13 things to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is probably the most popular destination for tourists heading to Northern Thailand, and for good reason. It’s home to a bit of everything. Not only are there Buddhist temples and markets to explore, but lush jungle surrounds the city.
There are a lot of things to do in Chiang Mai. It can be difficult to know where to start! In this guide, I’ll go through some of the top things to do in the city, as well as my thoughts on each attraction or activity. That way, I hope it’ll give you an idea of what to include on your itinerary plus the things you’d rather skip.
A short introduction to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai is often known as the cultural capital of Thailand. As the former capital of the Lanna kingdom, it has a long and vibrant history. There’s still evidence of this in the city centre, where you’ll find over fifty Buddhist temples, both old and new. I found it interesting to spend some time finding and exploring them, as they’re often gorgeous and vary a lot in terms of their architecture.
If you want to do some non-beach activities whilst in Thailand, such as trekking or exploring the countryside, you can’t find a better base from which to do this.
Want more info on the practicalities of visiting Chiang Mai? I’ve written a longer guide for exploring this city, which contains more on how to get there, where to stay and how to get around.
What to do in Chiang Mai
1. Go on a trek
Leave Chiang Mai and you’ll quickly find a varied rich forest and countryside. Many companies offer trekking tours to take you through the flora, exploring the nature of Northern Thailand.
Organised tours typically last 1 to 3 days. Day tours cost around 1200 to 1800 baht ($35 to $53 / £28 to £42), whilst overnight tours cost around 2500 to 3500 baht ($73 to $102 / £58 to £82) depending on the operator and length. During an overnight tour, you’ll normally stay in a local village in basic accommodation.
I took a day tour, and to be truthful it didn’t feel like anything special. I suspect you can do similar trekking in other environments throughout South-East Asia. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Would I consider it a must-do? Probably not!
2. Visit an elephant sanctuary
One of the top activities in Chiang Mai is to visit an elephant sanctuary, where you can feed, bathe and trek with captive elephants. There are dozens in the area surrounding Chiang Mai so there are plenty of options.
Elephant sanctuaries are marketed as being places where elephants formerly used in the tourism industry and logging industry come to have a new home. In reality, many of them feel more similar to a zoo than they do a sanctuary.
It has to be said: many tourists have conflicting views on the ethics of Thai elephant sanctuaries, which generally concern the treatment of the elephants. Touching the elephants crosses the line for some travellers too much; for others, bathing with the elephants is completely fine. It’s up to you what you consider to be improper. Personally, I did the full experience at Into the Wild Elephant Camp, where I fed and bathed the elephants. I didn’t have many ethical concerns; the elephants seemed happy and living a full life!
Expect full day tours to set you back 2000 to 3000 baht ($59 to $88 / £47 to £70).
3. Climb the Sticky Waterfall
For a unique waterfall experience, head to Sticky Waterfall, or Nam Tok Bua Tong. This tiered waterfall is located one hour’s drive from Chiang Mai.
Sticky Waterfall is covered in limestone, which gives it a rough non-slippery texture (hence the name). It has many tiers and little pools that you can climb up. I loved visiting, and it reminded me of a natural water park.
Sticky Waterfall is free to visit, but transport can cost a little as it’s one hour away. I took a taxi with six others and the return fare worked out at 200 baht each ($6 / £5); not too bad for the distance!
4. Visit Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat
On the outskirts of Chiang Mai, you’ll find Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, a forested park centred around the Doi Suthep mountain.
The biggest attraction of Doi Suthep is the hike leading to Wat Pha Lat. The trail – nicknamed the Monk’s Trail – passes upwards through thick jungle until it reaches the temple.
I never made it to Wat Pha Lat; the logistics of getting a taxi both ways and hiking on my own put me off. However, Doi Suthep sounds tranquil and the hike a rewarding way of exploring the area surrounding Chiang Mai. I’d definitely consider going if I ever visit the city again!
5. Visit Doi Inthanon National Park
If you want to explore a bit further away from the city, one option is to take a day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park. This park is around 1 hour to 90 mins’ drive from Chiang Mai and is home to Thailand’s tallest mountain, also called Doi Inthanon, which you can go up.
Many people choose to visit the Doi Inthanon as part of a sightseeing day trip, which normally includes a visit to or hike around the mountain. Expect prices for a day tour to be in the region of 1400 to 1800 baht ($41 to $53 / £33 to £42).
