 2 6 Thorakamanakom Soi 1
Contact details: +66 53 400 111
Check-in: 2 PM
Check-out: 12 PM
Pricing: ฿฿
Website

Just a short walk from the Nimman Lifestyle District and Maya Shopping Mall, the Cmor by Recall Hotels can be a convenient base for you to explore the city. Plus, this 4-star hotel is quite affordable, depending on the room you go for. 

Speaking of rooms, we found that they have around 62, including Superior Rooms, Junior Suites, and spacious One and Two-Bedroom Suites. And we’re happy they’re fitted with amenities like king-sized beds, minibars, and TVs.

As for their facilities, guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and even unwind at their well-stocked library.

Royal Peninsula Hotel

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Address: 9, 9 Atsadathon Rd, Tambon Si Phum
Contact details: +66 53 252 222
Check-in: 2 PM 
Check-out: 12 PM
Pricing: ฿฿
Website

Royal Peninsula Hotel blends traditional Thai charm with its modern amenities. That said, they have 105 rooms with different capacities, and each features air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi—great if you’re bringing some work with you.

Their on-site restaurant also deserves some applause, serving a diverse menu of Thai and international dishes to cater to different preferences. 

And if you want to try other things or shop, they’re within walking distance to Tha Pae Gate, the Night Bazaar, and Jing Jai Market.

Buri Sriping Riverside Resort & Spa

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Address: เลขที่ 431 ถนน เจริญราษฎร์ Fa Ham
Contact details: +66 52 001 437
Check-in: 2 PM
Check-out: 12 PM
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Website

If you’re willing to splurge a bit on accommodations, then Buri Sriping Riverside Resort & Spa is a good choice. This 5-star boutique retreat is tucked along the banks of the Ping River—combining Lanna and colonial architectural styles, this place is a stunning getaway.

And you’ll probably be intrigued by their non-chlorinated black swimming pool (makes for a great photo, too). It’s a nice place to relax, with private balconies offering river views and a spa with a range of rejuvenating treatments. 

It’s also near popular spots like Faham Temple, Khaw-soi Samerjai noodle restaurant, and Central Festival Department Store.

What to Do in Mueang Chiang Mai

Look out for the Phra Buddha Sihing at Wat Phra Singh

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Address: 2 Samlarn Rd, Tambon Si Phum
Contact details: +66 99 249 9395
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 5:30 AM – 7:30 AM
Website

Wat Phra Singh is one of the most revered temples in the area for its exquisite Lanna architecture and deep historical significance. It was established in 1345 as Wat Li Chiang Phra and was renamed Wat Phra Singh in 1367 when the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image was enshrined.

One of the things to look out for is the Phra Buddha Sihing, a sacred Buddha image that’s believed to have originated from Sri Lanka. And try to check out the Wihan Lai Kham Hall, Ho Trai (Temple Library), and other murals and artwork.

Lastly, planning an early morning or late afternoon visit is a good idea if you want to avoid the crowd. 

Spot The Majestic Chedi at Wat Chedi Luang

Address: 103 Prapokklao Road, Tambon Si Phum
Contact details: +66 97 195 4695
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 AM – 10:30 PM
Website

Wat Chedi Luang, meaning “Temple of the Great Stupa,” is located in the heart of the Old City. You can spot The Majestic Chedi that was originally built in the 14th century with a height of around 82m, though, partially collapsed due to an earthquake in 1545, adding more to its history.

The temple also has a replica of the Emerald Buddha and the Sao Inthakin (City Pillar). Not to mention, you can even converse with resident monks if you’re interested in learning more about the Buddhist practices. 

Keep in mind that you’ll have to put on modest attire when visiting—shoulders and knees should be covered. 

Climb up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

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Address: Suthep
Contact details: +66 5329 5003
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 6 AM – 8 PM
Website

From the name alone, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is perched on top of Doi Suthep Mountain at around 1,073 meters above sea level. It was established back in 1383 and enshrines a sacred relic believed to be a fragment of the Buddha’s shoulder bone. 

