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Chiang Mai is a city in northern Thailand, surrounded by mountains and adorned with ancient walls and moats. It was first founded in 1296 and served as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom up until 1558 when it was forced to surrender to Burmese rule. Chiang Mai has hundreds of astonishing Buddhist temples dating all the way back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

There are over 200 hostels in Chiang Mai to choose from, so there are plenty of options for any kind of traveller! There are comfy dorms, elaborate private rooms, and a great mix of traditional and modern lounge spaces. The best hostels in Chiang Mai offer outdoor patio spaces, decadent pools, free breakfasts, and events throughout your stay! Keep a look out for a Chiang Mai hostel with free Thai cooking classes as a bonus.

You could spend your entire time in Chiang Mai indulging in mind-blowing Thai street food, walking through markets, and wandering around from temple to temple. Wat Chedi Luang Temple and the Ploen Ruedee night market are two spots that you won’t want to miss! If you want to try something a bit different, there are opportunities to visit and volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park and help care for injured and abused elephants.

Songathaew is a common, easy, and affordable way to travel around Chiang Mai. Simply tell the driver where you’d like to go and hop in if they’re heading in that direction! Taxis are also available but not as easily accessible as they are generally waiting around the airport or bus/train stations, but you can always use a ride sharing service! Public transit isn’t overly popular but there are a couple routes that are very affordable. Of course, there are the classic Thai Tuk-Tuks to help you get around too, they’re slightly more expensive than a Songathaew but easy to find. Don’t shy away from renting a bike or walking to be fully immersed in Chiang Mai as you travel around.