Chiang Mai ranks among the most popular destinations in Thailand, and Thailand is the most-visited country in southeast Asia. Unlike many tourist destinations, locals love it as much as foreign visitors, digital nomads, and retirees.
Why is Chiang Mai so popular? For one thing, it sits in northern Thailand’s highlands, so it’s always cooler than the rest of the country. For another, it is far smaller than Bangkok (about 200,000 residents, vs. 9 million). Hey, who doesn’t appreciate an occasional break from big city life?
That’s not to say that this noticeably greener city is boring, by any means. There are so many fun things to do in Chiang Mai province, you might have a hard time deciding what to see first.
Chiang Mai travel guide
We hope this travel guide to Chiang Mai will convince you to add northern Thailand to your itinerary. You’ll quickly discover that Chiang Mai is nothing like Bangkok.
We’ve lost count of how many websites say Chiang Mai is the second-largest city in Thailand. Just so you know, it’s not. Chiang Mai has just over 200,000 residents, making it the seventh-largest.
Why is this important? Because it goes to show that online information can be inaccurate or out-of-date. Please be sure to verify key details before you go, particularly restrictions, locations, visiting hours, and admission fees.
A brief history of Chiang Mai
The Lan Na or Lanna Kingdom, existed in present-day Northern Thailand from the 13th to 18th centuries. Its first capital was Chiang Rai, but Burmese invaders plagued it for decades. Finally, the king decided to move the capital city further away from the border. King Menrai declared his capital would be further south, founding Chiang Mai, which means New City. This time, he wisely surrounded his new capital with a city wall and moat.
Chiang Mai’s walls remained intact until the Second World War and the only way in or out of the city was via one of its six gates. Each gate had guards who would remove the bamboo bridges spanning the moat and lock the gates. They didn’t protect Chiang Mai during the Japanese occupation, though. They used its bricks to build a road up to Pai.
Today, the kingdom of Lan Na lives on in the region’s name – Lanna. Now, modern buildings surround Chiang Mai Old City, and its walls and gates were rebuilt in the late 1960’s.
Things to do and see in Chiang Mai
To help you figure out what to do in Chiang Mai while you’re here, we’ve broken the list of things to see into a few basic categories. Believe us, this is just scratching the surface. There are a lot of other places to go in Chiang Mai that we’re not going to cover – like shopping malls. We are going to include things like:
- Temples
- Local markets
- Street food
- Classes
- Outdoor adventures
- Animal encounters
And along with giving you a list of the best things to see in Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai province, we’re also going to share the essential planning tips at the end as usual, like how to get around and where to stay.
Wats (Thai temples)
Let’s start with what Chiang Mai is known for: Buddhist temples or, as the Thai call them, wats. Northern Thai temples and architecture are a fusion of Lanna, Mon, and Burmese styles, and thus they look quite different from those in Bangkok or Phuket. Nevertheless, no matter where you go in Thailand, wats are a central focus of Thai culture and connect the people to the traditions passed down by their ancestors.
If you enjoy visiting religious sites, you’ll be happy to know that Chiang Mai and the surrounding area is full of them, several hundred in fact. It may seem senseless until you understand the culture. At one time, kings erected wats not only to show their devotion, but as a way to display their wealth and power. These wats could also be used as hospitals and schools as well as centers of worship. Smart.
These days, temple hopping is one of the most popular things to do in Chiang Mai, and a lot of tourists like to spend a day or two travelling from one temple to another. We don’t know if anyone has counted how many wats are actually in Chiang Mai Old City proper, but there are dozens, for sure. No matter where you turn, you’ll probably see another temple you could add to your itinerary.
ⓘ TIP: Don’t be surprised if all those wats start to look the same after a while. Savvy travelers choose to see only a few to avoid this “temple burnout.” We suggest you focus on the most notable wats, like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra Singh. Scroll to the end for some tips for visiting Thai temples.
1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai’s golden temple. It crowns the top of a mountain road in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, about 15 km outside of Chiang Mai. The grounds offer golden monuments, stupas, pagodas and statues of both Hindu and Buddhist deities. The 600-year-old temple is surrounded by gorgeous forests and views of the city below.
