Chang Mai
Thailand

View of Chiang Mai area

"Chang Mai Thailand" was last updated on June 8, 2011
All information below is subject to change"

In this article you'll find:



Chang Mai is Thailand's second largest city and is very popular with tourists and backpackers!

Let me tell you why...

Whether you're here to trek, party, shop, eat great food or get a tattoo, you`ll get it here. The choices of activities are endless! It's just packed with culture and adventures!

And despite its tourist-flow, you can still feel the laid-back atmosphere in this town, especially in the the traditional old quarter, set within a 2 km square moat.

I personally loved Chang Mai because of its unique and lively personality! I loved the variety of food, the people, the shopping, the atmosphere -- almost everything!

Let me give you a taste of it!

But first, how do you get there?

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How to Get to Chang Mai Thailand

By air: Chiang Mai has an airport, located 10 minutes by taxi from city center.

Cheap flights to Chiang Mai:

From Bangkok: Click here and you'll be redirected to Bangkok: "From Bangkok to Other Cities."

You will then arrive at the Arcade Bus Terminal in Chang Mai.

From Pai: Ordinary buses from Pai to Chiang Mai leave at 7.00, 8.30, 11.00, 12.30, 16.30. Otherwise, you take a minibus from Pai. Go to the local travel agencies (Aya Company) to get a ticket.

From Chiang Rai: The Khon Song bus station is near the Night Market, and the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai takes 3-4 hours.

From Chiang Khong: You can take a direct minibus from Chiang Khong. You can get help at the guesthouse you're staying at in Chiang Khong. The most helpful one is apparently Ban Tam Ni La guesthouse on 113 Thanon Sai Klang Road.

Chiang Mai Map:

See the yellow 'cubicle' in the map? That's the area inside the moat in Chiang Mai.


Show bigger map

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From Chang Mai Thailand to Other Towns/Cities

To Pai: You can usually arrange minibus-rides to Pai at the guesthouse you're staying at in Chang Mai, or through travel agencies.

You can also take the local bus to Pai from the Arcade Bus Terminal in Chiang Mai. As far as I know the buses leave at 07.00, 08.30, 10.30, 12.30, and 16.00 pm. The trip itself takes about 4 hours. If you're prone to motion-sickness, I suggest you bring motion-sickness tablets. The road to Pai can be very swingy.

To Chiang Rai: Buses for Chiang Rai leave the Arcade Bus Terminal (4 hours) and costs around 60-70 B. They leave between 6 am and 5.30 pm.

To Chiang Khong (over to Laos): Minibuses leave for Chiang Khong -- book at your guesthouse, at the bus station or at a travel agency.

To Mae Hong Son: Buses and minibuses to Mae Hong Son leave the Arcade Bus Terminal.

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Important places to know about in Chang Mai Thailand:

  • Tourist Police Phone nr: 1155, 053-278559, 053-278798
  • Emergency Police Phone nr: 191
  • Accidents Phone nr: 1193
  • Chiang Mai Ram Hospital on Th Bunreuangrit Phone nr: 053-224851-9/61
  • Peeramit Pharmacy Address: 145 Chang Khlan Rd
    Salaya Pharmacy Address: 153 Moon Muang Rd.
  • Immigration office Phone number: 053-277510
  • ATMs around town and many banks on Th Tha Phae
  • Main post office on Th Charoen Muang Phone nr: 053-241070, 053-248720, 053-245376
  • You can get internet access everywhere in Chiang Mai.


Chang Mai Thailand Articles



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Where to sleep

Looking for a place to stay in Chang Mai Thailand?

Here are some of your cheapest options and guesthouses I tried in Chiang Mai!

CLICK to look for a Chiang Mai Guesthouse!



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Where to eat and relax

Hungry?

You can`t miss the excellent Chang Mai food!

Come in for a lunch and grab some Chiang Mai Food!



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Where to party

Heard about the wild parties of Chang Mai Thailand?

Well, I can confirm that Chiang Mai is a party-place!

Check out Chiang Mai Nightlife!



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Where to shop

Itching for cheap shopping?

Read about the mall and the markets in this lovely town.

Chiang Mai Shopping is waiting for you...



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Activities in Chiang Mai

Don't know what to do in Chang Mai Thailand?

-- Oh, please there are so much to do in this town!

Get ready!

Here are some options for Chiang Mai Attractions!



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Northern Thailand Tours

Looking for tours around Chiang Mai?

Tired of large group tours?

Check out these carefully selected tours in Northern Thailand.

Check out Northern Thailand Tours



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Beauty and Tattoo

Ready for a tattoo?

Click to read my review of Dejavu Tattoo and I`m going to show you their flawless work.

Here you can also find out where the beauty parlors and dentists are located.

Welcome to Chiang Mai Tattoo! ;-)

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You're done with Chang Mai Thailand, where do you want to go next?

Click here to read about hippy cool Pai.

Heading towards Laos? Read about charming Luang Prabang.

Heading South? Read my reviews of the beautiful Phi Phi Islands.

Heading Southeast towards Cambodia? Visit Koh Chang.

Read about where to sleep, eat, party, relax and shop in Bangkok.

Return from Chang Mai Thailand Thailand to Backpacking Tips Asia.





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Testimonial

Nov 20, 2011:

Anonymous from Australia: "I was thinking of a trip to Thailand and read your site. I am a 50 year old male and now in Chiang Mai.

This is a perfect part of the world and I have done so much in one week and have three more to go. I'll need a holiday after this as it is just that good. More to do than you can and choice is hard but no mistakes ever as it is all just perfect. Thank you for your tips they helped make my trip heaven, I will be back again in the new year."

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