Chiang Mai is one of the most friendly and relaxed places I’ve ever been. The food is incredible and there are beautiful temples everywhere you go. If you get a chance, definitely check out Doi Suthep for sunrise- you can drive up or even hike. Doi Ithanon is worth a day trip, it’s about an hour out and looks straight out of a fairytale. I would definitely recommend renting a moto to get around, there are lots of beautiful places to explore just outside of the city and it’s also very popular to take a bike up to Pai for a day/night.
WHEN TO VISIT
Summer: March-June, it is almost always sunny, and can be hot and humid. Temps are normally 82° F - 86° F.
Rainy Season: July-October, sometimes it will only rain for an hour, sometimes all day. Average temp is 82° F.
Winter: November-February, warm during the day, but can get chilly at night. Temperature is normally 77° F.
February: Chiang Mai Flower Festival.
April: From the 13-15 is Songkran, the Thai New Year also known as Water Festival.
May: Bun Bang Fai also known as the Rocket Festival.
November: Loy Krathong is around the full moon and known as the Lantern Festival. It is amazing.
GETTING AROUND
Walking: Chiang Mai is pretty easy to get around by walking, but not a lot of well-paved sidewalks.
Moto: Great way to get around, just keep in mind that they drive on the opposite side of the road. I have witnessed a couple of really bad accidents, so just be careful if you choose to rent a moto during your trip. I would recommend riding it short distances around the city to get used to your bike before going on a longer trip.
Uber/Grab: Not fully legal in Thailand, so they may ask you to sit in the front seat.
Red Car: Great for groups and day trips. It is usually 30THB to get anywhere in the city, just make sure to agree on a price beforehand.
Tuk Tuks: Another fun way to get around, a little more expensive than other options so keep that in mind when they quote you on a price.
WHERE TO STAY
The Old City is the most famous area of Chiang Mai. It’s a big square about a mile long on each side. This is a great area to stay, as well as along the Ping River. I lived in Nimman while I was here, which is also a very cool area. While it’s a little less cultural and more of an expat hub, there are a lot of great restaurants and bars.