Temple Explorers
With more than 300 temples in and around Chiang Mai, the only problem you'll have is picking which ones you want to go see.

Foodies
Any trip to Thailand will satisfy the inner food-lover in you, but Chiang Mai's distinctive spicy flavors and exciting blend of cultures offer a special burst of flavor.

By Bicycle
Chiang Mai is small enough to be easily accessible by bicycle; even sights on the outskirts are close enough to get to this way. If you don't mind a little traffic, bicycling is an excellent way to explore the city.

By Songtaew
Red pickup trucks (songtaews) cover transportation around the city, with no fixed routes or stopping points. Don't let the drivers charge you a large fee, and always settle the fare before you get in. Your fare will be a little more, however, if the driver has to go out of his way to get you to your destination.

By Tuk-Tuk
Tuk-Tuks are the next best option to the songtaew. Fares for Tuk-Tuk rides are negotiable, but you'll have to bargain hard for a good price. It's always a good idea to write down the agreed-upon rate on a piece of scrap paper so there isn't an argument later if the driver changes his mind.

Chiang Mai, as in any place in Thailand, offers a wide selection of delicacies and specialties to please even the pickiest of eaters. Some of the restaurants in Chiang Mai even rival those in Bangkok, but offer a better price. The Old City and Night Markets offer a wild blend of northern ambiance and distinctively spicy cuisine.

Check out a few of these exciting restaurants:

Nightlife
Nightlife in Chiang Mai offers a wide variety of activities and entertainment options. For younger tourists, the Nimmanheimin Road area is a popular hotspot. For a laid-back evening, seek out one of the many reggae bars to enjoy mellow beats, cheap beer, and cushion-littered floors. Other options include a wide variety of bars, pubs, and nightclubs you can frequent no matter what your budget happens to be. But no matter where you go in Chiang Mai, the live music venues monopolize the city's night scene.

Other nightlife entertainment options to check out are:

Check out the factories of Chiang Mai for popular items, such as: brass ware, rosewood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, paper umbrellas, and lacquer ware. Must-see shops in Chiang Mai are spread throughout the city and sell exquisite hill tribe handicrafts.

Don't miss the Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road, which features stalls filled with every souvenir or antique you could hope for. A kind of open-air department store, the Night Bazzar offers travelers a chance to experience the beauties of bargaining. For a real bargain, start your shopping early in the day, since many vendors believe that the first and last customers of each day bring good luck.

Please check customs regulations regarding all purchases from Thailand before leaving.

The Flower Festival
Early February. Known as the "Rose of the North," Chiang Mai celebrates the annual blooming of its flowers with parades of floats covered in flowers, beauty pageants, and live entertainment. An event not to miss, the Flower Festival's real focus is the public garden of Suan Buak Haad, where vendors selling all types of plants, flowers, and garden decorations offer a beautiful shopping opportunity.

The Songkran Water Festival
Mid-April. The traditional Northern New Year celebration wouldn't be complete without the biggest water fight you've ever seen. While modern Thais and tourists alike roam the streets soaking each other in celebration, it is also a traditional time to visit family, friends, neighbors, and monks. In Chiang Mai, especially, Buddha images are paraded on decorated floats through the city streets so people can throw water on them for a ritual "bathing." People may also carry handfuls of sand to the monasteries to give back any dirt they may have carried away during the year; the sand is sculpted into mound-like piles (resembling stupas) and decorated with colorful flags.

While it is polite to not soak the few people rushing to work, it is definitely not okay to throw water at monks. Also be aware that the water throwing starts mid-morning and must stop at dusk, as it is disrespectful to throw water in the dark.

Yi Peng Festival
Usually November. A celebration for Northernern Thai, the festival is famous for lighting up the night sky with floating lanterns. The Yi Peng Festival is often confused with the Loy Krathong Festival, as the 2 festivals often overlap. Ceremonies begin with the monks chanting and engaging in prayer at the Lanna Dhutanka temple, and move on to lighting lanterns made out of rice paper in order to release them into the skies.

Loy Krathong
Usually November. Called the "Festival of Light," Loy Karthong is particularly popular in Chiang Mai. The festival is celebrated by floating Krathongs (small, elaborately decorated rafts) on nearby waterways. Other forms of entertainment, such as traditional Lanna songs and dance routines, as well as raft races, are also available for everyone to enjoy. Considered a cleansing tradition that symbolizes the opportunity for a fresh start to life, Loy Krathong is ultimately a celebration to welcome the spirits of good, joyful, and happy fun.

Free Activities
Not having a lot of money to spend isn't a problem in Chiang Mai, since there are a lot of fun things to do for free. Visit the flower market, wander around temples, and marvel at historic sites and monuments.

Elephant Attractions
Don't miss visiting the local elephant farms and nature parks. For hands-on experiences visit the Patara Elephant Farm, where you can be an "Elephant Owner for a Day." At the Elephant Nature Park sanctuary, observe how rescue and conservation have helped the resident elephants, as well as the rescued cats and dogs peacefully residing with their large friends.

Temples
When visiting temples in Thailand, remember that they are active places of worship and the locals expect them to be treated as such. Dress conservatively—a woman's knees and shoulders cannot show in a temple. Some temples have photography restrictions; please inquire before snapping those perfect shots. Proper temple etiquette dictates that you remove your shoes when entering a place of worship.

Monks
Monks are very respected in Thailand, especially seniors. Your feet should never touch a monk. Women cannot touch monks; if females need to pass something to a monk, they must pass it to another male (not a monk), or place it down for the monk to pick up himself.

Etiquette
Etiquette in Thailand is very different than etiquette in the West, it would be a good idea to do a little researching before you leave for tips on how to behave and react in certain situations (foot etiquette, proper respect for the king, movie theater requirements, how to hail a taxi, temple behavior and rules, etc.).

Good to Know