The complete Chiang Mai sightseeing guide! A fulfilling trip with recommended spots and model courses!

This time, we'll introduce the Chiang Mai model course and recommended tourist spots.

Points to keep in mind when sightseeing are also summarized, so please refer to them.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?

First, it is necessary to know the seasonal changes in Thailand's climate.

The events and ease of spending time differ from season to season.

Thailand is broadly classified into three seasons: dry season (November to March), summer season (March to May), and rainy season (May to November).

There are many ways to enjoy it depending on the four seasons, so I would recommend deciding on the Chiang Mai sightseeing season by comparing it with your travel plans.

Dry season (November to March): This is the most comfortable season not limited to Chiang Mai but throughout Thailand. There is almost no rain, and the temperature is around 27-28 degrees Celsius.

Of course, it's a good place to go for a walk on the beach, as well as tourist attractions.

Also, in November, the “Komroi Festival,” which became a famous event in Chiang Mai, will be held. It is widely known as the Lantern Festival.

Summer season (March to May): This is the time when the sun is strongest and it is likely to get hot and humid, so I recommend taking all possible measures against heatstroke. The temperature may rise to close to 40℃ depending on the day, so it is safer to arrange a motorbike or taxi for long-distance travel at this time of year.

“Songkran,” known as the “Thai Watering Festival,” is held during this period.

Rainy season (May-November): Squalls may fall several times a day. There is a particularly heavy rainfall in September, and flooding is also frequent. If it stops raining, the climate will be relatively cool, so it's a good idea to enjoy sightseeing while watching in between.

What is the minimum number of days to visit Chiang Mai?

The number of sightseeing days will vary depending on what you do in Chiang Mai, but if you stay 4 nights, you will be able to fully enjoy visiting tourist attractions, markets, etc.

Examples of model courses

Day 1: Chiang Mai Old Town Tour (Temple Tour) and City Cafe Tour

Day 2: Café with a spectacular view in Monchem

Day 3: Looking for traditional crafts at the Hmong Market & Night Market

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Top 5 Chiang Mai Sightseeing Model Courses!

This time, I will carefully select 5 Chiang Mai sightseeing model courses that I recommend and introduce them.

5th place: Hmong Market

Starting with the mountainous area of Chiang Mai, this market is crammed with traditional crafts and souvenirs created by mountain people called the “Hmong people” living in Laos, Vietnam, etc.

The vibrant colors are sure to make a great souvenir. It's a spot you'll want to visit when sightseeing in Chiang Mai.

It's a bit far from downtown Chiang Mai, so I recommend arranging taxis, motorbikes, etc.

There is also an indoor market, so it's nice to be able to enjoy shopping even on rainy days.

There are also street food, so don't worry if you're a little hungry.

Business hours: 7:00 to 17:00 (some stores may close around 14:00)

Access: Seongtaew or arrange a taxi from the old town (takes about 10 minutes)

4th place: Recommended tourist cafes in Chiang Mai

Coffee shops are scattered all over Chiang Mai.

“Coffee in Thailand?” There are probably people who tilt their necks.

Actually, it's still over ten years since Chiang Mai's coffee culture took root.

However, remote work has become mainstream since the end of COVID-19, and there has been a secret boom among foreigners visiting on working holidays.

There are many cafes popular with tourists, and there are plenty of places where you can spend a relaxing time.

Among them, “Akaama Coffee,” which is said to be a pioneer, is a cup brewed by grinding coffee beans produced by the Aka people living in mountainous regions of Thailand.

It is also known as a fair trade business where purchases are made directly from the Aka tribe and sold at cafe stores.

The wooden cafe, which is rich in nature, is the perfect place for a special day or a day when you want to spend a relaxing time.

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3rd place: Visit tourist temples in Chiang Mai city!

Chiang Mai is a historic city with many temples. Temples are especially concentrated in the area called the old town.

Temples that are highly supported by tourists are listed below, so please refer to them.

