Neil Aronson Chiang Mai is excellent for a low cost day and free things, because so many of its best experiences are temples, markets, neighborhoods, and walks. Most Old City temples are free, although a few have small charges. Exploring the local neighborhoods on foot is my favorite thing to do. Taking photos and videos of local life and the culture is also a passion anyone can do for free.
Walking around and people watching are a couple of my favorite afternoon free things to do. Around the Tha Phae Gate area of the city are many fun small streets to explore, or sit by the Gate and watch the people wandering around. Some nights there are free events in this area as well.
If you are lucky enough to be in Chiang Mai during Loy Krathong / Yi Peng festival, then you are in for a the best free things of the year. This holiday festival, know as the Lantern Festival, takes place place around the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, usually in November. The city streets are decorated, and there is free entertainment such as the parade. For more on the event read about Loy Krathong here.
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⭐ Best free things to do
- Temple-hop around the Old City
- Wat Chedi Luang — I think the absolute best. Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan — one of the city’s most beautiful.Wat Phan Tao — beautiful teak architecture.Wat Lok Moli — quieter, atmospheric and just outside the north moat.
- Walk the Old City moat and walls
- Start at Tha Phae Gate
- Walk toward the Three Kings Monument
- Explore the small lanes and temples along the way. My favorite area is the northeast corner inside the moat, around Soi 6.
- Best early morning or around sunset when it’s cooler.
- Explore the Sunday Walking Street
- Tha Phae Walking Street
- Every Sunday evening.
- Free to wander, with crafts, musicians, street performers and food stalls. You only spend money if you decide to eat or shop.
- Visit Warorot Market
- One of the best places to experience everyday Chiang Mai.
- Browse fruit, spices, northern Thai snacks, clothing and household goods.
- Free to explore, even if the food will tempt you.
- Huay Kaew Waterfall
- Fun local waterfall easily access from the city at the base of Doi Suthep.
- Good photography: Rocks, trees and flowing water create a pleasant natural setting.
- Great for a picnic or hike on the trail at the bottom of the falls.
- Angkaew Reservoir Picnic or Exercise
- popular places for a peaceful walk, morning jog, photography, and sunset views.
- Easy walking: A mostly flat path circles the reservoir and is popular with walkers and runners.
- Hike the Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat
- Probably my favorite free outdoor activity.
- Forest trail climbs toward the beautiful hillside temple of Wat Pha Lat.
- Allow roughly 1–2 hours for the hike and temple visit.
- Combine it with Wat Umong for a great half-day.
- Visit Wat Umong
- Forest setting, old brick tunnels and a much more peaceful atmosphere than the central temples.
- Free entry.
- Many trails and different areas, mostly shady to look at and study.
- Suthep Wildlife Education Center
- A small, relatively quiet wildlife and nature area on the foothills of Doi Suthep. It is close to Wat Umong.
- Family-friendly: Its combination of animals, trails and open space can make it a good low-key outing with children.
- Wildlife: Visitors have reported seeing deer and buffalo, along with birds and other wildlife.
- Historic remains: There are old Buddhist structures and archaeological features associated with the area around Wat Umong.
- Have a Monk Chat
- Some Chiang Mai temples offer opportunities to sit down and talk with Buddhist monks.
- Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Si Suphan are good options for this.
- It’s a fascinating way to learn about Buddhism, Thai culture and monastic life—and costs nothing.
- Walk along the Mae Kha Canal
- Colorful riverside area with walking paths, small shops, cafés, food stalls, greenery and decorative bridges.
- Late afternoon through evening is generally the best time. The area becomes livelier as shops and food vendors open, and the canal i0s particularly atmospheric around sunset and after dark.
- Explore Nimman on foot
- Wander the small sois around Nimman Road.
- Browse galleries, design shops, cafés and street art.
- Obviously, coffee isn’t free—but window-shopping is!
- Visit Three Kings Monument
- Easy to combine with the Old City temples.
- The plaza around the monument is free and makes a good starting point for exploring the historic center.