To get to the temple, we took a songthaew from the Old City to Chiang Mai Zoo (cost: 50 baht per person), then transferred to a second one that took us up the mountain (another 40 baht each). At the top of the hill, the road is lined with souvenir shops and stalls, so you can stop for a quick bite.
This is as far as you can go by car. To reach the temple from this point, most people climb the naga-lined staircase. (Nagas are semidivine serpents from Hindu mythology.)
ⓘ PRO TIP: If you don’t want to (or can’t) accept the challenge of climbing the 306 steps, there’s another alternative. Buy a 20 baht ticket to ride a funicular all the way to the top. Well worth it, we thought.
Once at the top, you’ll see that Doi Suthep is no peaceful meditation retreat. Far from it!
You arrive to find a swarm of tourists, standing on a terrace with several shrines, statues, and heavy bronze bells (used for prayer). The terrace also offers a double balcony with a panoramic view of the city and airport.
Ramps and steps lead up a higher, walled area that is the center of worship. This higher terrace contains a massive collection of golden statues, candelabra, shrines, and niches, but the focus of worship is a towering golden stupa, where a steady stream of worshipers circle its base.
Many also come here to receive blessings from a monk. In Thai culture, it’s a sign of respect to keep your head lower than his. Thus, if you enter a room to receive a blessing or take photos of a monk, you should sit on the floor.
Cultural insight: Walking around a stupa (which contains holy relics) is a gesture of respect. It must be done clockwise, or in other words always keep it on your right-hand side. The idea is to walk around it three time or more, meditating on the Buddha’s teachings with strong devotion and with an undistracted mind.
- Hours: Daily, 6am – 5pm
- Admission: 30 baht
2. Wat Chedi Luang
Built in 1385, Wat Phra That Chedi Luang really lives up to its name: luang is the old Lanna word for “very big.” The wat’s main chedi (stupa) measures 88 meters in height and 24 meters in diameter, making it the highest point in the Old City.
Each side of the building has cracks so it is very much a crumbling ruin, but on the plus side, this testifies to the long and elaborate history of Chiang Mai. Each crater in the wall has a story behind it. Some pits are a result of earthquakes. Others are due to cannon fire from the Burmese (in 1775) and other conflicts around the city.
Even though it is not as ornate or beautiful as some of the others, it is easy to walk to this wat from almost anywhere in Chiang Mai.
- Hours: Daily, 6am – 6pm
- Admission: Free. Donations appreciated
3. Wat Phra Singh
If you prefer bright colors and dazzling architecture, make a note to visit Wat Phra Singh, one of the finest examples of classic Lanna-style temple architecture in Northern Thailand. This temple boasts both granite floors and walls decorated with delicately hand-carved and embossed designs, all contained within neatly manicured gardens.
Wat Phra Singh dates from 1345 and is dedicated to the Phra Singh, or Lion Buddha. (Singh is the Thai word for lion.) The temple got its name from an impressive statue of the Lion Buddha that was brought from Sri Lanka in 1367.
Another building in the complex holds a copy of the famous Emerald Buddha. The original statue was moved to the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
ⓘ PRO TIP: Wat Phra Singh is particularly breathtaking at sunset. If you get there at about 4 pm and leave at closing time, you’ll catch a glimpse of the sunset behind the golden buildings.
- Hours: Daily, 6am – 8pm
- Admission: 20 baht
4. Monk chats
If architecture and temple signposts are not enough to satisfy your cultural curiosity, many temples offer monk chats. This involves sitting at a table and sharing an informal conversation with one or more monks (usually novices). These chats are held to help improve the students’ English.
The monks will have a list of questions they can ask, but visitors are also allowed to ask them anything. One could ask them why they went into Monk schooling or where they come from or even if they will remain a monk after their schooling is done. Some boys will open up straight away whilst others take some time to warm up and find their confidence.
You can find chats at Wat Chedi Luang. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the Buddhist University. The chats normally run from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays and visitors can stay for as little or as long as they wish.
Shopping and eating in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is well-known for its shopping options, and you can find everything from local markets to boutiques and modern Western malls like Maya and Central Festival. Most visitors want to experience the local scene – even though it’s super-crowded with foreign tourists – so here are some of the best local markets in Chiang Mai.