Recommended temples in Chiang Mai city ①

“Wat Doi Suthep”

It's such a famous temple that everyone visits whenever they come to Chiang Mai. The location is at the top of a mountain at an altitude of 1080 meters.

To get to the main hall, you need to climb the 306 steps where Buddha's bones are stored, and if you climb to the top, a golden pagoda rises.

If you go by taxi and use Seongtaewoo on the way back, you can save on transportation expenses, so I recommend it.

Recommended temples in Chiang Mai city ②

“Wat Moong Korn”

This temple, where the statue of Nirvana lies next to the main hall, is the most prestigious in Chiang Mai.

It has also been the location of the movie, and it is famous for being highly supported by Japanese women as a “cute and healing temple.”

The reason for the decoration of the hall can be seen from the flower pattern and pastel colors.

It's also the location for the movie “Pool (2009)” starring Satomi Kobayashi, so it's a good idea to expand your image by watching it one step ahead before sightseeing.

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2nd place: Beautiful scenic spots to enjoy in Chiang Mai

Among Chiang Mai sightseeing, Monchiem is particularly famous as a summer resort.

The cool climate is attractive, and it is popular as a tourist attraction. It is located about an hour's drive from Chiang Mai Old Town.

You can enjoy the green mountain scenery at the cafe in the resort “Baan mon muang” near Monchem.

It's the perfect spot to enjoy sightseeing while enjoying spectacular views.

There is a wide variety of teas on the cafe menu, which is perfect for tea time between girls.

Not only can you use the cafe, but you can also stay as is.

We recommend chartering Seongtae round trip. The best time to see spectacular views is during the dry season from October to February.

Business hours: 11:00 to 20:00

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1st place: Let's go to the organic market this weekend!

In Chiang Mai, there is an organic market called “Jinjai Market,” which is held only on Saturdays and Sundays. (commonly known as JJ Market)

It means jingai = magokoro, but handmade crops, miscellaneous goods, and apparel made by Chiang Mai people with all their heart will be exhibited.

It is about 10 minutes by taxi from the old town, which is the downtown area of Chiang Mai.

It's a popular tourist attraction for girls who like cute things and good looks.

The corner I recommend is the buffet corner in the food area.

Each item, from side dishes to sweets, is priced one by one, and you can place as many trays as you like.

Things to keep in mind when visiting Chiang Mai

Security side

You should be aware of crime prevention when you go sightseeing in any country, not limited to Thailand, but since it is said that Thailand is relatively safe, the crime prevention aspect tends to be neglected.

That's why I want to sound the alarm.

In particular, incidents of theft have occurred frequently at festivals such as Songkran.

Keep luggage to a minimum, hang it diagonally, put valuables in the waist pouch, and attach a padlock to the zipper.

The wallet is processed with anti-skimming material to prevent extraction of credit card information.

It may sound exaggerated, but Thailand is a city where many foreign tourists of non-Thai nationalities come and go. Be prepared enough for crime prevention.

air pollution

Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains, and smoke from the mountains frequently falls on the city.

This causes air pollution. Open burning contains a toxic substance called PM2.5, so depending on the person, symptoms of cough, fever, and fatigue may occur.

The peak is when the air fills up during the dry season when there is no rain from February to April.

We recommend bringing a mask as a precaution before sightseeing.

infectivity

In Thailand, an infectious disease called dengue fever may occur due to mosquito bites.

In particular, you need to be careful during the hot and humid summer season.

If you get infected, you may be hospitalized, and your trip may be ruined.

You can bring insect repellent spray from Japan, or keep individually wrapped bug repellent cream on hand at the local 7-Eleven.

summary

Chiang Mai is a tourist city with a variety of ways to enjoy it depending on when you visit.

Let's make a sightseeing plan while keeping the appeal of each spot in check.

If you know the minimum precautions, you should be able to enjoy sightseeing without stress.

Have a nice trip to Chiang Mai!

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