Aydan Stuart

There's no way to travel all of Asia in one lifetime, but you can damn well bet that we're going to try. From bustling city destinations to wild island paradises, there's so much on the regional travel menu that we'd gladly spend our annual leave on in 2025 – and if you're having a hard time choosing, then you're in the right place. We talked to our Time Out editors and travel contributors in Asia to suss out what's on their radar for the coming year. These destinations are emerging hotspots: long overlooked or previously hard to get to, but now on the map for travellers searching for alternatives to well-trodden destinations like Bali, Tokyo, and Bangkok. Many on the list have become better-connected too – all the more reason to buy that plane ticket in 2025. And it goes without saying: they all have spectacular natural attractions, rich culture, and fantastic dining scenes to satisfy the pickiest of travellers. Here's Time Out's list of the best places to visit in Asia in 2025.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Asia newsletter for the best travel inspiration straight to your inbox. READ MORE: The most spectacular places to visit in Asia and The most gorgeous islands in Asia 

As Christmas comes to a close and the New Year party is just around the corner, this year’s weekend no-mans-land is ripe with things to do. Keep up the festive spirit and maintain your energy through to the 31st with this exceptional spread of events, dinners and activities this weekend.

There’s no denying that Chiang Mai is a paradise for food lovers, with almost every cuisine you can imagine served up somewhere in the city. But despite the many options, there’s arguably no better way to experience Chiang Mai’s culinary soul than diving headfirst into Northern Thai cuisine.  Often overshadowed by the ever-popular tastes of Isan, Northern Thai food takes a bold approach to spice and seasoning, packed with flagrant spice and ingredients straight out of the jungle. From the zing of nam prik noom (young chilli dip) to the interestingly creamy bows of khao soi (curried noodle soup), there’s a unique menu of flavours you’ll find nowhere else but the north.  At TimeOut, we love to celebrate the best food and the fanciest of restaurants, but in this article we’ll take you back to basics – out on the street, down secret alleys and into the jungle as we round up the best spots in Chiang Mai to eat authentic northern Thai cuisine. 

It’s that magical time of year when Christmas casts its sparkle over Chiang Mai. Imagine fairy lights twinkling against the backdrop of mountains, festive spice-laden cocktails served under starlit skies, and pop-up Christmas markets overflowing with unique gifts and handmade treasures. Amidst the festive fun, this year also has an abundance of special lunches and dinners to indulge in. So, trade the kitchen for a cozy table, skip the big shop, and treat yourself to a feast without the fuss – or the washing up!

We all know that Chiang Mai is a haven for foodies, with an almost limitless supply of food pretty much twenty-four hours a day. And while here we tend to graze throughout the day (more than our western counterparts who prefer three square meals), there’s no denying the allure of brunch – a meal trend that jives perfectly with our laid-back approach to living and obsession with Instagram. So whether it's a classic eggs benedict, healthy smoothie bowls or a belly bulging number of meat sticks that you’re craving, we have you covered with our definitive list of the best brunch spots in Chiang Mai. 

The wait is over – Poy Festival is here! Chiang Mai’s first-ever vinyl and live music festival takes center stage this Saturday and Sunday (Dec 14-15, 2024), bringing a weekend packed with live performances, a treasure trove of record markets and engaging conversations about the joys of traditional analog music bouncing back hard into the mainstream once again.  Poy Fest, as the locals are already calling it, is a love letter to all things analog. Forget the streaming links and QR codes – this festival is all about the tactile joy of vinyl records, the buzzing of old cassette tapes and, at most, the occasional CD. For those who love music in its purest form, it’s set to be a refreshing throwback to the era when music was something you held in your hands, not just your headphones. Whether you’re a hardcore vinyl collector, a live music lover or just here for a good groove under the open sky, Poy Fest has you covered. Picture yourself swaying to soulful beats with a craft beer in hand, surrounded by fellow music lovers on the banks of the Ping river. What you see is what you get at Baan Fa Ham – a picturesque riverside venue tucked conveniently within Chiang Mai city (just search “At Pingnakorn” on Google Maps and it’s right next door).  Kicking off at 2pm each day, this analog extravaganza promises a celebration of music, nostalgia and community like Chiang Mai has never seen before, with the region’s biggest vinyl tribes making their way here from Bangkok, Chonburi and even J

