Lucie Grace

Classical music, poetry and cosmic grooves – who even are we this weekend? Proving there’s more to Chiang Mai’s music scene than jazz and hardcore punk (though you know we love a good thrash), MuseArt are back in town with a top tier recital of chamber music, while The Cocoon are seeing their last weeks out on a high with live performances and DJ sets to soothe your soul between sauna and pool dips. If you’re jonesing for some creative expression, the lovelies at Attika Studio are hosting a poetry night in their cosy cafe and event space, join them to read your work or click along in appreciation while others bear their soul. And our playful warriors Retro Recess are hosting a field trip to Grand Canyon Water Park – you know you’ve always wanted to go and plummet into those inflatable slides.

With over 300 temples in and around Chiang Mai, approximately 75 of which are inside the mighty walls of the old city, you could be forgiven for feeling totally overwhelmed by choice and confused as to where to start. Heading to a temple is all part of the Chiang Mai experience, whether you’re on holiday or based here. As a devoutly Buddhist city, everyday life almost certainly involves a temple – either religiously or communally – and big annual holidays like Songkran and Loy Krathong only add to the excitement. To help you decide which temples are worth sweating for – and introduce a few lesser-known favourites along the way – we've selected the five temples we think stand above the rest in Chiang Mai, based on how impressive, moving, historical or nature rich they are. So if you only have time to visit a handful of the city's ‘wats’, we'd make sure these top your list.

Young mums, new mums, mums of adults, mothers of communities – we see you all. It is your day. And if you've got any of these wonder women in your life, it’s time to show them some appreciation as mother’s day is upon us.  Chiang Mai is packed full of foodie treats, decadent spas and cultural days out, not to mention the day trips a short ride away, so we are not short of ways to treat her to a memorable Mother’s day. If anything there’s too much to choose from, so we’ve narrowed it down for you with five options of things to do on this upcoming national holiday that will guarantee happy moms / mums / mothers.  

Thailand is one of the best places for second-hand thrift shopping in Asia, with vintage shop owners from around the world coming to the Kingdom to buy suitcase loads of stock for their stores back in Europe, Australia and beyond. Which is savvy in a way – high-end vintage pieces by big names your grandparents would have fawned over are significantly more affordable here than overseas, especially if you’re an experienced collector and know what you’re looking for. On the cheap and cheerful side, container loads of secondhand essentials are shipped into Thailand on the daily, so we are undoubtedly a prime destination to hit up when in need of a wardrobe overhaul.  Bangkok’s huge scene gets a lot of footfall but do not sleep on Chiang Mai’s vintage micro industry. Over the years it’s blossomed into a hub that rivals the capital, thanks to the creative community that calls CNX home and a growing appetite for more sustainability minded secondhand buys over icky fast fashion.  It’s as if wherever you look, there’s vintage shops in every corner of the city. Places where you can find anything from carefully curated designer bits and old-west leather pieces to Y2K havens. The treasure hunt is real and the prices tasty…most of the time. Here’s our favourite spots in the city to give you just a flavour; we’d need a directory to list them all.

One of the great perks of spending any amount of time in Thailand’s northern capital is its close proximity to natural wonder. There are reams of great day trips to plot from Chiang Mai, many of which are less than an hour’s drive away from the city centre. With Songkran around the corner and burning season soon to be over (oh please, may the burning soon be over) – now is a great time to get planning cooler getaways. There’s even rumour that on the hills, the air quality is a little better – but either way planning for now or for once the smog has cleared has never been better timed.  From scenic mountain top cafes, valleys of waterfalls to rolling rice paddies – we’ve got some of Thailand’s favourite destinations on our doorstep – all great places to reconnect with nature in ways that aren’t ostentatiously over done. So get on your bike, catch a bus or hire a driver and work your way through our list of the best day trips from Chiang Mai right now, or for when the smoke clears. 

