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Chiang Mai, located in the north of Thailand, is known for being the world capital of digital nomads. But… What is a digital nomad? Someone who has the luxury to work from anywhere in the world, as long as the person has a laptop and an internet connection. Among other jobs, digitial nomads are developers, graphic designer, writers… They work for clients they never meet in person. Everything happens online. Anyway, I’m about to spend 3 days in Chiang Mai!
Description of Chiang Mai
Those digital nomads can work from home (in the US, in the UK, in France…), or anywhere in the world since as I said, everything happens online and they never meet their clients. So… Where do the digital nomads settle in? In places where the cost of living is lower than in their hometown. You’ll meet many of them in Berlin, Germany, in Medellin, Colombia, or in Ubud, Indonesia. But there’s one city where they’re way more numerous than anywhere else in the world : Chiang Mai, in the north of Thailand!
Indeed, I met a lot of them during my 3 days in Chiang Mai! Most of the digital nomads I met were from the US, the European people I met were mostly travelers. Yeah, there are many Westerners here. I thought Myanmar was invaded by tourists, but it was nothing compared to Thailand. Around me, I could hear French, German, but also English, Spanish, Italian… I understand. Chiang Mai is one of the best cities in the world to be a digital nomad.
Thailand is clearly more developed than Myanmar, and it’s also a lot cheaper! I had a good meal for 30 baht (0.75€) in Chiang Mai! Like Myanmar, they give and take money with their two hands, slightly bowing their head. It’s a form of respect. I ended up doing the same thing during my whole stay in Thailand.
In Thailand, they’re used to see tourists. I’m a regular person again (unlike Myanmar, where they wanted to get a picture with me). It’s a bit paradoxical, there are more travelers but it’s harder to meet people. People come here together, in groups already formed, and the solo travelers like me… end up staying alone. It was a lot easier to talk to travelers in Central Asia, Nepal or in Myanmar.
So here I am, visiting Chiang Mai, enjoyable city and cheap. One of the first thing I noticed : there are 7-Eleven all over the place (we don’t have 7-Eleven in France). Like the UK, they drive on the left side of the road, so you have to be careful, it often changes depending on the country in Southeast Asia. Oh and there are massage parlors everywhere! Not only you’ll see many 7-Eleven and massage parlors, but you’ll also notice all the agencies proposing plenty of activities for travelers : zipline, rafting, thai cooking class, safari, bungee jumping… Chiang Mai is also known for being the city of yoga.
Where to have a drink in Chiang Mai
There are activities but also parties! Chiang Mai is a city with many bars and clubs! Spicy is probably the most popular club. Bubbles is also famous, and Zoe in Yellow also attracts many backpackers. There are black people in Chiang Mai, and unsurprisingly, one evening, we all ended up in the same bar playing hip hop music (Corner Bistro on Fridays). It’s sad to say, but there’s an area filled with hooker bars. For those who are curious, it’s on Loi Kroh Road. You’ll see Westerner guys, in their sixties (sometimes even more!), playing around with young Thai girls in their early twenties…
Things to do in Chiang Mai
Wat Doi Suthep
All right you can go bungee jumping if you want to, you can party all night long if you want to, but there are also tourist attractions. The emblematic place of the city is Wat Doi Suthep, a temple located in the heights in the north of the city. It’s a sacred site for Buddhist Thai, and you’ll see many locals and monks communing with themselves. This temple, built in 1383 “represents” the city.
If the temple is in a good condition, then the city and its inhabitants will be fine. But if it’s damaged, then the city will face problems soon. I strongly recommend you to go early in the morning. The earlier you go, the less crowded it will be. At 10am, it’s already too late, the temple is packed! Officially you have to pay 30 baht (0.75€) to get in. If you use the stairs on the side just before the entrance, then it’s free.
It’s possible to go on a trekking tour from Chiang Mai to at Doi Suthep. Click here for more info.
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh is another Buddhist temple located in the heart of the city. The construction of this temple began in 1345, and it’s still here today! Once again, you’ll see many locals communing with themselves, and also monks.
The Chiang Mai zoo
There’s also a zoo in Chiang Mai. To be really honest with you, initially I’m not much into zoos. Even if animals are usually well treated, I feel like it would always be better if they were living their natural environment. So usually I don’t go to zoos. But it was on the way back from Wat Doi Suthep and I had time… I guess you know what a zoo it is, a place where you see many “exotic” animals. And in this zoo, I saw tigers, lions, rhinos, swans, ewes, monkeys, parrots, kangaroos… As expected there are many families and kids in the zoo. It should take about 3 hours to visit it. The standard ticket costs 150 baht (3.75€). But if you wanna see pandas, you’ll have to pay an extra 100 baht (2.50€). Otherwise there’s an aquarium in the zoo (I didn’t go…). The ticket for the zoo annd the aquarium costs 520 baht (13 euros).
