10 BEST Things To Do In Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Looking for the best things to do in Chiang Mai?

I have put together this complete guide on what to do in Chiang Mai including panoramic viewpoints, buzzing night markets, historic temples, the best places to eat, and much more!

Whether you’re taking a short break from Bangkok or planning to spend a few weeks, I can assure you that you’ll have a fantastic time in Northern Thailand.

doi inthanon

QUICK ANSWERS: THINGS TO DO IN CHIANG MAI

Before I dive into more details about the best things to do in Chiang Mai, here are some quick answers to the most frequently asked questions.

HOW TO GET TO CHIANG MAI?

There are a few options for getting to Chiang Mai and they are either by bus, taxi, train, or plane.

I recommend visiting the 12Go Asia website to search for all transport services to Chiang Mai and book online ahead of time.

The BEST way to book your travel in Asia!

12Go Asia

12Go Asia is the best online platform to find cheap tickets for buses, trains, ferries, airport transfers, and flights all over Asia!

Save time and money on your travels by using 12Go Asia to organize and book all your transportation.

BEST TIME TO VISIT CHIANG MAI?

Weather-wise, the best time to visit Chiang Mai is between November and February when temperatures are quite cool during the dry season.

However, this is also the peak holiday season in Chiang Mai, so you can expect many tourists.

Alternatively, if you visit Chiang Mai between March and October, accommodation prices tend to drop and there are far fewer tourists during this time so you’ll likely pick up some good deals.

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10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CHIANG MAI

GET LOST IN CHIANG MAI OLD TOWN

Getting lost deep inside the walls of Chiang Mai Old Town is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai.

You could spend an entire day walking the streets of the Old Town, with so many different things to see and do, it is nearly impossible to get bored.

See All: Hostels, Hotels & Resorts in Chiang Mai

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Chiang Mai Old Town

BEST TOURS IN CHIANG MAI

 

VISIT THA PHAE GATE

Tha Phae Gate is one of the most popular attractions in Chiang Mai.

The Thapae Gate is part of the crumbling city wall which used to be the boundary of the Old Town Fortress.

It acts as the tourism epicenter of Chiang Mai boasting bars, restaurants, massage parlors, and more.

There is a large public square at Tha Phae Gate which hosts many events throughout the year such as the New Year’s Eve lantern-lighting celebrations, the Songkran (water fight) festival, various live music events, and cultural shows.

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Thapae Gate – What to do in Chiang Mai
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New Year’s Eve Festivities

RIDE IN A SONGTHAEW

A Songthaew is a unique passenger vehicle in Chiang Mai that zips around the old town doing swift pick-ups and drop-offs for as little as 30 Baht per ride.

RELATED ARTICLE: 3-WEEK THAILAND ITINERARY

They can be found driving down almost every street in Chiang Mai Old Town and all you need to do is hail one down, tell them where you want to go, and jump in the back.

It is the cheapest and most convenient way to get around the Old Town if you’re legs are painted on.

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Songthaew in Chiang Mai Old Town

The BEST Affordable Camera For Travel

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If you’re on the hunt for a professional camera for traveling, check out the Canon G7 X Mark II.

This tiny camera fits in your pocket, captures high-quality photos and videos, and has Wi-Fi so you can instantly transfer to your phone!

VISIT WAT CHEDI LUANG TEMPLE

Chiang Mai is home to hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples with the most popular one being the Wat Chedi Luang temple which resides smack bang in the middle of Chiang Mai Old Town.

Wat Chedi Luang was built in the late 1300s and stood an impressive 80 meters tall before it was later damaged during an earthquake in the 1500s and is now only half of its original height.

Wat Chedi Temple attracts many tourists and monks throughout the day so it can get quite busy.

If you want to get some good photos of the temple, it is best to head in early when the gates open at 6 am and the entry fee is 50 Baht.

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Wat Chedi Temple

EXPLORE THE HIPSTER DISTRICT

Nimmanhaemin Road is where you can find Chiang Mai’s hipster district, a short 10-minute drive from the Old Town.

The quirky streets around the Nimman district are filled with creative cafes, rooftop bars, unique shopping malls, and of course hipsters – young and old!

One of the most reputable places to eat in the hipster district is the Rustic and Blue Cafe.

This cozy little cafe has some of the best-tasting Western food in Chiang Mai located on Nimman Soi 7 Street.

Shady trees and drooping vines cover a small courtyard seating area, a couple of hammocks are hung up on the outdoor terrace, and a sunroom lounge area is located right down the back.

The perfect spot to hang out for lunch, enjoy some evening cocktails, or get some work done as it’s one of the best places for digital nomads in Thailand.

Also, there are dozens of luxury hotels in the Nimman area, and that’s your safest bet if you’re planning a honeymoon in Asia!

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Hipster district – Best things to do in Chiang Mai

The Most Functional Day Pack EVER!

