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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

Imagine a kingdom surrounded by majestic mountains and blessed with the greenest rice fields you have ever seen. This is Chiang Mai, the capital of northern Thailand. Wandering around the city's handicraft centres and centuries-old temples you'll discover its many vibrant festivals and warm, captivating people. It is not surprising that Chiang Mai is fondly referred to by Thais as "The Rose of the North."

Time zone

GMT +7 hours

Language(s) spoken

Thai

Electrical system

Local voltage is 220 to 240 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

Sunday to Saturday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Note: Hours for street shops vary.
Most stores are open seven days a week, except gold shops. Some stores are closed on Sundays.

Working hours

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Time and distance to city centre

30 minutes by shuttle bus

Time and distance to shopping

• Chiang Mai Night Market: 30 minutes by shuttle bus
• Walking distance to delightful antique shops and art galleries

Time and distance to financial district

30 minutes by shuttle bus

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

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Seasonal highlights

February

Chiang Mai Flower Festival: The Flower Festival in Nong Buak Had Park, Amphor Muang, is a local tradition – and a perfect opportunity to see colourful African marigolds, globe amaranths, orchids, Ban Chun, chrysanthemums, celosia and assorted roses such as Fa Mui and thin Uang Dok Lek.

Activities include the Miss Flower Pageant and Procession, an agriculture exhibition, flower contests, garden arranging contests, a local goods market, international food contests and cultural performances.

April

Songkran Festival: Chiang Mai is one of the most famous places for celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year. Traditional practices, such as food offering to monks and Buddha image bathing, are rounded out by entertaining displays like the Miss Songkran Pageant and Procession, the morning market and the sand pagoda contest. Celebrations usually last for three days, starting April 13.

November

Loy Krathong Festival: Northern people celebrate this full-moon day by floating their Krathong lanterns onto the river and setting free lantern balloons called Khom. When the river and the sky is dotted with flickering candlelight, it is believed that grief and ill fortune will fly away from the people and their households.

Festival highlights include the grand procession of the charming giant Krathong, the religious ceremony and Lanna cultural performances, the spectacular light and sound show on the River Ping, the Queen Nappamas Beauty Pageant and the Lanna Thai candle-lighting market at Tha Pae Gate.

November-January

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006: International Horticultural Exposition for His Majesty the King. From November 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007, Thailand celebrates His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th Anniversary of his ascension to the throne and his 80th birthday.

To express their love and respect for their king, one of the world’s most beautiful international horticultural expositions will be held on 80 hectares (0.3 square mile) of land at the Royal Agricultural Research Center in Muang district, Chiang Mai Province in Northern Thailand. In the amidst of the surrounding mountains, over 2,200 species of exotic flora, a total of 2.5 million tropical plants and flowers, will enrich the surrounding landscape.