Burning season is upon us and with rainy season to soon follow, there’s no time like the present to prioritise indoor self care and float around the spas of the city. With spas, saunas, onsen and wellness centres on just about every street of our moderately-sized zen metropolis, narrowing it down was tough – especially when we take into account the cheaper spots. So we’ve done you a favour and gone for a range that spans all budgets. From the homely, local vibes at places like Heart N Soul to the most lux experiences in town at The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, here’s a list of eight of our faves. We also singled out the spas that offer something special or prioritise traditional Lanna practices – given that Chiang Mai was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, there’s a legacy of healing particular to the north, so why not make the most of it? You can get your oil massages anywhere. Tok Sen? That’s a niche to get into up here. Your limbs will thank you.  Pair your planning with seven of the best onsen in Chiang Mai

Hat Yai – the buzzing southern city recently hit by record-breaking floods – is back on its feet. And thanks to a new wave of young creatives determined to rebuild and reimagine it from the ground up, it’s quickly becoming one of Thailand’s most intriguing comeback stories. Thailand kicked off 2026 with record-breaking tourist numbers in the first two weeks of 2026, with Malaysians making the second largest source market for visitors after the Chinese, many crossing the southern border in search of a weekend escape. And instead of flying north to Phuket or Bangkok, more are pulling up in Hat Yai. So, on a recent trip organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, I headed south to see what’s new – and arrived just in time for Chinese New Year, a festival that runs surprisingly deep here. Dazzled by orange, red and electric-blue fireworks, I arrived straight into the action – firecrackers popping at my feet and a huge dancing dragon, powered by 20-odd impossibly nimble teenagers. The show is on a main thoroughfare in downtown Hat Yai, where a lot of links to China can be found, with gorgeous shrines and temples dotted at regular intervals. Photograph: Tourism Authority of Thailand For context: on November 22, the city and surrounding area – including the UNESCO listed, historic city Songkhla – received the highest rainfall it’s ever seen in 300 years of recorded history, driven by La Nina conditions and increasingly volatile climate patterns. But as dragon dancers swirl thr

New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai doesn’t stick to just one script – and that’s why we’re sharing a bit of everything to get you in the mood.    You can do the full movie-style moment under fireworks, lanterns and stage lights, dance your way into 2026 in a sweaty club corner, clink glasses over a long dinner or head for the hills to chant your way into a calmer, more enlightened version of yourself. Either way, Chiang Mai delivers every option for an end-of-year send-off that’s as varied as it is memorable – second only to the Thai New Year just a few months down the line.   From big-ticket countdowns and neighbourhood festivals to lantern-lit rituals and rooftop celebrations, here’s how Chiang Mai is welcoming 2026. Choose wisely. Or don’t. It’s only New Year’s Eve. 

Christmas in Chiang Mai might lack snowflakes and woolly jumpers, but it makes up for the lack of frost with sunshine, cocktails and a calendar bursting with events. Sure, the midday heat is real and Santa has likely swapped his red suit for a Hawaiian shirt, but the city is firmly in festive mode. Get ready for a packed few days of feasting, drinking, dancing and zero excuses to stay home.   You can absolutely do Christmas the classic way – piling plates high at indulgent spreads at Skugga Estate, Anantara or Melia – but that’s just the starting point. Elsewhere, Christmas Eve spills onto rooftops, into tiki bars and across dancefloors, with DJ-led blowouts, jungle parties, fire shows, markets and Chiang Mai-style celebrations that are far more exciting than sitting through another rerun on the sofa.   We say skip the stay-at-home movie marathon and lean into the tropics. Whether it’s refreshing rooftop cocktails, basslines till late, Christmas dinners with a twist or playing bar games into the night, this is December in Thailand – and Chiang Mai is doing it its own way. 

The mighty triangle of Thailand’s front row Muay Thai destinations – Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket – are busier than ever and for women in the sport, it all points north. Long established as a Muay Thai epicentre, Chiang Mai has been racing ahead of late as the frontrunner for female fighters. The north is making waves thanks to its women-led training gyms and vast numbers of local and international girls competing with more regular ‘lady fights’ than anywhere else in the country. We’ve even got the first female commentator of the ONE Championships in town – commuting down to BKK for her suited and booted, mic-wielding role. But how did Chiang Mai come to take centre stage?   Photograph: AKA Two-time World Muay Thai Council champion Teresa Wintermyr remembers visiting the north in 2007 and training in Pai for a month before having her first Chiang Mai fight. ‘Back then it was not common for women to fight at all. There were fight events almost every day and there'd be maybe one female fight every two weeks,’ she recollects, beaming. ‘I didn't mean for it to become a career, I just kept doing it.’ After gaining an impressive collection of belts and trophies she opened Sedthee Fight Club with her partner Sedthee Erawan (also a champion fighter). In the midst of a dwindling pandemic, they opened Chiang Mai’s first gym with an English-speaking female trainer. Word got around town that world champion Teresa, who’d been a regular on the fight circuit for over 15 years, was now a

