Chiang Mai Thailand's Second City is more than 700 kilometers northwest of Bangkok. The old walled city is the north’s largest city is over 700 years old. The city's moats and magnificent temples are the centre of tourism in north Thailand. Chiang Mai is famous, for its Lanna-style architecture, friendly people, beautiful women, refined handicrafts, cool climate and Stunning Mountain Scenery make Chiang Mai a popular tourist destination.

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is the major gateway to the scenic beauty and  the rich culture of Northern Thailand. There are over a hundred flights a week from Bangkok. International flights from China, Taiwan, Singapore, Myanmar and Laos, over two million visitors a year pass through it.

The city centre is only a ten minute ride by taxi from the airport. The majority of hotels and guesthouses in Chiang Mai is the same distance from the airport and can be booked on arrival from one of the travel agents located at the airport.

Chiang Mai has more than three hundred temples around the city. Some of them  are the most beautiful in the Buddhist world, giving the city an atmosphere of calmness and elegance. Doi Suthep Mountain looms over the city the highly revered temple at its peak offers superb views of the surrounding countryside.

San Kamphaeng is crowded with many cottage industries making woodcarvings, Thai silk, silverwork, umbrellas and lacquer ware. You can watch the craftsmen at work and also make purchases. On the evening wander around the famous Night Bazaar. Chiang Mai, like all the cities in Thailand has much to offer the distance traveler.

Chiang Mai is the second largest province (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are (from northeast clockwise) Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. In the north it borders Shan in the State of Myanmar.

The province is subdivided into 24 districts (Amphoe). Mueang Chiang Mai, Chom Thong, Mae Chaem, Chiang Dao, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng, Mae Rim, Samoeng, Fang, Mae Ai, Phrao, San Pa, San Kamphaeng, San Sai,  Hang Dong, Hot, Doi Tao, Omkoi, Saraphi, Wiang Haeng, Chai Prakan, Mae Wang, Mae On and Doi Lo. The districts are further divided into sub districts (Tambon) which is divided into villages (Muban).

The quality of hotel accommodation, Thai food is of the highest standard in Chiang Mai and not expensive, entertainment and nightlife is plentiful. Chiang Mai offers good leisure facilities, great outdoor activities and adventure tours in scenic locations can  be found within the vicinity of Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai is also home to the oldest sports club in Thailand. It was also the first non capital city to host the prestigious South East Asian games in 1995. The city boasts world class sport facilities in a number of sports Olympic quality arenas, golf courses, pools and grounds. The Gymkhana is said to be the most beautiful in Thailand.

Just a short ride in any direction will take you into the countryside, and offers visitors to Thailand many exciting experiences giving you the chance to experience and discover the real Thailand.

Chiang Mai province is home to many national parks they offer many different types of tours, such as visiting hill tribe villages, nature trails and elephant trekking with overnight stays in jungle camps.

The Chiang Dao Mountain range provides many sporting activities and is idea for the adventurous. Rock climbing, white water rafting and canoeing expeditions on the rivers are popular activities with visitors.

Doi Inthanon National Park is over 1000 square kilometers of un-spoilt beauty is located 60 kilometers south of Chiang Mai. It is also the home of Thailand's tallest mountain. Doi Inthanon is 2,565 meters above sea level; the trek to the peak offers visitors stunning views of the province.

The parks plummeting waterfalls and variety of bird life, tropical flowers and plants are idea for nature lovers provides excellent trekking opportunities and jungle adventures; bungalows and log cabins can be rented in the park at two different locations.

Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park covers an area of 524 square kilometers is located in the districts of Mae Eye, Fang, and Chai Prakarn Chiang Mai Province, consists of the watershed called Dan Lao Mountain Range. It is the productive forest which has a great number of plants and animals and natural attractions such as Huai Bond Cave, Hot-Mineral Water Pond, Hot Springs and Mae Jai Stream.

Op Luang National Park covers an area of 553 square kilometers and is located in the Chomthong, Hot and Mae Chaem districts of Chiang Mai province. The parks area supports a wide variety of natural attractions like waterfalls, caves, hot springs and historical sites, which serve people's education and recreation. The extensive, north south running, mountain range of the park is the same as the range of Doi Inthanon.

The Mae Chaem River was originally called the Salak Hin. The river created a big but narrow canyon, which is called Op Luang. The rocks and cliffs are subject to erosion by the strong currents of the river and have formed the canyon and strangely shaped rock formations. The water has to force its way past rocks and boulders obstructing the course which is a magnificent sight.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park used to be known as Doi Oi Chang. Its new name comes from the name of a hermit; Prarusiwasuthep who lived at Doi Suthep-Pui was a protected forest. In 1973, The Royal Forest Department decided that Doi Suthep and 13 other forest areas in the country should eventually be national parks.

Mae Wang National Park covers an area 700 square kilometers in the districts of Pamaejam, Pamaekhan-maewang and Pajomthong National conservation forest in Chaing Mai. The park features various type of mixed deciduous forest, Dry dipterocarp, mixed dry dipterocarp, Hill evergreen forest and Pine hill forest. Wildlife was found as mammalian, reptile, amphibian, birds, aquatic animal and day-butterfly.

The park consists of the complex Tanonthongchail Mountain range lying north to south, Doi Phatang is the highest mountain at 1,909 meters above sea level, the mountain range is the main source of the three streamlines that tributary to the Mae Nam Ping River.

