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The best of Chiang Mai, and where to stay.","ScrollyHero",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"alt":328,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":328,"width":329,"height":330,"source":331,"filename":307,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":333,"public_id":334,"aspect_ratio":335,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},"Rice terraces and mountains at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai",1484,1187,"Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","Expedia Group",{"alt":328,"title":328},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Flangreise-four-seasons-chiang-mai",1.2502106149957877,"jpg",{"_uid":338,"Click":210,"component":339},"ab16dfac-61bf-4d71-865d-3b9a4e93358e","StorytellingEnd",{"_uid":341,"content":342,"component":343},"7d8ab83b-683f-4906-9bd8-fc95285f9247","\u003Cstyle data-picolo-spacing>.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:3rem;margin-bottom:3rem}@media (min-width:1024px){.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:4rem;margin-bottom:4rem}}.blok__block-listing>.pb-40{padding-bottom:2.5rem}.blok__article-footer .grid{row-gap:1rem}.blok__page>div:has(style[data-picolo-spacing]){display:none!important}\u003C\u002Fstyle>","Embed",{"_uid":345,"body":346,"card":363,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"4e6682ea-c60f-40be-92f0-531c53877f93",{"type":347,"content":348},"doc",[349,355,359],{"type":350,"content":351},"paragraph",[352],{"text":353,"type":354},"Monks in saffron robes walk barefoot through the old city at dawn, and people line the street with rice and fruit. Later in the day the markets smell of lemongrass and curry, and in the hills outside town elephants wade in the river with their keepers.","text",{"type":350,"content":356},[357],{"text":358,"type":354},"Chiang Mai is Thailand at a slower pace, with temples, mountains and some of the country’s best food. Here are the best things to do and where to stay.",{"type":350,"content":360},[361],{"text":362,"type":354},"The links to the hotels and experiences are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.",[],"0","BodyBlock",{"_uid":367,"body":368,"card":453,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"1521eb6f-67c6-4d41-a0e1-d4eff79cb355",{"type":347,"content":369},[370,377,432,436],{"type":371,"attrs":372,"content":374},"heading",{"level":373},2,[375],{"text":376,"type":354},"The best things to do in Chiang Mai",{"type":378,"content":379},"bullet_list",[380,392,402,412,422],{"type":381,"content":382},"list_item",[383],{"type":350,"content":384},[385,390],{"text":386,"type":354,"marks":387},"The old city:",[388],{"type":389},"bold",{"text":391,"type":354}," inside the moat are the temples of Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, with its huge, partly collapsed stupa.",{"type":381,"content":393},[394],{"type":350,"content":395},[396,400],{"text":397,"type":354,"marks":398},"Doi Suthep:",[399],{"type":389},{"text":401,"type":354}," the temple on the mountain above town, with a long staircase lined with serpent dragons and views over Chiang Mai.",{"type":381,"content":403},[404],{"type":350,"content":405},[406,410],{"text":407,"type":354,"marks":408},"Sunday Walking Street:",[409],{"type":389},{"text":411,"type":354}," the street from Tha Phae Gate fills with food stalls and crafts every Sunday evening.",{"type":381,"content":413},[414],{"type":350,"content":415},[416,420],{"text":417,"type":354,"marks":418},"Cooking class:",[419],{"type":389},{"text":421,"type":354}," learn to make khao soi, curries and papaya salad, often with a market visit first.",{"type":381,"content":423},[424],{"type":350,"content":425},[426,430],{"text":427,"type":354,"marks":428},"Doi Inthanon:",[429],{"type":389},{"text":431,"type":354}," Thailand’s highest mountain, with waterfalls and pagodas, as a day trip.",{"type":350,"content":433},[434],{"text":435,"type":354},"Many also take a day trip to Chiang Rai and the White Temple.",{"type":350,"content":437},[438,442,444],{"text":439,"type":354,"marks":440},"Book the experience:",[441],{"type":389},{"text":443,"type":354}," ",{"text":445,"type":354,"marks":446},"See experiences and cooking classes in Chiang Mai",[447],{"type":448,"attrs":449},"link",{"href":450,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":451,"linktype":452},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002F8aZd3Rc","_blank","url",[],{"_uid":455,"body":456,"card":513,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"44c041c2-4269-4538-a5f5-d06c8e509d28",{"type":347,"content":457},[458,463,467,509],{"type":371,"attrs":459,"content":460},{"level":373},[461],{"text":462,"type":354},"How to choose an ethical elephant