Founded in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai sits in a lush valley surrounded by mountains in northern Thailand. Its Old City is encircled by a medieval moat and crumbling walls, housing over 300 Buddhist temples. The city was an independent kingdom until 1774 and still retains a distinct cultural identity from Bangkok.
Nights sit around 24°C and afternoons around 33°C.
Chiang Mai barely changes season: afternoons sit around 34°C and nights around 22°C most of the year.
Some April days reach 41°C, and some January nights drop to 14°C.
There is a clear wet season from May – October, peaking in August with around 223 mm. The dry months run from December – March.
Wind is rarely an issue; most months sit between calm and a light breeze. Air quality is worth watching: March averages an AQI of 106, while July clears to 55.
Days stretch to about 13.1 hours of light in June and shrink to 10.9 in December — something to weigh if you work to a fixed timezone.
For what you're after, the best months in Chiang Mai are October – April. Expect fast internet (293 Mbps) and a low cost of living (about €750 a month).
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