Essential Guide to Chiang Mai

Visiting Chiang Mai? Then our essential travel guide for gay visitors is for you.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally important city in northern Thailand. Located 700 km north of Bangkok, the city has become an increasingly modern city attracting millions of visitors each year. It is many people’s favorite city in Thailand because it offers stunning scenery, forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and many different adventures from riding the rapids to elephant safaris.

Gay Scene

Many gay travelers mistakenly believe that a holiday in Thailand is just about beautiful beaches in the south and the nightlife of Bangkok. But this is only half the story. The northern region, particularly Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, offers a very different environment with many interesting activities you could enjoy.

Aside from the culture and the nature, Chiang Mai offers a small, laid-back gay scene. There are a few gay bars and saunas where locals and visitors meet and socialize. Gay massage spas and retreats are quite popular. Gay-owned businesses such as restaurants and guesthouses are scattered around the city. And in general, Chiang Mai is very gay-friendly and welcoming as the local people are known to have a genuine, easy-going attitude.

Getting to Chiang Mai

The fastest and easiest way is to fly from Bangkok. Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) handles both domestic and regional international flights. Flight time from Bangkok is approximately one hour. Several low-cost airlines offer flights daily.

By bus

A variety of daily buses leave on a regular daily schedule from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) offering varying choices of price, comfort and speed. Travel time is about 10 hours.

By train

Services from Bangkok’s Hualamphong train station leave on a regular daily scheduleand take 12-15 hours to reach Chiang Mai. Different classes are available.

Getting around Chiang Mai

By ‘songthaew’

These covered pick-up trucks have two long bench seats in the back and are usually in red. Some pick up passengers enroute who are going the same way, while others don’t follow a specific route and just roam the main streets around markets, temples or the bus/train stations. Songthaew (or red truck) is most convenient if you are going somewhere specific. Expect to pay a minimum of 20 baht anywhere within the city walls and 40-60 baht outside.

By tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuks are a quick way to get around. Expect to pay 30-40 baht for a short hop and 50-10 baht for longer distances, depending on your bargaining skills.

By taxi

Chiang Mai has metered taxis, but you may have to negotiate a fixed fare. Generally, you cannot hail taxis in the street. Your hotel can call a taxi for you or you can contact individual drivers on the mobile phone numbers displayed on their vehicle.

By moped or motorcycle

Mopeds are a cheap and convenient way to get around town or reach the outlying sights. There are many rental outfits in town although most guesthouses can arrange rental. A valid international drivers permit is not required to ride.

By bicycle

Traffic inside the old city walls in Chiang Mai is slow enough to make biking a safe way to get around. Bike rentals are plentiful and cost around 30-250 baht per day.

By car

Car rentals are available both in the city center and at the airport.

When to Visit

Chiang Mai is great to visit all year round, although peak season is in the winter (December – January) when the weather is a bit cooler, and especially chilly up on the mountains.

Things to See & Do

Doi Suthep

Famous and important temple overlooking the city from its mountainside perch. It sits about 3,500 feet above sea level and is accessible via a steep staircase comprising around 300 steps.

Chedi Luang Temple

Built about 600 years ago, this impressive temple once housed the precious Emerald Buddha.

Doi Inthanon National Park

Thailand’s tallest mountain offering one of the best places for bird watching. Other attractions include the twin stupas dedicated to the King and Queen and Wachiratarn Waterfall.

Chiang Mai Zoo

This zoo houses more than 6,000 animals in an environment comprising two waterfalls, reservoirs, an open park, camping spots and animal breeding areas.

Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens

The area incorporates many vegetation types including some rare species. The best time to see the flowers in bloom is during the cool season.

Night Bazaar

Located in the center of town, the Night Bazaar is where most travelers shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs.

Elephant Camp

There are many elephant camps around Chiang Mai. Most offer pickup & drop-off service. We recommend Patara Elephant Farm.