5. Warorot Market
Warorot Market, or Khad Luang, is quite possibly the most popular of the night markets with both tourists and locals. The market is located in a building on Chang Khlan Road, with a few levels that are dedicated to different things. This is a must-see for food lovers as there is a wide variety of local snacks and specialty dishes. The stalls lining the outside of the building are brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables.
6. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
If you’re looking for local trinkets and doo-dads, schedule an evening for the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar on Chang Moi.
This colorful night market is covered by a large canopy to allow shoppers endless hours of rain-free retail. Filled with brightly decorated items, this market is ideal for those who want to pick up something for friends back home.
7. Saturday Walking Street
Also known as “Wualai”, the Saturday Walking Street Market is packed full of tourist souvenirs but also offers some more unique wares. Shoppers can buy clothes, bags and artwork from up-and-coming local designers.
Buskers fill the street with live music, vying with tempting trails of steam and heavenly smells from countless food stalls everywhere you turn.
8. Sunday Walking Street
Sometimes called Sunday Market, the Sunday Walking Street is the best way to end a weekend of site-seeing and exploring. Beginning around 4 pm every Sunday, Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic and the store owners lift the waterproof covers from their stalls and open for business. With so many stalls hawking art, crafts, food, music and more, it’s a fun place to explore.
This market is ideal for people wanting to pick up some authentic handcrafted items and grab an inexpensive plate of delicious food. It’s also a great place to find something really unusual to try.
9. Chiang Mai Gate Market
If you’re wandering down the south side of the Old City, explore the Chiang Mai Gate Market. This market takes on the role of a farmers’ market during the day, flaunting some of Thailand’s best fresh and dried produce.
By night, the Gate Market transforms into an open-air food truck dinner spot. Loved by locals and expats, this is a perfect place to pick up a quick, cheap meal, day or night.
10. Try northern Thai food
Northern Thai cuisine is nothing like the sweet, coconut milk-based foods you might be used to. Coconut doesn’t grow in the area, so most soups and curries are clear and broth-based. They also eat a lot of chicken and pork; seafood is rare this far from the sea. Even the rice is different. This area prefers its sticky rice to the jasmine rice served in the rest of the country.
Both Chinese immigrants and Lao and Burmese invaders have left their influence on the local food. So has the climate; a lot of cool-weather vegetables and herbs grow in the area. The result is rich and flavorsome dishes that are not to be missed, and our favorite is khao soi.
Khao Soi is Chiang Mai’s go-to noodle soup, and OMG am I in love! Egg noodles in a light chicken broth-and-coconut milk curry, topped with a lime wedge for tang and a pile of crunchy, fried noodles for crunch. It comes accompanied with a small condiment dish filled with sliced shallots, mustard greens, and dark red chili paste. Go easy on the chili paste; it has a powerful kick!
By the way, for a more contemporary food experience, you can explore the city streets and discover the upcoming hipster food scene. There is a wealth of tea shops, artisanal bakeries, coffee shops with latte art, and even rooftop bars – and as a bonus, it’s easy to find places that offer free wi-fi. You can even enjoy coffee with a bit of animal love at one of the city’s cat cafes. If you’re not a fan of felines, there are now a few dog cafes as well.
11. Take a Thai cooking class
If you’re a hands-on type, you may enjoy taking some classes. Chiang Mai boasts many places to learn Thai cooking, language, massage techniques, and more.
In our experience, Thai cooking classes have to be some of the most fun things to do in Chiang Mai. You’ll start with a morning tour through a local market, where the instructor will explain the typical Thai flavors and ingredients.
The class then moves to the classroom, where you learn how to combine the four Thai flavors—salty, spicy, sweet, and sour—to create some of the region’s most-loved dishes. Some schools even offer classes specifically for vegan or vegetarian cuisine. These courses are available throughout the week.
Gathering a few new recipes for some of the dishes you enjoyed is a wonderful souvenir from your trip – and as a bonus, it never collects dust! For us, cooking for our friends is a fun way to share our trip when we get home.
