Considered one of Thailand’s cultural heartlands, Chiang Mai is a temple city that should be on every travel bucket list. Here are some travel tips to help you plan the perfect getaway to the area.
Timing is Everything
As when planning a trip to any corner of Thailand, it is best to visit Chiang Mai when sunny days are a given. The peak tourist season in the area lasts from October to April and this period is the perfect time to head down to Chiang Mai. Avoid the rainy months from June to the beginning of October as the humidity and inclement weather makes most excursions dangerous if not impossible. The period from March to May is when the best hotel and flight deals are found as these are the warm summer months.
What to Do
With more than three hundred temples occupying its confines, Chiang Mai is not the city for independent travel. Organised tours, on the other hand, offer visitors the chance to see most of the city’s iconic temples and cultural attractions in a comprehensive manner with pit-stops at Chedi Luang temple and other highlights in the Old City. Nature lovers can sign up for a hiking expedition at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.
Shopping
As a shopper’s paradise, no trip to this heritage hub would be complete without enjoying a shopping spree at the local marketplaces. The Warorot Market is one such locale where one can find everything from souvenirs to handicrafts made by the hill tribes of Chiang Mai.
Volunteer
Tourists based at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort or any other Chiang Mai hotel can also volunteer and give back to the environment at venues such as the Elephant Nature Park.