Neil Aronson Here is your updated guide to traveling to Chiang Mai for 2025, and all you need to know from people who live and play there. From where to stay and what to do, how to get there and around, to local food and fun recommendations, we have it covered. Our recommendations are all based our own experiences and from our relatives in Chiang Mai.
Every day we discover more places and reason to love Chiang Mai, and why you will love traveling here too. My wife is from Chiang Mai, and I have been here since 2010 when I met her. It helps to have a great family and group of local friends here to show me everything the area has to offer.
It is an easy city to navigate compared to most others, and so many things to see and do within a relatively small area. It is also a great area to travel to with kids of all ages. We have added a things to do with kids section.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a temple tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
Air Asia is the top regional discount airlines for Thailand and all Southeast Asia. Book from Chiang Mai to just about everywhere.
Topics
Introduction to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a city located in northern Thailand’s mountainous region of Chiang Mai Province. This gives it a cooler and more pleasant climate compared to many other parts of Thailand. The best Chiang Mai weather is November-January, which is cool at night and perfect in the day. February and March and can get smoggy from lack of rains and rice field burning.
Since you are up north in the Thai Highlands, you will not be going to the beach. Bangkok is about 700km away and Pattaya beach is about 800km south. As a result, if your looking for a beach vacation this is probably not for you. However the airport is one of the best of Chiang Mai, and hourly flights to the beaches are available daily.
Find cheap flights around Thailand and Asia with Air Asia.
It is the largest city in the northern region and serves as the capital of Chiang Mai Province. The population in the city is less than 200,000, however there is about 1.2 million living in the entire metropolitan area.
Therefore, the city center itself is relatively small, compact, and very easy to get around. Most streets around town are either busy and crowded with traffic, or just the opposite, quant, narrow and lined with local shops. Walking these streets is one of my favorite things to do.
Because of the layout and walkability of the city, if you are staying in the city center, ‘walled city’, you can walk to everything. Or take a short tuk tuk ride, ride a bike, or take a songthaew (local bus).
History
Chiang Mai, meaning ‘New City’, was founded in 1296 by King Mangrai, as the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom. The previous capital was Chiang Rai. The oldest temples were built by him, and used to bury ashes of his family including his father.
The original ‘Walled City’, was used as a fortress to keep the enemy out, and is surrounded by a moat. Inside are where several of the most famous temples are located and the best hotels. Read more below in our temples section. Fortunately the wall mostly remains, and the best places to stay and sightsee are inside the wall today. This part of town is where we always stay overnight in the city.
It was capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. You can still see remnants of its historical and cultural heritage in the form of temples, city walls, and moats. Its location on the Ping river and other historical trading routes was one reason it was founded where it is.
Culture
Chiang Mai is known for its vibrant and distinct culture. It is a hub for traditional Thai arts and crafts, including beautiful temples, intricate woodcarvings, and colorful festivals. Of course you have the ancient temples and historical buildings, but the art, photography and museum scene is top notch.
In the modern day, Chiang Mai has become one of the most popular cities to visit in all of Asia. Not just because of the low costs, but there are not many places you can experience so much traditional history and culture still being practiced even in todays modern society.
The most famous festival is Songkran, the Thai New Year’s water festival in April. In November is the lantern festival, Loy Krathong/ Yi Peng. More about these below.
People
Thai people are some of the most friendly in the world, famous for their ‘Thai Smile’. Not to be confused with the airline! I know because I married one. For travelers, they are very welcoming, helpful, and yes, most speak English.
If you really want to experience Thai culture as a local, not just a tourist, than partake in local ceremonies and activities. Eat at local restaurants. Talk to locals, most love to talk to tourists and give them advice on where to go, eat, and about their local history.
They take their food very seriously, and food plays a big role in their everyday lives. Thai people love to have fun and generally don’t take things too seriously. So when visiting you must also go with the flow, and don’t get upset over the small things. The pace of life may be different than what you are used to, which is usually a good thing.
If you can take part in a local festival or ceremony, it is a great way to learn about the culture and Buddhism. Many temples including Wat Chedi Luang offer what is called ‘Monk Chats’, where you can talk about anything with Jr. Monks for a couple hours.
