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Rose of the North

Chiang Mai architecture

Chiang Mai was the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom from 1296 until 1558 and its ancient moated Old City still follows the original square plan laid out by its founders. The city has over 300 Buddhist temples — more than any other city in Thailand — and serves as the cultural heart of Northern Thai civilization. Each year the Yi Peng Lantern Festival transforms the city's night sky into a constellation of glowing lanterns released skyward by thousands of worshippers.

  • 5Landmarks
  • 1383Oldest · Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
  • 40 mTallest · Wat Chedi Luang

Before you go

  • Fly intoChiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

    Chiang Mai International Airport is one of Thailand's busiest regional airports and serves as the main hub for northern Thailand and the Golden Triangle region. Its relatively small size makes it one of the most navigable airports in Southeast Asia. Expansion plans are underway to handle the city's rapid growth as a remote-work and digital nomad hub.

  • CurrencyThai Baht (฿)
  • LanguageThai & Northern Thai (Kham Mueang)

    Central Thai is the official and educational language, while Northern Thai (Kham Mueang) is the traditional regional language with its own script and vocabulary distinct from Central Thai. Chiang Mai has become one of Asia's most significant digital nomad and expat communities, making English widely understood in the tourism economy. The city's Buddhist temples maintain the ancient Pali language in religious ceremonies.

  • Getting aroundSongthaew & Tuk-tuks

    Chiang Mai's primary public transport is the songthaew — a red pickup truck with two bench seats in the back, shared taxi that serves fixed areas for a few baht per person. These distinctive red trucks are both practical transport and a quintessential Chiang Mai experience. Tuk-tuks serve shorter tourist trips. Grab operates in the city for convenient app-based rides. Bicycle and scooter rental are extremely popular for day trips to temples and the surrounding mountains.

5 landmarks in Chiang Mai

  1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
    Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

    99 Moo 6, Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai

    A golden temple complex crowning Doi Suthep mountain at 1,073 metres above Chiang Mai, founded in 1383 to enshrine a relic of the Buddha. Its gilded chedi visible from the entire city has become the spiritual symbol of Chiang Mai and northern Thailand.

    Built
    1383
    Style
    Lanna Buddhist
    Height
    24 m (79 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Active Buddhist temple & pilgrimage site
  2. Wat Chedi Luang
    Photo: Kingkidton, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Wat Chedi Luang

    103 Phra Poklao Rd, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai

    A 15th-century temple containing a massive ruined chedi that once stood over 80 metres tall before being partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. Its intricately decorated base with carved elephants remains one of Chiang Mai's most atmospheric ancient monuments.

    Built
    1441
    Style
    Lanna Buddhist
    Height
    40 m (131 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Active Buddhist temple & heritage site
  3. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
    Photo: calflier001, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

    Chang Khlan Rd, Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District

    A sprawling evening market along Chang Khlan Road that has been the center of Chiang Mai's handicraft trade since 1910, when it served as a stop on the ancient caravan route from Yunnan to Bangkok. It remains the largest commercial night market in Thailand.

    Built
    1910
    Style
    Modern commercial
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Night market & shopping district
  4. Three Kings Monument
    Photo: กสิณธร ราชโอรส, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Three Kings Monument

    Phra Poklao Rd, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai

    A bronze statue at the heart of Chiang Mai's historic old city depicting Mangrai, Ngam Mueang, and Ramkhamhaeng — the three kings who collaborated to found Chiang Mai in 1296. The statue sits in front of the old City Hall and is considered the symbolic center of the city.

    Built
    1984
    Style
    Contemporary bronze sculpture
    Height
    5 m (16 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Cultural landmark
  5. Doi Inthanon National Park
    Photo: Swhemma, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Doi Inthanon National Park

    Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province (80km from city)

    Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 metres above sea level, the summit of Doi Inthanon contains two Royal Chedis built to honor the 60th birthdays of the King and Queen of Thailand. The mountain's slopes shelter some of the last remaining hill tribe villages and spectacular waterfalls.

    Built
    1954
    Style
    Natural landscape with Royal Chedis
    Stories
    1
    Today
    National park & royal memorial

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