Last week, Galleries’ Nights took over Bangkok with an event that saw over 200 artists exhibit at over 100 galleries in the city. Organised by the French embassy, this epic artistic exploration is now headed north to Chiang Mai, with a bitesize offering of 16 galleries opening their doors and hosting special exhibitions during the evenings of November 29 and 30. In case you missed it, Galleries’ Nights in Bangkok was a resounding success, with thousands of people exploring the many galleries open at night. You can catch up on our ultimate guide to Galleries’ Nights in Bangkok here, which gives you the low-down on the event’s history and exciting activities involved.  Given Chiang Mai is a much smaller city, you can just about make it to all the galleries involved…at a push. Doors open from 5pm and close at 10pm, giving you five hours to make it around, or pick your favourite and take your time.  With fewer galleries and a more compact city layout, Chiang Mai is poised to deliver its own unique twist on the event that may see you manage to visit every venue – if you plan carefully. Doors open from 5pm to 10pm, giving you five hours to soak in as much as you can. You can find out more information and up-to-the-minute updates via their dedicated Facebook Page, but to save you looking around online, here’s the event schedule and all you need to know in one handy place. 

It’s that time of year again, where the magical Loy Krathong festival takes over all of our social media feeds. However, up in Chiang Mai, the festival takes on a second identity as it coincides with the ancient Lanna festival of Yi Peng.  These twin festivals, celebrated from November 13-17, featuring floating lanterns, beautiful illuminated krathongs and fireworks, are often said to be the most enchanting events on the Thai calendar. Krathongs are decorative floats that are pushed out onto the river to apologise for polluting it over the year, while the paper lanterns are often adorned with prayers and wishes written by those who hope to release their dreams into the sky.  What is Yi Peng Festival? Yi Peng Festival is a Chiang Mai tradition held on the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar, usually November. The festival is most well known for the release of thousands of paper lanterns into the sky, symbolising the release of misfortune and the making of wishes. What is Loy Krathong Festival? Loy Krathong is celebrated across Thailand and is all about honouring water spirits and seeking forgiveness for pollution. Traditionally, people release krathongs – small floating baskets made from banana leaves, flowers, and candles – into local waterways to seek forgiveness and release negative feelings. In certain areas, foam and non-biodegradable materials are used, ironically becoming one of the biggest river pollution events of the year.  Despite a heavy debate r

Chiang Mai, city of the North, surrounded by mountains and packed with culture. There’s no place quite like it, which means it attracts a lot of visitors. With lots of visitors, means lots of places to stay and explore. 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or just a tea drinker at heart), you probably know that Chiang Mai is Thailand's unofficial coffee capital – bursting at the seams with hot, freshly brewed coffee originating from northern Thai mountains and other sources from around the world.  Following an initiative by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) to move hilltribes and mountain farmers away from opium, coffee was introduced to the northern region as a great economic alternative that improved earnings and wellbeing of thousands of communities.  As a result, the north of Thailand fell in love with the little roasted bean. From ethical sourcing to award-winning baristas, Chiang Mai's coffee scene is booming, brewing a range of experiences that go beyond the usual cafe routine. Locals say there’s more coffee shops than 7-Elevens, and we’d tend to agree. So, to help you navigate the saturated market of amazing coffee, here’s where we think you should go to get really good coffee in Chiang Mai. 

Last month, Chef Roman Sturn joined a dozen other exceptional chefs at the 2025 edition of Thailand’s Favourite Restaurants by Koktail Chefs and Restaurants Awards, taking place in Bangkok on November 20, 2024.  As the sole Chiang Mai representative at the event, he wowed diners of the subsequent charity dinner with a melt-in-the-mouth chocolate dessert made from local chiang mai cocoa and his unique creative flair.  As a big fan of his legacy at Tea Leaf Lab, all focus is now on Owl Brasserie, his latest project that takes a strong sustainable take on European cuisine using locally sourced ingredients from Chiang Mai and the north. “I want to bring Thai ingredients to the Western palette in a way that’s creative yet familiar,” said Chef Roman while leaning against his brand new stainless-steel kitchen recently installed into the old house at the end of Soi Chantharawirot, just inside the Old City moat.    “We make sure to reduce waste, pickling, smoking or stocking all our food offcuts and try to use ingredients that are less commonly used,” he continued. Examples of this include his creative insert of tangy wing beans into tartare sauce, salted caramel chicken tea and a Thai sourced roe for his take on ‘taramasalata’.  To keep things fresh (literally and figuratively) Chef Roman changes up his menu every three months, however some of his most beloved dishes will remain a constant, most notably the incredible duck liver better mandarin, a savory tidbit that was inspired by h