Every mighty metropolis needs an artistic enclave, where for one reason or another, creatives elect to live, work and play. Think Paris’ Southbank, or New York’s Brooklyn in its heyday. Chiang Mai is no different and while we could argue that the whole city is a creative hub, one neighbourhood certainly stands out. Enter: Pong Noi, the leafy green village that stretches between Wat Umong and Wat Pong Noi, winding around the roads (pong noi meaning little curve or bend) in the foothills of our majestic Doi Suthep. It’s an easy going little hamlet that’s generally off the tourist trail, and is inherently calming while having a lot going on – so if you’re looking to spend some time in a part of the city that’s a little more calm and rustic, then explore our Chiang Mai neighbourhood guide to Pong Noi below. What’s Pong Noi known for? These days, when you first hear of Pong Noi, it’s either an invite to a creative workshop, an art event or because pizza is calling. Adirak Pizza has undoubtedly put the ‘hood on the map in the past couple of years and for good reason.  Why do the locals love it? Pong Noi folks will happily spend all week in their neighbourhood as it has everything they could possibly need – great coffee, great food, loads of entertainment and nature in extremely close proximity, if not their back garden. How do I get to the area? Pong Noi is the furthest west point of Suthep, wedged between Canal Road and the mountain. It’s just a 10-minute motorbike ride west of th

Is there anything better than Halloween on a Friday? Things might be a bit more muted this year, but the ghouls are still ghouling. From live music to murder mysteries, free ice cream (yes, you heard us) to pumpkin carving and soulful Day of the Dead celebrations to boot – Chiang Mai’s got Halloween on lock this year. The only truly scary part is deciding where to go. 

Art, sausages, craft beer, mystery and techno collide for the second edition of Impressions, an eclectic night celebrating creativity in its many forms. Brook Falls Deli kicks things off with a tasting of its handcrafted artisan sausages, while Smiling Mad Dog pours a selection of independent craft beers. On the art front, contemporary sculptor Kittichai Pinchai presents works inspired by Lanna heritage, appropriation and impermanence, before an unannounced secret performance adds a little mystery to proceedings. Then, from 10pm, German DJ André Pillar takes over with a high-energy techno set that keeps things moving late into the night. August 22. Free. 828 Alleyway. 7pm-midnight

Bug lovers, this one's for you. Jing Jai Market is going wild for the weekend with Insects: Nature’s Art Exhibition, a two-day celebration of some of nature’s smallest (and strangest) creations. Siam Insect Zoo Chiang Mai will be bringing along a collection of preserved specimens as well as live insects for proper up-close encounters. There’s plenty for bug hunters too, with hands-on workshops including spinning-top painting, making your own chirping cicada, and decorating insect keychains and tote bags. You can also take home suitably creepy-crawly souvenirs, from insect LEGO sets and vocabulary cards to kids’ activity sets and keychains. Educational? Yes. Slightly creepy? Probably. A fun weekend outing? Absolutely. August 22-23. Free. Jing Jai Market Chiang Mai. 8am-3pm

Over in Spain, the yearly tomato throwing festival is gearing up for another Songkran-style food fight, so it only makes sense that we have something on this side of the world to recognise it – although (sadly, for some) there’s much less throwing and much more eating. Head over to the city’s Spanish-forward Meliá hotel for a night of authentic Spanish specialties, favourites like seafood paella and many classic drinks at this buffet dinner take over of the hotel’s Laan Na Kitchen. Tomato fight, not so much. Tomato feast, absolutely. August 21. B1,099 per person. Reserve by email laannakitchen@meliachiangmai.com. Meliá Chiang Mai. 6pm-10pm  

