8 Reasons Siem Reap is Better Than Chiang Mai

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Are you torn between visiting Chiang Mai or Siem Reap? These two cities have many similarities, but a few differences that made one stand out for me.

Steve and I visited Chiang Mai, Thailand, in the fall of 2024, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, in the winter of 2024–2025. We spent four weeks in Chiang Mai and three weeks in Siem Reap, staying near the city center in both places.

I had been excited to see Chiang Mai because it’s a favorite among travelers. While we enjoyed some unique experiences—like spending two days at an elephant sanctuary, exploring the lush Tweechol Gardens, and attending a lively ladyboy show—I found the city somewhat lacking in q variety of things to do. If you’re a fan of wats (Buddhist temples), however, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

On the other hand, I went to Siem Reap with no expectations. Like Chiang Mai, it doesn’t offer a huge range of attractions, but the highlights—Angkor Wat and the other temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park—are unforgettable. We also loved the Phare Circus and learning about the land-mine-sniffing rats at APOPO, which was fascinating and inspiring.

Though these two cities share some similarities, there are key differences that made me fall in love with one and feel underwhelmed by the other. Read on to find out why I adored Siem Reap but wouldn’t return to Chiang Mai.

Similarities

First, let’s look at the similarities of the two cities.

Both Chiang Mai and Siem Reap are the second-largest cities in their respective countries, yet small enough to explore comfortably. Both cities also have a relaxed vibe—Chiang Mai leans a little more “hippieish,” but elephant pants, Birkenstocks, and backpacks feel equally at home in both.

Getting around is simple, whether on foot or by using Grab. Other local options include the abundance of motorcycle-powered tuk-tuks in Siem Reap and the red songthaews in Chiang Mai, although we didn’t try either.

Both cities are budget-friendly, offering great value for your money. Expect to feel the heat, though—it’s hot in both locations year-round.

Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand and Cambodia, which influences much of the culture and architecture. Both cities cater heavily to tourists, offering a wide range of accommodations, countless restaurants, and numerous tour options.

Markets are also a big part of both cities’ charm. Chiang Mai boasts the bustling Night Bazaar and the Sunday Walking Street, while Siem Reap has the Old Market (Phsar Chas) and Angkor Night Market.

One surprising similarity? Both countries have strict laws about criticizing their royalty. In Thailand, insulting, threatening, or defaming the King, Queen, Heir-apparent, or Regent can result in imprisonment for three to fifteen years. Cambodia introduced a similar law in 2018, with penalties of up to five years for insulting the king.

The 8 Reasons

And now, why I preferred Siem Reap.

1. You can use U.S. dollars in Siem Reap: Cambodia’s official currency is the riel (KHR), but U.S. dollars are widely used and accepted everywhere we went. It might not be the most compelling reason to go there, but it was nice to have a break from currency conversions and currency exchange fees. Note: You’ll often receive riels as part of your change, which work perfectly as tip money.

2. English is widely spoken: Siem Reap stands out as one of the most English-friendly non-English-speaking cities we’ve visited. Communication was smooth everywhere, from restaurants to tuk-tuks.

3. Ancient temples beat wats: While Chiang Mai has a high concentration of wats, Siem Reap offers the once-in-a-lifetime experience of wandering through 800–1,000-year-old temples like Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm (aka the “Tomb Raider temple”). The historical and architectural depth is unmatched.

4. Alcohol sales aren’t restricted midday: Believe it or not, in Thailand (as of this writing), alcohol sales are restricted between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and again after midnight. On election days and some Buddhist holidays, sales can be prohibited altogether. Siem Reap? No such restrictions.

5. Reliability of attractions: Every museum and attraction we visited in Siem Reap was open when it claimed to be. In Chiang Mai, we ran into issues. For example, we went to a photography museum to escape the heat after checking their website for hours—only to find it closed for exhibit setup. At the Elephant Nature Park, we made a reservation but never received confirmation. After reaching out, we learned they were temporarily closed due to typhoon damage. This type of experience wasn’t unique to Chiang Mai—it also happened in Bangkok. No doubt, similar situations occur in Cambodia, but everything we wanted to see in Siem Reap was reliably open.

6. Food that’s flavorful, not fiery: This might be controversial, but I don’t like Thai food. I’m not a fan of spicy dishes, and I find the non-spicy options too bland. The food in Siem Reap, on the other hand, struck a perfect balance—flavorful and satisfying, with spicy options available but not overwhelming.

7. You can Grab a tuk-tuk: Grab worked seamlessly in both cities, but in Siem Reap, you can even summon a tuk-tuk through the Grab app. Not only is it more affordable than a car, but it’s also fun.

8. Meaningful experiences: Neither Chiang Mai nor Siem Reap is overflowing with tourist attractions, but the types of experiences Siem Reap offers resonated more with me. Cambodia is still recovering from the Pol Pot years (1975-1979) and the Cambodian Conflict (1979-1998), which makes for deeply moving encounters. From watching the Phare Circus (a project supporting free education and arts training) to learning how landmines are detected by trained rats at APOPO, the stories here are inspiring. We also heard a firsthand account from a man who grew up during the Khmer Rouge era and toured a killing fields site. These experiences added a profound layer of depth to our visit.

Until Next Time

I hope my list of reasons for preferring Siem Reap over Chiang Mai was helpful! These two cities share many similarities, and I think both are worth seeing so you can decide for yourself if they resonate with you. Chiang Mai gets a lot of love from travelers, and it’s clear there’s plenty to appreciate about it—just not the things I value most.

If you’ve been to both cities, Steve and I would love to hear your thoughts. Which one did you prefer, and why?

Happy traveling,
Linda

Featured photo is a courtyard in the Banteay Srei Temple (late 10th century)

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