sanctuary",{"type":350,"content":464},[465],{"text":466,"type":354},"Elephants are a big part of tourism in northern Thailand, but not everywhere treats them well. Choose a place where the elephants live as freely as possible.",{"type":378,"content":468},[469,479,489,499],{"type":381,"content":470},[471],{"type":350,"content":472},[473,477],{"text":474,"type":354,"marks":475},"No riding:",[476],{"type":389},{"text":478,"type":354}," genuine sanctuaries do not let you ride the elephants.",{"type":381,"content":480},[481],{"type":350,"content":482},[483,487],{"text":484,"type":354,"marks":485},"No shows:",[486],{"type":389},{"text":488,"type":354}," avoid places with tricks, painting or football.",{"type":381,"content":490},[491],{"type":350,"content":492},[493,497],{"text":494,"type":354,"marks":495},"Observe:",[496],{"type":389},{"text":498,"type":354}," the best visits are about walking with the elephants, feeding them and watching them bathe.",{"type":381,"content":500},[501],{"type":350,"content":502},[503,507],{"text":504,"type":354,"marks":505},"Small groups:",[506],{"type":389},{"text":508,"type":354}," fewer visitors mean calmer animals and a better experience.",{"type":350,"content":510},[511],{"text":512,"type":354},"Read reviews and ask how the elephants live when there are no visitors.",[],{"_uid":515,"body":516,"card":527,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"6701ddbf-fd06-47b0-8682-99f744e7be13",{"type":347,"content":517},[518,523],{"type":371,"attrs":519,"content":520},{"level":373},[521],{"text":522,"type":354},"Where to stay in Chiang Mai",{"type":350,"content":524},[525],{"text":526,"type":354},"The old city and the area around Tha Phae Gate are handy for temples and markets. Along the Ping River are some of the most atmospheric hotels, and in the Mae Rim valley north of town you stay among rice fields.",[],{"_uid":529,"image":530,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":538,"caption_text":539,"caption_title":540,"image_caption":14},"f7d1701f-2238-4a16-accf-ad9adc934262",{"id":14,"alt":531,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":531,"width":532,"height":533,"source":331,"filename":534,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":535,"public_id":536,"aspect_ratio":537,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},"Teak veranda with seating at 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai",2880,1921,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Flangreise-137-pillars-chiang-mai.jpg",{"alt":531,"title":531},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Flangreise-137-pillars-chiang-mai",1.4992191566892243,"FullImage","137 Pillars House is built around an old teak house.","Wat Ket",{"_uid":542,"body":543,"card":572,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"1b66f312-5546-4de0-88c0-f7b683805deb",{"type":347,"content":544},[545,551,555,559],{"type":371,"attrs":546,"content":548},{"level":547},3,[549],{"text":550,"type":354},"Near the Ping River: 137 Pillars House",{"type":350,"content":552},[553],{"text":554,"type":354},"The hotel is built around an old teak house standing on 137 pillars, in a quiet area east of the old city. The veranda, garden and pool make it a place you happily stay in for an afternoon.",{"type":350,"content":556},[557],{"text":558,"type":354},"The Night Bazaar and the river are within walking distance, and guests single out the staff.",{"type":350,"content":560},[561,565,566],{"text":562,"type":354,"marks":563},"Book your stay:",[564],{"type":389},{"text":443,"type":354},{"text":567,"type":354,"marks":568},"See rooms at 137 Pillars House",[569],{"type":448,"attrs":570},{"href":571,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":451,"linktype":452},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.6XOrSh0",[],{"_uid":574,"image":575,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":538,"caption_text":583,"caption_title":584,"image_caption":14},"1ef2f957-93fa-4310-ae4a-ce65b24b9525",{"id":14,"alt":576,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":576,"width":577,"height":578,"source":331,"filename":579,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":580,"public_id":581,"aspect_ratio":582,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},"Courtyard with trees and white buildings at The Inside House in Chiang Mai",3840,2560,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Flangreise-the-inside-house-chiang-mai.jpg",{"alt":576,"title":576},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Flangreise-the-inside-house-chiang-mai",1.5,"The Inside House sits right by Tha Phae Gate.","Tha Phae Gate",{"_uid":586,"body":587,"card":614,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"78d42bf7-0bcb-4b3a-8fb4-5cbd4624c34d",{"type":347,"content":588},[589,594,598,602],{"type":371,"attrs":590,"content":591},{"level":547},[592],{"text":593,"type":354},"Old