Chiang Mai is a city built with its roots deep in the soil of time. A former capital of Thailand, it boasts a rich cultural personality and has been blessed with an abundance of natural beauty.
The people of Chiang Mai are warm and welcoming. Life here is slower than in Bangkok, but its popularity as a touritst destination means there are always penty of things to see and do. The locals specialise in handicrafts and few people leave town without a souvenir crafted from silk, silver or wood.
The city has a wide range of hotels and guesthouses as well as an array of good restaurants, fun bars and all manner of other entertainment

Chiang Rai is both a province and a city on Thailand's northernmost border. A rural community, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty with a dramatic, mountainous landscape.
Like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is rich in history so there's plenty to see if that's your thing. Otherwise, this is a place in which to simply relax and enjoy the slower pace of life and breathtaking scenery. Also, because of its location around 1,500 feet above sea level, the region is considerably cooler than central and southern parts of Thailand and so makes a pleasant retreat from the unforgiving sun.

Getting there
The quickest way to get to these northern destinations is by air with Thai Airways which flies to both destinations from Bangkok. Bangkok Air also operates some regional routes to Chiang Mai, with an indirect flight from Phuket also available. The alternatives to flying are air conditioned buses or the overnight sleeper train. Both take considerably longer than flying, but you do get to see some fantastic scenery en route.

Getting around
In the towns themselves there are taxis and tuk tuks aplenty. In this climate tuk tuks are not a bad way to go, but for some reason the ones here seem to have much higher floors than those in Bangkok making it extremely hard not only getting in but also finding somewhere for your head! Like anywhere, the best way to get to know a place is on foot. There are lots of organised treks through the mountains and hills or you can simply head off on your own. Just remember to look up, it is always surprising what you see.

Chiang Mai

Baan Tai Hotel
41/9 Wiang Ping Tudmai Road,
Chang Klan, Chiang Mai 50000
From: 800 THB
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Lanna Palace 2004 Hotel
184 Chang Klan Road,
Chiang Mai 50100
From: 1,000 THB
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Amity Green Hills Hotel
24 Super Highway
Chiangmai-Lampnag Road,
Chang Puek, Chiang Mai 50300
From: 1,300 THB
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Novotel Chiang Mai
183 Chang Puek Road,
Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
From: 2,700 THB
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Diamond Riverside Hotel
33/10 Charoen Prathet Road,
Chiang Mai 50100
From: 1,200 THB
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Sheraton Chiang Mai Hotel
318/1 Chaingmai-Lumphun Road,
Tumbol Watkate, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50000
From: 3,900 THB
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The Lanna View Hotel & Resort
1 Soi Lanna Hospital,
Chiangmai-Lampang Road,
Parton, Chiang Mai 50300
From: 950 THB
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Lanna Resort
1 Moo 4 Banpong,
Hangdong-Samerng Road,
Chiang Mai 50230
From: 1,100 THB
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Suan Bua Hotel & Resort
158 Moo 3, Hangdong-Samerng Road,
Hangdong, Chiang Mai 50230
from: 1,300 THB
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Holiday Garden Hotel
16/16 Huay Kaew Road, Muang,
Chaing Mai 50300
From: 900 THB
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Chiangmai Hills 2000 Hotel
18 Huay Kaew Road,
Chiang Mai 50200
From: 1,000 THB
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Amari Rincome Hotel
301 Huay Kaew Road,
Chiang Mai 50100
From: 3,150 THB
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Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
111 Moo 4, Mae Rim,
Chiang Mai
From: 1,300 THB
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Mae-Rim Lagoon Hotel
65/1 Moo 6, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Rd., Chiang Mai 50180
From: 1,600 THB
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The Paradise Spa Resort & Restaurant
43/1 Moo 6, Tambol Mae Ram,
Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
From: 2,050 THB
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The Riverview Point Hotel-Resort
85/1 Wongwaen Road, T. Donkaew,
A. Maerim, Chiang Mai
From: 2,350 THB
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Sukantara Cascade Resort
12/2 M.8, T. Maeram,
A. Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
From: 7,450 THB
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Down Town Inn
172/1-11 Loy Kroh Road,
Anusarn Night Market,
Chiang Mai 50000
From: 1,110 THB
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S.K. House Chiang Mai
30 Moon Muang Road Soi 9,
Chiang Mai 50200
From: 600 THB
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Royal Princess Chiang Mai
112 Chang Klan Road,
Muang, Chiang Mai 50100
From: 2,000 THB
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Tamarind Village
50/1 Rajdamnoen Road, Sri Phom,
Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
From: 2,200 THB
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Star Hotel
36 Soi 4, Loy Kroh Road,
Muang, Chiang Mai 50100
From: 850 THB
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Northern Heritage Resort & Spa
14 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Golf Club,
San Kamphaeng, Banthi Rd.,
Chiang Mai 50130
From: 1,900 THB
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Imperial Mae Ping Hotel
153 Sridonchai Road, Muang,
Chiang Mai 50100
From: 2,250 THB
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Chiangmai Suandok Kaew Hotel
8/1 Soi 1 Suthep Road,
Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
From: 650 THB
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Chiang Rai

Rimkok Resort Hotel
6 Moo 4 Chiangrai - Thaton Road
Rimkok District, Chiang Rai 57100
From: 1,200 THB
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Imperial Golden Triangle Resort
222 Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen,
Chiang Rai 57150
From: 2,600 THB
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Golden Triangle Paradise Resort
235 Moo 1, Chiang Saen-Maesai Rd., Golden Triangle Chiang Saen,
Chiang Rai 57150
From: 2,000 THB
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Dusit Island Resort
1129 Kraisorasit Road, Muang,
Chiang Rai 57000
From: 2,500 THB
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Phu Chaisai Moutain Resort & Spa
388 Moo 4, Ban Mae Salong Nai,
Mae Chan, Chiang Rai 57110
From: 3,550 THB
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Suanthip Vana Resort
49 Chiangmai-Chiangrai Road,
Mae Suay, Chiang Rai 57180
From: 4,000 THB
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Golden Pine Resort
291 Moo 4, T. Nanglae,
A. Muang, Chiang Rai 57100
From: 2,650 THB
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Little Duck Hotel
199 Phaholyothin Road, Sansai,
Muang, Chaing Rai 57000
From: 1,100 THB
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Wiang Inn Hotel
893 Paholyothin Road,
Chiangrai 57000
From: 1,300 THB
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Wangcome Hotel
869/90 Pemawibhata Road,
Chiang Rai 57000
From: 1,150 THB
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