18° 47′ N, 98° 59′ E
Overview
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1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is probably the most famous temple of Chiang Mai. Its full name is Wat Phra Thai Doi Suthep Rajaworamwiharn and it is one of the most important and sacred temples in northern Thailand.
This temple is a major pilgrimage destination during major Buddhist holidays. The importance of the temple owes much to a legend. The story goes that a white elephant was carrying a bone believed to be from Buddha when it suddenly died on top of the mountain. It was seen as a spiritual sign, leading local people to build a sacred temple in this exact place.
Practical
The entrance fee is 30 THB.
Daily open from 05:00 am until 09:00 pm
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2. Wat Pha Lat and the Monk Trail
Wat Pha Lat is a tranquil and serene Buddhist temple that is gradually being taken over by nature. It is located halfway up the Doi Suthep mountain, the same mountain as the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is therefore often overshadowed by this famous temple, but that is also why it is a lot less busy. Its location in the woods, next to a waterfall, makes it a very peaceful place to visit.
Yet, the temple is slowly gaining in popularity and is increasingly included in tours. Therefore, it is best to go as early as possible in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the serenity of this place.
3. Tha Phae Gate
Around the Old Town, you will find several parts of the old city walls and the old entrance gates. The most famous of these is the Tha Pae gate on the east side. Historically, it was seen as the main gate.
In front of the gate is a big open ground, where many cultural activities and celebrations, such as the Flower Festival and Yee Peng Lantern Festivals, are held.
4. Sunday Night Market - Top Activity in Chiang Mai
Every Sunday evening, from 4.00 pm to 12.00 am the street in front of the Tha Phae gate, turns into a big walking street. Together with several other streets and blocks, it becomes a bustling night market full of vendors, selling everything from handmade artwork and jewelry to souvenirs and more magnets than you can handle.
But even better is the variety of delicious street food that you will find on the market. Don’t eat before going to the market, so that you can taste all the different delicacies.
Note: If you are not in Chiang Mai on a Sunday, you can also enjoy delicious street food and hunt for souvenirs and clothes in the main night market, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, every day of the week from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am.
5. Doi Inthanon National Park
One of the best things to do in Chiang Mai, especially for nature lovers, is explore the Doi Inthanon National Park. This national park sits on top of Thailand’s highest mountain and can not be missed on a Northern Thailand Itinerary. Here, you can hike different mountain trails, enjoy spectacular views, admire the twin pagodas, and chase impressive waterfalls. The most popular trails are the Kew Mae Pan and the Pha Dok Siao Nature Trail.
Doi Inthanon National Park is located about a 1,5-hour drive from the center of Chiang Mai, but it is definitely worth the journey. You can either rent a car or join a tour. We do not recommend getting there by motorbike as it is quite a long ride and the road gets very steep and winding towards the end.
Practical
Entrance fee: 300 THB
Kew Mae Pan Trail: 200 THB per group
Pha Dok Siao Nature Trail: 220 THB per group + 150 THB shuttle back to the start.
Car: 30 THB
Daily open from 06:00 am until 04:00 pm
6. Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chedi Luang is a stunning Buddhist temple complex, located in the heart of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Wat Chedi Luang means ‘Temple of the Big Stupa’ and we think it’s very clear why. Originally, the gigantic stupa was approximately 82 meters tall, making it one of the tallest structures in Chiang Mai.
Unfortunately, during an earthquake in 1545, the upper part of the structure collapsed. However, the temple is still very beautiful and you can enjoy the impressive architecture of the various buildings, stunning murals, and the city pillar.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Chiang Mai and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
via Booking.com
7. Join a Thai cooking class
Taking a Thai cooking class is a must-do in Chiang Mai! This city is famous for its awesome cooking classes that dive into Northern Thai cuisine. You’ll get to learn how to make delicious dishes, including ones featuring khao (rice), and even get a tour of a local market to pick out fresh ingredients. It’s a fun and tasty way to experience the local food scene!
8. Wat Hopping in the Old Town
The Old Town of Chiang Mai is a lovely area to wander around and you will find many beautiful temples explore. Stroll through the charming streets, drink a coffee in one of the many cozy coffee bars, get lost in the smallest alleys and be surprised by a new temple behind every corner. A number of noteworthy temples that you can visit, in addition to Wat Chedi Luang, are Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phantao.
9. Chasing waterfalls
Chiang Mai is located in a mountainous area and you will therefore find quite a few impressive waterfalls in the surroundings of the city. Most of them are all located a little further away from the center of Chiang Mai. We therefore recommend that you make it a waterfall chasing day trip and combine different waterfalls or other interesting places in the area. Some of the most famous waterfalls are:
Bua Tong Waterfalls or Sticky Waterfalls
Wachirathan Waterfall
Mae Ya Waterfall
Mok Fa Waterfall
Montha Than Waterfall + hike
Huay Kaew Waterfall
10. Elephant Nature Park
Chiang Mai is known for its many elephant sanctuaries, where you can usually feed and bathe the elephants. Many of them claim to be ethical, but this often turns out to be otherwise. We are convinced that elephants are well cared for in some of those places. However, in our and many others’ opinions, feeding and touching the elephants today is no longer part of an ethical sanctuary.
