Is Chiang Mai overrated?

All travellers know that there is nothing more disappointing than planning your next trip with so much care and excitement to then get there and find out that your chosen destination failed to live up to your hype and expectations!

Only known by a few tourists and visitors, Chiang Mai, that little town located in the northern part of Thailand, was once a hidden gem.

In the last decades, Chiang Mai has grown meaningful popularity and millions of visitors travel each year to what today is considered the Digital Nomad and retiree mecca!

People's expectations can grow unrealistic because of all the amazing pictures or reading glorious reviews online and on social media channels like Instagram. But when they get there, it is not such promised glory!

When researching about this city, from articles and books to magazines and travel guides, they all praise how amazing this Thai town is, however, is Chiang Mai overrated?

No, Chiang Mai is not overrated. The city offers a unique food scene, stunning nature, a blend of cultures, affordable accommodations, and hidden gems to explore.

Why do people travel to Chiang Mai?

Why Chiang Mai has developed and grown famous over the decades in part due to its rich cultural heritage, delicious local cuisine, natural beauty and warmth of the locals.

However, Chiang Mai is nowadays known as one of the top digital nomads’ destination meccas.

Whether you are a beginner digital nomad or a seasoned one, everywhere you look around and everyone you talk to seems to recommend Chiang Mai as the promised land.

Is this a hyped idea and Chiang could be overrated? Keep reading below to learn why some people might consider Chiang Mai overrated and to find out our experience, opinion and expertise on the matter!

Chiang Mai is a destination that is adored by many travellers, but there are some people who may think it is overrated for a number of reasons:

• Popularity as a digital nomad and remote workers destination. This small town has a vibrant and diverse community of ex-pats and digital nomads, which gives the city a unique and multicultural atmosphere.
  As a result, however, Chiang Mai can get crowded and touristy, especially during the high season.
  That means some of the really cool historical spots can get totally overrun with tourists, and it can be a bit hectic to navigate through the crowds.
• Lack of authenticity. As Chiang Mai has become a hotspot for remote workers and nomads, there has been a surge in cafes, restaurants, and infrastructure to cater to the growing number of foreigners.
  However, some people feel like this growth may come at the expense of the town's local Thai charm and the feeling of being less special.
• Too commercialised. While Chiang Mai offers a wealth of cultural and historical experiences, some people may find that the town is more interested in raking in cash from tourists than preserving its traditional heritage. Definitely, something to keep in mind!
• Boring. We have heard from a few folks by now, that while Chiang Mai is known for its beautiful temples, after visiting a couple of them, they start to feel like they were all blending together and that town is a bit repetitive and lacking some diversity in the sightseeings.
  Some of these people also pointed out to us, that Chiang Mai is not as active and rich in nightlife and going out activities and entertainment compared to Bangkok, Phuket or Koh Samui but they were told that town was big in clubbing and bar vibes.
• Not as cheap. This is another reason that we have heard a lot lately about why some people might find Chiang Mai is overrated. Some people feel very strongly about the fact that has become more expensive over recent years.
  Chiang Mai is certainly still cheaper than other destinations in Thailand, such as Bangkok or Phuket, however, there has been a real rise in the cost of living and tourism has become more difficult to afford to visit this town for travellers on a tight budget.

What is special about Chiang Mai? Top reasons why Chiang Mai is not overrated in 2023. Our experience.

There are many reasons why Chiang Mai is not overrated based on our experienced and time spent in Chiang Mai:

1. Outdoor activities. Chiang Mai is an incredible destination home to the stunning natural scenery that surrounds it. Pretty much everywhere you look, there are lush jungles and mountains!
   Essentially, Chiang Mai has everything you need if you are a wanderlust!
   With over six national parks, about 250 breathtaking temples, unique animal sanctuaries, hidden waterfalls, dense jungles, warm weather, and mind-blowing food, what is overrated about Chiang Mai?
   Personally, we find Chiang Mai perfect from a practical point of view. Sure it doesn’t have the clear blue beaches of the islands, but its raw landscape is magnificent. There are tons of hikes to be done, temple-seeing, food tours, elephant fun and much more!
   Despite the growing number of digital nomads and the slight increase in the cost of living (still cheap), the city is not as packed and crowded as other popular cities in Thailand.

2. The Night Bazaar and Night Markets. This is by far one of our highlights of Chiang Mai. These Night Markets are one of the most exciting and vibrant places in Chiang Mai.
   They open every evening and offer an incredible selection of street food, live music and even Muay Thai boxing combats!
   The street food sold here offers some of the most delicious and authentic Thai dishes ever! From spicy noodles and fragrant curries to crispy fried chicken/pork snacks and sweet desserts.
   This is another reason why we need to demolish the concept that Chiang Mai is overrated. Often times we have been told that the food in Chiang Mai lacks authenticity and real Norther Thai touches.
   Absolutely not the case! the Khao Sois and Grilled Meat Skewers for example are cheap and delicious! Unlike some of the ones found in other places in Thailand where the quality of the meat and overall flavours are really low and targeted at tourists.
   We could be listing an endless list of local Chiang Mai dishes to convince you that in this aspect, this town is not overrated, but we will round it up with an old-time favourite, Mango Sticky Rice!
   It is widely known around Thailand as the favourite dessert but originally it comes from the North of Thailand. We have tasted the best Mango sticky rice in Chiang Mai in a street stall and Chiang Rai in the Night Market!
   To wrap this point up, the Night Bazaar and street markets are unique cultural experience and most of the time you can enjoy these goodies as you enjoy live music performances from local musicians. It is a vibe!

