A comprehensive guide for travellers & digital nomads
Chiang Mai clinches the No. 1 spot
Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards 2025 surveyed more than 180,000 readers on sights, culture, cuisine, hospitality, shopping and overall value. Chiang Mai earned a stellar reader score of 91.94, edging out megacities like Tokyo and Bangkok to be crowned “Best City in Asia”. Travel + Leisure
The accolade also pushed Chiang Mai to No. 2 worldwide, while Bangkok landed at No. 3 in Asia—evidence that Thailand remains a powerhouse on the global travel scene. TAT Newsroom
“Set in Thailand’s cooler, mountainous north and once the seat of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai brims with heritage sites, ornate temples, buzzing night markets and creative energy.” — Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
What makes Chiang Mai irresistible?
1. Living history & UNESCO creativity
- Over 300 temples—from the gilded spires of Wat Phra Singh to hill-top Wat Doi Suthep—tell stories of the ancient Lanna Kingdom.
- Designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art (2017), Chiang Mai champions local artisans, silverwork and handicraft villages such as Ban Tawai. Wikipedia
2. Night-market nirvana
From the Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road to the legendary Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, after-dark shopping and street-food grazing are part of daily life (and cost just a few baht per skewer!).
3. Nature on your doorstep
Mountains wrap around the city, offering weekend escapes to Doi Inthanon National Park, ethical elephant sanctuaries in Mae Wang and coffee plantations in Doi Saket—ideal for hikers, cyclists and wellness seekers.
4. A digital-nomad powerhouse
- Fast fibre internet (200-1 Gbps) in most neighbourhoods
- Affordable coworking hubs such as Punspace, Yellow Coworking and Hub 53—monthly passes start around ฿3,500 (≈US$95)
- Cafés every few blocks, many open late for remote work sprints
- Monthly cost-of-living can dip below US$1,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (studio apartment, scooter rental, eating out daily).
5. Boutique stays & world-class wellness
Chiang Mai’s hotel scene pairs restored teak mansions with design-forward micro-hotels around Nimmanhaemin Road. Add in award-winning spas and burgeoning medical-wellness centres, and it’s no wonder travellers linger.
Getting there & getting around
| Mode | Details | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Air | 1-hr flights from Bangkok; direct links to Singapore, Seoul & Taipei | Book early Nov–Feb (high season) to lock in low fares |
| Rail | 11-hr overnight sleeper from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat station | Choose a second-class A/C bunk for value & comfort |
| Local travel | Songthaews (red trucks) & Grab; scooter rentals from ฿250/day | Base yourself in the Old City or Nimman for walkability |
Best time to visit
- Cool season (Nov – Feb): crisp mornings, lantern-lit Loy Krathong & Yi Peng festivals
- Hot season (Mar – Apr): Songkran water festival but beware smoky “burning season” in March
- Green season (May – Oct): lush landscapes, fewer crowds, discounted room rates
2025 Top-15 Cities in Asia (Travel + Leisure)
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Tokyo, Japan
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Jaipur, India
- Hoi An, Vietnam
- Kyoto, Japan
- Ubud, Indonesia
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Mumbai, India
- Agra, India
- Osaka, Japan
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Singapore
- Seoul, South Korea Time Out Worldwide
Final thoughts
With its seamless blend of heritage, creativity and modern remote-work infrastructure, Chiang Mai’s rise to the top of Travel + Leisure’s list feels inevitable. Whether you’re chasing mountain air, mastering Thai recipes, or coding the next start-up from a leafy café, the “Rose of the North” delivers value that few Asian cities can match right now.
Planning your trip? Check out our in-depth guides on chiang mai coworking spaces and Thailand digital nomad visas to turn inspiration into action.