Doi Wiang Pha National Park covers an area of 583 square kilometers and consists of high mountains, extending northwards, which are regarded as the boundary between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. Doi Wiang Pha is the highest mountain of the National Park, standing at 1,834 meters above sea level. Most of the area is the water source for the Fang River and branches of the Lao River.

Sri Lanna National Park is prestigious park to commemorate the 5th anniversary of King’s birthday. The prestigious park was announced a National Park on the 1st August 1989 on the King’s multifarious duties. The park covers an area of 1,406 square kilometers in the districts of the Mae Taeng, Prao, and Chiang Dao Chiang Mai province.

The park is surrounded by the valleys and a mountain chain lying from north to south. It is the source of Mae Ngad reservoir along with several brooks and creeks, which water rushes down from the valleys to Mae Ngad reservoir. Southwest of the brooks the water runs into Mae Ping River.

Khun Khan National Park covers an approximate area of 240 square kilometers and consists of fertile forests and high mountains Doi Pung-kia is the highest mountain standing at 1,708 meters above sea level, which is the source of the Mae khan and Mae  Chaem Rivers flowing into the Ping River.

Huai Nam Dang National Park covers an area of approximately 1,247 square kilometers over four districts Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, and Wiang Haeng in Chiang Mai province including the Pai district in Mae Hong Son province.

The park is located on top of the ridge of hills the same range as Chiang Dao mountain range. The highest peak is Doi Chang standing at 1,962 meters above sea level is the vital source of important streams which flow into the Pai River, Ping River, and Taeng River.

Pha Daeng National Park consists of a ridge of the Chiang Dao Mountains of Doi Chiang Dao and Doi Pha Daeng. This is the same area of Chiang Dao Wild Animals Protection Area and Sri Lanna National Park which namely the Pha Daeng National Park (Chiang Dao). The forest of the northern part of Thailand it is the source of Ping River and Mae Tang rivers or so called Khun Nam Ping and Khun Nam Mae Tang which are located in the National Conservation Forest of Chiang Dao.

The park covers an area of about 1,123 square kilometers, the complexity of the mountains and the fertile forests are the natural highlights and attractions of this national park. Such as Sri Sangwan waterfall, Pang Tong waterfall, Nivet Hold of Water, Krab cave, and the Tab Tao cave, the top of Doi Pha Tang and Doi Bha Dang Mountains provide interesting views over the Chiang Mai province.

Ob Khan National Park covers an area of 574 square kilometers the geographical features of the National Park mostly consist of high mountains of which Yod Khun Tien is the highest mountain standing at 1,550 meters above sea level The National Park has beautiful natural tourist attractions and varieties of major plants and wild animals.

The Park is the source of major rivers and gullies flowing into the Ping River including the Nan, Lan, Tien, Win Gully, Mae Toa Gully, Mae Kamin Gully, Lah Luang Gully Rivers, etc. Most areas of the National Park are mountains at the average altitude of 800 meters above sea level. There are small plains along rivers and gullies, including hillside plains where villages are located.

Mae Takrai National Park covers an approximate area of 1,114 square kilometers the districts of Sankampaeng and Doi Saked Chiang Mai Province. The National Park is the source of Ping River, consisting of high mountains and having major valuable plants and wild animals. Prominent natural tourist attractions of the National Park include waterfalls, cliffs, artesian spring, and reservoirs.

The Mae Takhrai National Park has Class 1 rain forests and Limestone Mountains situated in the area of Ping Basin. Within the areas of the National Park, mixed forests can generally be seen; meanwhile, virgin forests grow thickly along the riversides and the rain forests.

National Parks of Thailand

Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport Bangkok offer plenty of dally flights to Chiang Mai. Flights are also available from most of Thailand's Domestic airports. One way tickets from Bangkok cost between 900 and 1700 baht depending airline and the time of day you travel. The journey takes just over an hour.

The State Railway of Thailand service is quiet punctual safe and comfortable,  a covenant way to travel. The night trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai are very popular with tourists and Thais alike and always busy. The journey takes between 12 to 15 hours you need to purchase your ticket 3 to 4 days in advance particularly during Thai Public holidays. The cost depends on the service you choose, tickets start at around 300 Baht.

The Bus Network Service of Thailand is an inexpensive way to travel and see Thailand. Buses run from almost every city and town in Thailand to Chiang Mai. From Bangkok to Chiang Mai they run mostly overnight. The journey takes approx 10 hours.

VIP air-conditioned and first class air-conditioned buses depart daily from the Northern Bus Terminal Bangkok (Mo Chit) on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. Most of the VIP Buses depart from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and travel overnight, the journey takes about 10 hours.

Getting around Chiang Mai Songthaews (passenger pick-up vehicles) are a common mode of transport in both rural and urban areas of Chiang Mai. Tuk-tuks are popular with both locals and tourists for short distances. Samlors (rickshaws) can be found in the main tourist areas. Mountain bikes and motorbikes can be rented in the provincial capital.

Air Rail and Bus Time Tables

Budget Hotels and Guest Houses prices start between 400 - 500 Baht a night, mid range family hotels depending on the amenities between 1200 - 3000 Baht a night, High range world renown Hotels between 5000 - 8000 Baht a night. Luxury Spa Hotel Resorts, depending on the services required can cost over 12,000 Baht a night prices can vary in high season, on Thai public holidays low to mid range hotels need to be booked well in advance.

Organized Tours TAT registered Travel agents throughout Thailand have an endless list on tours available to Chiang Mai from all major tourist and city locations and will tailor the tour around your needs.