3. Temples. It is a common misconception that the temples in Chiang Mai are repetitive and boring and that after seeing two or three all of them look the same and uninteresting. In our opinion, this claim couldn't be further from the truth.
   Well, it is true that there are tons of temples in Chiang Mai and it is true that if you dedicated a full and intense session to exploring all of them, you could end up getting tired and losing interest.
   But in fact, each temple in Chiang Mai is unique. Each one is built with its own distinct architectural style, cultural significance, and historical context.
   If temple hoping is something that you might find boring or uninteresting, Thailand might not be the best place for you! Thai culture is profoundly Buddhist and this is evident throughout the country with all the incredibly crafted temples.
   

   

   For example, the iconic Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple is situated on a hilltop overlooking the city and features a stunning golden chedi that is visible from miles away.
   Other temples, like the serene Wat Umong and the colourful Wat Chedi Luang, offer visitors a peaceful and meditative environment in which to reflect and recharge.
   And if you're interested in the art and architecture of Chiang Mai’s neighbouring towns, be sure to check out Chiang Rai. This nearby town is home to the most beautiful temples we have ever seen.
   As people who have spent meaningful time in Chiang Mai, we can confidently say that each temple is a world of its own, with its own unique features and characteristics and it is an essential cultural aspect of this Northern town that needs to be explored and understood.

4. Festivals and fun. Some of the cultural festivals in Chiang Mai, such as the Songkran festival (Thai New Year), Loy Krathong, and the Flower Festival are truly unique.
   If you travel to Thailand to really grasp the culture, this is a great city!
   Songkran festival is the best-portrayed festival around the country and Loy Krathong festival lantern release is phenomenal, actually much better than when we experienced it in Hua Hin.
   Chiang Mai’s vibrant and colourful festivals are unique traditions and celebrations, heart and soul of Thai culture are definitely not to be missed if you are in Chiang Mai during these dates.
5. Safety and peaceful. Chiang Mai is a very safe and unthreatening city. Not once, we have ever felt unsafe or in danger when walking around the streets of this town during the day or night.
   There is a low crime rate, visible police presence, and most importantly, friendly locals that make you feel safe and welcome.
   This is why we find that Chiang Mai is an ideal destination for travellers and nomads alike.
   It is often thought that Chiang Mai is home to drugs, scams and prostitution and therefore it is overrated but this is an absolute fallacy. Chiang Mai is simply, lovely.

Is Chiang Mai still cheap?

One of the most common conceptions when thinking of Chiang Mai is that it is an affordable destination for travellers and digital nomads.

But, is Chiang Mai really as cheap as everyone says it is or is the concept overrated?

The costs for accommodations in low to mid-budget regimes can range between $15 per night for basic accommodations and up to $100 per night for higher-end options.

When it comes to food, the costs are also relatively cheap. Particularly around street food and local markets food, offering meals for as little as $ 2-3.

While transportation in Chiang Mai is also affordable, tuk-tuks and songthaews (red trucks that operate as shared taxis) can increase costs if not bargained properly. Same for motorbike and bicycle rentals.

While it is possible to still find plenty of cheap options for food, accommodation, activities and transportation, it is not always the case that everything is super cheap.

The fame and popularity that Chiang Mai has gained In recent years, has led to a rise in prices for some things, particularly in the more touristy areas.

This is more evident for those travellers who are on a tight budget or for returning travellers like us who have definitely a rise in prices, especially in the more basic things like coffee, street food and tours.

In all honesty, in our opinion, although, Chiang Mai is relatively cheap, it is not as budget-friendly as some people might think.

Compared to other popular tourist destinations in Thailand, such as Bangkok or Phuket, Chiang Mai is definitely cheaper but definitely a bit overrated.

As seasoned travellers, we are used to finding good deals and bargains, but when some people were telling us that they were finding food for less than 1$ or accommodations for less than 5$, we have to debunk that misconception. There are no options at those ridiculously low prices.

Our honest advice is to research everything properly to build your budget for your trip to Chiang Mai, as prices have definitely gone up lately, as more and more tourists and nomads flock to Chiang Mai.

As tourists or aspiring digital nomads, you need to know that the cost of living has increased, food quantity versus quality prices have also gone up and some of the tourist attractions and activities can be quite expensive.

So, if you are under the impression that Chiang Mai is a super budget-friendly destination, you might be disappointed.

All in all, we would say that Chiang Mai is a relatively affordable destination, but it is definitely an overrated statement to say that is super cheap.

Obviously the concept of "cheap" is relative but in general, terms, if you come from a Western country, Chiang Mai might seem very affordable.

In contrast, if you come from a weaker currency country, then Chiang Mai might not be as cheap as you thought.

Final thoughts

We are aware that what makes a destination overrated or

underrated is based on subjective opinions and depends on what

visitors are looking for.

But it is always a good idea and we definitely encourage you to do

your research to try to manage your expectations so you don't end

up feeling disappointed.

We recommend avoiding focusing only on the occasional beautiful

shots that you might find on social media and guidebooks that can

lead to disappointment and can create unrealistic expectations.

When it comes to Chiang Mai being overrated, travellers who

have fallen in love with this town, we can’t help but disagree with

those who say it is boring and uninteresting.

In fact, we feel that it is one of the most fascinating and diverse

cities we have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Furthermore, Chiang Mai is a city that offers a glimpse into the heart

and soul of Thai culture is about.

Actually, we do think that part of the issue is why some people

might find this town overrated because oftentimes tourists do go to

Asian countries with their “Westerner hat on” and by doing so you

are setting up an unrealistic level by comparing those cities with

those in more developed countries.

There you go! Now you know why people think that Chiang Mai

might be overrated versus our experience and opinion about why

we think it is not!