Chiang Mai in January: a seasonal travel plan
Chiang Mai, Thailand. In january, the average daytime high is 25.5 °C and the night-time low is 13.9 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Chiang Mai
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 25.5 °C
- Nighttime low
- 13.9 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 25.9 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 3.1
- Daylight
- 11.1 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 25.3 | 14.7 | 1.4 |
| Days 11–20 | 25.2 | 13.7 | 0.8 |
| From day 21 | 26.1 | 13.3 | 0.9 |
What this month is like
Chiang Mai, Thailand. In january, the average daytime high is 25.5 °C and the night-time low is 13.9 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 3.1 wet days on average, with about 25.9 mm of precipitation. There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 11.1 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are relatively few days with precipitation. Build your plans around walks and keep an indoor activity for a wet-weather day.
What to pack
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 24.6 °C, January — 25.5 °C, next month — 28.9 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 2.6, 3.1 and 2.0.
Things to do
Chiang Mai grew inside a square moat: the temples of the old town stand behind a brick wall, with Nimman and the Ping riverbank outside. The city is small but the distances add up, so red songthaews and a rented bicycle do the work of taxis.
Wat Doi Suthep
The temple of Doi Suthep sits on the mountain above the city, reached by a long naga staircase or a red songthaew from the gate at Tha Phae. The whole city lies below, so come in the morning when the air is clearer.
The old town and the Sunday market
Inside the moat stand Wat Chedi Luang with its ruined stupa and Wat Phra Singh with its Buddha image. On Sundays Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic for a walking market of crafts and food.
A cooking class
A cooking class starts at a market, where the herbs and spices are explained, and ends with a meal of your own dishes. Book ahead and choose a morning group while the kitchen stays cool.
Where to stay
The old town
The old town suits anyone who wants to live among temples and small cafés inside the moat. Nights are quiet and the markets and gates are walkable, though rooms are limited and fill quickly.
Nimman
Nimman draws people for modern cafés, bookshops and the university nearby. The old town is ten minutes by songthaew, and the district is livelier in the evening and feels more like a city than a village.
The Ping riverbank
The Ping riverbank suits those who want a river view and quiet evenings. Warorot market and the old town are a short walk away, but temples and bars mean crossing to the other bank.
Getting to and around Chiang Mai
From Chiang Mai airport the old town is about fifteen minutes by taxi or songthaew. Public transport is thin: red songthaews run along the main roads picking up passengers, and a bicycle is handy for short trips. Agree the route and fare with the driver before setting off.
Three days in Chiang Mai
The old town
In the morning walk round Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, then rest in a café inside the moat. In the evening go to the night bazaar on Chang Klan Road.
Doi Suthep and Nimman
Climb to Doi Suthep in the morning and stop at the waterfall on the way down. After lunch drop into Nimman, where the cafés and bookshops stay open late.
The river and the markets
Spend the morning at Warorot market among spices and cloth, then cross the river and have lunch on the far bank. Return to the old town in the evening.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.5 | 13.9 | 25.9 | 3.1 | 11.1 |
| February | 28.9 | 14.6 | 13.0 | 2.0 | 11.5 |
| March | 33.2 | 17.8 | 15.9 | 3.4 | 12.0 |
| April | 34.4 | 20.9 | 75.3 | 10.6 | 12.6 |
| May | 32.3 | 21.8 | 179.5 | 20.4 | 13.0 |
| June | 30.2 | 21.5 | 134.6 | 20.6 | 13.2 |
| July | 29.1 | 21.3 | 191.2 | 24.4 | 13.1 |
| August | 28.1 | 21.0 | 254.2 | 26.5 | 12.8 |
| September | 27.6 | 21.0 | 242.1 | 23.3 | 12.3 |
| October | 26.8 | 19.7 | 156.2 | 18.6 | 11.7 |
| November | 25.8 | 17.5 | 31.7 | 6.4 | 11.3 |
| December | 24.6 | 14.8 | 16.1 | 2.6 | 11.0 |
Frequently asked questions
Chiang Mai: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is 25.5 °C and the night-time low is 13.9 °C. Start a long walking route in the morning. Plan lunch and shaded breaks for the middle of the day.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 3.1 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 25.9 mm. There are relatively few days with precipitation. Build your plans around walks and keep an indoor activity for a wet-weather day.
What should I pack for walks in January?
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 25.3 °C; 11–20 — 25.2 °C; 21 to month-end — 26.1 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 11.1 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Chiang Mai worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 25.5 °C and nights around 13.9 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Chiang Mai on a wet day in January?
There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Chiang Mai in January?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 11.1 hours.