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History

Discover over 300 Buddhist temples

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Adventure

Cycle through picturesque villages

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Food

Explore the night marks of the Old Town

Temples, bazaars and hill tribes

The capital of Thailand’s cultural north, Chiang Mai is home to over 300 Buddhist temples, a thriving night bazaar and is best known for its access to hill tribes and elephants.

Chiang Mun, Chedi Luang and Phrasingh are some of the most striking temples in the city with strong architectural influences from Lanna Thai and Myanmar, while locals insist you have not arrived before a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Out of town and 290 steep steps, or a popular cable car journey later, Wat Phra atop Doi Sutherp Mountain is a spectacular temple in its own right and very rewarding for the panoramic views alone.

Chiang Mai’s night bazaar offers crafts, souvenirs, kitsch and antiques. Even those with the strictest resolve not to buy will be softened by the lively atmosphere and friendly vendors.

Escaping the city, we can arrange white water rafting, cycling through rural villages and visits to responsible elephant sanctuaries as well authentic and personal visits to hill tribes.

Highlights

Visit temples and hill tribe villages.

Learn how to make traditional Thai cuisine in a private lesson with an esteemed chef.

Go trekking through the scenic Chiang Dao region.

Explore the countryside by Vespa, riding along mountain roads and visiting local communities.

Despite being the capital of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai much smaller than Bangkok and a stay there feels much more relaxed. It’s steeped in history and you can spend hours wandering around the temples and night markets in the Old Town. If you fancy heading out of town, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore the surrounding national parks and try out a few more adventurous activities.

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Leanne Anglo

Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Chiang Mai

There are many incredible places to stay in Chiang Mai. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Chiang Mai adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Where to go

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Bangkok

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand is home to incredible sights.The city promises experiences of all kinds and essentially makes for a great gateway to other parts of Thailand. For foodies, Bangkok is one of the best places to visit to experience Asia’s unique street food culture. A typical day in the city comprises markets, shopping malls, temple visits, authentic Thai massages and a cruise along the iconic Chao Praya River.

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Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a great place for those looking to enjoy Thailand’s great outdoors. This mountainous region offers adventurous landscapes - trekking, cycling and rafting are some of the incredible activities you can experience. From here, you can also choose to visit the hill tribe villages or a glimpse into life in nearby Laos or Myanmar.

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Koh Kood

The unspoiled island of Koh Kood offers some of the best beaches in Thailand. As a place that’s practically untouched by tourism, Koh Kood consists of unspoiled jungle and ancient rainforest, coconut trees and rubber plantations, waterfalls, beaches and fishing villages.

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Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta consists of several little islets and offers a complete immersion into the real Thai island life. Spend the day relaxing on one of its beautiful beaches or straight into the water for snorkelling. The island is as great for couples and families, with accommodation options to suit both.

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Koh Phangan

The island of Koh Phangan is replete with natural wonders such as mountains, jungles, waterfalls and laid-back beaches. It is also home to some great dive sites where you can explore shipwrecks and go on night expeditions. For a taste of local culture, visit one of the night markets and get stuck into some regional delicacies.

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Koh Samui

White sandy beaches, clear, calm waters and first class luxury resorts make Koh Samui an island that’s great for couples and families alike. There’s also plenty to do for visitors of all ages - cooking classes, yoga, water activities are some of the amazing experiences that await. For diving and snorkelling, take a boat trip to the nearby island of Koh Tao.

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Koh Yao Noi

Board a 1-hour boat ride from Phuket to reach the relatively untouched paradise island of Koh Yao Noi. Here you can enjoy a peaceful Thai beach experience on secluded beaches.

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Krabi

A short 2-hour flight from the bustle and hustle of Bangkok brings you to the idyllic white-sand beaches of the Krabi province. Sitting in the Andaman Sea, Krabi is known for its karst formations and its collection of tiny islands, namely the iconic Koh Phi Phi National Park and Koh Lanta National Park. From here, board a boat for the day, enjoy a snorkelling experience or kayaking excursion as you explore fascinating sea caves…

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Phuket

Phuket, the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’ is Thailand’s biggest island. It features a multitude of long sandy beaches, protected marine parks and is known to be home to some of the best seafood restaurants. From here, set off on a boat ride to see the famous ‘James Bond’ island or go kayaking in search of hidden caves and lagoons…

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Meet your Asia team

When to visit

The best time to visit Thailand is during its dry season. For most parts of the country, this would be between November and March, extending into April and May for some regions. Thailand is characterised by the rainy, hot and cool seasons. The north is less humid and experiences the greatest range of temperatures with cold nights during the cool season. The temperatures are more consistent in southern Thailand but the Andaman coast is hit hardest during the rainy season (October to December).

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Island-hopping

November - February

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Cultural festivals

November - April

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Scuba diving

November - April

When is the Best Time to Visit Thailand?

When is the Best Time to Visit Thailand?

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Plan your trip to Chiang Mai

Whatever you want from your adventure in Chiang Mai, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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