The rumours are true, one of the stalwarts of Chiang Mai’s sauna scene will be closing at the end of September (but hopefully setting up shop in a new spot – watch this space), so if you’ve been meaning to get along to one of their poolside sauna parties the time is now! Their upgraded sound system will be graced with two of Chiang Mai's musicians; amazing Anna Nantawan will sing and DJ, while Sakiku Sax will provide extra layers of colour on his saxophone. Post live performances expect a line-up of top DJs spinning grooves to chill to or have a little boogie to, and as always Cocoon kitchen will be serving their healthy hearty fare.  August 22. From B400. The Cocoon, Hang Dong. 2pm-10pm

Always fancied a day out at the local waterpark but don’t have any kids to take with you? Fear ye not, this weekend the gang at Retro Recess, who are dedicated to play as a way of life, are running one of their Out to Play Field Trips to CNX’s mega splash gaff Grand Canyon Water Park. With the MO of reconnecting us with wonder, they're inviting you to spend the day at one of Northern Thailand's most exciting water parks, where giant inflatables, crystal-blue water and endless opportunities for fun invite us to let go, laugh louder and remember what it feels like to park all inhibitions and play. August 22. B1,200 water park entry, free for those out of the water. Grand Canyon Water Park. 10am-6pm

Proving that Chiang Mai’s music scene is more than just punk and jazz, the good folks at MuseArt are back with another blinding recital planned for us this weekend. They’ve programmed a concert of expressive chamber music, spanning the French Romantic tradition, featuring the lyrical brilliance of Clara Schumann, the timeless beauty of Massenet's Méditation, and the passionate rhythms of Piazzolla's The Seasons. These pieces will be performed by three three distinguished musicians; violinist Anna Maria Olsson, cellist Guntiga Comenaphatt and pianist Jonas Dept who’ll be playing what promises to be a captivating journey through contrasting musical styles in the elegant setting of The Shangri-La hotel. Arrive at 5.30pm for pre-concert drink and canapés as the performance begins at 6.15pm sharp. No Thai time! August 21. B1,500. The Shangri-La Chiang Mai. Tickets via Ticketmelon. 5.30pm-late

Join Attika Studio’s open evening for poets, spoken-word artists, musicians and storytellers, whether as an audience member or to get involved – if you’ve got something you’re burning to share, this is your time. Either way, grab a drink and listen along with your host Axel Jordan, a poet originally from New York City and author of Love Notes and Healing (of) Hearts. The gang have concocted a special cocktail for the occasion: the aptly named Tipsy Poet. Sounds like a prediction. August 21. For free entry click here. Attika Studio, Thapae Road. 5.30pm-7pm

What is it? An overlooked treasure and make no mistake, Wat Chet Yot (or Wat Jed Yod depending on how it's translated) is a 15th century rarity and often missed on the tourist trail. This Lanna Kingdom era temple is an architectural homage to the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, where Buddha attained enlightenment. Its distinctive seven spired chedi and detailed stucco carvings are practically identical to structures at the Indian counterpart.  Why we love it:  Aside from being a looker, the temple is another important pilgrimage site; the Eighth World Buddhist Council was held here in 1477, properly reinforcing Theravada Buddhism in northern Thailand. Time Out tip: Get your offerings from the row of stores outside the complex and make merit the proper way. Incense, flowers and all.  90 Chang Phueak. Free. 6am-6pm

What is it? As northern Thailand's most important Buddhist pilgrimage site, it’s no surprise that Wat Phra That Doi Suthep happens to be perched up on the slopes of Doi Suthep, overlooking the city. Founded in the 14th century, the temple houses a sacred relic of the Buddha so devout visitors have been making the climb for centuries. These days you can drive to the top, although the last leg is a satisfying ordeal, with a 306-step naga staircase leading right up to the dazzlingly bright, gold covered chedi.  Why we love it:  Besides the legend behind how its location was chosen – the then royalty put relics on the back of a white elephant that walked to the top, trumpeted three times and promptly died – the temples boasts incredible views, fantastic architecture and very real pilgrims aplenty. Did you even see Chiang Mai if you didn’t visit Wat Doi Suthep? Time Out tip: Make sure to pay the resident monks a visit, who tend to sit in the wings of the temple ready to give blessings and tie prayer bands around your wrists. Suthep, Chiang Mai. B30. 5am-9pm