Huen Muan Jai With former TV chef Charan Thipeung in the kitchen, Huen Muan Jai is popular for two reasons – food and fame! With over a decade of experience serving northern Thai food to Chiang Mai’s harshest critics, their menu offers hard-to-find traditional dishes alongside some of the region's most classic favourites. Set inside a traditional Lanna-style house, their unique spice mixes mean for truly standout dishes. If you’re looking to try everything, the combo taster dish fancily named ‘hors d'oeuvres Lanna’ is a great place to start.  Their must-try dish: The uniquely spiced minced fish laap is Michelin Guide recommended but we vote for their take on Sai Oua – the classic northern Thai spiced sausage. Link here

Raw meat is back on the menu – and here’s where you can try it. Northern Thai food is famous for its laap, a meat salad that’s distinctly different from its Isan counterpart thanks to the addition of blood, cumin and a number of other jungle herbs and spices. Traditionally consumed in both cooked and raw forms, this roadside restaurant just out of town keeps culture alive (in both senses!) with their menu of raw buffalo salads, spicy soups and offal grill.  Their must-try dish: A safe space for raw meat, push the boat out and shove a warm ball of sticky rice into a spicy raw buffalo laap salad.  Link here

A go-to spot for Chiang Mai University students, their cheap, almost tapas-style servings of grilled meat, grilled eggs, northern laap krua and spicy-sour soups are unmatched. Found deep down Soi Wat Umong, you’ll see it for the smoky grill that encroaches onto the road with rows and rows of pork and eggs on sticks absorbing the woody aroma.  Their must-try dish: Honestly, it’s the combination of fatty grilled meats and oil-cutting spicy soups that makes the flavour of Laap Lung Noi. But if you have to try one thing, it’s their perfectly grilled intestines on sticks.  Link here  

There’s hundreds (literally hundreds) of khao soi restaurants in Chiang Mai and there’s really no way of telling which one is best. Many say eating khao soi is a very personal experience, so we’ll let you decide – but for us, Khao Soi Lamduan Fa Ham is up there with the best. A city legend that’s been open over 70 years (yes, seven-zero) they clearly know what they’re doing. They’re another for the Michelin Guide, so if you’re a newbie to this as well, it's a great place to get initiated.  Their must-try dish: Khao soi, surprisingly! But we say go for the beef version that’s soft, chewy and crunchy all in one bite. Pair it up with a side of pork satay and you’re all set.  Link here

Trendy and always full of diners, this is the go-to spot in Nimmanhaemin for easy-to-eat northern Thai fare. Although overloaded at peak hours by locals and tour groups drawn in by their smokey grilled meats, dips and curries, once you do get a table you’ll see why it's so popular. The food is as authentic as it comes but their mild spice options make it a great starting point for any northern Thai food virgins. They’ve become so famous that they’ve opened up shop in Bangkok too, down Soi 44, Charoenkrung Road.  Their must-try dish: Gaeng Hang Lay curry is a northern curry that finds its origins in Shan cuisine, and Tong Tem Toh’s addition of fatty pork and crunch peanut topping is second to none. Link here  

One of the best spots in the city to try the jungly side of northern Thai food in a space that’s a little more restaurant than market. It’s best known for its wide range of menu items that are made using local ingredients and a lot of spice. The rustic decor of thatched roofs and herb garden outside adds to the vibe, making it a favourite among locals and visitors alike. It’s got so popular in recent years that it’s made the Michelin Guide and has a steady flow of celebs and influencers through its door.  Their must-try dish: If you don’t dare to eat anything too bug-like, close your eyes and just try their ant egg omelette. It’s like little pops of butter in your mouth… Link here

