Chiang Mai
Experiencing the merging of the past into the present in Chiang Mai where locals are proud of the city's 700-year history. Its rich traditional heritage and unique culture is a perfect foundation for the development of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town.
For years, tourists have mistaken Chiang Mai as the northern junction and the base from which they can explore other provinces. The phrase "a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around" was common. Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is always something new to discover Chiang Mai. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery makes Chiang Mai one of Asia's most attractive tourist destinations. Two weeks in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers.
The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating indigenous cultural identity such as diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location in its own right. In addition, the presence of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai's distinctive diversity.
Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.
The Past
Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name despite having celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom on Thursday, 12th April 1296 during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. King Meng Rai the Great conferred with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao before choosing the site where the capital of the Lanna Kingdom was to be founded.
From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was very religious and founded many of the city's temples, which are still important today.
At the height of its power, the Lanna Kingdom extended its territory far into Burma and Laos, and southwards to Kamphaeng Phet a province above Sukhothai.
The Burmese conquered the Lanna Kingdom in 1556 ending the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai that lasted over 250 years. As Burma had occupied Chiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural influences are visible in many temples. At the end of the 18th century, King Taksin the Great regrouped the Thais in the south and finally drove the Burmese out with the help of King Kawila of Lampang thereby regaining Thai independence from Burma. Chiang Mai was then governed by a succession of princes who ruled the north as a Siamese protectorate under the Chakri dynasty. In the late 19th century, King Rama V appointed a high commissioner in Chiang Mai and it was only in 1939 that Chiang Mai finally came under the direct control of the central government in Bangkok the same time the country was renamed Thailand.
In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants. More convenient access was achieved only when the railway line was completed in the late 1920's. Moreover, the first motor vehicle driven directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932. Such isolation was more favorable to Chiang Mai as it helped to nurture and preserve the unique Lanna culture.
When we look at Chiang Mai today, it is the economic, cultural and communications hub of northern Thailand complete with excellent infrastructure, good roads, by passes and road tunnels, and reliable communications infrastructure.
The Setting
Chiang Mai, with an altitude of approximately 310 meters above sea level, is situated approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers and is the country's second largest province. Chiang Mai borders Myanmar on the north, Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east and Mae Hong Son Province on the west. The terrain is mainly comprised of jungles and mountains, which are home to the hill tribes. In addition, wildlife and exotic flora may be found in the national parks.
Most of Chiang Mai's mountains are oriented from north to south. Together they create a multitude of streams and tributaries including Mae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang. One of Chiang Mai's distinctive features is Doi Inthanon, Thailands highest peak, which is 2,575 meters above sea level. In addition, the province boasts flat, fertile valleys, which spread along the banks of the largest and most important river in Chiang Mai Mae Nam Ping (Ping River) which originates from the Chiang Dao mountain range.
Accommodation
| Accommodation | Location | Rates | VAT | SVC | ABF | PRO |
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| Royal Panerai Hotel | Assadathorn Road | 750 THB |  |
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| Saimoonburi Resort | Chai Prakarn | 1200 THB | |
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| Royal Guest House | Chang Klan | 350 THB | |
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| Baan Tai Hotel | Chang Klan | 650 THB | |
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| Park Hotel | Chang Klan | 1000 THB | |
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| Plumeria Home | Chang Klan | 1000 THB | |
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| Lanna Palace 2004 Hotel | Chang Klan | 1050 THB | |
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| Empress Hotel | Chang Klan | 1200 THB | |
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| Studio99 Serviced Apartment | Chang Klan | 1650 THB | |
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| Banthai Village | Chang Klan | 2100 THB | |
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| Sri Tara | Chang Klan | 2950 THB | |
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| The Amata Lanna Chiangmai | Chang Klan | 3300 THB | |
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| Yaang Come Village | Chang Klan | 3750 THB | |
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| Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort | Chang Klan | 5900 THB | |
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| Royal Orchid Park | Chang Puek | 600 THB | |
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| Tarin Hotel | Chang Puek | 900 THB | |
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| Green Lake Resort | Chang Puek | 1050 THB | |
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| Novotel Chiang Mai | Chang Puek | 1300 THB | |
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| Karinthip Village | Changmoikao Road | 1550 THB | |
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| Pornping Tower | Charoenprathet Road | 1100 THB | |
