Chiang Mai is a must-visit for any traveller exploring South East Asia. Located in the rolling hills of Northern Thailand, this chilled-out city is home to some of the most beautiful mountain-top temples, ethical elephant sanctuaries, authentic Thai cooking classes located on stunning organic farms, and the infamous old city.
With so many amazing things to do in Chiang Mai, it can feel overwhelming to know what to add into your schedule (especially if you’re only here for a few days).
So, we’ve done the hard work for you and picked the absolute best and most unique things that you need to see and do.
Here are the top 23 must-see things to do in Chiang Mai…
MUST DO
Visit An Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Spending the day with an elephant is on pretty much everyone’s bucket list whilst travelling in Thailand. And it goes without saying that elephant riding centres are unethical and impose danger on the elephants.
So instead, travellers today are encouraged to choose to visit elephant sanctuaries – and Chiang Mai has some of the best in Thailand. At a sanctuary, you’ll learn about elephant body language and how to play with them – swapping unethical elephant rides for playful mud baths and feeding time.
Most sanctuaries you book with also offer transport to and from the location (often straight from your hotel doorstep) as most of them are a 30-60 minute drive from the centre of Chiang Mai.
Our recommendation: One of our personal favourites is the Elephant Retirement Park – Chiang Mai’s first ethical elephant sanctuary. Founded by Adulwit Khamya, better known as Noi. His passion for elephant care and rescue will be sure to pull on your heartstrings.
Included in: North Thailand Tour (Day 7)
Hike Up Doi Suthep (Wat Phra That)
Be sure to visit Chiang Mai’s most iconic and breathtaking temple, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Join a guided tour (or hiking club!) where you’ll follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims who climb up the 309 steps (or take the funicular railway up) to reach the 600-year-old golden ‘chedi’ and stupa on the hilltop for panoramic views of the city. The journey up the winding mountain road is an experience in itself!
Getting there: Doi Suthep is around 15 kilometres from Chiang Mai and sits over 1,000 metres above sea level. Most tours included your journey to and from the temple, or you can choose to make your own way there by jumping in the famous ‘red wagons’ you’ll see everywhere in Chiang Mai.
Included in: North Thailand Tour (Additional Day 3)
Visit Doi Inthanon, National Park
Explore one of Thailand’s original national parks Doi Inthanon – the highest mountain in the whole of Thailand! Perfect for adventurers and culture enthusiasts alike, this national park boasts lush tropical forests, majestic waterfalls, colourful flower gardens, and a wide range of animal species. In fact, it’s probably the best place to bird watch in the whole of Thailand. Chedis (monuments) dedicated to the King and Queen can be found atop the peak of the mountain along with panoramic views of Chiang Mai.
Tip: Doi Inthanon rises to a height of 2565 meters (8, 415 feet) above sea level. Be sure to bring a jacket as this altitude means that temperatures on Doi Inthanon are refreshingly brisk all year round and below freezing during the cool season (October to February).
Included in: North Thailand Tour (Additional Day 1)
Try An Authentic Khao Soi
Whilst Bangkok has Pad Thai, Chiang Mai has its own best-kept secret and speciality dish. Khao Soi is a deeply fragrant, coconut milk-based stew with crispy noodles and finished with either chicken, beef, or tofu. You can find the dish sold at most street vendors, markets, and restaurants – each place tends to have its own special spin on the dish!
RELIGIOUS
Explore Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
Wat Chedi Luang is another must-see temple, and much more easily accessible than most. Located inside Chiang Mai’s Old City walls, and a decent walking distance from many of the top hotels, Luang is famous for once housing the Emerald Buddha, one of the most important religious relics in Thailand.
Built between the 14-15th centuries, Luang was once the largest building in Lanna (an old Kingdom which controlled Northern Thailand) at a height of 82 metres. In 1545, a large earthquake substantially damaged the chedi and it now measures around 60 meters high. Then when the Burmese captured Chiang Mai five years later, the temple was left to fall into ruin.
Reconstructed in the 1990s, and financed by UNESCO and the Japanese government, the temple is now an active worship place – so you will still see monks going about their daily work as well as several Buddha shrines.