Other things to do in Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai, there are many other temples (like Bangkok!). I also visited Wat Phan On and its gardens, and other temples but I forgot the names. Like anywhere in Southeast Asia, there’s a night market, selling clothes, food… Check it out! I also went to the Thanin market in the north of the city. The vibe is very “local” and the prices sooo cheap (again, I had dinner for 30 baht, less than one euro!). You can see Tha Phae Gate, which was the entrance door of the old city of Chiang Mai. Many bars and US food (Starbucks, McDonald’s…) around the gate. Finally, you can relax at Nong Buak Hard Public Park.
Activities in Chiang Mai
You can go visit Doi Inthanon, a national park outside of Chiang Mai, with a guide. Click here for more info. You can also go to an elephant sanctuary. Needless to say, they’re well treated. Click here for more info. You can go to Chiang Rai to see the white temple. Click here for more info. Finally, you can attend a Thai cooking class. Click here for more info.
I heard a lot about Chiang Mai before getting there, and I couldn’t wait to see what the city looked like. As I said, Chiang Mai is an enjoyable city and I understand why so many digital nomads decide to go there. But I think Chiang Mai is a bit overrated, and I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.
I completely understand why so many people love Chiang Mai : low cost of living, relaxing city, possibility to meet people, many bars and clubs… Honestly, I liked Chiang Mai but I think I heard too often things like “Chiang Mai is the place to be in Southeast Asia!“. It is a city you have to visit, but don’t set too high expectations. If you plan to go there during your stay in Thailand, here’s a 10-day Thailand itinerary! You probably won’t visit Chiang Mai only in the country, so read my complete Thailand travel guide!
How to get to Chiang Mai
If you’re coming from abroad, it’s better to get there by plane. Click here to check the latest flight prices. From Bangkok, there’s a night bus everyday making the trip. The bus ticket costs 600 baht (15 euros), and it’s a 10-hours ride. There are also trains from Bangkok, it’s a 11-hours ride.
I came from Hpa An in Myanmar. Left there at 8:15am, arrived at my hostel in Chiang Mai at 9:30pm (I took several buses and vans). You’ll find the details in my article about Hpa An.
Best time to go to Chiang Mai
Ideally from November to March. From April to June, it’s way too hot. Then it’s the monsoon til October.
How to get around in Chiang Mai
Unlike Bangkok, there’s no subways in Chiang Mai. You can visit some areas by foot but Chiang Mai is still a big city. You can rent a bicycle or a scooter, it’s very useful. From what I remember, I paid 100 baht (2.50€) per day my bicycle. It’s the double for a scooter. There are also tuktuks, always negotiate! Finally there are songthaew (shared taxis) but always ask for the itinerary first.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
There are plenty of options in Chiang Mai! If you’re into hostels, you can stay at Tangmo House. Click here to book your stay. If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel, the Tippanet Hotel is great and the staff is awesome. Click here to book your stay. If you prefer luxury hotels, I suggest you to stay at the Empress Hotel. Click here to book your stay. Otherwise click here to check what are the hotels available in Chiang Mai.
Finally, if you prefer to stay in an apartment, click here to check the apartments available on Airbnb.
Chiang Mai travel tips
- Traveling soon? Check out my travel resources page! This list of travel accessories can also be useful!
- Wanna go to Thailand? Check the visa policy here. Most Western countries can stay up to 30 days without a visa.
- Do not leave home without a travel insurance! Thefts and accidents are frequent in Thailand! Here’s why buy travel insurance!
- Likewise, if you go to Thailand, you’ll have to provide proof of onward travel!
- There are many pickpockets in Thailand, think about getting a money belt
- Want a tailor-made trip to Thailand? Get a free quote here!
- To go to Wat Doi Suthep, you can either rent a scooter, or you can take a songthaew (shared taxi). The songthaew leaves when full but you won’t wait for a long time. I paid 50 baht (1.25€) to go the temple, and 60 baht (1.50€) to go back to the city. It was a 40-minutes ride. Don’t try to go by bike!!! I tried to, but the road is steep and looong… You can’t make it with the shitty bikes you rent in the city 😀
- If you wanna go to Bangkok, there’s a night bus making the trip everyday. You leave Chiang Mai at 8pm, and arrive in Bangkok at 6am. It’s 600 baht (15 euros). I took a bus with tourists only so there’s probably a cheaper bus.
- Always use a VPN when traveling. I use ExpressVPN and I love it! Here’s why use a VPN when traveling.
Nice post! I deeply love Chiang Mai since I spent 4 days there some time ago! We need to come back and discover even more places! TRAVEL AGAIN IS COMING! =)
Even though there are numerous digital nomads there, I love Chiang Mai!