{"id":6954,"date":"2020-02-21T10:36:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-21T09:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/en\/?p=6954"},"modified":"2023-11-27T17:27:49","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T16:27:49","slug":"chiang-mai-highlights-and-travel-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/en\/chiang-mai-highlights-and-travel-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Chiang Mai Travel Guide & the most beautiful Temples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re coming to Thailand, then Chiang Mai should definitely be on your list! This city is like the cultural capital of Thailand<\/strong>. With around 300 temples in the city of Chiang Mai, there are endless corners to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have found ourselves in Chiang Mai several times now and feel quite at home in the second largest city of Thailand – so much so, we\u2019ve even spent a few weeks there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you are looking for tips and top things to do in Chiang Mai<\/strong>, then you\u2019ve landed in the right place! In this travel guide, we will share with you all the best highlights and activities in the city, as well as our list of the most stunning temples. We’ll also share some of our favourite cafes and restaurants. There’s so much to see and do in Chiang Mai – let\u2019s get into it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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1. Chiang Mai: What to Expect & Travel Info at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chiang Mai is the second largest city<\/strong> in Thailand<\/a> after Bangkok<\/a>. With this in mind, it is surprising how comfortable Chiang Mai is (as a city), in comparison to Bangkok. In some corners of Chiang Mai you almost feel like you’ve landed in a small rural town. Although sometimes, it can also feel the opposite, especially during the rush hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes Chiang Mai so special (apart from the many sacred temples<\/strong>) is its location: As soon as you get out of the city, you are surrounded by beautiful nature. For example, the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, is located just outside of Chiang Mai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Impressions of Chiang Mai: Old Town & trendy Nimman district<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chiang Mai makes it fairly easy for you in terms of getting around. The Old Town is located within a large square that is surrounded by the old city wall<\/strong> and a moat. The majority of the important temples in Chiang Mai are all situated within this square, but there are also a few that lie outside the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of our favourite areas within the Old Town is around Ratvithi Road Soi<\/strong> 2 (in the northeast of the square). It is very cozy here and you will find plenty of nice restaurants and caf\u00e9s down the streets. In general, the Old Town feels almost village-like in some corners. The best thing is to just start walking and see where you end up – that seems to work a charm in the Old Town of Chiang Mai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside the square, more precisely in the northwest of it, is the trendy district of Nimman<\/strong> (also called Nimmanhaemin). Many hip cafes, restaurants and hotels have established themselves here. Nimman is about a 20 to 30 minutes walk from the Old Town – depending on where you want to go. There are hardly any significant sights in Nimman, but the area is perfect for cafe hopping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long should I stay in Chiang Mai?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most difficult thing to generalise would be \u201chow long you should stay\u201d –  because the perfect length of time will be different for everyone. However, here are some tips to help you decide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n