Your perfect vacation guide to Chiang Mai

The travel season is here! As tourists flood in, you might wonder where to travel during this prime travel season in Thailand, either to escape the crowds in Bangkok or spend your remaining work vacation with family and friends. You’re reading the right piece if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation. Many (tourists and locals alike) would agree that Chiang Mai is the perfect place to visit at this time of the year since the skies look much clearer and the flooding has subsided.

Chiang Mai’s peak travelling season starts in November and runs till mid-February. This is when the weather is cooler compared to the rest of Thailand. Before you rush to pack your jackets and scarves, I must tell you that Chiang Mai in November is not cool and is slightly more humid than Bangkok.

Nonetheless, it is a good place to visit at this time of the year for its hilly views, cheap shopping experiences, and delicious northern food (particularly Khao Soi). Without further ado, here is your perfect vacation guide for Chiang Mai.

Fly to Chiang Mai on Bangkok Airways

If you’re flying from Bangkok, you can opt to take the Bangkok Airways flight from Suvarnabhumi. The airline has a boutique lounge with free Wi-Fi access, snacks and drinks, and the famous traditional Thai snack—Khao Tom Mat (steamed banana with sticky rice).

After lounging, you can hop on your flight, which takes more than an hour. With Bangkok Airways, your ticket also includes a warm inflight meal with dessert and a drink of your choice to enjoy during your short-haul flight to Chiang Mai Airport.

Enjoy local cuisine at Huen Muan Jai Restaurant

First things first: local food. You can grab a Grab ride to Huen Muan Jai restaurant, a cosy wooden Lanna villa in a garden with Michelin recognition. The restaurant’s name translates to ‘happy home’ and offers a range of authentic Northern dishes in their menu.

You can select from wallet-friendly traditional dishes such as spicy young jackfruit soup to Chiang Mai’s classics such as Khao Soi (coconut curry noodles) and Gaeng Hung Lay (thai pork curry). It’s the perfect intro to Chiang Mai’s food scene and worth the hype!

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Check-in at Meliá Chiang Mai and Spanish Afternoon Tea at Ruen Kaew Lounge

Good locations for a short stay in Chiang Mai would be near the night bazaar street and the riverside district by the Ping River. You can stay at Meliá Chiang Mai to experience the best of both worlds- the urban Lanna-inspired hotel is a few minutes walk from the busy streets and overlooks the beautiful Ping River. After settling into your room, you can treat yourself to a Spanish afternoon tea at Ruen Kaew Lounge on the first floor with a selection of fine teas and freshly brewed coffee.

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Sip sunset cocktails at MAI The Sky Bar

While Chiang Mai has some excellent bars, only a few good rooftop bars exist, especially in the city centre. If you’re staying at Meliá Chiang Mai, you’re in luck! You can just head to MAI The Sky Bar, the city’s highest rooftop bar, to catch the sunset.

Grab a cocktail, enjoy some tapas, and let the evening roll in as you soak in the epic 360-degree views over the Ping River and the mountains. The bartender offers a wide selection of Chiang Mai-inspired cocktails; if you’re feeling adventurous, I recommend you try the Khao Soi cocktail. Mind you, it’s not for the faint-hearted since it tastes exactly like the famous coconut noodle soup.

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Savour a 360° Thai Dinner Experience at Mai Restaurant & Bar

After feeling a bit of a buzz, you can head downstairs to the 21st floor to dine at Mai Restaurant & Bar. The chef combines offers one-of-a-kind dishes highlighting Northern Thai flavours with a modern twist, cooked with sustainable fresh ingredients of Chiang Mai. The must-order main dish is the Pla Salmon Hnam Prik Oung, baked salmon with Northern Thai tomato confit, sautéed gurmar leaves, pickled garlic, and pandan rice.

The dish balances the citrus with the savouriness of the well-cooked pandan rice, creating a well-rounded flavour. It is a wholesome main dish, to say the least. If you’re still down to try other Khao Soi innovations, the Khao Soi Salad with fresh vegetables and tofu complement the main dish.

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Visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is probably one of the most visited spots in Chiang Mai and for a good reason. After 5 PM, you’ll find the Chang Klan Road speckled with vendors selling colourful souvenirs, trinkets, Thai silk, local handmade products and gadgets.

There are also food courts with local street food vendors selling typical Thai foods such as som tum (papaya salad) and pad thai at a small price of 50 baht. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear live music performing the classics by Queen or ABBA.

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Start the day with breakfast at Laan Na Kitchen

A perfect vacation has to include a hearty breakfast. Laan Na Kitchen, the all-day dining venue at Meliá, serves the freshest breakfast buffet, with various local breakfast options and even Spanish and Mediterranean favourites. Aside from the all-time-popular egg station, the noodle station is not to be missed. Yes, you guessed it. It serves delicious brothy Beef Khao Soi noodles from a long-standing local noodle shop.

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Visit Wat U-Mong for a taste of Chiang Mai’s spiritual heritage

Chiang Mai is home to over 300 wats, with one of the oldest being Wat U-Mong, the “Tunnel Temple,” built over 700 years ago. You should visit this temple for its network of underground tunnels adorned with murals and shrines, a striking Lanna-style bell-shaped chedi and the historical Ashoka Pillar. After exploring the underground tunnels, you can take in the serenity next to the tranquil pond, where you can feed the fish and doves for 10 baht.

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Recharge at The Baristro Asian Style Café

Need a caffeine fix? The cafe scene in Chiang Mai has surely bloomed over the past years, and the current buzz amongst the cafe hoppers is the Baristro Asian Style Café. Inspired by the minimalist Japanese cafe concept, the interior features unique materials like mountain stone, cobblestone, and stainless steel for a modern Asian vibe.

For an entrance fee of 80 baht, redeemable for a drink, visitors can access two main zones: Zone 1, a speed bar offering coffee, drinks, and bakery items, and Zone 2, a slow bar specialising in drip coffee and featuring a unique green tea menu. If you roast your coffee at home, don’t miss the shop’s unique selection of beans for a fresh, personalised brew!

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You can end your vacation on a satisfying note by having a relaxing day at a cafe and temple (one of the best of what Chiang Mai offers) after venturing to try unique Khao Soi variations—from the cocktail and salad at Mai Restaurant & Bar to the authentic dish itself! But if it feels too soon to end, why not extend your trip with a stay at INNSiDE by Meliá in Bangkok?

If you’re staying at INNSiDE by Meliá in Bangkok, make sure to check out their festive offerings!