Check Out Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh stands as one of the most visually impressive temples in Chiang Mai. Also known as the Temple of the Lion Buddha, there are 700 monks living in the temple who will regularly talk to tourists.
The construction of this Buddhist temple and monastery began in 1345. It was later abandoned and came under serious disrepair during the Burmese occupation between the 16th and 18th centuries. Restoration eventually began in 1925 and again in 2002. The temple is now a stunning example of Lanna temple architecture.
Visit Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Also known as the Golden Mountain Temple, Wat Phra That Doi Kham is located at the top of a hill to the southwest of the city. It is named after the forested mountain on which it stands and is most well-known for its 56-foot tall Buddha draped in gold robes. The complex dates back over 1,000 years ago.
There are 300 steps to climb to reach the temple and the staircase is decorated with a serpent on each side. There is also a cable car to the top if needed. Once you reach the temple, you’ll be greeted with stunning panoramic views of Chiang Mai city.
Explore Wat Umong Tunnels
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Wat Umong is Chiang Mai’s only forest temple. Built in 1297 by King Maglai of the Lan Na dynasty, the temple is famous for its ancient meditation tunnels, old ruins, and large unpainted stupa. There are around 15 acres of wooded grounds where you can feed fish, turtles, and ducks that live in the temple’s large pond. The temple is located at the foot of Doi Pui Mountain.
Tip: If you look at the ceiling of the tunnels, you may be able to see some old drawings of elephants and temples thought to date back to the 13th or 14th Century.
Visit Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)
Most commonly known as the Silver Temple due to its handcrafted silver decoration which completely covers the temple. Wat Sri Suphan was originally built around 1500, with some repairs being made in silver from a local silversmith village for which it was built. The temple was only completely covered in silver in 2008.
Tip: During your visit here, you may be able to see artists in the silver studios and talk to the Monks who roam about the temples a few days a week.
DAY TRIPS
Go On a Night Safari
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The Chiang Mai Night Safari offers an experience you will never forget! Located about 12km from central Chiang Mai, this safari is modelled closely on the Singapore version and allows you to get up close and personal with rare nocturnal animals which you wouldn’t normally see throughout the day.
The tour lasts about an hour and is completely safe, with any dangerous animals being kept back in an enclosed space.
Visit The Hmong Hill Tribe Village
Just a few kilometres from both Doi Pui and Doi Suthep, the hill tribe villages near Chiang Mai give a unique and fascinating look at a simpler way of life. The history of the Hmong is something of a mystery, though they probably originated from Tibet.
The Hmong tribe people are fiercely independent people and are now widely spread around Asia. And thanks to their involvement in the Vietnam War, also in parts of the US. Near the village, you’ll also find a small waterfall, a big souvenir market, a number of restaurants, and a small museum about the Hmong culture and history.
Included in: North Thailand Tour (Additional Day 3)
ACTIVITIES
Learn to Cook Organic Thai Dishes
Immerse yourself in Chiang Mai’s culture by taking part in a small-group cooking class! Learn how to cook popular Thai dishes from Pad Thai, Pad Kra Prao, and Chiang Mai’s speciality, Khao Soi.
Our favourite cooking class in Chiang Mai is Grandma’s Home Cooking School. This half-day tour includes a bike ride to the local market to source your fresh ingredients, followed by a cooking lesson surrounded by a beautiful organic farm in the Saraphi district.
Optional add-on experience in: North Thailand Tour (Additional Day 3)
Watch a Muay Thai Boxing Fight
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Besides famous mountain temples and cooking classes, Chiang Mai is probably most well-known for Muay Thai fighting. A number of different venues show fights most days of the week. There are normally around five fights each night, starting in the evening. Grab a Chiang beer and enjoy!
Tip: Fancy learning Muay Thai yourself? A number of gyms offer training experiences where you will be taught the sport by professional trainers.
OUTDOORS
Explore Huay Kaew Waterfall and Swimming Hole
Huay Kaew Waterfall is an epic jungle waterfall located nearby to Chiang Mai Zoo and is one of the easiest waterfalls to reach in the city. There are two levels to the waterfall, both accessible by a short jungle hike. At the top level, you’ll find a swimming hole to cool off in. Towards the end of the dry season, the water levels are quite low, so you’ll need to plan your visit around that.