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| C.H Hotel | Charoenprathet Road , Muang | 1550 THB | |
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| Marisa Resort + Spa | Chiang Dao | 950 THB | |
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| Holiday Inn Chiangmai | Chiang Mai-Lumphun Road | 2250 THB | |
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| Baan Deva Montra Boutique Resort and Spa | Chiang Mai`s Suthep Mountain | 2350 THB | |
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| Kaomailanna Hotel + Resort | Chiangmai-Hod Road | 1450 THB | |
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| 3b Boutique Bed + Breakfast | Chiangmai-Hod Road, | 1200 THB | |
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| Lanna View Hotel + Resort | Chiangmai-Lampang Road | 750 THB | |
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| Bann Tazala Boutique Hotel | Chiangmai-Sankampaeng Road | 5800 THB | |
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| Best Western Chiang Mai Hotel | Chonlapratan Road | 950 THB | |
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| Secret Garden Chiangmai | Doi Saket | 1150 THB | |
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| Horizon Village | Doi Saket | 1650 THB | |
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| Centara Duangtawan Hotel Chiang Mai | Downtown | 1400 THB | |
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| Angkhang Nature Resort | Fang | 2900 THB | |
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| Maggy`s Place | Hangdong | 500 THB | |
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| Lanna Resort | Hangdong | 850 THB | |
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| Bulun Buri Resort Chiangmai | Hangdong | 950 THB | |
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| INSDA The Luxury Private House | Hangdong | 950 THB | |
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| Banklangdoi Hotel Resort + Spa | Hangdong | 1200 THB | |
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| Suan Bua Hotel + Resort | Hangdong | 1250 THB | |
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| Fondcome Village Resort | Hangdong | 1450 THB | |
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| The Field Village | Hangdong | 2100 THB | |
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| Belle Villa Resort | Hangdong | 2300 THB | |
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| Veranda Chiangmai The High Resort | Hangdong | 5800 THB | |
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| Phu Jaya Mini Resort + Restaurant | Hangdong-Sameung | 1250 THB | |
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| Krisdadoi Chiangmai Aprime Resort | Hangdong-Samoeng | 1200 THB | |
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| Holiday Garden Hotel | Huay Kaew | 800 THB | |
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| Chiangmai Hills 2000 Hotel | Huay Kaew | 950 THB | |
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| Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel | Huay Kaew | 950 THB | |
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| Amari Rincome Hotel | Huay Kaew | 2500 THB | |
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| Touch Star Resort Inthanon | Jomthong | 1400 THB | |
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| Chiangmai Phucome Hotel | Kanklong-Cholprathan Road | 700 THB | |
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| Baan Namping, Chiang Mai | Khuamung, Saraphi | 1650 THB | |
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| Thaton Riverview Resort | Mae Ai | 1400 THB | |
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| Maekok River Village Resort | Mae Ai | 2500 THB | |
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| Navasoung Resort | Mae Chaem | 1000 THB | |
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| Mae-Rim Lagoon Hotel | Mae Rim | 800 THB | |
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| Botanic Resort Chiang Mai | Mae Rim | 1050 THB | |
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| Mae-Sa Valley | Mae Rim | 1050 THB | |
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| Riverview Point Hotel-Resort | Mae Rim | 1200 THB | |
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| Imperial Chiang Mai Resort Spa | Mae Rim | 1650 THB | |
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| Hmong Hilltribe Lodge | Mae Rim | 2250 THB | |
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| Proud Phu Fah | Mae Rim | 2350 THB | |
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| Muang Gudi Lodge, Chiang Mai | Mae Rim | 2400 THB | |
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| Panviman Chiangmai Spa Resort | Mae Rim | 2750 THB | |
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| Palm Spa Village | Mae Rim | 2950 THB | |
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| Jirung Health Resort | Mae Rim | 3750 THB | |
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| Sukantara Cascade Resort | Mae Rim | 4950 THB | |
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| Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai | Mae Rim | 15011 THB | |
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| Rai Wanida Resort | Mae Tang | 850 THB | |
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| De Naga | Moon Muang Road | 2300 THB | |
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| S.K. House Chiang Mai | Moon muang Road, Soi 69 | 300 THB | |
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| Shangri - La Hotel | Muang | 338 THB | |
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| Airport Resident | Muang | 500 THB | |
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| Oasis Hotel | Muang | 600 THB | |
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| The International Hotel | Muang | 600 THB | |
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| Montrara Happy House Hotel | Muang | 650 THB | |
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| Sinthana Resort | Muang | 850 THB | |
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| Chiangmai Gate Hotel | Muang | 900 THB | |
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| Scorpion Tailed Boat Village | Muang | 900 THB | |
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| Royal Peninsula Hotel | Muang | 950 THB | |
