Chiangmai Thailand: The Best Time To Visit And Things To Do

Chiangmai is our 5th stop during our Southeast Asia Trip. Chiangmai, Thailand is our favorite country outside of our homeland. Amongst all the land we visited Thailand is the one that I interest the most and looking forward to attending. My love of history made me so curious to know Thai people. Alternatively, because of how other Filipinos mistakenly see me as a Thailander or even here in America too. Chiangmai, Thailand is in the Northern part and the Northern Capital of Thailand. One of the second most significant cities in the country

Kyle having fun playing our last day in Chiangmai

The boys are pairing.

By now, if you are following my previous articles. You noticed that Our AirAsia flight is always late. We arrived later in the afternoon instead of earlier in the day. One thing, I like about me is I don’t plan an itinerary on our first day and last day of the tour. Because I wanted to relax and make our schedule free so we can do whatever we wanted to do. Read more about Chiangmai Thailand here.

One of the reasons why we wanted to leave very early in Kuala Lumpur is because of the Flower Festival. However, we weren’t able to see it as they move it to the second week of February. Chiangmai celebrates this Festival every first week or second week of February. I wanted to highlight it in case others will love to see this festival too. It’s one of the significant events in Chiangmai, and I find it refreshing to be able to witness it during our visit.

Our Chiangmai Itinerary:

On our first night

• We decided to roam around and eat outside to experienced and try Thai local food. One of the main reason why we made Thailand our priority to visit.
• We walked by foot and made it back to our hotel with no problem. The Public Market which they called the Night Market is clean and has a lot of good cheap sales that is good quality. There are lots of food choices around that is very affordable.

On our second day

• We went to Maesa Elephant Camp; we’re the Elephants are amazing to watch on how they work in their day to day activities. We were happy to witness on how they can draw, play soccer, hula hoops and do many things that humans can do. Seeing them doing some awesome stuff is speechless.
• I loved their Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden when we went not too many people went during our visit. It’s a vast land area many things to see and enjoy. It’s excellent there for a picnic if they allowed visitors to do it.
• We visited one of their temples Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. However, it’s hard to concentrate when you have an 18 months old that loves to roam around and can’t sit still. This temple is one of the sacred places for Thai people. It consists of 309 steps, or you can take a tram.
• When we went down, we visited some of their markets and saw some of their local snacks. There are large varieties of insects, worms and many more that you don’t even know it’s ok to eat it. One of the places we stop by is the Tita Gallery where we stop for snacks and let the kids relax for a bit.
• Then, we did visit the Jade Factory where we bought a couple of pendants and ring made out of jade. You can see many displays from tiny jewelry to house decors. They’ll explain to you how they got to be in business and where the jade originated in Thailand. It’s good to know especially it’s one of their livelihood there.
• Thailand is home for famous Thai silk and has plenty to choose from scarves, men polos, dresses and so much more. If you are interested in buying some you can go to San Kamphaeng road they have a couple of stores there. Shinawatra Thai Silk is one of them, and it was worth our time to passed by there and bought a couple of them.

On our third day

We spent our last day in Chiangmai enjoying our hotel and the surrounding areas.

Keira is amazed by the Elephant art

Elephant giving hug

Why Stay in Rimping Village Boutique?

• We stayed at Rimping Village; it is a Thai Boutique Style but very warm and welcoming. Our room is comfy and have a Thai feel for it.
• The hotel offered an airport picked up so we made sure to get the service and we came to our hotel with no problem.
• They gave us welcomed drinks and snacks and relaxed to our room.
• Check-in was very smooth.
• It is near the neighborhood area of Chiangmai where regular locals live.
• It’s a walking distance to Chiangmai Night Market. If you like to wander around yourself and your family within the city, it is walkable and safe.
• There is a shortcut from Rimping Village to the Public Market, and I’m surprised how near it is.
• I love the ambiance, weather, food, and Thai people. Hahaha, I don’t know, I love everything, Thai.

Chiangmai is called the Rose of the North.

Things to do in Chiangmai with Family:

• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
• Maesa Elephant Camp
• Night Market Tour
• Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
• Chiangmai Zoo
• Chiangmai Night Safari
• Flower Festival
• Songkran Festival
• Loi Krathong Festival
• Yi Peng Festival

When is the best time to visit Chiangmai Thailand?

The best time to visit Chiang Mai is from October to February. The weather can be so hot during April and March. However, any time of year is an excellent time to visit. If you’re the kind of person, who loves to witness the significant events of the place you are attending, here is the list of Chiangmai Festival events.

Chiangmai Festivals:

Songkran Festival

Songkran is a Thai New Year that they celebrate between the 13th and 15th every month of April. The celebration goes up to 3 days, and everyone has their water guns and expect to be splash and be wet. If you don’t want to take part in it, don’t go out for three days so you’ll be safe from being wet. They do have music, and everyone is laughing and dancing along the street. It’s a different tradition, but sure it’s fun to experience especially with Thai people.

Lantern Festival (Loi Krathong and the Yi Peng Festivals)

It’s a lantern festival celebrate every month of November. However, these festivals don’t have exact dates. Because they coincide it with the full moon of the Thai Lunar Calendar, they do celebrate this similar festival time of the year, but they are two different festivals. The Loi Krathong happens to do the total four days straight celebration while the Yi Peng Festival mass only for one day.

• The Loi Krathong Festival– is a festival where they sail down the Ping River. They placed the candles, incense, flowers, and trinkets in banana leaf boats and set on fire. They celebrate this festival to thank the Goddess of water for a good harvest. People also make a wish as they release the lanterns to the river. It is also a time to let go of negative thoughts and ask for forgiveness of your sins.
• The Yi Peng Festival– is where they release the lanterns into the air setting the night sky ablaze. This festival booked so fast, and the ticket can sell out too quickly if you’re very keen to watch the lantern release and attend the mass book early in advance. They start selling tickets on June 1 for the riding club and September 1 for the University location. Ticket price ranges from $100- $300 per person.

Flower Festival

Flower Festival is an annual festival that falls on the first weekend of February at the end of the cold season. A variety of yellow and white chrysanthemums and the damask rose displays. Can only be found in Chiangmai Thailand. They have a reputation for being one of the most abundant plant biodiversity in Southeast Asia.

Keira and Key with the beautiful roses

How to get there?

Chiang Mai is a primary gateway to Northern Thailand that is becoming a popular tourist destination, and its international airport welcomes over 2 million visitors per year, receiving 130 flights a week. The airport has a full range of facilities to offer to its visitors.

There are many flights now going to Chiangmai. They have some international flights from any other nearby countries. You can go direct from Bangkok as well as Singapore, China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, and Kuala Lumpur or do domestic flights from any other cities in Thailand. It is accessible by plane, train, and bus.

Chiangmai Thailand is very cheap and affordable to travel. It is a safe place to visit and very comfortable to walk around. Please don’t forget to leave a comment below and read our other articles. Kuala Lumpur Itinerary and List To Remember