Brave the Pyongyang Adventure Park
Located around an hour’s drive from Chiang Mai, this treetop adventure park located in Chiang Mai’s jungle is a must-visit for adrenaline junkies. Within the park, there are eight zip lines, monkey ladders, wooden bridges, and abseiling to get your heart rate going! Plus, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the jungle. Be sure to ride the jungle roller coaster where you have full control of the speed – reaching up to 40km per hour!
Chill Out in San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
Fancy a day off from visiting temples and hiking up mountains? Treat yourself to a day spent relaxing in the hot springs of San Kamphaeng. Around an hour’s drive from Chiang Mai, the springs are located within a beautiful, well-maintained park heavily decorated with colourful flowers. You can even buy a basket of eggs to boil in the springs.
Visit the Royal Park Rajapruek
Built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of King Rama IX’s accession to the throne, and his 80th birthday, the Royal Park Rajapruek has 23 themed gardens donated by international governments. There are also nine Thai gardens and six ‘corporate’ gardens in this 200-acre piece of land. You could honestly spend hours here and still not see everything!
Take A Stroll In Buak Hard Park
Located in the South West corner of the old city, Buak Hard park is the most popular park in the city of Chiang Mai. You’ll find both locals and tourists here jogging, doing yoga, sunbathing, playing badminton, and even lifting weights in the gym area. There are often many festivals here, including the annual flower festival. The park is open most of the day, but we recommend visiting for either sunrise or sunset.
MARKETS
Visit The Night Bazaar Market
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Best known for its handicrafts and portrait paintings, the Night Bazaar of Chiang Mai is the main shopping hotspot in the city. You’ll find typical market goods sold here including jewellery, souvenirs, clothing, and more.
The market is usually open from around sunset to late evening and is located on the east side of Chiang Mai’s old city walls. There are hundreds of exciting and unique stalls and vendors to see, so spare a few hours for this one!
Explore Ploen Ruedee Night Market
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Chiang Mai’s iconic Night Bazaar has been the most popular tourist destination in the city for 50 years. But in 2014, Ploen Ruedee became a new addition to the marketplace. Located in the heart of the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, this new hotspot offers trendy food trucks, entertainment, and live music. Expect a relaxing atmosphere under the city’s stars.
Visit Tha Phae Sunday Walking Street
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The Sunday Walking Market is a large market located in the centre of the old city walls of Chiang Mai. The market is about one kilometre long, starting at Tha Phae Gate. It offers music, beer, crafts, clothing, and all of your typical tourist market goods.
Tip: The market is open every Sunday evening between 4 pm and around midnight. The best time to visit is at sunset. This is when the market comes to life after dark with live music, Thai dancers, and colourful lights. Plus, if you get sore feet, there are plenty of stalls offering Thai foot massages!
CULTURE
Ride in a Songthaew
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Whilst Bangkok is famous for tuk-tuks, Chiang Mai has its own iconic transport to get you around the city. A Songthaew is a converted pick-up truck with two rows of backbenches. In Thai, the word “songthaew” literally means ‘two rows’.
The jeeps can fit between 8-10 adults inside and allow for 1-2 people to hang off the back. Be warned though, there are no seatbelts in the truck, just bars to hold onto. The back door is also open with no door. But it’s all part of the thrill!
Tip: The trucks are usually shared with other travellers and are easy to hail down from anywhere in the city.
Celebrate Thai New Year at Songkran Festival
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If you’re lucky enough to be in Chiang Mai in time to celebrate the Thai New Year, then the Songkran festival is a must! It is without a doubt the biggest celebrated festival in Thailand and happens between the 13-15th of April every year. Expect to get wet! Locals and tourists fill the streets with buckets of icy water and water pistols ready to soak passers-by.
Only monks, babies and the elderly get free passes to this festival, but all tourists are welcome to buy a ticket! The most popular places to hang out during the Songkran festival are around the moat, canals, Ping River, and Chiang Mai Gate.