The only real ethical and responsible elephant sanctuary, that we therefore recommend, is the Elephant Nature Park. It’s a center for rescued elephants and rehabilitation, where they are loved and respected.
No feeding, no touching, just experiencing and walking in between these magnificent with minimal interaction. This is definitely how it should be. This center does not only take care of elephants but of many other animals such as dogs, cats, cows, and buffalos… and they all live together in peace.
Besides a one-day visit, you can also stay overnight or volunteer for several days! You find all the options, more detailed information, and prices on their website.
11. Chom Cafe
Attention Instagrammers: magical photo opportunity ahead!
Chom Cafe has taken the term garden cafe to a whole new level. In this cafe, you can join a coffee as if you are sitting in an enchanting forest in a Disney Movie. Next to their terrace, they have created two small, mossy forests, where the sun’s rays shine through a magical mist. You will even find a small waterfall in the decor. Be sure to pass the first small garden, because the second one behind it is larger and more beautiful.
You can have a quick drink there to just check out what the hype is about. However, they also offer a wide variety of delicious dishes, so might want to stay a bit longer to grab a bite as well.
On busy days, you may have to queue outside. That’s why we recommend that you go near opening time (at 11 am), if it is not a spontaneous stopover.
Practical
Daily open from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm
12. Pha Chor Canyon
Pha Chor canyon is also referred to as the ‘mini Grand Canyon’ of Thailand. This fascination canyon was created by the Ping River, that changed its course many years ago. It is located in Mae Wang National Park and you have to do a beautiful hike of 15 to 20 minutes to reach the canyon.
The gigantic yellow walls are about 30 meter highs and consist out of huge pillars and impressive rock formations. You can admire a panoramic view over the canyon from a viewpoint, or you can head down into the area to take a closer look at the spectacular rock formations.
Practical
Entrance Fee: 100 THB
Parking:
- Motorbike 20 THB
- Car 30 THB
Daily open from 08:30 am until 04:30 pm
13. Pai - Day Trip
Pai is a small, hippy-vibe village about a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai. There is a very laid-back atmosphere and it’s surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Although it’s only a tiny village, there are a lot of nice things to do in the area. You can relax in natural hot springs, explore the impressive Tham Lod Cave, stroll over the evening market, admire a stunning sunset over Pai Canyon and so much more.
Note: Pai can only be reached via a very winding road with about 762 bends. So, if you suffer from motion sickness, make sure you are prepared or better skip it.
14. Chiang Rai - Day Trip
Chiang Rai is another popular destination in the north of Thailand, about a 3 to 3,5 hour drive from Chiang Mai. This city is mostly known for its intriguing white and blue temple. However, there are certainly other interesting places to explore, such as the great white statue of Goddess Guanyin and the mysterious Black House.
You can visit some of the highlights of Chiang Rai, including its two most famous temples, during a day trip from Chiang Mai.
Practical Information
Best time to visit Chiang Mai
Generally, Thailand knows 3 seasons: wet season (May to October/November), cool season (November to February) and hot season (March to May).
Therefore, the best time to visit Chiang Mai is between November and January, during cool season, when the temperatures are more pleasant to explore and there’s less rain. Know that this period is also high tourist season, so you can expect bigger crowds and higher prices.
You should definitely avoid traveling to northern Thailand during the burning season, usually during February and March. This is when the local farmers burn the trash from their fields, causing the air to become completely polluted and visibility to become very poor.
How to get to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has its own International Airport, with direct flights arriving from other major cities in Asia. The airport is located only a 10-minute drive from the center of Chiang Mai. So, flying to Chiang Mai is the most convenient way.
It is also possible to get to Chiang Mai by (sleeper)bus or by (sleeper)train from other places in Thailand, such as Bangkok, Ayutthaya, and Sukhothai.
If you would like to discover more places in Thailand, it is also recommended to rent a car. The roads are generally in good condition and you can travel through the country with much more freedom.
How to get around in Chiang Mai
You can easily visit the old center of Chiang Mai on foot or by bike. For places a bit further away you can hail a Songthaew, these typical red open trucks, rent a scooter, take a Grab or join a tour. Prices for a motorbike rental vary from 200 – 400 baht per day, depending on the model.
Some of these must-visit places in Chiang Mai are quite far from the center, such as Doi Inthanon National Park. This distance is too much to cover on a motorbike and often the rentals do not allow this. To visit these places, you can rent a car or join a tour.
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers different kinds of accommodations, such as hotels, hostels, and guesthouses for every budget.
Overall, the best area to stay in Chiang Mai is the Old Town. It is the most picturesque part of the city and it is within walking distance of the most interesting places in Chiang Mai Thailand.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Chiang Mai and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
via Booking.com
How many days for Chiang Mai
To fully enjoy all the fun things to do in Chiang Mai, we recommend staying at least 3 to 5 days. Three days will cover the city center, a trip to Doi Inthanon National Park, and a few local attractions. If you want to add day trips to Pai or Chiang Rai, consider extending your stay by a day or two, or explore these destinations on a full northern Thailand itinerary.
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However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