For example, the ceremony of Kathina is called Thot Kathin. Under the Thai lunar calendar, the ceremony can begin from the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh month.
‘The Kathina ceremony is a popular and important tradition that dates back over 2,500 years to the time of the Lord Buddha. It’s considered one of the most meritorious deeds, and Buddhists believe that the purity of the receiver increases the merit generated by the act’. Here monks are presented robes and other gifts.
Getting There And Around
Airport
Chiang Mai international airport (CNX) fits in the best of Chiang Mai category because it is one of the most convenient in any city. Located right outside the city center, you can be at your hotel in 10 minutes.
Dozens of major airlines have service to Chiang Mai. Our favorite from the US is Korean Airlines through Seoul. Eva, Japan, and China Airlines are good as well. You can look up flights on our Book Travel page.
Sign up for Going (formally Scotts Cheap Flights), and get access for low cost flights. Going is an email subscription service that sends out flight deals for international and domestic (U.S.) destinations.
12Go. Flying into the international airport is one way to get there. Many people who are traveling around Thailand will take a train, bus, or local flight to get to Chiang Mai. The options for traveling cheaply around Thailand are many. 12Go is the best source for trains, busses, and local flights on Bangkok Airways and Air Asia.
Many travelers explore Thailand by train. Here is a map of the Northern Thailand Railway Train route.
Around Town
Getting around Chiang Mai is super easy, and there are several cheap options. The most popular, because it is fun, is taking a Tuk-Tuk. They are easy to find, and will take you anywhere, even up in the mountains. However it’s a slightly more expensive option.
Songthaew’s are a local favorite option. It is your budget option. Small red busses the will drop you off around town, less than 30 baht. Grab is a local Uber type rideshare company that is available in Thailand. Regular cabs are also available.
Renting a motorbike is a fun option that does not cost much. Don’t leave your passport with them, or anyone if renting something. Bikes are a great option if staying in the walled city. Rent them for cheap, or most hotels have them to use for free.
Local Tips & Facts
If this is your first trip or 10th trip to the region, we have some local tips for traveling to Chiang Mai.
Forget The Plan!
The first thing I always tell people who have never been to Chiang Mai or Thailand, is to try and just go with an open itinerary. Unless you need to plan everyday, try not to. That is because once you arrive, you will discover things, places, food, and hotels, you never saw online. And having the flexibility to change your daily plans allows you to do more local things you may have discovered after you arrive.
Unless you go during a festival week like Loy Krathong or Songkran, you will not have an issue finding many great available hotels either. I never planned I would take a cooking class, or go white water rafting, but I did. And was glad I did.
Paying For Things
These days it is much easier to pay for things and get better rates with more technology. Many places can handle Apple Pay and Google Pay. They don’t actually have it, but it will work if the have a tap pay network. Overseas credit cards can be used almost everywhere except street vendors.
Bring cash, and do not exchange it at the airports, or before you go. You will get very good rates at exchange places in town in Thailand. Mr Pierre on Tha Phae Road is one of the better places to exchange. I use Wise as well to pay for things and to transfer money. Most places can take my Wise Card.
For more on how to pay, see our article, The Best Way To Pay For Things Overseas.
Areas To Stay In Chiang Mai
One of the most pressing question when traveling to Chiang Mai is what area of the city do I want to stay. If you have been here before, you probably have a good idea what area you liked.
There are many choices, and each are a bit different, and for different activities, nightlife, costs, vibe. We focus on four areas. For more details on these areas read our article, The Best Areas You Want To Be In.
The Walled City (Old City) is my personal favorite area in all of Chiang Mai. Because there is such a variety of things to do for fun. A lot of culture, history, the people, and it is extremely walkable. It is a fairly quiet area, especially at night. There are tons of bars, mostly of the local smaller variety. Costs of hotels and food is very reasonable.
