Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai · Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Rose of the Lanna Kingdom: an old northern Thai city of temples, night markets and slow living
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- Don't ride elephants (choose a no-riding elephant sanctuary)
- don't buy wildlife products
- don't be loud in temples.
Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.
Stories & people
Historias y personajes
Historia
King Mangrai's new city
Chiang Mai means 'new city' in Thai. At the end of the 13th century Mangrai, founder of the Lanna kingdom, founded Chiang Mai at a place the Lawa called 'Wiang Nopburi' as a new capital to replace Chiang Rai; the founding year is generally given as 1296. Mangrai's mother was a daughter of the Tai Lue ruler of Chiang Hung in Sipsongpanna; he also mediated a dispute between the king of Phayao and Ram Khamhaeng of Sukhothai, and the three kings formed an alliance — commemorated today by the 'Three Kings Monument' in the centre of Chiang Mai's old city.
Fuente: Wikipedia: Mangrai; Wikipedia: Chiang Mai
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
The old capital of the Lanna kingdom from 1296, with more than 300 temples scattered in and around the old city: the weathered chedi of Wat Chedi Luang, the Lanna murals of Wat Phra Singh, and the golden chedi of Doi Suthep looking out over the whole city. At the Loy Krathong festival in November, the moment thousands release sky lanterns together is a once-in-a-lifetime sight; the Sunday Walking Street, jungle ziplines and elephant sanctuaries blend the old city's slowness with wild fun.
Costumbres locales
- Northern Thais are unpretentious
- temple dress codes are the same as nationwide
- follow guidelines when interacting with monks and elephants
- bargain politely and gently at night markets.
Religión y creencias
- A stronghold of Theravada Buddhism
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (often called the 'Twin Dragon Temple' in Chinese) is the holiest temple in northern Thailand
- remove your shoes and dress modestly
- the monks' alms round (morning alms-giving) is a sacred ritual — if you watch, keep your distance and don't block the way.
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
Normas que se aplican aquí
Drones must be registered in Thailand
- Register with Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) within 30 days of arrival or purchase, even if you don't plan to fly
- Bringing in an unregistered drone
Fines of up to THB 100,000 or 5 years in prison, or both.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
E-cigarettes are completely illegal in Thailand
- Leave e-cigarettes, pods and e-liquids at home before you travel
- Carrying or using e-cigarettes, pods, e-liquids or heated-tobacco devices
Confiscation, fines (usually THB 5,000–30,000), detention and prosecution; no exceptions for tourists or personal use.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
Never insult the Thai royal family
- Treat portraits of the royal family and related topics with respect and care
- Posting or sharing any criticism of, or jokes about, the royal family, online included
The lèse-majesté law is interpreted very broadly and can bring long prison sentences; it applies to past and present members of the royal family.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Thailand travel advice
Temples and the Grand Palace: cover shoulders and knees
- Wear sleeved tops and long trousers or skirts below the knee
- Take off your shoes before entering a hall
- When seated, don't point the soles of your feet at a Buddha image
- Entering in a vest, shorts or see-through clothes
- Covering a sleeveless top only with a shawl may not be accepted at the Grand Palace
You will be refused entry and will need to rent or buy a sarong at the gate.
Sin verificarFuente: Grand Palace dress code and visiting rules (travel guide)
No lo haga DON'T
- Don't ride elephants (choose a no-riding elephant sanctuary)
- don't buy wildlife products
- don't be loud in temples.
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
- Chiang Mai people appreciate visitors who travel slowly, learn to cook Thai food and try meditation
- having coffee on Nimman Road and taking part in merit-making or alms-giving will mark you out as someone who 'gets Chiang Mai'.
Plan your visit
Información práctica
| Mejor época | The cool season (November–February) is best (Loy Krathong usually falls at the November full moon) |
|---|
Consejos de viaje
- The cool season (November–February) is best (Loy Krathong usually falls at the November full moon). Wat Phra That Doi Suthep costs about THB 30
- in the old city you can rent a motorbike or take a songthaew
- for jungle ziplines and elephant camps, be sure to choose licensed eco-operators and book ahead.
Eat nearby
Qué comer cerca
Imprescindible
- Curry noodles
- Sai ua (northern Thai sausage)
- Nam phrik num with pork crackling
Khao soi (Chiang Mai's famous coconut curry noodles), sai oua (northern Thai sausage), nam prik noom (green-chilli dip with pork crackling), mango sticky rice, northern Thai mini hotpot
| Dónde comer | Old-city night markets / the Saturday and Sunday walking streets, restaurants on Nimman Road, local khao soi shops (around the old city's north gate) |
|---|---|
| Normas en la mesa | There are many temples — cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes; during Songkran, protect food and phones from water |
| Precio orientativo por persona | THB 200–450 ≈ CNY 40–90 |
| Consejos | Season khao soi yourself with pickled greens and lime; the Sunday Walking Street has the fullest range of snacks to eat as you browse. |
Los precios son orientativos a octubre de 2026, no presupuestos exactos; en zonas con tipos de cambio muy variables solo se da un intervalo aproximado en yuanes.
Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photos
Fotos
Philip Nalangan · CC BY 4.0
Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0
Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0
Fuentes y notas de verificación
Compiled from Tourism Authority of Thailand guides to Chiang Mai
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