This is my personal experience going to Chiang Mai for 4 days to see the lantern release:
- many beautiful temples: white, green,… very far from the city so fly to the nearest place, or rent nearby, we rented a car for the whole day
- should buy tickets to see the lights (oh my god it's surprisingly beautiful)
- the worst thing: prepare clothes to wear, afraid of cold,…. BUT up there it's hot as hell, luckily didn't rent a motorbike, otherwise probably would have fainted from the heat, I went in November
- as for those tropical shops, have to go early: I went at peak time so couldn't register because had to wait 1-2 hours.
Will go again? Then I go but only to see the lights 😆
Mae Ngam I haven't gone, but heard from my friend that it's desolate, chilly, not many shops
Actually those 2 places are too different, you search Chiang Mai enough services experiences😂