Walk east of the Old City from Tha Phae Gate toward the Ping River, and this is the Night Bazaar area. Considered one of the best areas for nightlife, clubs, and girly bars. Although since Covid, most of the girly bars (Go Go Bars), have not re-opened. The area is also famous for some of the larger markets, like the Night Bazaar and Warorot Market in Chinatown. There are some larger high rise hotels in this area if you want that.
Nimman, short for Nimmanhaemin, is a more hip and modern area that attracts young people from the nearby University. This a very popular for ex-pats from all over the globe. There is a thriving trendy cafe culture here, and you’ll find digital nomads parked in front of their laptops around every corner of the many cool coffee shops.
Nimman is probably the most expensive area, and most food and beverages are about 30% more than other areas. If you like higher end shopping this is more the area. With nice boutique shops and several large high end shopping malls, like One Nimman and Maya Shopping Center. However, we recently stayed here at the end of 2023 in the high season and still got a great hotel (Suri Buri) for less than $70 a night.
My fourth suggested are to stay is actually not in the city, but just 30 minutes north. This would be the Mae Rim area. If you want to be outside of the city, more in the mountains and outdoor activity area then I would recommend staying here. You are still close to visiting the city. I would recommend staying here for a couple nights regardless of where you stay.
This area is full of activities from golf to white water rafting to botanical gardens and butterfly farms. Visit Mae Sa Waterfall or go Zipline at Phoenix Adventure Park. There are amazing creek side cafes are some superb boutique hotels, the Four Seasons Resort.
For more on the Mae Rim area read out article.
Chiang Mai Hotels
Hotels in our best of Chiang Mai lists are hard to narrow down. That is because there are so many good ones on all budgets. But since we only recommend things we have done and experienced, this list is of the places we enjoyed and recommend.
The city and surrounding area has something for everyone and every budget. From hostels with shared bathrooms, to the luxury of the Four Seasons. And the best part is they are all mixed in together. So all areas will have hotels of every type.
If you happen to be driving a car, check the parking situation. A lot of the smaller hotels don’t have much in the way of parking spaces, since most people don’t have cars with them. If you are not going on road trips, you do not need a car.
City Center Value / Hostels
- Smile Robotist Hostel This would be your budget dorm style backpackers spot with shared bathroom. Great location to walk everywhere.
- Changpuak Budget hotel north of the walled city by a few blocks with a nice pool.
- Hostel Lullaby Located in a perfect location in the city center. Walk to everything. Free bikes and classes including cooking and yoga.
- Eurena Boutique Hotel (Kid Friendly) The entire property was recently remodeled. It is one of the better values, in fact it is strangely inexpensive for what it is. It sits between Soi 6 and Soi 7 in the old city, near great restaurants, coffee shop and bars.
- Somwang Boutique House (Kid Friendly) Small with nice outdoors and pool. Excellent walking location. Our standard room was very big. Staff is friendly. Only 2 parking spots.
- MD Boutique Located on Ratvithi Rd, which is central. Close to Zoe In Yellow if you like to party. Very nice rooms, parking, and the staff was so friendly when we were recently there.
Near MD Boutique on Ratvithi Alley #2, are also several great guesthouses and boutique hotels.
City Center Mid & High Range
- Bodhi Serene (Kid Friendly) Our top pick. Incredible value for how nice it is. Great location to walk and friendly staff.
- Kodchasri Thani B&B Next to Bodhi Serene, on a great street and next to a few of the best restaurants in town.
- Por Thapae Gate (Kid Friendly) One of my top 3 favorites for location, outdoor spaces and super friendly staff. Right on the Sunday Walking Street.
- Amora Tha Phae Gate High rise resort hotel in great location with super rates. All rooms recently upgraded.
- Tamarind Village Hotel In city center, your higher end resort retreat in the city. Beautiful Asian style grounds with great facilities, rooms and luxury spa.
- 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai is an award-winning boutique hotel nestled in a lush residential area near Chiang Mai’s historic Wat Gate Temple and the Ping River.
- Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa (Kid Friendly) features spacious rooms set in landscaped grounds. The resort offers beautiful Thai-style interiors and attentive service.
- Buri Suri– In Nimman, is in a perfect location to walk to everything in that area of town. Very nice, and great pricing for they quality you get.
