Chiang Mai and the North – The Practical Guide

Travel guide · 2026-2027 edition

Golden temples, misty mountains and night markets: Northern Thailand without the stress.

Chiang Mai and the North – The Practical Guide is the up-to-date, practical guide to the former capital of the Lanna kingdom and the mountains around it: temples, markets, northern food, elephants, Pai and Chiang Rai, with prices in baht, opening hours and the traps to avoid.

Planning and arriving: seasons and the burning season, visa and TDAC, budget, plane, night train or bus from Bangkok.
Getting around: red songthaews, Grab and Bolt, scooters, car hire.
Chiang Mai: the Old City, Nimman, the Ping River, the great temples, Doi Suthep, markets and Walking Streets, northern food.
The North: elephants and nature, Doi Inthanon, Chiang Dao, Pai, the Mae Hong Son Loop, Chiang Rai, the White Temple and the Golden Triangle.
Festivals and practicalities: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, going out, etiquette, safety and itineraries from 3 to 10 days.

Included: 4 maps (the North, Chiang Mai and around, the Old City, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle), a Thai phrasebook and a practical directory (emergencies, hospitals, consulates, immigration).

English edition · PDF ebook: €3.00 · instant download

Out now: the English edition is available as a PDF ebook for €3.00. Buy the English ebook → More guides in the series: Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin – The Practical Guide.

Want a free taste? Read the articles in my Thailand Notebook: visas, transport, scams, food, beaches and itineraries.