The temple’s centerpiece is a 24-meter-high gold-plated chedi, featuring classic Lanna architecture.

But before that, you need to go up a 309-step staircase flanked by Naga (serpent) balustrades to access the temple. And expect to see panoramic views of Chiang Mai and its surroundings—a perfect backdrop for your photos. 

Splurge at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

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Address: Changklan Rd, Chang Moi Sub-district
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 PM – 12 AM
Website

If you’re in the mood to shop and eat, then Chiang Mai Night Bazaar should be on your itinerary. The stores offer a wide range of products, like handicrafts, clothing, accessories, and souvenirs—don’t hesitate to haggle here and there.

The food stalls also serve up some good treats and specialties, such as khao soi and sai ua, and we can’t forget the classic pad thai and mango sticky rice. 

Not to mention, you might even be able to catch live performances, including traditional Thai dance and music, making the entire experience richer. Also, arrive between 7 PM and 9 PM for the best energy. 

Shop for handmade items at Wua Lai Walking Street

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Address: 69 Wua Lai Rd, Haiya Sub-district
Opening hours: Saturday: 6 PM – 11 PM
Website

Wua Lai Walking, aka Saturday Night Market, features lots of stalls selling unique handmade items. Think textiles, lanterns, wooden crafts, soaps, and artwork—a good place to look for a unique souvenir. 

It’s also worth noting that they have a rich history as Chiang Mai’s silver-making hub. So, you’ll probably see handcrafted silver jewelry and ornaments. 

And if you want to explore a bit more, explore the adjacent alleys to discover hidden gems and less crowded stalls (just remember where you came from and don’t get lost).

Explore the stalls at Tha Pae Sunday Walking Street

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Address: Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum
Opening hours: Sunday: 5 PM – 10:30 PM
Website

Now, if you missed the Saturday Night Market, then you might catch the Pae Sunday Walking Street (Sunday Night Market). The entire walking street stretches for about 1 km from Tha Pae Gate to Wat Phra Singh.

Tourists love to shop here since you’ll get to see lots of handmade goods, such as intricate silver jewelry, colorful textiles, and unique artwork. Their products usually showcase Northern Thailand’s rich artisan traditions.

If you want to enjoy it before it gets too crowded, then you’ll have to arrive as soon as they open at around 5 PM. Typically, the busiest period is between 7 and 9 in the evening.

Have fun at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Media from olgansta

Address: RW48+RC4, Sriwichai Alley
Contact details: +66 53 210 244
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Website

Doi Suthep–Pui National Park is basically a natural playground spanning approximately 265 square kilometers. There’s a lot you could see and explore, like the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Doi Pui Summit (the highest peak in the park), different waterfalls, and the Hmong Village.

This also means that it’s a haven for outdoor activities. For instance, there are several hiking and cycling trails and camping spots. It might be best to hire a guide for these activities to be safe and avoid any risks.

Hike to Mae Sa Waterfall

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Address: WV4X+H63, Soi Namtok Mae Sa 4, Mae Raem
Contact details: +66 53 210 244
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Website

Mae Sa Waterfall is a 10-tiered waterfall that goes for over 1.5 km, with levels 5 to 8 often highlighted for their picturesque beauty and environment. 

If you’re not sure how to get there, you can get a songthaew from Chiang Mai to Mae Rim, then hire a local transport to reach the falls. You can also opt for a car or a motorbike.

What’s neat? Well-maintained paths connect the various tiers, making it enjoyable to hike for nature junkies. There are even designated areas or picnic spots near the falls so visitors can have a snack or meal while enjoying the waterfalls. 

Frolic at the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

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Address: 100 หมู่ 9 Mae Raem
Contact details: +66 53 841 234
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Website

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is named after Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, and it stands as Thailand’s first international-standard botanical garden. This vast garden spans over 1,000 hectares with all sorts of flora, themed gardens, exhibits, and more. 

