Jungle tours, rafting, elephant riding and hill tribe villages…

Situated more than 645 kms north of Bangkok and predating Thailand’s capital by nearly 500 years, Chiang Mai is justifiably proud of its rich history. The city was once a crossroads for trade caravans and generated enough wealth to support hundreds of temples and countless artisans. Even today Chiang Mai retains much of its unique identity and more than its share of exoticism.

Nomadic hill tribes inhabit the surrounding mountains, making travel to Chiang Mai a hub for trekking. Jungle tours, rafting, elephant riding and hill tribe villages are all available in the vicinity of Chiang Mai. There are more than 300 temples around the Chiang Mai area and some of them are the most beautiful and most revered in the Buddhist world. The original layout of this old city still exists with its fortified walls and moat surrounding it.

The arrival of boutique hotels and holistic spas over the past decade has upgraded Chiang Mai from a backpacker travel haven into one of Southeast Asia’s luxury destinations. Fantastic food, incredible handicraft shopping and cultural treasures, makes travel to Chiang Mai a premier Thai travel destination for any visitor.

When to travel to Chiang Mai

November through to February is ideal time to travel to Chiang Mai with lush landscapes and dry, cool weather. The hottest season is April to June, when it is dry with temperatures reaching 40 degrees. The rainy season starts in July and runs through to October.