What is it? Once the tallest structure in the ancient Lanna Kingdom – a Chiang Mai pyramid if you will – Wat Chedi Luang is one of the city's most important temples, dating back to the 14th century. Although its once massive red brick stupa collapsed in an earthquake in 1545, the temple is no less jaw dropping and is also home to Chiang Mai’s city pillar, a shrine believed to protect the city's spiritual health and prosperity. Go and pay your respects. Why we love it:  Chedi Luang is also a great place to learn about the region's history. The temple was also home to the Emerald Buddha for a time (it’s now in Bangkok) and its size and scale really demonstrates the religious devotion of the medieval Lanna kings. Time Out tip: It does cost B50 to get in, although sometimes you can slip through the back gate. Visit in the evening to see the Bat-signal-esque searchlights swooping up over the huge stupa. 103 Prapokklao Road, Old City. B50 entry. 5am-10.30pm

What is it? Another leafy temple, this time in the foothills of Suthep. Wat Umong is as old as Chiang Mai itself, founded just one year after the city in 1297. The serene complex is rarely busy and is mega peaceful to explore. The most impressive feature is its network of subterranean brick meditation tunnels built beneath a small hill.  Why we love it:  Its calm atmosphere makes it a popular place for learning about the city's Buddhist tradition; the temple remains an active place of worship and is home to Wat Umong Suan Buddhadhamma, a residential meditation centre that charges just B250 a night. It’s also just a great place for a stroll. Buddhist philosophy in Thai and English hang listfully off the trees, while the tunnels make a great place to lose phone signal and contemplate things in peace. There’s also a large pond that’s home to hundreds of cared-for people-loving pigeons, which you can hand feed.  Time Out tip: After saying your prayers or taking your pics, pop along to see the wild deer grazing next door at the Choeng Doi Suthep Wildlife Conservation Park which joins the south of the temple grounds. 135 Soi Wat Umong, Suthep. Free. 4am-8pm

What is it? Is this the best temple in Thailand? We think so. Shrouded by trees in the forested Suthep mountainside, Wat Pha Lat was originally used as a resting place for monks travelling all the way up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. A prayer hall, stupa and pavilion surrounded by trees, streams and stone pathways; this temple is quite literally lush and an idyllic place for reflection. Or just taking in the city below.  Why we love it:  It’s not just the temple itself that’s impressive. The best way to reach the temple is by walking the Monk's Trail, an easy forest path that begins near Chiang Mai University and takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how speedy your hiking pace is. At times, it does close (especially after exceptionally heavy rain), but usually the path is open and actively used by monks and visitors almost every day. The fact that the trail is as old as the temple invokes some serious history vibes, while the temple itself wouldn’t look out of place in a hidden relic documentary.  Time Out tip: With all temples, appropriate clothing and behaviour is a must here. There’s been a few cases of influencers acting up here, so don’t be that. And if you ask the monks nicely, you can join their sunset chanting.  101 Sriwichai Alley (access halfway up Doi Suthep by road, or behind the university via Monk’s Trail). Free, 6am-5.30pm

This week the chaps and chapesses at the local municipality turned their sights to an old favourite corner of the city, Chang Moi, turning out en force to announce a new scheme to revive one of the city’s few remaining canals. Following the successful regeneration of the southeastern stretch of Mae Kha Canal – cementing its spot on the tourist trail a few years ago, seeing cafes and bars opening along the (now) flowerbed lined stretch – similar hopes are pinned on the quiet back alleys and paths of the waterway’s Chang Moi hood, but using an altogether different approach: street art. Sure, the idea’s not a new one. Bangkok’s Ong Ang canal makes use of street art in drawing a crowd, so why not try it here as well.  Lucie Grace - Time OutPhotograph: Lucie Grace - Time Out To get the project underway, Chiang Mai’s most established street artists, designers and art students are all invited to apply to paint their work on the walls that run alongside the canal. And in case you were wondering, yes, the area has been designated an ‘official street art zone.’  The goal is to regenerate the Chang Moi Road while giving a fab opportunity for local artists to showcase their work, making space for exchange and learning between artists, the community and tourists.  The local government says ‘this collaboration will help propel Chang Moi Road back into a Chiang Mai art landmark – a unique street art hub reflecting the city's charm and a key destination for both Thai and international tour

