Chiang Mai travel guide & hotels

Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’ welcomes visitors with an eclectic blend of history, culture, soft adventure, beautiful mountainous scenery and laid back charm. It also boasts some of the best value hospitality and shopping in Asia.

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NEW: Updated and overhauled 1stop 2008 series

Out and about

Sightseeing

From 700-year old temples and the pretty moat, to cascading waterfalls and bustling markets, there’s a lot more to see in Chiang Mai than you thought...more

Activities

Experience the Asian jungle from the back of elephants or go trekking for days. Then there’s rafting, mountain biking, cooking courses, massage, shopping and sightseeing in Chiang Mai...more

Entertainment

With hundreds of bars and cheap restaurants to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice, be sure to experience the unique Northern Khantoke evening...more

Day trips

Some of the best attractions in Chiang Mai are in the national parks and sites outside the city, hire a bike or sign up for tours and get the most out of your visit North...more

Shopping

Get your bargaining boots on and head for the famous Night Market, marvel at the handicrafts at Borsang and Baan Tawai or head for the malls and boutique shops...more

Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai is a perfect base to set out for the Golden Triangle, Mae Hong Son and Pai or some of the remote mountain villages of the North, be adventurous and hire a vehicle...more

From five star Chiang Mai hotels at three star prices to hundreds of restaurants and quaint little bars, Chiang Mai is Thailand’s cheapest major tourist destination. Wander timeless lanes seeking out ancient temples, go trekking to remote hilltribe villages, disappear into the hotels spa for the afternoon, ride an elephant, take tours into the mountains or go shopping for delightful handicrafts. With the famous welcoming Thai smile it’s all covered here on Chiang Mai’s most comprehensive online tourist guide.

Travel news

Weekly feature

Cruising the Samoeng Loop
Chiang Mai’s most convenient day trip is a popular excursion offering mountain views and soft adventure for all...more

Hot Topics

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Travellers footage: Elephant riding

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Photo Album

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Blogs

Illuminating the nightly skies

Posted: 31 August 2008, 4:09 am

Last Tuesday, Thailand launched the globe’s first international firefly symposium, attracting 100 firefly enthusiasts and experts from each part of the world to share their discoveries on the little creatures’ wild nightlife. An enzyme known as luciferase (from the name Lucifer), creates the firefly’s glow. This enzyme is broken down in the fly’s body by oxygen [...] More