Chiang Mai is located in northern Thailand, 700 kilometers from Bangkok, and is just 310 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by mountains and temples. Chiang Mai has evolved over the last few decades from a tranquil religious town with hundreds of Wats (Buddhist temples) to a bustling city with visitors from all over the world.
This travel guide is specially crafted for digital nomads or first-time remote workers to find all the necessary information about this beautiful destination. In this guide you can find CoWorking spaces, cost of living, and top things to do in the city.
Chiang Mai is known for its spiritual and cultural life, and if you enjoy stunning Buddhist temples and ancient gardens, you've come to the right place.
1. Discover the old city
The Old City is densely filled with antique structures! Its streets are alive with the spirit of antiquity, making it a living museum. Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Phan Tao are among the temples that contribute to the center's originality.
2. Visit the Elephant Nature Park
Are you and your travel companions animal lovers? You will have to head to Chiang Mai’s Elephant Nature Park, as it is sure to be an unforgettable experience. This elephant nature park has turned into the world's largest and most respected elephant sanctuaries and a safe haven for rescued elephants who are elderly, previously abused, or injured.
Visitors are free to wander the park, bathe and feed the elephants. All proceeds from admission go towards feeding the elephants and maintaining the park. Talk about a feel-good experience.
3. Visit Doi Inthanon National Park
The tallest peak in Thailand is found in Doi Inthanon National Park. Doi Inthanon is home to more bird species than anywhere else in Thailand, with a land area of 48,240 hectares. The highest point of the mountain is 2565 meters high.
4. Explore the Ruins Of Wat Chedi Luang
The Emerald Buddha, Thailand's holiest sacred object, used to reside in the temple before it was restored to its current state. The temple was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1545, and when the Burmese conquered Chiang Mai five years later, the shrine was abandoned.
The temple is still in use as a site of worship, and you can observe monks going about their daily duties as well as various Buddha shrines.
5. Get good bargains in the night market
To begin with, night markets are an unavoidable part of life in Thailand. We would recommend tasting a variety of street food in Chiang Mai, as well as distinctive northern delicacies like Khao Soi which has a similar taste to spicy green and red curry.
Visit The Long Neck Karen Tribe
The Karen are a tribal group that originated in Myanmar but relocated to Thailand due to political upheaval. They now live in small communities outside of Chiang Mai, one of which is in Mae Rim.
Participate In The Loi Krathong Festival
Chiang Mai celebrates the festival more than any other city in Thailand. A Krathong is a lotus-shaped basket with a candle in the center that is set in the water of the moat that surrounds part of Chiang Mai and permitted to float away to pay devotion to Buddha.
Thousands of lanterns will fill the sky above you at the same time as the Krathongs are released; the entire festival is really remarkable and something you should participate in once in a lifetime.
Be sure to book accommodations in advance as it may get crowded
Chiang Mai Sunday Night Walking Street
Chiang Mai is for travelers who want to take things a little bit slower from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Chiang Mai is noted as the “Rose of the North”, beautiful Buddhist temples, and delicious food. The Sunday Night Walking Street stretches 1 km and is filled with clothing, street food, handcrafted jewelry and goods, shoes, and accessories. You and your Thailand TravelMate need to brush up on your bargaining skills before you go though!
Visit the Chiang Dao cave
Chiang Dao Cav is a cavern that runs for many kilometers into the mountain. Despite this, only a limited portion of the complex can be explored. Electric lights illuminate two of the caverns, Tham Phra Nawn and Tham Seua Dao, but the top tunnels are pitch-black and require local lantern-carrying guides to lead the way.
These caverns have some magnificent limestone formations as well as Buddhist sanctuaries.
Bo Sang Handicraft center
The Bo Sang Handicrafts Centre is a small handicrafts village located about 9 kilometers east of Chiang Mai's Old City. Paper umbrellas are the village's specialty. Bor Sang has become linked with the paper-umbrella craft and the umbrella itself.
if you're wondering why Chiang Mai and other Thai cities are so popular with ex-pats and digital nomads in general. It all boils down to a low cost of living combined with a fantastic culture and delicious cuisine. These three elements alone help to explain why so many nomads and retired individuals choose to stay in Thailand for many years.
