The capital of the Chiang Mai province and the second-biggest city in Thailand is Chiang Mai, which is also the largest metropolis in northern Thailand. The city has stunning old temples, elegant festive celebrations, local culture, and several adventure spots. Two tribal communities can be found in the spectacular mountainous area, which is also home to many other magnificent natural treasures.
Why It Is Worth Visiting Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the best tourist destinations worth visiting in your life, and you can see the reasons below for it:
1. The glory of Elegant ancient temples
There are 300+ temples in Chiang Mai that feature stunning architectural designs. The temples in this city are wonderfully decorated since they serve as centers of religious worship and cultural and communal research. They mostly possess serpent-lined stairs and gilded stupas in their design. The dominant kingdoms over the centuries were intended to be represented by the temples.
Meeting monks and having a conversation with them is another exciting aspect of visiting religious temples. The monks impart information on the fundamentals of Buddhism, provide details of their monastic existence, and relate interesting stories from the monastery. The surprising thing is that many monks can speak English apart from Thai.
2. Pleasant Weather
Source: lonelyplanet.com
Chiang Mai is situated in the northern region and is higher up than many other towns and experiences a lovely climate all year long. The best months to visit this place are between November to February due to the dry weather and pleasant conditions with average highs of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Beginning in May and lasting until October, the rainy season brings luxuriant vegetation. Even when it pours heavily, the sun will be shining, and you may have a relaxing vacation.
3. Affordable rates
Chiang Mai is a great holiday destination for people on all budgets because it is free from the rush and bustle of metropolitan cities. The cost of living in Chiang Mai is incredibly low, and a wide range of services, from hotels to food and transportation, are inexpensive. There are numerous locations that are free to visit, including the old city’s temples, numerous green areas, and the 800-year-old moat.
4. Great variety of Thai foods
The regional variations in Thai cuisine are significant. The hot curries in Southern Thailand are very different from those in Northern Thailand. Due to the fact that the nation is bordered by both Laos and Myanmar, these two nations had a significant influence on the staple foods of Chiang Mai and the entire northern region.
The distinctive cuisine that this city is known for is also influenced by its specific climate. Due to the milder climate, a wide variety of herbs and vegetables can thrive there that cannot be grown anywhere else in the nation. In the north, Thai cuisine is recognized for being more bitter and sour and less salty, with fewer seafood selections.
Sticky rice is a significant component of the diets of those who reside in Northern Thailand. Gaang hung lair, sai oi, and khao soi are a few popular foods from Northern Thailand. In addition, due to Chiang Mai’s abundance of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, this city has become a favorite destination for people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
5. Ideal for adventures
You can enjoy a wide range of adventure activities in Chiang Mai. On the River Ping, you can try kayaking and water rafting or zip through the jungle. A hot-air balloon flight above its lush fields will give you a bird’s-eye perspective of the city, and there are numerous chances for hikes in the adjacent mountains. In short, Chiang Mai is a great spot for nature-related adventure activities.
Source: theculturetrip.com
6. Street shopping
In Chiang Mai, there are several lovely local markets stocked with a variety of goods. Visit the vibrant Night Bazaar for handicrafts, silverware, and silks. Explore the crowded Sunday Walking Street Market for regional handicrafts and delectable food, which extends from Thapae Gate to Wat Pra Singh. On Nimmanhaemin Road, you can also find better luxury galleries and shops.
7. Magnificent festive celebrations
Thailand celebrates well-known festivals such as Songkran and the Yee Peng Lantern Festival, but Chiang Mai offers the biggest thrills. Every mid-November, hundreds of lit lanterns are released into the sky at Chiang Mai’s Yee Peng Lantern Festival as a representation of letting go of bad luck.
Water is thrown onto friends and family members during the Songkran festival, which represents a wish for good fortune in the coming year. The Chiang Mai Flower Festival is a three-day festival with rituals, gardens full of locally grown flowers, and beauty contests. If you wish to celebrate these festivals, check out lessecretsdusiam.com and get help from the Thailand travel agency to make your bookings during the festive season.
8. Watch a variety of animals
In Chiang Mai, you can visit the third nocturnal zoo in the world. There are three different animal zones:
- Visitors to Savanna Safari Zone can view elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and zebras.
- The predator prowl zone gives you a glimpse of wild animals such as lions, tigers, and pumas
- In the Jaguar trail, white tigers, tortoises, and jaguars can be seen scrolling near the lake.
Source: tourscanner.com
9. Local Coffee Culture
Thailand’s best coffee can be found in Chiang Mai. You will undoubtedly enjoy the local coffee in this city regardless of whether you are a coffee person or not. It is possible to drink freshly brewed coffee produced from freshly obtained coffee beans since these beans are collected directly from farmers who live in the northern mountains.
10. Decent local transportation
The hub of the action is Chiang Mai’s Old City. You can get from here to nearby sites, events, the airport, and the bus depot via taxis, tuk-tuks, and local songthaews. Based on the location you want to visit, the transportation can cost between ฿30 to 200. In addition, you can also bargain, which will give you a new and local experience.
Bottom Line
The friendly nature of the people, great massage service, pleasant weather, elegant temples, wildlife, and outdoor activities, and affordable prices are some of the reasons why tourists are interested in visiting Chiang Mai.
