Chiang Mai ( ) is the hub of Northern Thailand. With a population of over 170,000 in the city proper (but more than 1 million in the metropolitan area), it is Thailand's fifth-largest city. Located on a plain at an elevation of 316 m, surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the capital, and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat population, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this "Rose of the North". [edit]Understand Founded in 1296 AD, Chiang Mai is a culturally and historically interesting city, at one time the capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom. Located among the rolling foothills of the Himalayan Mountains 700 km north of Bangkok, it could only be reached by an arduous river journey or an elephant back trip until the 1920s. This isolation helped preserve Chiang Mai's distinctive charm intact to this day. Chiang Mai's historical centre is the walled city (City is chiang in the northern Thai dialect while 'mai' is new, hence Chiang Mai - "New City"). Sections of the wall dating to their restoration a few decades ago remain at the gates and corners, but of the rest only the moat remains. Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 30 temples dating back to the founding of the principality, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine and angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas and pagodas laced with gold filigree. The most famous is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from a mountainside 13 km away. Modern-day Chiang Mai has expanded in all directions, but particularly to the east towards the Ping River (Mae Nam Ping), where Thanon Chang Klan, the famous Night Bazaar and the bulk of Chiang Mai's hotels and guesthouses are located.Loi Kroh Rd is the center of the city's nightlife . The locals say you've not experienced Chiang Mai until you've seen the view from Doi Suthep, eaten a bowl of kao soi, and purchased an umbrella from Bo Sang. Of course this is touristic nonsense, but the Kao Soi, Bo Sang umbrellas and Doi Suthep are important cultural icons for Chiang Mai residents. Ratchadamneon Rd hosts the main Sunday night walking street market from Thapae Gate to the popular Wat Phra Singh. [edit]Climate Chiangmai's northern location and moderate elevation results in the city having a more temperate climate than that of the south. As with the rest of Thailand there are three regarded seasons. A cool season from November to February. A hot season from March to June . A wet season from July to October Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Daily highs (°C) 30 32 35 36 34 32 32 31 31 31 30 28 Nightly lows (°C) 14 15 18 22 23 24 24 23 23 22 19 15 Precipitation (mm) 7 5 13 50 158 132 161 236 228 122 53 20 Check Chiang Mai's 7 day forecast at TMD.go.th [edit]Get in International departure hall at Chiang Mai Airport [edit]By plane Chiang Mai International Airport [1] (CNX) handles both domestic and regional international flights. The route from Bangkok is one of the busiest in the country (Thai Airways flies daily almost every hour, with additional flights in the peak tourist season). Other airlines operating direct services from/to Chiang Mai include: [edit]Domestic . Air Asia [2] - a well-known Asian low-cost airline, flies from/to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi airport) and Phuket. Usually it's a cheapest choice if you book at least a week before, with price tag (as of July 2009) starting from 1400 baht (plus several fees for luggage, food, seat-reservation) from Bangkok and 2000-2500 baht from KL/Phuket; promotional fares may be even cheaper. Their prices can be significantly higher, however, if you book just a few days before, or want a specific day/flight. In 2011, they added flights to Hat Yai and Ubon Ratchathani several times per week. Bangkok Airways [3] - to Ko Samui (flights from Ko Samui are indirect), from/toBangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Sukhothai;. Surprisingly, in many cases Bangkok Airways has the cheapest fares, cheaper than the budget-Airlines, particularly if you book just one day or a few days ahead. Nok Air [4] - Thai (semi-)low-cost carrier, flies from/to Bangkok (Don Mueang airport, from 1400 baht and up) and Mae Hong Son. Starting from 17 January 2010, they also fly from/to Udon Thani, ticket price is 2400 baht. The latter, while still 4 times more expensive than bus, is more than twice cheaper than Lao Airlines' flight to Vientiane, which is easily accessible from Udon Thani. Nok Air only allows bookings