Things to do in Chiang Mai

King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna kingdom. The old city still sits inside its square moat. Most of what is booked for Chiang Mai is a day trip out of it.

In town

• The old city. Temples such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh inside the moat, and a Sunday walking street along Ratchadamnoen Road.
• Doi Suthep. The mountain west of town, with a hilltop temple from the late 14th century.
• Nimman. The café district in the north-west, popular with students and remote workers.
• The cabaret. A 70-minute evening show on Huay Kaew Road, with standard and closer VIP seats.

The Chiang Rai day

Chiang Rai lies about 180 kilometres north. The road takes roughly three hours each way. Most full-day tours pick up around seven and return between 17:30 and 21:00.

• The White Temple. Wat Rong Khun, a modern temple in white plaster and mirror glass, designed by the artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
• Baan Dam and the Blue Temple. The same day usually adds an art museum and a sapphire-blue temple.
• The Golden Triangle. Where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at the Mekong. Longer options add a river boat, a hot spring and a hill-tribe village set up for visitors.

One option runs a boat across to Laos and needs your passport.

The mountain day

Doi Inthanon holds Thailand's highest point, at 2,565 metres. It is about two hours from the city. The ten-hour day covers the summit, the twin pagodas, the Wachirathan and Sirithan waterfalls, and a hill-tribe market.

Practical

• Weather. November to February brings highs near 29C and nights of 14C to 16C. March to May is hot, at 35C to 37C. Rain falls from June to October. Summit nights in the cool season can fall to 5C.
• Smoke. Crop burning fills the valley with haze from February to April, and air quality can be poor.
• Temples. Cover shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off at the door.
• Festivals. Songkran in mid-April and the lantern festivals of Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, at the full moon in October or November, fill hotels.
• Airport. A few kilometres from the old city, a short taxi ride.