Rolling nine years strong, Pai Jazz & Blues Festival is back with an absolutely packed line up this weekend, June 3-5.  A major highlight of green season in the north, the musical fest takes over the stages and mixing desks across Pai’s town centre – changing the soundtrack from sleepy hippy hangout to an international, multi-venue jazz affair.  Jazz of all shapes and sizes is humming from street corners, for three full days and nights packed with talent from Thailand and beyond. But fear not, it’s still the same small scale, intimate event it ever was – and that’s just how Pai likes it.  And perhaps most excitingly, drum roll please, this year admission to the Official Main Venue, Jazz Up (formerly known as the Jazz House) is completely free with no tickets required, making it easier than ever for us to enjoy top-drawer live music in the heart of Pai. Pai Jazz & Blues FestivalPhotograph: Pai Jazz & Blues Festival Pai Jazz & Blues Festival 2026 From July 3-5, Jazz Up – handily located just minutes from Pai Walking Street – will host five live shows a day, with jazz, blues and more performed from 4.15pm to 10.30pm every evening. Beyond the main shows, the festival continues its signature bar hopping experience with a solid network of partner venues across town, including Pai Coffee Studio, Cafecito, Janym Pai, The Bottle & Cat's Whiskers, Limoncello Pai, The Blue Ox, Silhouette by Reverie Siam, Vinyl Sky Lounge and Supermoon Pai. With so much going on, we’re wondering where

Earlier this month, an Etihad Airways flight glided onto the runway at Chiang Mai International Airport for the very first time – marking a massive moment for the city’s global connectivity. And, as you’d expect, they did it with a bang.  From November 4 2025, the Abu Dhabi-based airline has officially become the first and only carrier linking Chiang Mai directly with the Middle East. This means that for anyone heading west to Europe and beyond, gone are the days of the arduous Bangkok stopover – as long as you can afford the privilege.  To celebrate the news, Etihad Airways sent their best delegates to Chiang Mai where they launched the inaugural flight. The event was one of the biggest I’ve ever seen in Chiang Mai. Every hotel manager, dignitary, politician and influencer were there – and since then the news has been the talk of the town.  Bosang umbrella painting, cocktails and canapes aside, the event spotlighted the new route that aims to bring global tourists to Chiang Mai, and more importantly, give Chiang Mai folks a direct link to the Middle East, and beyond.  As part of the launch, Etihad Airways are offering a special two-day stopover in Abu Dhabi before jetsetters fly onwards to Europe or Africa. The Etihad Stopover Programme, booked directly through the Etihad website, includes a complimentary hotel stay for up to two nights for travellers transiting through Abu Dhabi’s sparkly new Zayed International Airport. Did we mention they’re flying Airbuses too?  Photogr

Arriving in a very sleepy Chiang Mai one bright November day in 2021, it was clear to this newcomer that I’d rocked up in a creative city, but perhaps one that was slowly stretching its limbs and coming out of hibernation.  Only a few live music venues had survived 2020, and any thoughts I had of record shopping or spinning were a distant, pre-pandemic memory. DJing and record collecting was something I’d left behind in Europe, surely not on the cards again in the near future. Oh how wrong I was.  Chiang Mai’s vinyl revival is now in full swing with seemingly unstoppable momentum. A vibrant community of devoted wax lovers have launched stores, listening bars, festivals and record labels – each one determined to put the city on the global map as a music destination. Through collaboration and commitment, it seems to be working.  Photograph: Deaf Shop Centrifugal to the scene, Deaf Shop is now a local institution for vinyl lovers. Opening their doors in May 2022, owner Mum Pimolpud came with years of working in Bangkok’s music industry and her partner Laurens Brouwer, DJ and founder of independent label Liquorish Records, came with a colossal record collection. Inspired by a trip to Japan, they decided to open their own listening bar, where customers now pour in for a drink, a dance and the chance to select an LP they want to hear, from the rows of racks that line one side of their venue. It was a brave move in a city that was still finding its feet. ‘No one was waiting for th