You can explore the 12 distinct greenhouses, like its Rainforest Glasshouse, which simulates tropical rainforest conditions and houses a variety of exotic plants. This place also has themed, curated gardens, such as the Orchid Nursery and the Arboretum.

And if you want to experience a bird’s-eye view of the lush forest, you can go to the Canopy walkway stretching over 400 meters—it’s Thailand’s longest canopy walkway. 

Appreciate stunning wildlife at the Elephant Nature Park

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Address: 289 1 Kuet Chang, Mae Taeng District
Contact details: +66 53 272 855
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 AM – 5 PM
Website

Established in the 1990s, Elephant Nature Park provides a sanctuary for elephants rescued from logging, tourism, and other exploitative industries, allowing them to live freely in a natural environment—an ethical wildlife encounter.

This also means you can only observe them, no interactions like riding or performances. But just seeing these stunning elephants roam around, bathe, and just be at peace is quite calming and nice.

Plus, we like that their admission fees include round-trip transportation from the city, a vegan buffet lunch, tours, and educational sessions. Call ahead to reserve a spot if you want to see them because it easily gets fully booked.

Learn how to cook at Thai Akha Kitchen – Chiang Mai

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Address: 14, 10 Soi Rat Chiang Saen 2, Haiya Sub-district
Contact details: +66 61 325 4611
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 AM – 10 PM
Website

Now, if you want to get hands-on and enjoy good food, Thai Akha Kitchen offers an immersive cooking class in both Thai and Akha hill tribe cuisines. It’s inclusive, too—participants come in all ages, especially families with little kids.

You can learn a variety of dishes, such as papaya salad, spring rolls, Panang, Massaman, Pad Thai, and even desserts.

And if you’re interested, their morning classes include a guided visit to a local market, giving you the full cooking experience. 

Dye your own pieces at Studio Naenna

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Address: 138/8 Soi Chang Khian Huay Keow Road, T. Chang peuak A. Muang
Contact details: +66 53 226 042
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Website

Studio Naena is where traditional Thai and Akha textile artistry meet sustainable innovation. You can experience the full indigo dyeing process—from harvesting the plants to crafting your hand-dyed pieces (it’s a three-day workshop).

It’s also neat that you can engage in one-on-one sessions using traditional Karen backstrap looms. Over five days, you’ll be learning the entire weaving process, from selecting colors to completing a finished textile piece.

Just note that proper planning is a must, given that these classes have limited spots and the workshops usually take around three to five days. You could also just go for their gallery tour and discover a collection of handwoven ikat, brocade, and embroidered textiles.

Enjoy the floral wonderland at Chiang Mai Flower Festival

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Address: TBA, Chiang Mai
Opening hours: February 2026
Website

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival is a sight to see—the city welcomes spring and transforms into a floral wonderland. It happens every year around the first weekend of February. 

One of the main events of this festival is the Grand Floral Parade, featuring decorated floats covered in orchids, chrysanthemums, and roses, as well as traditional dancers, musicians, and cultural performances. The parade usually starts on a Saturday morning.

You can also head to Nong Buak Haad Public Park to view the flower displays, bonsai exhibits, mini landscaped gardens, and rare plant varieties. And for some excitement, drop by and watch the Miss Flower Festival Pageant—pageants here are something else!

Get splashed at the Songkran Festival

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Address: Mueang Chiang Mai
Opening hours: April 13 to 15 (annually) 
Website

You’ve probably heard of Songkran Festival or have seen some clips, even a scene from the White Lotus S3, with people having a water fight, water guns, and all. A brief background: it marks the traditional Thai New Year, so it’s highly anticipated and quite the crowd favorite. 

And yes, Mueang Chiang Mai joins in all the fun—think water battles everywhere, especially around the Old City. Locals and travelers alike arm themselves with water guns, buckets, and hoses to splash everyone in sight.

