Fly or train from Bangkok?

Fly if you land at noon and want dinner in the Old City. Take train 9 or 10 if you want a sleeper and a morning arrival at Chiang Mai station.

Three is the floor. Two only if you already know you will come back.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the north base. Give it three nights. Sleep inside the moat for temples on foot. Sleep in Nimman for coffee and a later evening.

Old CityNimmanhaeminNorthern corridor

Get thereCNX flight about 70 minutes, SRT 9/10 sleeper about 12 hours

SplitOld City vs Nimmanhaemin

Day tripsDoi Inthanon, Chiang Rai, or a cooking class

Chiang Mai is known for wats inside a square moat and a cafe strip west of it. The Old City still closes temple doors for lunch. Nimmanhaemin, past Suan Dok, is where you eat late.

Sunday Walking Street fills Ratchadamnoen. Saturday is Wua Lai, south of the moat. Both are easier if you already have a room inside or just south.

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Chiang Mai staysCitywide
Start with Old City if you walk temples. Shift to Nimman for cafes.
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Old City hotelsInside the moat
Temple mornings, tuk-tuk nights.
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Cooking and day tripsTours
Doi Inthanon, elephant ethics vary; read the operator page.
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Common questions

Fly or train from Bangkok?: Fly if you land at noon and want dinner in the Old City. Take train 9 or 10 if you want a sleeper and a morning arrival at Chiang Mai station.
How many nights?: Three is the floor. Two only if you already know you will come back.

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Common questions