6. Take a day trip to Chiang Rai
The northernmost city in Thailand, Chiang Rai, is worth a visit in its own right. It’s popular with tourists due to its many temples and waterfalls, with the most famous being the White Temple. For backpackers, it’s also a useful stopover before crossing the border with Laos.
However, for people who want to focus on the highlights and aren’t travelling to Laos, a day trip to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai makes a lot of sense. This way, you can see the main highlights without having to make more travel arrangements.
Expect a trip to set you back around 1500 baht ($43 / £35). It’ll be a gruelling day – Chiang Rai is 3.5 hours’ drive from Chiang Mai – but, arguably, it’ll be worth it.
7. Try an adventure activity
For those who like to get the adrenaline going, there are plenty of adventure activities around Chiang Mai that you can do. For example, Thailand’s longest zip line, Jungle Flight, is located just outside the city. Meanwhile, bamboo rafting can be done on some of the rivers near the city.
Not feeling so adventurous, but still want some adrenaline? Chiang Mai also contains Grand Canyon Waterpark: great for a swim or slide.
8. Wander the streets in the Old Town
The centre of Chiang Mai constitutes the Old Town. It’s surprisingly big and is full of restaurants, temples, cafes and bars.
When in the Old Town, I just wandered through, taking a look at whatever I saw. There is an incredibly high number of temples, from Wat Phra Singh with its golden stupa to Wat Chedi Luang with its intricate carving, most of which are open for the public to visit. The most popular temples can get very busy, but in my opinion it’s the small quiet temples which are the most interesting.
On your way around, don’t forget to wander to Tha Phae gate, one of the historical entrances to the city.
9. Visit Chiang Mai Zoo
For those wanting to take a look at some wildlife from around the globe, Chiang Mai has its own zoo. I didn’t personally visit, but it has pandas, which has to be a big mark in its favour.
10. Learn history at a museum
Chiang Mai is home to several museums which will inform you more about the history and heritage of the area. As the historical capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, there’s a lot to learn! Possible places to hit are the Chiang Mai National Museum and Lanna Folklife Museum.
I didn’t make it to any museums in Chiang Mai – personally I think there are more interesting things to see, especially if you don’t have much time in the city. But it’s something to consider if you’re into this sort of thing.
11. Chill at KALM
I couldn’t write this list without including a special mention for my favourite find in Chiang Mai.
When I was wandering through the Old Town, I stumbled upon a very cool complex comprising a courtyard surrounded by buildings, known as KALM. Here, you’ll find a small museum, the Museum of Makers, with textiles from across South-East Asia Asia, as well as a gallery, restaurant and cafe.
However, I was most excited by their small library. They had lots of books on South East Asia and you’re free to browse and find a place to sit and read. I got comfortable in a rocking chair in the corner with a book on Papua New Guinea, and didn’t leave for hours!
If you have some spare time and want to relax in a tranquil setting, I’d definitely recommend a visit.
12. Explore the night market
There are several night markets across Chiang Mai, which has to be the place to be in the evening. In these markets you’ll find lots of stalls selling food and souvenirs.
The biggest night market is located on Chang Khlan Road. There are multiple food courts off it offering a range of Thai and international meals, drinks and snacks. I particularly liked the vibe at Ploen Ryder Night Market.
Meanwhile, Wua Lai Walking Street, open on Saturdays, is a good option for snacks and souvenirs.There’s a food court at the northern end of the street, but don’t be fooled; further along the road there are many more options. The street is so long and took me several hours to walk up and down, but on the upside there were stalls selling 20 baht smoothies ($0.60 / £0.50).
A variety of markets are also open during the day, if you fancy visiting them.
13. Chill by the pool
Have a bit spare of time? Relax by the pool. If your hotel has one, this is easy. However, there are still a few options if you’re staying at a guesthouse or hostel without one. For example, Mesa Cafe has a pool; buy a drink or lunch and you can chill by their pool for hours!
Conclusion
There are plenty of things to do and see in Chiang Mai, and you’d need a week at least to do them all. I can understand why this is the most popular place to visit in Northern Thailand!
If you only have a couple of days to explore, I’d focus on the biggest sights: namely, exploring the Old Town, visiting an elephant sanctuary, and eating at the night market.
What do you want to know about visiting Chiang Mai? If you’ve visited before, would you add anything to this list? Let me know in the comments.
Need more information? Check out my backpacker’s guide to visiting Chiang Mai!