- Vicortia Nimman Hotel, across the street to Buri Suri. Similar to Buri Suri, and has a very popular bar out front on the street.
For the best walkable hotels, see our complete list:
Recommended Outside of the city.
- Pak Ram is north in the Mae Rim area mountains. Simply amazing. Private luxury villa for the price of a cheap hotel. Close to all activities in Mae Rim.
- Phu Morinn Cafe and Camping Top choice for those who like ‘glamping’ and starring at the stars.
- Four Season Chiang Mai Located north of city center in Mae Rim Valley close to nature, golf, Mae Sa waterfall.
- Golf– If you are looking for a golf retreat and where to stay, check out our golf article.
Villa Mahabhirom is located to the west of Old City near the mountains. It has an outdoor swimming pool and a garden. With free WiFi, this 5-star resort offers a shuttle service with an additional charge.
Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai is a luxurious property located in the serene and picturesque area of the mountains above Hang Dong, off route 1269. This is a great option if your looking for a mountain retreat, but still minutes from the city.
Agoda is our choice for booking hotels. Search for these and hundreds more great options in Chiang Mai.
Temples
When I talk to anyone about the best of Chiang Mai, the first thing that comes to mind are the magnificent temples. Over 300 in the city alone. Best of all, many are within walking distance to your hotel if you are staying in the city. A couple on this list are just a short ride away on the edge of the city.
Temples are a way of life in Thailand, and part of how Chiang Mai was founded, back as the Lanna Kingdom in the 13th century. These are a few any visitor should see. I advise visiting on the weekdays, to try and avoid crowds, especially Doi Suthep.
All are open to visitors. These are active temples. You need to respect their culture and rules, including dress codes. Please give money in the donation boxes when you visit.
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep On the hillside overlooking the city. For sure the most famous for tourists, so gets crowded.
- Wat Pha Lat is on the way up the mountain to Wat Doi Suthep. Only 15 minutes from the city. This underrated gem hidden in the forest features smaller unique buildings, set along a large creek, and overlooks Chiang Mai.
- Wat Umong Large grounds with multiple area to see. Tunnels. Meditation Center.
- Wat Phra That Doi Kham Southwest of the city center up on the hillside above Hang Dong area. It is very popular and get very crowded. Great views.
- Wat Chedi Luang In the old city center, easy to walk to. One of the oldest, with multiple beautiful buildings. Spend hours. Monk chats daily, where you can ask monks questions.
- Wat Chiang Man The oldest temple in Chiang Mai. Built by the first king of the Lanna Kingdom, King Mangrai in 1297.
- Wat Phra Singh Close to Wat Chedi Luang, with impressive grounds of multiple structures to see.
- Wat Ket Karam is in the riverside area across the Ping River, east of the old city. The main Stupa and Halls are great, but the decorations throughout the grounds are the highlight.
One of nicest one, that not many people go to, is Mahawan Temple, on Tha Phae Road east of Tha Phae gate. There is a massage center on site.
Fun Things Kids Will Love
Lately I see more people on social media asking if traveling to Chiang Mai with kids is a good idea. Mostly people are worried about if there is anything to do with kids between 2 and 12 years old. There is lots. For more read 19 Of The Best Places Kids Will Love. Here are just a few.
Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm (Mae Rim) is fun for all ages, and kids really love seeing all the different butterflies. North of the city in Mae Rim, it is located just off the main road and easy to find.
Pongyang Jungle Coaster Zipline Camp & Resort (Mae Rim/Mon Jam) is an extremely popular place for kids and families. Getting there is a little bit of a drive however as it is located on the mountain on the way up to Mon Jam. Book overnight on Agoda.
Chiang Mai Zoo & Aquarium is located at the bottom of Doi Suthep and is easy to access from the Old City or Nimman areas. The Zoo and Aquarium is Thailand’s oldest zoo and a favorite with visiting families.
Jungle Adventure Park (Hang Dong) is a newer theme park with rides and activities for kids. From small coasters to zipline to Go Karts. Your kids will have a blast all afternoon splashing around in the many water activities as well.
