Because it is cooler, an array of different herbs and vegetables are able to grow here and nowhere else in the country. Thai dishes are less salty, lack as many seafood options, and are known for being more bitter and sour in the north. Sticky rice plays a large role in the diets of locals living in Northern Thailand as opposed to white rice. Some of the most famous Northern Thai dishes include gaang hang lair Northern Thai curry , khao soi egg noodles in a coconut curry with deep-fried noodles on top , and sai oi Northern Thai sausage.
Vegan and vegetarians, rejoice! There are so many delicious venues that are animal-free and affordable. This city has become somewhat of a watering hole for those who abide by a meat-free diet because of the sheer number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Chiang Mai. One great example of this is Aum Vegetarian. This restaurant has a plethora of meat-free dishes, both Thai and Western, and all are only a few bucks.
Free Bird Cafe is another popular favourite. This vegan cafe is found along the moat at North Gate and doubles as a social enterprise, as it supports Thai Freedom House. For a complete list of our favourite vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Chiang Mai, check out this article. The Old City of Chiang Mai is at the heart of the action. Taxis, tuk-tuks, and songthaews can take you from here to surrounding attractions, venues, the airport, and bus station.
In some cases, the price will also depend on your negotiation skills. The best place to pick up transportation is along the outer square of Old City, as drivers usually do a few laps before finding a passenger. Grab is readily available for those of you who want to book with the app and get a ride without having to barter. For more information on how to get around the city, be sure to check out this complete transportation guide to Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is one of the most budget-friendly cities in all of Thailand. Entire meals can be devoured for under a dollar. Accommodation options start at a few bucks a night.
Even getting to the city from neighbouring ones like Bangkok can be incredibly cheap if you opt for forms of transportation like a train or bus. There are also plenty of free things to do in the city, including visiting one of the green spaces the city is adorned with, checking out all the free temples in the Old City, or simply relaxing along the year-old moat.
And how can you find a condo or apartment to move into before you get to the city? We have Brazilian passport and we can stay in Thailand 90 days we renew our visas 3 times while there, just went to for a few days trip Cambodia — Philippines and Malaysia. We never overstay and also never had a problem. I have a friend that last week did the visa run to Myanmar and back to Chiang Mai without a problem either.
For the condos you can search on Google and Facebook there are some communities. We booked a hostel for the first week and then looked around the city to find the best option for us!
How do you guys stay long-term in Chiang Mai? We have Brazilian passport so we can stay in Thailand for 90 days with a tourist visa.
We never had a problem regard to the visa while we are working online at coffee shops and libraries. The big issue is travellers that are working as teachers in private classes and small schools , hostels, etc. Also some people do the visa run to Cambodia or Myanmar just in one or two days, just for crossing the border, sometimes coming back to Thailand in the same day.
That can be a bit suspicious too. Cannot wait to be back!! Definitely Chiang Mai has an incredible WiFi!!! All the best! Chiang Mai seems to attract interesting people and world travelers.
If you want to meet a great bunch of digital nomads and entrepreneurs Chiang Mai is definitely the address for you. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Travels,. This article was incredibly helpful! My travel partner and I have been contemplating moving to Thailand and you have totally sold us on Chaing Mai.
Glad to hear that April!! Hope you enjoy Chiang Mai as much as we did. And if you need any help to settle there just send me an email! Hi Giulia! Chiang Mai is the place to be if you want to meet with blogger and amazing people. So many reasons! If you have the opportunity to visit Chiang Mai, go for it Sarah! Chiang Mai is the perfect spot to rest for a while, focus on work and live cheaply… Few days there and you will be ready to keep travelling. All the best, Nat. I visited as a backpacker years ago, but it really does seem like a perfect spot to live for a while.
It true is, Mindi! After two times in Chiang Mai we are ready to go back again! Flat out my fave place on earth outside of the Southern tip of Phuket. It is magnetic. No place like it. We have been in Phuket last year and enjoy the island, maybe we should have stayed a little bit more in the southern part to find out if it is good as CM.
Philippines is a paradise, there is no way to compare with northern Thailand. But if you need to work, there is no place on earth like Chiang Mai. Believe me!! Enjoy Philippines, but be aware of the crappy internet connection around the islands! My husband, daughter and I plan to go to Thailand in the fall.
We should definitely spend some time in CM, we hope to meet you all! We keep in touch, would be a pleasure to meet you there!! Hey Ana!!! We never been to Indonesia, but it is on our plans, so I will check Yogyakarta out! I would totally enjoy living in Asia anyway, so this post made me happy!