of up to 3 months in advance. One-Two-Go [5] (low-cost division of Orient Thai Airlines [6] ) files from/to Bangkok (Don Mueang). They fly 23-26 years old McDonnell Douglas MD-83 jets, but if you are not afraid - it's often a cheapest (1450-1750 baht) option if you book during the last days before flight. One-Two- Go also only allows bookings of up to 3 months in advance. Note: This airline no longer exists, they became solely Orient Thai Airlines due to the aftermath of the 2007 Phuket plane crash which killed 90 people. SGA [7] - Recently renamed 'Nok Mini'. - from/to Chiang Rai (twice daily), Mae Hong Son (once daily), Nan (Daily) and Pai (once daily). Their tickets are booked via Nok Air website. [edit]International . Air Asia flies from/to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore. China Airlines [8] - from/to Taipei, Taiwan . China Eastern Airlines [9] from/to Kunming, Yunnan Province, China . Korean Airlines [10] - Four flights weekly from Seoul/Incheon . Lao Airlines [11] - from/to Luang Prabang in (Laos), from there the flight continues onward to Vientiane . Silk Air [12] - from/to Singapore . Thai Airways [13] - from/to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi airport only, from 2500 baht and up, but sometimes there are promo fares as low as 1500) and Mae Hong Son; in addition, flights from and/or to Phuket & possibly Nan may also be available seasonally. The airport is some 3 km south-west of the city centre, only 10-15 minutes away by car. Legal airport taxis charge a flat 120 baht for up to 5 passengers anywhere in the city; if you take a metered taxi, the fee will start from 40 baht + a 50 baht service fee from the Meter Taxi counter. The taxis operate from the exit at the north end of the terminal - after baggage claim and/or customs, walk into the reception hall and turn left. Alternatively, take bus #4 to the city center for 15 baht, or charter a tuk-tuk or songthaew for 50-60 baht per person. Most hotels and some upmarket guesthouses offer cheap or free pick-up/drop-off services. [edit]By bus [edit]From Bangkok A variety of daily buses leave frequently from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit), offering varying choices of price, comfort and speed. Rattling government buses make frequent stops at every minor township. The journey takes around 12hrs and costs 200 baht. Non-stop 24/32-seaters and 1st class buses provide larger seats and snacks; making the long trip more comfortable. They manage the trip around 9 hours and cost around 500 baht. Be cautious about the so-called "VIP" buses touted on Khao San Rd; they may be cheaper, but you may end up crammed into a 2nd class bus or worse. At Arcade bus station, where you'll arrive, public songthaews stop near the bus station building exit - look for local people getting into those, and ask the driver if he goes to your destination (if songthaew is empty, don't forget to confirm the price). Shared trip to Tha Phae Gate (edge of the old town) should cost 20 baht, though you may have to wait for a driver who agrees. Virtually all songthaews will pass Warorot market (city centre,just after crossing the river), from where it's just 1 km walk to Thapae gate, or numerous (see "Get around" section) songthaews to other areas. Alternatively, you can charter the whole songthaew or take a tuk-tuk. The drivers will approach you once you've arrived and will ask as much as 80-100 baht to the city center/Thapae gate, showing you the bogus price list with "fixed" prices. Bargain, it's just 5-6 km, so the fair price for tuk-tuk there is 50 baht, and is not more than 100 even to the opposite side of the city. It may be difficult to bargain with these drivers, however - good idea is to ignore them from the start, walk out to the nearby street, and catch a passing tuk-tuk/songthaew there. If your luggage is light, you can walk to the centre - however, it's quite a long walk, as the Arcade bus station is located in the city north-east outskirts, almost near Super Highway. [edit]By train Services from Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station leave on a regular daily schedule [14] and take 12-15 hours to reach Chiang Mai. Daytime services leave at 8:30AM, and 2:30PM with second class (281 baht) and third class (121 baht) carriages. The seats in each class differ in softness and width can become uncomfortable after 10+ hours. Overnight sleepers are a popular a popular with travellers the fold down bunk beds that give you relatively comfortable and good value nights accommodation as well as transport.