Memorable Coffee Experiences
If you are like me and want, and need, cappuccinos all day, Chiang Mai area has some of the best options anywhere. Not just for the quality and taste, but for the unique atmosphere. Would you rather sit in a boring Starbucks, or a enjoy local coffee by a creek with butterflies all around you? Here are a few of my favorites to visit.
Mountain Coffee by Noi (Old Town) is a little hidden gem down the alley. The owners roast their own coffee and live on the property. It is a nice quiet shady patio to relax.
Roast8ry is an award winning trendy coffee shop in the Nimman area. The coffee drinks of course are excellent, however it is more expensive than most places. Many CMU students hang out here on the patio and socialize or study.
No.39 Cafe – A hidden gem with a rustic feel, this cafe is perfect for a relaxed coffee experience by a small pond. They serve everything from espresso to iced blends.
Rina Nara Cafe in Mae Rim is one of the nicer places to relax in this mountain area. The creek running through it is peaceful, and there are many different patio areas. Great home made pastries and their lunch menu has amazing local food. Recently the property was devastated by the floods, but they have recovered.
Youngfolk Bean and Brew in Chom Thong is a unique option if going to Doi Inthanon or on the way to Mae Hong Son. Not far off route 108, inside is an eclectic collection of antique electronics.
Wanwaan Cafe in Chom Thong is my local hangout near our house. Not far off route 1009 just before Doi Inthanon National Park. It worth going a few minutes out of your way to relax by the rice fields and enjoy the mountain views.
Restaurants And Bars
Beside temples and culture, Thailand is famous for its food and fun bars. What also makes Chiang Mai so great is that it has become a melting pot of people from all over the world, bringing their cultures food to Chiang Mai.
That said, beside great local Thai food, you can get fantastic pizza to amazing sushi. And for cheaper prices then you would pay back home. If you are Vegan or Vegetarian, then you will love the options in Chiang Mai, with dozens of great places to choose from.
The bar scene has something for everyone. From small rooftop bars, sports bars, jazz clubs, Karaoke, to large places with live music.
Just like recommending hotels, there are so many great places to eat and have a beer, that it is impossible to list them all. You just need to walk the streets and try them all! Here are some recommendations.
Recommended Chiang Mai Food
Blue Noodles. In the city center, a favorite of my wife for local noodles. It is a typical unassuming street side open air noodle shop on Rachadamnoen Rd.
Aroy Dee. Local Thai food cooked out on the sidewalk. Great food and local prices. Popular with tourists.
Wan Wan Noodle. Right next door to Aroy Dee, and fairly similar. Lots of tourists.
Jiang Fish Ball on the west side of the Old City across from the moat, is a local favorite for noodles and fish. Their menu is large and there are many less spicy dishes for tourists.
Street Food Everywhere. However you can find a lot over in the Night Bazaar, and the Sunday walking street has a lot of choices.
Zoe In Yellow. This is a popular night club and bar corner like a strip mall with multiple types of bars. However past the bars is an open street food stand area with seating for hundreds, and live music. A good place to get local street food.
Rot Nueng Restaurant. Charoen Prathet Rd. Located between the Night Bazaar and the Ping River. Local noodle shop frequented by my relatives and Anthony Bourdain in one of his episodes.
Nice Kitchen. Moonmuang Rd Lane 6. In the northeast corner of the walled city. Small local place on quite street with Thai food and a variety of Thai food and western. Friendly owner, she cooks your food. Good place for breakfast if your staying nearby.
Hummus, is your place to go for Vegetarian Mediterranean in Chiang Mai. If you like middle eastern food this restaurant is very tasty, and vegetarian. Located close to Tha Phae gate, but hidden down an alley. The pitas are amazing.
Madame Koh is a fun spot in the southeast corner of the moat. Popular with locals, expats and tourists. Excellent quality local dishes, more on the higher end then other spots on this list.
The Nimman area of the city tends to have more trendy healthy options than other parts of the city, mainly because you find more young health conscience people here.