12. Get a Thai massage
Thai massage is a blend of stretching, muscle compression, and rocking that increases flexibility and relieves tension. Chiang Mai is full of spas that offer it at far less than you might spend elsewhere.
Tip: One of most unique things to do in Chiang mai is to get a massage from a prisoner at Chiang Mai’s women’s prison. They have a program that trains inmates to become Thai masseuses so they have a reputable source of income once they have served their time.
Natural escapes – outdoors and animal attractions
Here are a few ideas for outdoor activities you might enjoy, as well as some animal encounters for those of you who wish to see beasts up close and personal.
13. Trekking and hiking
Many treks are simple enough for travelers to take on alone while others will require a guided tour.
Simple treks include the trail from Wat Pha Lat to Wat Doi Suthep. This is an easy- to medium-level trail and ends up at the gorgeous temple in the National Park. Another is the trail around the Huay Tung Tao Lake, which is also home to a small fishing village. The village offers food stalls to explore and picturesque fishing huts.
Many guided treks can be booked as a package and can include treks up to remote mountain villages. Visitors can stay an evening or two and experience cultural rituals, dances and day-to-day routines.
14. Climb a waterfall, or just visit one
We’re talking about mountains after all, so it stands to reason that Chiang Mai province has more than a few waterfalls that are worth a visit. On a hot and humid day the water is cool and refreshing.
One of the most unique is Bua Tong or the Sticky Waterfalls, a beautiful, multi-tiered waterfall about 90 minutes out of town. Lmestone and mineral deposits create enough friction that you can easily climb up the waterfall (with the help of ropes). Most people walk to the bottom and then climb up the waterfall to the top.
Mai Se is popular and only about a 30-minute drive out of Chiang Mai but be ready for a short walk up to the waterfall from the entrance. This impressive waterfall has eight levels, many with pools to swim in. The lower levels are often the busiest. For a little more privacy, walk up to the higher levels.
15. Elephant Nature Park
Watching an elephant perform tricks or taking an elephant ride may seem like fun, but you need to know that many elephants are abused by their owners. Sometimes, these can be just as cruel as the practice of logging or circus training, so be aware as you choose where to spend your money.
These organizations offer an ethical experience with elephants:
The elephants at these parks have been rescued from their tourist-riding, circus and logging pasts and are allowed to live as family units in a natural environment. No one is allowed to ride elephants, but visitors can feed, bathe and play with these elephants. Elephant Nature Park also offers overnight visits and volunteer opportunities.
16. Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm
For an added level of flora and fauna, there’s also the Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm. Filled to the brim with weird and wonderful orchids all growing on wires and lines, visitors can learn a lot about the history of orchids and why the Thai revere them so much.
The butterfly area is gorgeous and especially good for families. Butterflies surround the people in the area and will even occasionally land on a hand or head! It is important to remember, though, not to touch them or their wings as this can cause irreparable harm.
17. Flight of the Gibbon
Flight of the Gibbon is Thailand’s first ever treetop zipline course, featuring some of the longest and highest ziplines in Asia. The company’s name was inspired by the wild gibbons living in the area, and you may see them swinging through the forest canopy during your adventure.
To have the best chance to see these majestic endangered animals, plan for a 6.30 am pickup. Gibbons are most active and vocal in the mornings. The zipline course has no age restrictions, but you must weigh under 125 kg/275 lbs and be at least 1 meter tall to fit into the safety harness correctly.
17. Tiger Kingdom
Chiang Mai’s other major animal attraction is Tiger Kingdom, and it’s a controversial one. Here, you not only get to see a powerful, dangerous, endangered animal up close, you can pet them, hug them, and even pose for photos with them.
Because tigers are endangered – only a few thousand exist in the wild – some people hold that Tiger Kingdom’s breeding program is important and that it provides protection from poachers. For animals that are unable to fend for themselves in the wild, tourist fees offset the cost of food and maintenance. Others, however, argue that wild animals should not be used to attract tourists under any circumstances.
Not fully set on where we stand on the whole issue, we did visit Tiger Kingdom. We paid to enter the large and small tiger enclosures, each of which had 2 to 3 tigers, and we were encouraged to pose with them all. We brought cameras in with us – you can take as many photos as you wish at no charge. If you prefer, a professional photographer is available (300 baht for a CD of 50-100 pictures).
