Chiang Mai has been crowned Asia’s Best City for 2025 in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious World’s Best Awards—not only topping the continent but also earning the No. 2 spot globally, with a remarkable Reader Score of 91.94
This prestigious ranking highlights the distinctive elements that position this northern Thai gem as the epitome of sophisticated living, rich culture, and unmatched hospitality.
A Heritage City with Modern Soul
Founded in 1296 as the capital of the former Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai is a city where centuries-old temples and modern-day cafés live seamlessly together. The iconic Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, perched over 1,600 meters above sea level, overlooks lush valleys and the cityscape below—and has become a cultural symbol for visitors and locals alike. Within the Old City’s ancient walls lies a constellation of temples—such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
Wat Phra Singh stands out as one of northern Thailand’s most culturally significant and visually stunning temples, rich in history and local traditions. This 14th-century temple is a spiritual and architectural gem, famed for its majestic Lanna-style design, intricate gold mosaics, and especially for housing the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image, a centerpiece of Songkran festivities and local Buddhist life.
Yet Chiang Mai is equally at home in neighborhoods like Nimmanhaemin, where trendy coffee bars, concept boutiques, and co-working spaces reflect its status as a rising creative and tech hub—known locally as Chiang Mai Creative City, a UNESCO-designated arts and design hotspot
Warm Hospitality Meets World-Class Culture
Travel + Leisure readers credited Chiang Mai’s soaring rank to its “super cordial people” and “amazing food,” praising its warmth, gracious hospitality, and authentic cultural resonance.
Locals’ habit of greeting with inquiries like “Have you eaten?” reflects the influence of food as a connective thread in daily life and conversation.
That warmth extends to the city’s street-level vibrancy: Sunday Walking Street and Saturday Night Market on Wua Lai Road bring together artisans, street food vendors, and local musicians in a mile-long showcase of Lanna craftsmanship and flavors
Culinary Richness from Night Markets to Michelin Dining
Chiang Mai tempts travelers with its traditional and modern cuisine alike. The beloved khao soi, a Northern coconut curry noodle soup, remains a standout among international visitors Warorot Market, or Kad Luang, is a sensory delight where local vendors peddle spicy sai ua sausages, indigo-dyed textiles, rattan crafts, and fragrant chili pastes.
MICHELIN Guide
For elevated dining, guide-recommended restaurants abound. Properties like 137 Pillars House—a historic teak mansion turned boutique hotel—feature restaurants such as Palette and Oxygen Dining Room, offering creative renditions of Northern Thai and Franco-Thai cuisine using both local ingredients and contemporary techniques
Nature, Wellness & Ethical Encounters
Encircled by forested mountains and national parks, Chiang Mai is just a short drive from scenic hikes, waterfalls, and ethical elephant sanctuaries, where visitors can feed, wash, and respectfully interact with gentle giants—a highlight frequently celebrated by survey respondents
Wellness is woven into Chiang Mai’s identity. Award-winning resorts like the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai—recently named Thailand’s #1 Resort and a Top-Upcountry Hotel by Travel + Leisure—offer spa therapies inspired by Lanna traditions, sunrise yoga, and curated culinary rituals rooted in Thai heritage
Festivals That Illuminate The Night
Chiang Mai comes alive during traditional festivals. Yi Peng, the famed Lantern Festival, paints the night sky with glowing khom loi lanterns, while Loi Krathong fills the rivers and canals with floating leaf vessels of flowers and candles, symbolizing renewal and hope
Summer brings the Flower Festival in February, when gardens brim with orchids, roses, and marigolds—accompanied by parades and cultural performances. Throughout the year, the Vegetarian Festival, Inthakhin City Pillar Ceremony, and Flower Festival complement Chiang Mai’s soulful rhythm with meaningful local traditions
Where To Stay: Iconic Luxury Meets Artisan Boutique
Chiang Mai’s accommodation scene balances heritage and comfort. The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, set in Mae Rim Valley among rice paddies and mountains, provides private villas, cultural workshops at their Chaan Baan center, and gastronomic excellence—earning repeated accolades from international travel media
Within the Old City, boutique hotels such as 137 Pillars House and Sala Lanna offer a refined yet authentic Lanna experience, while the Nimmanhaemin area hosts stylish, modern concepts designed for digital nomads and luxury seekers alike
Why Chiang Mai Matters: A Balanced Luxury Experience
Chiang Mai’s appeal lies in its graceful equilibrium: ancient temples and contemporary cafés, spiritual introspection and gourmet indulgence, peaceful countryside and vibrant festivals. It’s a place where eco-conscious luxury and cultural authenticity coexist seamlessly—qualities honored by Travel + Leisure readers.
No wonder Chiang Mai is the only Southeast Asian city making the top tier of Lonely Planet’s 2025 Best in Travel list, and also the singular representative among the world’s top 10 must-visit cities
The Invitation
For connoisseurs of luxury travel and cultural curiosity, Chiang Mai delivers on every front: dine like a local, sleep in serene heritage retreats, explore mountain temples, pamper your senses with spa rituals, and take part in age-old festivals filled with color and meaning.
This northern jewel of Thailand, now Asia’s Best City and second in global ranking, awaits your next enthralling story.