Tong Tem Toh is a popular trendy place in Nimman to go if you want to have the authentic northern Thai cuisine. It is larger of the places to eat and gets crowded, as it is also well known and famous.
The Salad Concept is also a healthy option, with two locations, one in Nimman and one in the old city.
Healthy Daily is another healthy concept in Nimman.
I’m your Vegan in Nimman is a healthy concept specializing in Bowls, such as the following protein bowl.
On The Bread is my favorite breakfast place in Nimman. It is a quaint little place near Suri Buri hotel. Mostly items like breakfast sandwiches and smaller items. Friendly staff.
Another place in Nimman for trendy food concepts is at the One Nimman Mall. There is a good food court, as well as several Michelin Rated local Restaurants.
More of my favorite restaurants around the Old City of Chiang Mai.
There are many great Pizza Places in Chiang Mai for more read our article. One of the best and most popular is an unassuming place on a quiet street in the old city called By Hand Pizza. They cook your woodfired pizza in a brick oven basically on the street. Highly recommend.
Pulcinella da Stefano 2, 1-2 Chang Moi Kao Rd, Italian with good woodfire pizza. Small local place, nothing fancy. East side of Tha Phae gate by the used book stores.
Another really good local Italian place I discovered on my last trip is La Fontana, on Ratchamanka Rd. Great food and staff.
Arnos Steak and Burgers. 114/1 Ratchapakhinai Rd. Great burgers if you are craving one. It is a franchise, so this is just one of the locations.
Airniversary Camp and Cafe Ratchaphakinai Rd in Old Town. One of my favorite places. Incredible treehouse atmosphere, with fantastic food variety from Thai to Pizza.
If your looking for a local bakery, that also serves breakfast, try Crusty Loaf Bakery, on the popular Ratvithi Rd. It is next to and owned by the UN Irish Pub. They have good bread to take away, and when I was staying at the MD Boutique hotel I had a good breakfast there a couple times.
Speaking of breakfast. For the best breakfast place in the Old City, with a great patio, try Chiang Mai Breakfast World. They have large breakfast plates with home made jams.
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant Hot spot of great dinning on the Ping river, live music and several bars. Take a dinner cruise.
The Good View Bar & Restaurant Basically the same as The Riverside, and right next door.
Tabtim Thong Grilled Fish Shop. Located on the way to Doi Inthanon or Mae Hong Son, and is one of the best places are local places most tourists don’t know about. Here is an amazing place for local Thai Food in a really cool atmosphere.
Recommended Local Bars
- Thaphae Grill Rooftop Bar, Formerly Improvise, they just remodeled and changed the name. But the roof top bar is the same and has amazing views of the city and Doi Suthep.
- THC Rooftop Bar Loy Kroh Rd
- The Moat House Rooftop Bar
- Mai The Sky Bar Rooftop Bar in the Melia Hotel
- The Riverside Bar & Restaurant On the Ping river, good for live music. Very touristy, and high priced. Same for The Good View.
- The Good View Bar & Restaurant on the Ping river.
- Rise Bar and Italics Restaurant Located in Nimmanhaemin area. The bar is on the top of the hotel, but get there early if you want to see the sunset, it is small with not much seating.
- North Gate Jazz Club Jazz Club
- Moment’s Notice Jazz Club Jazz Club
- Zoe In Yellow Nightclub with several different themed bars in a strip mall type setting. Popular with tourists.
- My Place Lounge Chiang Mai Sports Bar
- Renegade Craft Beer Bar Sports Bar
- U.N. Irish Pub & Restaurant Sports Bar to watch lots of European sports, since the owners are European.
Chiang Mai Nightlife
Our favorite city does not lack things to do at night. Besides the obvious restaurants, bars and clubs, there are many other fun activities to do at night. For a complete best of Chiang Mai nightlife list, check out our article, 13 popular nightlife activities.
Night Markets: Sunday walking street by the Tha Phae Gate. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Shop for locally made handcrafted artisan items, and get great street food.
Live Music: There are plenty of options for live music and Karaoke. Some options are listed above. There are several Jazz clubs and rock dive bars. The Riverside and The Good View have good local live music. Check their websites above.
