from $429

Chiang Mai

Thailand · A walled old town of temple bells and mountain air

Chiang Mai was the capital of the independent Lanna kingdom for over 600 years, and its old town — still ringed by a moat and fragments of the original brick wall — holds more than 30 Buddhist temples within a square kilometer, several of them active monasteries rather than tourist sites.

It's also cooler and slower than Bangkok, both literally (the mountain air drops noticeably in the evenings) and in pace: this is a city built for wandering between temple visits, market stalls, and coffee shops rather than checking sights off a list.

Highlights

Wat Chedi Luang

A partially ruined 14th-century chedi at the old town's center, still an active temple where monks offer evening chats with visitors.

Sunday Walking Street market

The old town's main road closes to traffic every Sunday evening for a market of local crafts, street food, and live music.

Doi Suthep

A mountaintop temple with a gilded chedi and a sweeping view over the city, a 30-minute drive from the old town.

A muay thai gym, not just a show

Several gyms outside the tourist stadiums let visitors train alongside locals for a single session — a different way into the sport than a spectator ticket.

Best time to visit

November to February brings the coolest, driest weather — March–April sees seasonal agricultural smoke haze that's worth checking before booking.

Getting there

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is about 10 minutes from the old town by taxi or songthaew.

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