Below is the cost of living in Chiang Mai you would need to take note off before starting your next adventure.
it may be a tad bit intimidating to hail for public transport in Southeast Asia - in Thailand, there are several ways to get around Chiang Mai, including songthaews, tuk-tuks, and rented vehicles. The northern city also has an airport and a train station.
Songthaews
Songthaews or commonly known as a modified pickup truck with two benches in the back are one of Chiang Mai's most popular ways of transportation. A songthaew is more likely to operate as a shared cab. You can stop one and inquire about the fare before stepping in.
Bus
You can find a lot of buses and minivans in most areas of Chiang Mai, a good tip is to be wary and ask the locals what the routes for this transportation are changed every now and then.
Tuk-Tuks
Tuk-tuks are very common around the Tha Pae Gate area and key tourist attractions, and they will frequently beep and slow down as they pass to check if you want a ride. As usual, ask about the price and try to negotiate with the Tuk-Tuk drivers before onboarding.
Motorbike taxis
They are a more efficient mode of transportation during rush hour and on congested highways. Be sure to wear a helmet to avoid any unwanted casualties.
Rented vehicles
Renting a private vehicle such as a car or a motorbike would e a great alternative to explore the nooks and crannies of Chiang Mai, as well as their hidden gems. If you plan on staying in the area for a longer period of time, you will often get a better deal by arranging a weekly (or monthly) stay rather than paying the daily fee. To rent a vehicle, you must have the necessary license and insurance.
Chiang Mai is regarded as a hub for digital nomads. You can definitely interact with established networks of digital nomads and ex-pats, and there are numerous CoWorking spaces catering to both local and international remote workers.
Yellow CoWorking Space
One of the nicest features of their café is that they serve delicious coffee and snacks, ensuring that you will not go hungry or run out of energy even after a long day. This CoWorking space is also located in the heart of Nimmam - which is famous for trendy bars and popular restaurants.
Punspace Wiang Kew
The CoWorking space's gorgeous yard is one of its best features. It has a large courtyard with equally large and shady trees. Whether you're getting ready to work or taking a break, you may unwind and enjoy the greens.
The Hub
The Hub Chiang Mai is a CoWorking space dedicated to community, sustainability, and experiential learning. The difference between The Hub Chiang Mai and most other CoWorking spaces is that The Hub truly lives up to its sustainability objectives.
Toke Platter Khan
Khan toke is a Lanna dining experience, not just a single dish. The khan toke, which is served on a low teak tray that also serves as a table, includes a variety of northern-style side dishes and a basket of sticky rice.
Sai oua
Sai oua is a spicy appetizer made from ground pork, dried chilies, garlic, shallots, and a variety of strong herbs and spices.
Khao Soi
Crispy and soft egg noodles in a creamy, curry-like sauce prepared with coconut milk is a Chiang Mai staple.
Nam hgeow kanom jeen
The kanom jeen is cooked in a pig-soybean curry (nam ngeow) and served with fresh vegetables, kaeb moo (crispy pork skin), dried bird's eye chilies, and a variety of local condiments in this traditional northern cuisine.
Larb Kua
Northern Thai cuisine's Larb Kua Larb contains more spices than the northeastern variant. Meat from beef, fish, pork, or poultry is cut up with blood pieces and intestines, then stirred quickly in hot heating oil.
Connect and expand your network
Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai, has large groups and meetups where you may expand your network.
Learn Thai
In Thailand, English is not widely spoken. You don't have to be fluent in Thai to start a conversation, but knowing a few phrases can help.
Budget wisely
While Chiang Mai is not expensive, those daily coffees can add up pretty quickly. Be sure to budget properly.
Avoid airport taxis
Do not be fooled by the taxi service at the airport. It is expensive. Book one on Grab or wait for Song Taew.
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