city: The Inside House",{"type":350,"content":595},[596],{"text":597,"type":354},"The Inside House sits right by Tha Phae Gate, with white colonial-style buildings around a green courtyard. The Sunday market starts right outside the door.",{"type":350,"content":599},[600],{"text":601,"type":354},"It is a small, elegant hotel with a spa and pool, right in the middle of everything you want to see.",{"type":350,"content":603},[604,607,608],{"text":562,"type":354,"marks":605},[606],{"type":389},{"text":443,"type":354},{"text":609,"type":354,"marks":610},"See rooms at The Inside House",[611],{"type":448,"attrs":612},{"href":613,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":451,"linktype":452},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.75MHN5Z",[],{"_uid":616,"image":617,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":538,"caption_text":624,"caption_title":625,"image_caption":14},"126ba5e0-8527-40e7-82a8-880bdec9267c",{"id":14,"alt":618,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":618,"width":619,"height":620,"source":331,"filename":621,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":622,"public_id":623,"aspect_ratio":582,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},"Room with a private plunge pool overlooking the river at Anantara Chiang Mai",2121,1414,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Flangreise-anantara-chiang-mai.jpg",{"alt":618,"title":618},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Flangreise-anantara-chiang-mai","Anantara Chiang Mai sits on the Ping River.","Ping River",{"_uid":627,"body":628,"card":676,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"1b7de410-1d60-4e50-8afc-6c1c64344fe3",{"type":347,"content":629},[630,635,639,651,656,660,664],{"type":371,"attrs":631,"content":632},{"level":547},[633],{"text":634,"type":354},"Ping River: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort",{"type":350,"content":636},[637],{"text":638,"type":354},"Anantara sits on the banks of the Ping River, with an old colonial building in the gardens and modern rooms with river views. The Night Bazaar is a few minutes away.",{"type":350,"content":640},[641,644,645],{"text":562,"type":354,"marks":642},[643],{"type":389},{"text":443,"type":354},{"text":646,"type":354,"marks":647},"See rooms at Anantara Chiang Mai",[648],{"type":448,"attrs":649},{"href":650,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":451,"linktype":452},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.UlbvW3w",{"type":371,"attrs":652,"content":653},{"level":547},[654],{"text":655,"type":354},"Mae Rim: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai",{"type":350,"content":657},[658],{"text":659,"type":354},"North of town, Four Seasons sits in the Mae Rim valley, with pavilions around rice terraces and mountains behind. In the morning mist lies over the fields and buffalo wade in the water.",{"type":350,"content":661},[662],{"text":663,"type":354},"It is a place to unwind between excursions, and many elephant sanctuaries and mountain trips start in the surrounding valleys.",{"type":350,"content":665},[666,669,670],{"text":562,"type":354,"marks":667},[668],{"type":389},{"text":443,"type":354},{"text":671,"type":354,"marks":672},"See rooms at Four Seasons Chiang Mai",[673],{"type":448,"attrs":674},{"href":675,"uuid":207,"anchor":207,"target":451,"linktype":452},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fhotelscom-norway.MLRHR2T",[],{"_uid":678,"body":679,"card":727,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"c0c5756a-0b85-4701-b340-17d6c8aea72b",{"type":347,"content":680},[681,686,690,695],{"type":371,"attrs":682,"content":683},{"level":373},[684],{"text":685,"type":354},"When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?",{"type":350,"content":687},[688],{"text":689,"type":354},"November to February is the cool, dry season, with pleasant days and chilly nights. In November the Yi Peng lantern festival sees thousands of lanterns released into the sky. From late February to April the air can be hazy from agricultural fires, and May to October is the rainy season.",{"type":371,"attrs":691,"content":692},{"level":373},[693],{"text":694,"type":354},"When should you book?",{"type":378,"content":696},[697,707,717],{"type":381,"content":698},[699],{"type":350,"content":700},[701,705],{"text":702,"type":354,"marks":703},"Yi Peng in November:",[704],{"type":389},{"text":706,"type":354}," hotels fill early, book five to six months ahead.",{"type":381,"content":708},[709],{"type":350,"content":710},[711,715],{"text":712,"type":354,"marks":713},"Elephant sanctuaries:",[714],{"type":389},{"text":716,"type":354}," book a few weeks ahead, the best have few