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Chiang Mai holidays

Discover the allure of holidays to Chiang Mai

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Our great portfolio of Chiang Mai hotels are perfect as a tranquil base from which explore this culturally rich and historically important city. Chiang Mai is the cultural centre of Thailand’s northern region and its beauty, serenity and legend are evident throughout its jungle clad hills. Burmerse, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai designed temples can be found in the ancient walled city, the celebrated Night Bazaar of Thanon Chang Klan is unmissable and with an insurmountable selection of temples, plus museums, national parks, handicraft vendors and elephant trekking, Chiang Mai is an enticing city to visit.

Discover our selection of great Chiang Mai hotel offers.

Chiang Mai Highlights:
•   With temples as old as seven hundred years, one of the most revered holy sites to visit in Chiang Mai is the spectacular Wat Doi Suthep.

•   Take a local handicrafts tour and see the intricate and exquisite works that the city is famous for.

•   Go on an exhilarating jungle trek, stopping at local hillside tribal villages along the way – an unique experience and insight into local life.

Thailand Honeymoons
All of our Thailand hotels make for fabulous honeymoon settings, but we have specially labelled a few of our favourite, most romantic retreats that we think make the most perfect settings for your dream honeymoon in Thailand.

Thailand Tailor Made

If you want to experience more than one city in Thailand, or perhaps you would like to combine a city break with a relaxing beach resort stay in thailand, with Kuoni you can design your own holiday/ Choose different resorts and cities, how many nights and which hotels you would like to stay at, creating your own tailormade Thailand holiday. To get started:
•    Speak to one of our Personal Travel Experts on 01306 747002
•    Request an online quote
•    Order our Far East brochure for more fantastic ideas.

Time difference / local time

GMT +7 hours
Language

Thai

Currency

Baht
Culture

•   Thailand's second largest city, Chiang Mai is home to around 200 Buddhist temples. The largest and most important is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, in the mountains above the town.
•   Chiang Mai is the center of Thai handicrafts. Wood processing, textiles and jade jewellery are important to the region, and are available at the city's night bazaar.

Safety

As with all major cities and destinations, beware of pickpockets. Leave valuables in the hotel safe and only carry the essentials.

Passports and Visas

•   You need a full EU 10-year passport. We recommend that the expiry date is at least six months after your arrival back in the UK.
•   You only need a visa if you’re staying longer than 30 days (29 nights), and you can get one from the Thai Embassy.

Transport

Take a three-wheeled tuk tuk or bicycle rickshaw - but negotiate the fare before getting in.

Events and festivals

January
Bor Sang Umbrella Festival
Head to 'Umbrella Village' to celebrate its famous parasols, with competitions, exhibitions and stalls.

February
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Watch incredible parades showcasing flower sculptures of animals and temples.

April
Songkran in Chiang Mai
Celebrate the Thai New Year with the customary water throwing - expect to get wet!

May
Chiang Mai Challenge Adventure Race
Watch as athletes cycle, run, kayak and swim around Chiang Mai's beautiful landscape.

November
Loi Krathong (Yi Peng)
On the 12th lunar month's full moon, lit-up floats snake down to the river and floating lanterns are released into the night.

Shopping

•   Chiang Mai is the center of arts and crafts, and you can watch artisans make products before buying them.
•   Browse the night market and Sunday market for wood carvings, silver, silk and umbrellas, and snap up brand-name items in the department store on Huay Kaeo Road.

Flying time to destination

11½ hours

Eating/Drinking

Food
•   You’ll find a mixture of authentic Thai and expat-run international restaurants in bustling Chiang Mai.
•   Some of the region’s specialities include spicy sausage and a noodle soup called khao soy - as well as the traditional kantoke dinner, where you sit around a round table and try delicacies with sticky rice.
•   Book a dinner cruise along Ping River or enjoy a traditional Thai dinner and dance show at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center.
•   Most hotels offer American, English and continental breakfasts, and you may find western-style fast food outlets, snack bars and ice cream parlours.
•   Thai cuisine is a spicy mix of noodles, curries, sweet-and-sour dishes, slow- and fast-cooked ingredients, exotic spices and condiments.

Drink
•   Don’t drink the tap water or ice – stick to bottled mineral water or purified water in hotels.

Good to know

Dialling code
+66 53

Religion
Theravada Buddhism. Minority religions include Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism.

Etiquette
• Thais revere their royal family, so never express disregard for it.
• Outward expressions of anger are regarded as crude and boorish.
• Each Buddha image - large or small, ruined or not - is considered sacred. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything that might show lack of respect.
• Public displays of affection between couples are frowned upon. Westernised Thai couples may hold hands but that’s as far as it goes in polite society.
• It is considered rude to point your foot at a person or object.
• Never pat a Thai on the head – they see it as the highest part of the body, both literally and figuratively.

No vaccinations are compulsory but some are recommended. For more detailed and up-to-date information, contact your GP or a specialised vaccination centre.
Clothing

•   Dress neatly in all religious shrines - never go shirtless or in shorts, hot-pants or other scanty attire.
•   Take off your shoes when entering private Thai homes, chapels that house Buddhist images, and mosques.

Nightlife and discotheques

Enjoy riverside drinks as live bands play jazz, blues and rock; head to Nimmanheimin Road’s Monkey Club; and browse the vibrant night market.

Museums

Chiang Mai National Museum
Discover Thailand’s vibrant history as you peruse Buddha statues, traditional art, ancient artefacts and statues.

Tipping

Tip porters and hotel staff if you’re happy with their service. If a service charge isn’t added to your restaurant bill, tip 10-15%.

Climate data for this region

Best time to visit

October to March.

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  • Elephants At Work:

    A pleasant morning is spent in the company of these magnificent gentle giants. In present day Thailand, elephants were only used as tremendously powerful beasts of burden, but in the earlier times, they were a vital part of the King's army and played a very important role Thai History. On this trip you will witness th...


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  • Local Handicrafts Tour:

    Chiang Mai, ringed by small cottage factories and workshops is Thailand's main handicraft centre. On this tour, you'll make a visit to the San Kamphaeng district, heart of the silk and cotton home industries, where you'll witness the fascinating process of making and weaving these popular fabrics and then continue on ...


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  • Meo Hilltribe And Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep:

    A relaxing drive takes you up the slopes of Doi Suthep Peak to visit a Meo hilltribe to observe their simple way of life. The Meo hilltribe originated in South China and usually live on mountain peaks or plateaus above 3000 feet. Due to its proximity to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which is visited by many tourists, this ...


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