Chiang Mai means “new city” because it succeeded Chiang Rai as the new Capital of the Lanna region. Located 700 km (435 miles) north of Bangkok in a verdant valley on the banks of the Ping River, Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 as the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom by the King Mengrai. 

• The city is also famous for trekking, with its national parks (the Doi Inthanon Park for example, which is the highest mountain of Thailand ).

• Where as most of Bangkok’s temples date from the Rattanakosin era that started in 1782, many of Chiang Mai’s temples are much older dating back as far as the 13^th century.

• The oldest temple is the Wat Chiang Man located within the old walled city. This temple was the first to be built after the founding of the city in 1296.

• The city has a square wall surrounding it and this was to defend against the nearby Burmese armies and some of the Mongol Empire.

• The emblem of the city is the stupa of the temple Wat Doi Suthep, with clouds below to represent the moderate mountain climate of the Northern Thailand. As often, there is also a Naga, the mythical snake, who is known as the source of the Ping river.

• Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand with nearly one million residents.
• The Old City was founded in 1296 and still retains much of its square-shaped moat and defensive walls.
• Chang Mai is home to more than 100 elaborate Buddhist temples, including 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang, which attract tourists from all around the world.

Chiang Mai is quite a large place, with a lot of choice. I stayed with a group of friends at Hotel Centro CNX which was very nice, but if your travelling alone its best to stay in a hostel or guest house. They will usually have breakfast included whereas hotel rarely do.

• Hostel start around 100 THB for a large 10 person dorm room. Smaller dorm rooms (6 people) start at around 120 THB. The more popular, centrally located hostels (most of which include free breakfast and with air-conditioning) are around 300 THB for a 4-6 bed dorm room. Private rooms at these same type of hostels start at 800 THB, but can be found throughout the city for as low as 350 THB for a double room with an ensuite throughout the city. Guesthouses are also an option and start around 200 THB per night.

• Airbnb, you can find a good number of shared rooms in apartments for 350 THB. There’s also a wide selection of entire apartments or homes ranging from 1,000-1,750 THB per night.

• Budget hotel Centrally-located two-star hotels start at 400 THB per night, and go upward from there for a room with free WiFi, hot water, a comfy bed, and air conditioning.

• Rabeang Pasak Tree House Yep stay in a grown-up treehouse, I haven’t stayed here but I thought it looked cool. Though don’t expect aircon, its open-air bathrooms and basic beds. However It is 65km northeast of Chiang Mai, so maybe just a night or 2 to escape.

• Uber or Grab are the easiest ways of getting around. You know how much it’ll cost and they’ll always take you the most direct route hassle free.
• Big Red Taxi (Songthaew) It’s rare to find a metered taxi here instead you’ll see the big red taxis everywhere. 30 THB per person to anywhere within the city. If you want to head further outside the city bounds drivers are happy to hire out the whole vehicle for charter trips for a higher price. The drivers will happily take you to a destination, sit and wait for you, then drop you back to wherever you like.
• TukTuk I was told to avoid these because of the scam issues, but I like to make decisions on my own experiences and there not as bad as I was led to believe. As long as you show them where you want to go, a few times i used google maps on my phone and agree a fee before getting in, I had no problems.
• Moped from 150B per day. By law, you must wear a helmet, and police frequently set up checkpoints to enforce this. If your caught not wearing a helmet, It’s a 200 THB fine for locals and 400 THB fine for foreigners.
• Bicycle You can rent a rickety old bike for 50B a day or 300B per week, just make sure you check it over before you hire, especially the brakes.
• Sŏrng·tăa·ou (Minibus) are cheaper and less inclined to rip off passengers compared to tuk tuks (because many Thais use them too), but English can be a problem and routes are not always direct. Riding in a sŏrng·tăa·ou is an excellent way to meet local Thais.

• Bus, the journey will take approximately 10 hours in total. With the options of taking either a standard or a VIP bus. Standard buses are slightly cheaper, but are also less comfortable – VIP buses come with air-conditioning, wider aisles, complimentary snacks, on-board rest rooms, and a neck rest and blanket. It is probably worth investing the extra money for these VIP facilities.
• Fly, the easiest and fastest (1h 15min) way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is to catch a flight.
• Train, the journey can take 11+ hours, but you get to see some fantastic scenery along the way, and you can travel overnight in an inexpensive sleeper berth, saving you your precious daytime and the cost of a hotel room for the night.

• If you eat the street food like the locals, you’ll be hard-pressed to spend more than 200 THB a day on food (maybe not even that).
• Negotiate with tuk-tuk drivers.
• Rent a moped, check out my beginners guide here.
• Haggle in the markets, especially if buying in bulk.
•  If your on a budget, Ham & Cheese Toasties from 7-11 are a great, cheap & quick meal.
• Beers and drinks are heavily discounted when purchased at 7-Eleven. Purchase a few beers before you go out to the bars and cut your night’s budget by a lot.
• If you travel during May through October, you will be missing the peak season, and save quite a bit, even though you might catch some rain.
• Get £3 ($5) credit for your first Uber ride here.