You can start at The Phae Gate and around the moat to be in the center of water activity, Nimmanhaemin Road for a more chill vibe with DJ booths and live music, or at Huay Kaew Road, where younger locals usually go to have fun.

Release lanterns at the Yi Peng Lantern Festival

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Address: Mueang Chiang Mai
Opening hours: Around mid-November 2026
Website

The Yi Peng Lantern Festival, typically held in November, looks straight out of a fairy tale as thousands of glowing lanterns (khom loi) are released in unison. It symbolizes the release of misfortune and making way for new beginnings.

While spontaneous releases happen throughout the city, it’s best for you to join organized lantern events, so that they’ll provide you with what you need. 

You can head to Mae Jo University if you want to join events, but you’ll need to book early as they easily sell out months in advance. For a quieter option, you can head to Royal Park Rajapruek or Doi Saket for a peaceful lantern viewing. 

Where to Eat in Mueang Chiang Mai

Khao-Sō-i 

Media from khao.so.i

Address: 30 4 ถนน เจริญราษฎร์ Fa Ham
Contact details: +66 61 515 4529
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: ฿฿
Facebook
Menu

Khao-Sō-i stays true to its name as it’s known for a classic Northern Thai dish—khao soi. But they refined it and added creative twists, making their signature bowls incredibly popular, like their luxurious lobster khao soi and even a unique dry-fried version without broth.

It’s housed in a renovated shophouse near the Ping River, with an open concept and wooden finishes, but still giving off a modern take on design. And thanks to its location, the ambiance is laid-back and calm—great if you want to slow down after a hectic day.

Huen Muan Jai 

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Address: 24 Ratchaphuek Alley, Tambon Chang Phueak
Contact details: +66 98 261 8029
Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
Pricing: ฿฿
Website
Menu

Huen Muan Jai, which translates to “Happy Home,” has a Bib Gourmand distinction from the MICHELIN Guide. Some of their signature dishes include Or Derb Muang, Sai Oua, Gaeng Hang Lay, and Nam Prik Ong.

Given that it’s set in a restored wooden house, it makes you feel quite at home, or at least you can feel the warm and inviting atmosphere. Not to mention, the place looks good in front of a camera.

Khoei Chiang Mai – Northern Food 

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Address: 14 ถนน Santitham Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak
Contact details: +66 93 138 5553
Opening hours: Friday to Wednesday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Pricing: ฿
Facebook
Menu

If you’re looking for somewhere wallet-friendly but can still serve up quality Northern Thai dishes, then Khoei Chiang Mai is a top contender. The menu features a range of khao soi options, like combinations with beef, pork, chicken, and fish balls, so there’s plenty to choose from.

These dishes basically taste like they’re made by someone’s grandmother—you could tell there’s TLC in every meal. Plus, we love how inviting and warm the place is—the staff are approachable and offer genuine hospitality without being overbearing. 

Travel Tips for Mueang Chiang Mai

  • Dress modestly when visiting temples—cover your shoulders and knees.
  • Keep small bills and coins on you. Red trucks, markets, and smaller spots often can’t break big bills.
  • It gets hot. Carry water and drink often (or you might easily get exhausted or dizzy).
  • Stick to busy food stalls for the freshest street food.
  • Things quiet down early, especially in local areas—keep it chill at night.

Apps to Download for a Trip to Mueang Chiang Mai

  • Grab – Ride-hailing, food delivery, and package service in one app.
    iOS | Android
  • Google Translate – Text and voice translation, with offline language packs available (download offline pack for Thai)
    iOS | Android
  • Google Maps – Navigation, real-time traffic, public transit routes, and saved location lists. 
    iOS | Android
  • LINE – A popular messaging app in Thailand, useful for local communication, especially with tours and guides.
    iOS | Android
  • Foodpanda – Food and grocery delivery from local restaurants and shops.
    iOS | Android
  • XE Currency – Live currency conversion and exchange rate tracking.
    iOS | Android
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