Note that visitors must be a certain size to enter the enclosures. Once you get there, pay attention, listen and obey the rules that the keepers set out. Nobody wants to be at the business end of a tiger.
Tips for visiting a Thai wat
Chiang Mai is a rich and vibrant city filled with friendly people who will do their best to make tourists at ease, and do it with a smile. It is with this in mind that tourists must remember to be the best guests they can be. That is, be as culturally sensitive as they can and respect the city and its people. Being a respectful and open-minded traveler will always result in the best possible travel experience.
For example, when visiting temples, dress and behave appropriately. Basic Thai temple etiquette tips include:
- Obey the posted rules with regards to cameras and talking.
- Take your shoes off before entering shrines.
- When around a monk, keep your head below his.
- Buddhists do not like to be touched on the head or the shoulders because the head is revered in Buddhist culture.
- Be kind and patient with people who are attempting to speak English. After all, they probably speak more English than you do Thai!
Animal welfare in Thailand
With regards to animal tourism, everybody has their own opinion. We report, you decide. If you do plan to put it on your itinerary, please be sure to research the park before you go. At the very least, make sure that the animals are well-looked after and are not drugged or chained at any point.
As to Tiger Kingdom, we’ll admit that we went with some misgivings after another hotel guest (who hadn’t been there) told us that the animals are mistreated, drugged and declawed to keep them in line. We kept that in mind while there and watched for telltale signs. Honestly, we didn’t see anything like that, and judging from how the staff were dealing with the tigers, well, let’s just say they were super-watchful. The tigers were alert and the youngsters were playful … and by the way, they still have their claws.
This just goes to show that no matter where you hear it, you shouldn’t believe everything people say out-of-hand. If you’d like to learn more, here’s the link to their page on tiger health.
Best time to visit Chiang Mai
Thailand is governed by three seasons: wet, dry, and hot. It’s also called the rainy season (roughly June–Oct), cool season (Nov–Feb), and hot season (March–May).
Rainy/wet: June – October
June to October is Chiang Mai’s wettest and most humid season, so the city is much quieter at this time. The skies will often be overcast and it will rain most days, but often only for a few hours in the afternoon or at night.
Blame the southwest monsoon for all the wet weather. It comes from moisture gathered from the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
We visited northern Thailand in early August and came equipped with umbrellas and waterproof footwear. Aside from not as much sun in our photographs, the occasional rains weren’t much of a problem.
Cool/dry: November – February
The most popular tourist season to visit Chiang Mai is definitely November to February, when the temperature hovers around 25°C (77ºF) and there is hardly any rain. Tourists are advised to pack a jumper and a waterproof jacket just in case. This period is ideal for outdoor activities, plus, there are some great festivals held during this time as well.
- November – launch lanterns in the Loi Krathong festival
- February – take in the sights and smells of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival.
Hot: March – May
Things start heating up between March and May. Temperatures peak at 40°C/ (104ºF), which can make spending time outdoors quite uncomfortable during the mid-day. Tropical sun, heat and high humidity can take a lot out of a traveler, so go slow and plan your activities around an afternoon nap.
One popular activity occurs in April – the Songkran festival, a.k.Thai New Year. Songkran is loved for its massive “water fights,” where any passerby may be squirted with a water gun or just have an entire bowl or bucket of water dumped on them. If you’re there for the festival, you must dive right in and join in on the fun. A good drenching can be a welcome relief from the intense heat.
ⓘ BUDGET TIP: Hot season is perfect for folks who prefer to spend their holidays lounging around the pool and sipping cocktails. Those sizzling temperatures mean lower hotel prices and amazing flight deals.
How to get around Chiang Mai
We are sure you already know you can get around on foot or bicycle. 🙂 Here are some faster options:
Songthaew (pronounced song-tay-oh)
As with most places in Thailand, getting around Chiang Mai is easy and relatively inexpensive. Songthaews are by far the cheapest and most popular way to get around. These cleverly converted red pickup trucks are more comfortable than a tuk tuk and will get you just about anywhere in the area. As an added bonus, songthaews are a Thai icon, offering a more authentic local experience as well as great Instagram photos! The daytime rate is generally around 30 baht.