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| Chiangmai Grandview Hotel | Muang | 1150 THB | |
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| Nawa Chamber Lanna Home Stay | Muang | 1200 THB | |
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| Shewe Wana Boutique Resort + Spa | Muang | 1200 THB | |
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| Baan Gong Kham | Muang | 1400 THB | |
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| The Eurasia Chiangmai Hotel | Muang | 1550 THB | |
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| Eurana Boutique Hotel | Muang | 1600 THB | |
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| Sri-Ping Resort | Muang | 2000 THB | |
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| Grand Hillside Serviced Apartment | Muang | 2150 THB | |
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| Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House | Muang | 2250 THB | |
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| Ban Sabai Village Resort + Spa | Muang | 2600 THB | |
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| Manathai Village, Chiang Mai | Muang | 2600 THB | |
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| Rimping Village | Muang | 2600 THB | |
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| Athitan Villas | Muang | 2800 THB | |
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| Baan Saen Doi Resort + Spa | Muang | 2900 THB | |
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| Ayatana Hamlet + Spa Chiangmai | Muang | 2950 THB | |
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| Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai | Muang | 2950 THB | |
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| Yantarasiri Boutique Resort | Muang | 3550 THB | |
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| U Chiang Mai | Muang | 3900 THB | |
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| The Granary Resort | Muang | 4200 THB | |
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| Rarinjinda Wellness Spa Resort | Muang | 4550 THB | |
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| Rachamankha Chiangmai | Muang | 4700 THB | |
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| D2hotel Chiang mai | Muang | 6150 THB | |
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| The Chedi Chiang Mai | Muang | 10250 THB | |
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| Hotel Serenity | Muang (Chiangmai Gate) | 800 THB | |
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| Ping Buri | Muang (Suandok Gate) | 650 THB | |
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| Palm Springs City Resort | Muang, Mahidol Road | 1300 THB | |
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| Puripunn the Baby Grand Boutique | Muang, Wat Gade | 4700 THB | |
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| Portico 21 Hotel | near Night Bazaar | 1200 THB | |
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| Amora Tapae Hotel, Chiangmai | near Night Bazaar | 1550 THB | |
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| Suriwongse Hotel | near Night Bazaar, Chang Klan | 1050 THB | |
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| Royal Princess Chiang Mai | near Night Bazaar, Chang Klan | 2000 THB | |
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| Buri Gallery House | near Night Bazaar, Downtown | 950 THB | |
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| Tamarind Village | near Night Bazaar, Downtown | 4550 THB | |
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| Down Town Inn | near Night Bazaar, Loy Kroh | 830 THB | |
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| Star Hotel | near Night Bazaar, Loy Kroh | 950 THB | |
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| Raming Lodge Hotel + Spa | near Night Bazaar, Loy Kroh | 1200 THB | |
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| Maninarakorn Hotel | near Night Bazaar,Chang Klan | 1200 THB | |
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| Royal Lanna Hotel | near Night Bazarr | 1100 THB | |
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| Doi Kham Resort | near Safari Night | 1300 THB | |
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| Baan Singkham | Pa Tan Road | 1200 THB | |
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| Lanna Mantra Relais | Pa Ton Road | 1950 THB | |
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| Aomdoi Resort | Phrao | 500 THB | |
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| Bossotel Inn Chiang Mai | Railway Road | 900 THB | |
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| BP Chiang Mai City Hotel | Rajmankha Road | 700 THB | |
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| Duang Champa | Ratchadamnern Road | 2100 THB | |
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| Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi | Sankampaeng | 15000 THB | |
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| Northern Heritage Resort + Spa | Sankamphaeng | 1400 THB | |
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| Viewdoi Art and Resort | Sankamphaeng | 1400 THB | |
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| Life Up Longstay Resort + Spa | Sansai | 1050 THB | |
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| Golden Cupids Hotel | Sansai | 1638 THB | |
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| Fern Paradise | Sansai | 2350 THB | |
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| Dreamcatchers Bed + Breakfast | Sarapee | 1700 THB | |
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| Lanna Accent Boutique Villa | Saraphee | 6800 THB | |
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| Huen Come Residence, Chiang Mai | Sirithorn Road, Changphuak | 4350 THB | |
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| Winner Inn Hotel | Sridonchai Road | 650 THB | |
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| Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel | Sridonchai Road | 1400 THB | |
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| Imperial Mae Ping Hotel | Sridonchai Road | 2000 THB | |
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| Chiangmai Suandok Kaew Hotel | Suthep Road | 550 THB | |
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| at Niman, Chiangmai | Suthep Road | 4100 THB | |
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