Cheers, Nat. Fantastic post. So great to hear so many fantastic opinions and perspectives of a place. Hi Gabby!
I had no idea what a wonderful place this is! Thanks for sharing. Your inspirational post just bumped Thailand to the top of the list! Thanks, Natalie, The Educational Tourist.
Hey Natalie, The place is perfect for children too, so many things to see, amazing temples, huge statues of elephants around the city and friendly people. I think the kids would love there, definitely! That made me think it must be overrun with a young partying crowd, which made me not want to visit. Hi Rachel!! For sure there are many young backpackers in Chiang Mai, but the vibe is really relaxed and not much partying… All the pubs and bars close around 2 — 3 am, and the city is more a cultural hub than a destination for wild summer holidays.
If you go to Thailand you definitely need to visit Chiang Mai and the little towns around, the north of the country is completely different from the south and from the island, much more authentic.
You are right Chris, cheap and good food are a great combination, but I think Chiang Mai has something more. The vibe and the atmosphere are unique there. Great article guys! I am also a HUGE travel buff. And I absolutely love Thailand. I am super excited that my fiance and I are planning to live in Chiang-Mai this fall! I hope to meet a lot of other digital nomads like myself. I will most likely be spending time creating videos.
Hi Rajnesh, Tks for the kind words. You guys will love Chiang Mai! Looking for reasons to visit Chiang Mai? When readers and friends ask for my thoughts on Thailand, my response is unwaveringly consistent.
I did eventually experience Thailand fatigue, but I have a special place in my heart for this northern Thai city. Bangkok, a sprawling urban jungle, is home to a population of over 8 million. In contrast, less than 1 million people live in Chiang Mai, making it a more laid-back city without the chaos and smog of Bangkok traffic. After the frenetic pace of Bangkok, many tourists welcome the quieter, relaxed vibe of Chiang Mai.
Encounter vibrant scenes like this during special events like the Songkran Festival in April. Girls wait before their performance during the Songkran Festival. Days and nights can be spent meandering through the streets with occasional stops at outdoor food stalls or in casual cafes and bars along the Ping River. For a complete sensory experience, hit up one of the outdoor markets, especially the Sunday Market Night Bazaar in the Old City where everything from trinkets and clothing can be haggled down to bargain prices.
After the shopping, fill up on some of the best street food in the world as you take in the sights and sounds of Chiang Mai by night. Modern structures and fast food restaurants stand alongside well-preserved, meticulously carved teak houses and ancient sites dating back over years in a city that was once the centre of the Lanna Kingdom that ruled northern Thailand.
The modern Maya mall in Nimmanhaemin outside of the Old City. Chiang Mai is also more socially conservative, which means less sex tourism and more cooking schools and art galleries. With over temples wats dotted throughout the city and in the surrounding areas, Chiang Mai has remained true to its Buddhist past. These religious complexes were exquisitely designed in a variety of architectural styles that reflect the various kingdoms that dominated the region throughout the centuries, notably the Lanna and Burmese kingdoms.
Ornate and commonly adorned with golden stupas and serpent staircases, the Buddhist temples are smaller and older than those in Bangkok. A temple in Chiang Mai is a place of spiritual worship, monastery for young Buddhist novices, as well as a community, cultural and study centre. Bare-footed, saffron-robed monks can be seen inside or outside quietly tending to the gardens and conversing with foreigners.
Between lessons on the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path, you can even share stories about your home country or the latest scores of your favourite soccer team. These cross-cultural exchanges are welcome and valuable opportunities for them to practise their English-speaking skills. Arguably the most sacred temple in Chiang Mai is Doi Suthep , located on a mountain 30 minutes outside the Old City — a lavish, legendary temple with impressive views of the city.
Thailand is known the world over for its low cost of living but did you know Chiang Mai is more affordable than Bangkok? Why not treat your health as well as your wanderlust at the same time? Read this post for a breakdown of prices in Chiang Mai from local transportation to my dental crown.
If you share the same aversion, know that Chiang Mai sits at a higher altitude than Bangkok, giving it cooler temperatures and less humidity. Locals cool off during the Songkran festival and largest waterfight in the world. This event takes place every April, the peak summer season. Tip: avoid visiting Chiang Mai in April, the hottest and most humid month of the year unless, of course, you prefer that kind of climate.
You may also want to skip the July-September monsoon season.
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