8 hours and a half by car and 1 hour and 15 minutes by plane.

Chiang Mai is especially marvelous from October to February, which is Thailand's winter season. You will get to experience cold weather and fields of bright flowers, and you can gaze at the sea of fog atop the mountain peaks in early mornings. Keep in mind that in December and January, this province is most beloved by locals from Bangkok, and you might have to plan in advance if you want to find accommodation and tours.

There are many glorious temples you should not miss on your trip such as Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Chiang Man. Walking the busy street markets such as Tha Pae Walking Street (on Sundays) and Warorot Market (Kad Luang) in the evenings will also allow you to feel the culture and tastes local flavors. Most popular among Thais are the "Doi" or the mountain peaks such as Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Khang, and more. These days flower farms and orange farms are also very trendy, and are good spots if you want to capture some colorful photos for your social media.

As with any Buddhist country, you should dress politely and skip revealing clothes when entering sacred grounds and temples. Do not wear shoes in buildings, homes, and temples. As a rule, you also should not get close to monks since they are not allowed physical contact with others. Do not touch statues in temples and follow the rules of each place, and you'll be fine!

No. You don't need to tip anywhere in Thailand. However, you can give tips when you receive good service as a token of gratitude, and it will go a long way for service workers.