places.",{"type":381,"content":718},[719],{"type":350,"content":720},[721,725],{"text":722,"type":354,"marks":723},"Getting there:",[724],{"type":389},{"text":726,"type":354}," fly from Bangkok in about an hour, or take the night train.",[],{"_uid":729,"body":730,"card":782,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"2402b9b4-7b01-4056-b4a0-0169918a4821",{"type":347,"content":731},[732,737,742,746,751,755,760,764,769,773,778],{"type":371,"attrs":733,"content":734},{"level":373},[735],{"text":736,"type":354},"Chiang Mai FAQ",{"type":371,"attrs":738,"content":739},{"level":547},[740],{"text":741,"type":354},"How do you choose an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai?",{"type":350,"content":743},[744],{"text":745,"type":354},"Choose a sanctuary with no riding, shows or tricks, where the elephants live as freely as possible. The best visits are about walking with the elephants, feeding them and watching them bathe.",{"type":371,"attrs":747,"content":748},{"level":547},[749],{"text":750,"type":354},"How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?",{"type":350,"content":752},[753],{"text":754,"type":354},"Three to four days gives time for the old city, Doi Suthep, a cooking class and an elephant sanctuary. With five days you can add Doi Inthanon or Chiang Rai.",{"type":371,"attrs":756,"content":757},{"level":547},[758],{"text":759,"type":354},"When is the lantern festival in Chiang Mai?",{"type":350,"content":761},[762],{"text":763,"type":354},"Yi Peng is celebrated in November, at the same time as Loy Krathong. The dates follow the lunar calendar, so check before you travel.",{"type":371,"attrs":765,"content":766},{"level":547},[767],{"text":768,"type":354},"When is the best time for Chiang Mai?",{"type":350,"content":770},[771],{"text":772,"type":354},"November to February is cool and dry. From late February to April the air can be hazy, and May to October is the rainy season.",{"type":371,"attrs":774,"content":775},{"level":547},[776],{"text":777,"type":354},"Where should I stay in Chiang Mai?",{"type":350,"content":779},[780],{"text":781,"type":354},"Stay by Tha Phae Gate at The Inside House for temples and markets, on the Ping River at 137 Pillars House or Anantara, or among the rice fields at Four Seasons in Mae Rim.",[],{"_uid":784,"body":785,"card":827,"layout":364,"component":365,"article_rounded":210},"8a3f8810-babd-4012-840d-c9e4f88fc931",{"type":347,"content":786},[787,792],{"type":371,"attrs":788,"content":789},{"level":373},[790],{"text":791,"type":354},"Read more",{"type":378,"content":793},[794,806,817],{"type":381,"content":795},[796],{"type":350,"content":797},[798],{"text":799,"type":354,"marks":800},"Things to do in Bangkok",[801],{"type":448,"attrs":802},{"href":803,"uuid":804,"anchor":207,"target":805,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Flong-haul\u002Fthings-to-do-in-bangkok","944d51cf-e82e-47e2-b8e1-455d31bb75d9","_self",{"type":381,"content":807},[808],{"type":350,"content":809},[810],{"text":811,"type":354,"marks":812},"Thailand island hopping",[813],{"type":448,"attrs":814},{"href":815,"uuid":816,"anchor":207,"target":805,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Flong-haul\u002Fthailand-island-hopping","314185ff-e948-4eda-89df-f7fd48ab0351",{"type":381,"content":818},[819],{"type":350,"content":820},[821],{"text":822,"type":354,"marks":823},"Long-haul: experiences around the world",[824],{"type":448,"attrs":825},{"href":826,"uuid":123,"anchor":207,"target":805,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Flong-haul\u002F",[],{"_uid":829,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":830,"author_name":14,"author_text":14,"author_image":831,"section_overline":832,"facebook_share_link":833,"instagram_share_link":834},"0fac74bc-7f51-4155-a82e-929f33eb4b3d","ArticleFooter",{"id":207,"alt":207,"name":14,"focus":207,"title":207,"filename":14,"copyright":207,"fieldtype":16},"Enjoy Chiang Mai",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"_uid":836,"card_type":837,"component":838,"filter_by":839},"724d9039-28fa-477e-8aec-05da3ceccac3","stories to inspire your next trip","PaginatedArticles",{"_uid":840,"plugin":841,"values":842},"efff624c-e5f2-4afc-9826-14d31752715d","storyblok-tags-select",[249,125,843],"Thailand","Article",{"id":14,"alt":328,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":328,"width":329,"height":330,"source":331,"filename":307,"copyright":332,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":846,"public_id":334,"aspect_ratio":335,"content_type":336,"is_external_url":210},{"alt":328,"title":328},"chiang-mai-elephant-sanctuary","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Flong-haul\u002Fchiang-mai-elephant-sanctuary",-140,[249,125,843],228543470739665,"c7c4c4c9-6d14-48fe-9f06-4dc82bac1a1f","2026-10-09T07:10:49.056Z",[]]