Tuk tuk
Everyone knows about tuk-tuks – they are quick, noisy, they go everywhere, and depending on your bargaining skill, they are inexpensive.
Tuk-tuk is, after songthaew, the second most common mode of transport in Chiang Mai. Compare to songthaew, tuk-tuk is more expensive. Rate starts at 60 baht for a short trip and 100 to 150 baht for longer distance.
Metered taxi
For an air-conditioned ride, take a metered taxi. These taxis are hard to find on the city streets and generally hang around the bus station, airport and malls.
Most hotels will be able to book these taxis for you whether it be for an airport transfer or to travel to an attraction. While the air conditioned ride is a definite plus, there’s also a downside. Prices are significantly more than the Songthaews, with rides costing about 100 – 200 Baht within the city.
Grab
If you have data access or a portable Wi-Fi device, you can catch a ride using Grab, a well-known app in Southeast Asia. Grab is Southeast Asia’s version of Uber and is just as popular. Grab offers air-conditioned cars, door-to-door service, and affordable prices. You can choose to ride in a private car (GrabCar), a regular taxi cab (GrabTaxi), or even a Songthaew (Grab RodDaeng).
As an added benefit, users collect points with every ride, and can redeem points for free rides, food, and other benefits.
Bicycle and scooter
For more energetic travelers, bicycles and scooters can be rented easily in Chiang Mai, even without a valid license and without a helmet. Be aware that you can be fined for these offences, however. Bicycles are obtainable for around 50 Baht a day and scooters for about 99 Baht a day with a deposit of roughly 2000 Bhat.
Car rental
There’s also the option of renting a car to get around. It’s the best way to avoid the heat, humidity, and often rainy conditions. And of course, nothing can beat the comfort and convenience of having a car at your disposal! Check out your options here.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
As you might expect, this tourist city has a large selection of lodging options. To get the most of what Chiang Mai has to offer, we stayed at two hotels, beginning with a 3-star place in the old city and ending with a couple of nights at an absolutely beautiful resort outside the city walls.
Inside the city walls: We stayed at Rendezvous Classic House near the southwest gate. It’s a pretty hotel but was more secluded that we wanted. It’s close to Saturday Walking Street, but apart from the markets, we had a hard time finding places to eat near the hotel.
If you prefer a quiet hotel but want to stay in the old city, this may work for you. If not, you can find other options here. Stay near Rachadamnoen Rd. or Prapokkloa Rd. for a great selection of restaurants.
Outside the city walls: The last two nights of our stay, we moved outside the city walls and closer to shopping and restaurants.
Khum Phaya Resort and Spa was gorgeous, and far more luxe than we’d expected. We had a poolside balcony room with direct access into the pool, a beautiful large room, and the bed was super comfy. After a long day trip, it was wonderful to fall into the pool and swim up to the pool bar for a relaxing, refreshing drink.
ⓘ TIP: One plus about the Khum Phaya location is that Grab cars arrive within only a couple of minutes. They didn’t have to navigate through the heavy traffic around the old city to get to us. That also saved a lot of time getting to out-of-town attractions.
Here are some photos, for your inspiration:
Plan your Chiang Mai adventure with these resources
Here is some more information to help you plan your own trip.
- Travel Guide: The #1 best seller on Amazon is Lonely Planet Thailand. Get the related phrasebook here.
- Thailand’s official tourist information site: Tourism Thailand.
- Lodging: Check ratings and reviews for everything from budget hostels to 5-star resorts here.
- Transportation: This website shows how to get anywhere by plane, train, bus, ferry and car.
- Currency: This website will help you calculate currency exchange values.
Want a unique experience? We have had good experiences with Get Your Guide, a reputable source for booking a wide variety of local attractions, day tours, and activities. That’s why we’ve chosen to affiliate ourselves with them. Find a list of Chiang Mai tours here.
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Loving this list. We’ve been to CM 5 times – or more I lost track – and enjoy it more each time.
So glad you like the list, Ryan. Thanks for your advice on Tiger Kingdom, too. Do you have nay other CM tips you can share?