Sometimes you can just find live music in different outside locations of the city.
Bars and nightclubs: Chiang Mai has so many, you can’t go one block without running into one. Everything from dive bars, wine bars, dance clubs, rooftop bars, and of course GoGo bars (strip clubs).
Chiang Mai Night Safari: Night time zoo, where you can see animals up close at night.
Dinner Cruise On The Ping River: The Riverside Bar offers an options, or Viator.
Take a Tuk Tuk Ride. Better than any amusement ride!
Take in a Muay Thai Boxing Match: The Chiang Mai boxing stadium is located near Tha Phae Gate. Or sometimes they are just out in the Tha Phae Square.
Tha Phae Gate Square. The famous entrance to the old city has a large square, that often times has events, concerts and performances. Recently walking by one night they had professional Muay Thai Matches.
Top Daytime Activities
If you like me, you are not the type of person that lounges around when traveling. I need to do and see things. I have been to many countries, and I think Chiang Mai has as much to do as anywhere. Feel free to sit by the pool if you want. However if your looking for activities, here are our top recommendations.
- Walk the streets. My favorite thing to do. So fun and easy city to walk around the small side streets and take in the best of Chiang Mai.
- Get a Massage. My first trip to Thailand I got so many massages the first few days I could not walk for a couple days. They are everywhere. Find a good local place, ask a local. Other places will overcharge tourists.
Recommend: Chiang Mai Woman’s Correctional Facility. Yes that’s right, at the prison. It is a great rehabilitations program. Located near the center of the old city.
- Photograph the streets. Walking narrow streets filled with interesting people, buildings, and local culture. Taking pictures of the local city life is a fun activity if you are into photography.
- Mae Sa Waterfall. North of the city center about 40 minutes depending on traffic. Picturesque 8-level waterfall with a small plunge pool for swimming, a hiking trail & and good place for a picnic.
- Visit Temples. Go on your own, or take a tour with Viator.
- Go Hiking. Doi Suthep National Park. Located just a few Km east of city center has several good trails passing by the famous temple and waterfalls. Nearby Mae Wang and Ob Khan National parks also have great hiking.
- Play Golf. There are over a dozen great courses in the area to play. For more read our best of Chiang Mai Golf Guide.
- Take A Cooking Class. Learn local Thai cooking from people who know. I took one on my first trip years ago. I had so much fun that I always recommend it. There are a lot of options on Viator. And it’s surprisingly cheap!
- Hot Air Balloon Rides. Newly popular activity. Admittedly I have not done it in Chiang Mai, but I have other places and it’s amazing. However it is not cheap.
- White Water Rafting. North of the city on the Mae Taeng River is a blast.
Art, Culture & Festivals
The Arts and Culture scene is as good as anywhere in Thailand. This makes cultural activities the best of Chiang Mai. Outdoor and indoor historical sights, festivals, museums, classes, and more.
- Loy Krathong/ Yi Peng Lantern Festival. If your visiting at the end of November, you are lucky. Enjoy traditions and festivities of this Buddhist holiday. It is one of Thailand’s biggest celebrations and the most iconic lantern festival. Celebrated all over Thailand, however if you are staying in Chiang Mai you will be able to join the festivities along the Ping River.
- Songkran Festival. An important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘passing’ or ‘approaching’. Starts April 13th-15th, however it extends for a week long street party. Some people love it, while others want to leave town and get away from the madness. Stay off the roads if possible, there are a lot of accidents.
- Royal Park Rajapruek. An enormous magnificent botanical gardens and research center built by a former king.
- Chiang Mai Cultural Center. The best of Chiang Mai art and culture can be found here. Located on Prapokkloa Rd in the city center, near Wat Chedi Luang. Find the Three Kings Monument, and you will find multiple fantastic museums. Consists of the Art and Cultural center. The History Center. And the Lanna Folklore Center.
For my photography friends, across the street from the Cultural Center is the Lanna House of Photography. If you are into photography and want to learn Thai Lanna history, this is a great place for you. If you are not using Adobe Photography tools, I recommend one of their photography plans.
