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Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, Thailand · Asia

About Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is worth a stop: 15 minutes from San Sai, 40km from Pha Chor Canyon.

Chiang Mai is a city located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. With a population of 127,240, it is an important destination in Asia.

On a road trip, Chiang Mai sits in Thailand, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Bangkok time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Chiang Mai to your route.

About Chiang Mai

Mueang Chiang Mai (Thai: เมืองเชียงใหม่, pronounced [mɯ̄aŋ tɕʰīaŋ màj]; Northern Thai: ᨾᩮᩬᩥᨦᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩉᩲ᩠ᨾ᩵, pronounced [mɯ̄aŋ tɕīaŋ màj]) is the capital district (amphoe mueang) of Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. The district contains the city municipality of Chiang Mai and is part of the Chiang Mai urban area

Read more (population: 1.2 million).

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Chiang Mai?

Plan your road trip to Chiang Mai with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Chiang Mai as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Chiang Mai located?

Chiang Mai is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Asia. The coordinates are 18.7904 latitude, 98.9847 longitude.

What is the population of Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai has a population of approximately 127,240 people, making it a city in Thailand.

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Quick Information

Population
127,240
Continent
Asia
Country
Thailand
Region
Chiang Mai
Timezone
Asia/Bangkok
Coordinates
18.7904, 98.9847

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Thailand

Police
191
Ambulance
1669
Fire
199
Driving side
left

Tourist police (English): 1155.

Full driving guide for Thailand

Tags

AsiaThailandChiang MaiCity

Worth the detour from Chiang Mai

7 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

A sacred golden temple atop a mountain overlooking Chiang Mai, reached by a 309-step staircase flanked by mythical serpents.

7 km · about 15 min drive

landmark

Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuaries

Ethical elephant sanctuaries in the hills around Chiang Mai where visitors can observe, feed, and bathe rescued elephants.

19 km · about 20 min drive

natural wonder

Pha Chor Canyon

Thirty-metre columns and fins of compacted sediment left after the Ping River shifted course, eroded into a narrow gorge you walk through on a sand floor. It sits in the southern arm of Mae Wang National Park.

40 km · about 45 min drive

landmark

Mae Kampong

A tea-and-coffee village at 1,300 metres in the hills east of Chiang Mai, its wooden houses stacked along a stream with a waterfall at the top of the lane. Weekday mornings are near-silent.

40 km · about 45 min drive

landmark

Wat Den Sa Li Si Mueang Kaen

A hillside temple 50 kilometres north of Chiang Mai where a central chedi is ringed by twelve white-and-gold stupas, one for each Chinese zodiac sign. Almost all visitors are Thai.

41 km · about 45 min drive

national park

Doi Inthanon National Park

Thailand's highest peak with cloud forests, twin royal pagodas, impressive waterfalls, and cool temperatures year-round.

57 km · about 65 min drive

photogenic

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Phrachomklao Rachanusorn

White chedis perched on bare limestone pinnacles above Chae Hom, linked by narrow ladders and catwalks bolted to the rock at around 815 metres. The final approach is by songthaew then a steep scramble.

59 km · about 70 min drive

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Chiang Mai.

San Sai

🇹🇭 Thailand

9 km away

Saraphi

🇹🇭 Thailand

10 km away

Hang Dong

🇹🇭 Thailand

13 km awayPop. 17,931

San Kamphaeng

🇹🇭 Thailand

15 km awayPop. 32,950

San Pa Tong

🇹🇭 Thailand

20 km awayPop. 17,773

Ban Thi

🇹🇭 Thailand

22 km away

Lamphun

🇹🇭 Thailand

23 km awayPop. 43,196

Samoeng

🇹🇭 Thailand

27 km away

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence