HOW TO SPEND A WEEK IN CHIANG MAI AS A DIGITAL NOMAD
Boasting plenty of sights & attractions, a deep history, and affordable food & living spaces, Chiang Mai is one of the best places to be as a Digital Nomad.
Over the past few years, the world has seen a boom in digital nomad culture & slow travel. A lot of this could be attributed to the recent pandemic, which forced people to find other streams of income and work remotely. But even since the pandemic ended, the amount of professionals turning to online work is skyrocketing. More and more people are finding this way of working offers them the freedom they want. People now have the ability to complete jobs from anywhere, and many are taking the opportunity to travel as they work. Digital nomads are finding that a few particular destinations are well-suited to this type of lifestyle.
Chiang Mai is one such place. You’ll see it on nearly every online list of suggested havens for digital nomads and slow travelers, and there’s a good reason for that. As the second largest city in Thailand, it has everything that a traveler could need in the way of food, entertainment, lodging, and culture. Not only that, it’s affordable, beautiful, and rich in history. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights that Chiang Mai has to offer for digital nomads.
WORKSPACES
Of course, at some point during the week, you’re going to have to get some work done. Chiang Mai has you covered. It has many creative and interesting workspaces, such as Punspace Wiang Kaew, Punspace Tha Phae Gate, and Hub 53 (which actually also has a co-living space). The wifi is excellent, and a lot of these spaces have restaurants or cafes attached in case you need a snack. More importantly, there is a bustling community of digital nomads bound to be working away. This leads us to another way to spend your week in Chiang Mai…
NETWORKING
If you want to make connections with other digital workers, Chiang Mai is the place to do it. With its low cost of living (roughly $1500 per month should cover you) and plentiful tourist attractions, it makes sense that the city has been consistently recommended to digital nomads as a must-visit. The community has grown, and it is easier than ever to make connections with the other nomads there. Facebook groups such as Chiang Mai Digital Nomads has over 30,000 members and counting. The city even hosts a Nomad Summit in January, a highly sought-after meeting for online workers to network and listen to experts. You should be able to find exactly the work connections you’re looking for in no time.
NATURE
The best parts of Chiang Mai lie outside of the offices and workspaces. The city is near some truly awe-inspiring natural beauty, and while staying there, it’s important to take at least a short break to check some of it out. From the mountains of Doi Inthanon or Mon Jam, to the Royal Park Rajapruek, to the Mae Sa Waterfall, you can see a wide variety of the earth’s wonders within a reasonable distance of the city.
Not to be overlooked is the number of Elephant Sanctuaries in and around Chiang Mai. The Elephant Rescue Park, the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary, Elephant Freedom Village, and Elephant Care & Grand Canyon Jumping are all places that can be visited by the public and have a knowledgeable staff that is dedicated to taking care of these elephants
If flora is a bit more your speed, a visit to the Mae Sa Orchid Farm or the Bo Kaeo Pine Tree Garden could be the perfect way to spend a calm day off. With so many options, you’ve simply got to get out and enjoy the fresh air!
SIGHTSEEING
Beyond the natural splendor, Chiang Mai is also well known for its temples. Digital nomads and slow travelers shouldn’t miss an opportunity to check out as many of these wonders as they can. Doi Suthep, a mountain with a beautiful temple, is truly a sight to behold. The Chiang Mai old city also has many temples and spiritual landmarks that make it a fascinating and somber place.
You should also check out Wiang Kum Kum, an ancient underground city, and the Chiang Dao Cave. Another popular site is the Phu Ping Palace, where the Thai royal family stays in the summer. The list goes on, and you could easily spend much more than a week exploring Chiang Mai’s history, spirituality, and culture.
It should also be noted that Chiang Mai is known for handicrafts. For those so inclined, it would be worth a visit to the Bo Sang Handicrafts Centre, a paper umbrella workshop in San Kamphaeng. The city is known as the center of Thai handicrafts, so even if crafting isn’t your thing, it’s worth a look.
FOOD & DRINK
After exploring all day, you’ll need to know the best places to eat. Chiang Mai has some incredible food, and you’ll want to make sure you try as much of the good stuff as you can in your week there.
Chiang Mai is known for khao soi, a curry noodle soup, and there are a ton of great spots to get it. Try Khao Soi Islam Noodles, an established favorite, or Huen Phuen Restaurant, known for using old family recipes, or the local favorite, Khao Soi Wulai. In fact, you may find you want to try them all. I wouldn’t blame you!
Other delicious dishes that Chiang Mai has to offer are pad thai, nam prik ong (a pork/tomato/chili dip), mango sticky rice, and hor mok (a street food of steamed fish custard in a banana leaf cup). These dishes are Chiang Mai classics, and the best part is that there’s something for everyone.
ACCESSIBILITY & TRANSPORTATION
While the city is walkable, there are transit and taxis available. Chiang Mai doesn’t have Uber, but it does have Grab. It’s a similar app, and it’s used by tourists and locals alike to travel around the city and rideshare. It’s also common for digital nomads to rent scooters while in Chiang Mai and get around that way. This can be a bit pricier though, adding about $100 USD per month to your cost of living.
For a digital nomad, a week in Chiang Mai is hardly enough. The living is affordable, the adventure options are plentiful, and the online work culture is thriving. If you’re looking for an ideal place to work, live, and explore, Chiang Mai is a must-visit.