Housed in an 1880s shophouse mansion on Tha Phae road, this is where to come for the finer side of northern Thai dining. Kiti Panit paints an updated picture of Lanna cuisine with beautifully presented curries, meats and salads served alongside locally sourced beverages and an extensive selection of paired wines. Definitely on the higher side of the budget, but a brilliant place for dates and celebrations that’s unique and different from your usual western fine dining fare.  Their must-try dish: Their braised pork rib soup Pak Kad Jor Moo is a great centrepiece to an indulgent selection of pick and share dishes.  Link here  

Forget the full moon party and dance till you drop under the mysterious shadow of the new moon instead. This party is all about fast beats, with DJs mixing jungle, drum & bass, dubstep, psytrance and techno to electrify your mind and keep you dancing for hours. The event promises a total sensory immersion experience, with all senses accounted for. Expect lights, smells, sounds and, of course, tastes from the bar and restaurant. Way out of town, you can either make your own way there or take a taxi from a designated pickup zone near Zoe in Yellow. This one’s bound to blow your mind. Dec 21. B500 includes taxi fare. Jungle Freedomland. 8pm-Sunrise. 

Weave Artisan Society is back with their popular Christmas fair, this time bigger and better than last year. Buy gifts for loved ones or just treat yourself – it is the season after all! The market is packed with things like handicraft artisan gifts, unique products hard to find elsewhere and a selection of Chrismassy food and drinks served throughout the day by big city names such as Accha, Biscotti House, Siamaya Chocolate and Smash Daddy’s. Not only is the shopping good, but it also supports local creators and helps Chiang Mai’s small businesses thrive. This year, a live music stage brings added entertainment, while the kids zone makes it easy for parents to leave their little ones while they panic buy any last minute goodies. Dec 21-22. Free. Weave Artisan Society. Midday-10pm.   

Get back to roots and camp out surrounded by positive vibes and artistic energy for the next week. This off-grid-style festival focuses all its energy towards fostering love and artistic creation through community, music, workshops, creative activities, yoga and meditation. The week-long festival is said to be packed with visual art, installations, sculptures and impromptu performance art – as well as a full roster of musicians and shows including names such as Yannick Accordion, Han Xiaohan and Rexen. Camping is available, with both rental tents and camp spots where you can bring your own. Alternatively, catch scheduled shuttle buses to and from the city every day. Dec 19-25. B350 per day, B1800 for the full week. Maewang Sanctuary.   

The biggest eco-fair of the year at Jing Jai is here! For the third year in a row, Central’s Jing Jai market is focusing on all things green, with a plethora of handmade goods, design work, art and upcycled products – perfect for any last minute stocking fillers. The market also brings with it local wisdom presentations, the full organic vegetable market, handicraft workshops and other fun, eco-friendly activities to keep you entertained. For those who prefer to soak in the atmosphere, then check out the live music schedule with over 14 local bands and DJs playing across five stages dotted throughout the market. Dec 19-22. Free. Jing Jai Market. Thu-Fri 11am-9pm. Sat-Sun 6.30am-9pm.

Set on the upper floors of The Market Shopping Center, Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong is the city’s latest addition to the buzzing Ratchadamri Road (opposite CentralwOrld), strongly positioning itself as a playful, hip and stylish hotel experience for city travellers and young-at-heart locals looking for the next best hangout.  Photograph: Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong by Marriott First impressions leave us keen to revisit, with a fun, vibrant and colourful 9th floor check-in bar that offers an unconventional experience for guests and passing visitors. Although a little confusing as to where to go on first arrival, friendly staff that feel more like your quirky cousin are ready to lead you to the bar for a welcome shot and a walkthrough of what Moxy has to offer.  Mixing modern travel luxuries with a do-it-yourself expectation when it comes to things like breakfast, ironing and table setting, it seems to nail the expectations and able-bodiedness of the new, younger generation of aspiring travellers.  Guests and day visitors can comfortably enjoy happy hour drinks, bottomless brunches and regular parties that happen almost every week. There’s also a plug and play area perfect for digital nomads who are keen to stay inspired by the buzz of the city, as long as you can work with the loud music playing seamlessly across every floor and zone.  Each of their 504 rooms cleverly do away with old unnecessaries and focus on what’s important – spacious showers, a mini-fridge that's just the