Nomatic 20L Bag

The Nomatic 20L Travel Pack is perfect for everyday use and for those shorter 1-3 day adventures.

With 20+ innovative features and a minimalist design, this functional day pack gives you confidence for life on the move!

SHOP TILL YOU DROP AT THE SUNDAY MARKET

If you happen to be in Chiang Mai on a weekend, you definitely don’t want to miss the famous Sunday Market.

The market begins at 4 pm until Midnight, starting at Thapae Gate and continues down Rachadamnoen Rd (The Walking Street) for 1km.

The road is blocked off to cars and motorbikes during this time, making it easier and safer for people to walk up and down the street while browsing for goods.

There are hundreds of small stall vendors that line the street selling almost everything under the sun including handicrafts, jewelry, souvenirs, clothing, food, beers, coconuts, coffee, and other nicknacks alike!

The whole street comes to life at the Sunday Market with a very festive vibe!

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Sunday Market

TAKE A DAY TRIP TO DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK

Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand with an elevation of 2565 meters above sea level.

It is located in the Chom Thong District, approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai.

Doi Inthanon National Park is filled with temples, gardens, nature walks, waterfalls, and summit views.

My favorite location inside the national park is The Great Holy Relics Pagoda, a temple complex positioned in the mountains with panoramic views of the region and beautiful garden surroundings.

I rented a motorbike in Chiang Mai for 150 Baht per day and the ride took me around 2.5 hours. There is a ticket office on the side of the road at the beginning of the national park and the entrance fee is 300 Baht per person.

The other option is to book a tour from Chiang Mai.

Dress warmly as the temperatures in the Doi Inthanon National Park can drop to 5 degrees Celsius. The park is open 7 days a week from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Have you got travel insurance for your trip?!

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VISIT AN ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

If there’s an activity you can’t miss while visiting Chiang Mai, it’s definitely a visit to an elephant sanctuary.

Your guide will pick you up right at your hotel and take you on a journey that will leave you wanting more!

First up, you’ll head out of town and explore the local farms, hill tribe villages, and rice fields along the way. If you’re lucky, you might even pay a visit to the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park!

Next, you’ll head deep into the jungle to visit an ethical rescued elephant facility. You’ll become a caretaker for the day and interact, feed, and observe the elephants.

While some sanctuaries in Thailand have a bad reputation for harming the elephants, some others, including the one I link below, are ethical and do not harm them in any way.

After spending quality time with the elephants, head down to the river and enjoy bathing with them. Finish off the tour with a bamboo rafting trip along the Mae Wang River – Can you think of better things to do in Chiang Mai?

This is the most popular tour in town, and I recommend booking early to secure your spot.

BOOK NOW: Elephant Sanctuary Chiang Mai
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VISIT THE DOI SUTHEP TEMPLE

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a Buddhist temple and a sacred site to many Thai people, located high in the hills just 20 minutes drive from Chiang Mai Old Town.

The entrance fee to visit Doi Suthep is 20 Baht.

People often say “If you haven’t seen the view from Doi Suthep, you haven’t been to Chiang Mai.” Well, these people are not wrong, because the viewpoint at Doi Suthep overlooks the entire city and surroundings.

Aside from the panoramic viewpoint, there is a golden monument that stands 24 meters high in the center of the temple grounds atop Doi Suthep Mountain.

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The golden monument – What to do in Chiang Mai
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Panoramic viewpoint

GRAND CANYON WATERPARK IN CHIANG MAI

A Grand Canyon Waterpark adventure is a MUST on your list of things to do in Chiang Mai!

Located 30 minutes drive from Old Town Chiang Mai, is this awesome waterpark with an inflatable obstacle course, waterslides, a zip line, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, cliff jumping, and wakeboarding!

The entrance ticket to the Grand Canyon Chiang Mai costs 50 Baht.

grand canyon
Photo: Jennys Travel Photography

WHERE TO STAY IN CHIANG MAI

Chiang Mai has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Chiang Mai to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:

LUXURY: SHANGRI-LA HOTEL

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MID RANGE: LE CHARCOA HOTEL

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BUDGET: CHIANG MAI TREE HOSTEL

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FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN CHIANG MAI, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM

WHAT TO PACK FOR CHIANG MAI

When visiting Chiang Mai, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden Money Wallet

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Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!


Reusable Water Bottle

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The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!


Travel Backpack

Nomatic 20L Bag

The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!


Quick-Dry Travel Towel

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The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!


Portable PowerBank

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Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!

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FINAL THOUGHTS – WHAT TO DO IN CHIANG MAI

I hope you enjoyed this guide and if you have any questions at all about Chiang Mai, please leave a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

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TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

bookingcom

Search and book accommodation worldwide.


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Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.


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Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.


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Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.


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Search all rental cars in your next destination.


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Need travel insurance for your next trip?

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

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Many thanks!

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