Get A Tatoo. Chiang Mai has many places for body art. For more of the best shops read this article from Chiang Mai City Life.
Visit Wat Umong. The best of Chiang Mai is this temple dating back to the 13th century. Featuring an impressive Chedi. tunnels, large grounds to walk around. There are many educational items and places on the grounds, it is a history lesson. This is where my wife goes for meditation retreats.
Zoo and Aquarium. Yes we have a good zoo and aquarium, over near Chiang Mai university and Wat Umong.
Chiang Mai Shopping
Leave room in your luggage to bring back hand made crafts and clothing from locals and hilltribe communities. Chiang Mai has maybe too many shopping options, if there is such a thing. From street markets to fancy indoor shopping malls, and everything in between. I don’t shop much for things other than food, but when I will support one of the local shops and artists.
- Shop For Gold! Thailand is know for its gold shops, selling nearly 100% pure gold. I have purchased a few items myself. Located all over the place.
- Night Bazaar. Famous night market, more of a touristy thing these days.
- Sunday Walking Street. Rachadamnoen Rd by Tha Phae gate. Sunday evenings shop for local hand made crafts and clothes. Stop in at Improvise rooftop bar for a shopping break.
- Used Books. Go to Chang Moi Kao Rd, just east Tha Phae gate. Small quiet street with several book stores.
- Warorot Market Wichayonon Rd. Essentially includes Lamyai Market, the flower market, and whatever else is around. It is a great indoor and outdoor market near the Ping River. Surrounded by several other markets and shopping along the river. you could spend many hours cruising all the markets.
Central Chiang Airport Shopping Mall. Modern indoor shopping mall for your name brands. Located southwest of the city center by the airport. But close enough for a tuk tuk ride. Tip, there is an excellent food court, with authentic quality food. If your looking for western groceries, you will find Topps Market, for all your western needs.
For higher end shopping hit up the Nimman area. There is a newer mall, Maya Lifestyle Shopping Mall, and One Nimman.
Favorite Day Trips
Chiang Mai’s location makes it great for day trips. Surrounded by mountains, National Parks, and other cities near by, you have several great options.
Doi Inthanon National Park. One of Thailand’s largest and most famous National Parks, it is located southeast of Chiang Mai. Since it is over an hours drive, this is an all day trip. You might consider staying over night outside the park at the Touch Star Resort (Our Pick). Explore incredible waterfalls, hiking, birding, spectacular views, and hilltribe villages.
Sameong Loop and Mae Rim Valley. Explore the mountains and valleys north of the city. Mae Sa waterfall, hilltribe villages, elephant sanctuaries and more. Also recommend staying overnight at Phu Morinn Cafe and Camping.
Lamphun City. Located about 40 hours southwest of Chiang Mai. Lamphun is a city located in the northern part of Thailand, and it is one of the oldest cities in the country that dates all the way back to the 8th Century. The city was established as the capital city of an ancient Mon kingdom of Haripunchai, even before the first Siam kingdom, Sukhothai, was established in the 12th Century.
There are several amazing temples to visit in Lamphun. I suggest staying overnight. For options check Agoda.
Doi Suthep–Pui National Park. Located in the mountains just west of the city, this is your closest National Park to the city. Highlighted by Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This is a popular park for hiking, birding, and camping. Explore Huey Kaew Waterfall and Mon Tha Than Waterfall, Trail & Campsite.
Wat Pha Lat is on the way up to Wat Doi Suthep, but much closer to the city. It is sort of a hidden gem, most tourists don’t stop here, but I found it to be one of my favorites. In the forest on the side of the mountain overlooking Chiang Mai. There are multiple smaller buildings, with a beautiful creek running through the grounds.
Montha Than Waterfall is located just before Wat Pha Lat on the way up Doi Suthep Mountain. It is a great place for a picnic, and camping is available as well. Only 15 minutes from the city.
We hope this helps you plan your visits to Chiang Mai, and enjoy your travels. Please visit our other articles for more details on all these topics. Thank You and enjoy Chiang Mai.
