If you’re searching for the perfect issues to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand, you possibly can’t go previous these prime 12 points of interest and actions. You’ll be amazed in any respect the alternatives for what to do in Chiang Mai!
From the world-class seashores within the South to the mountain forests within the North, Thailand actually does have one thing for everybody.
Whereas Bangkok is its bustling capital, the north is the guts of tradition and creativity, and there are lots of of issues to do in Chiang Mai.
See the perfect issues in Chiang Mai, such because the temples of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Chedi Luang or go to a nationwide park akin to Doi Inthanon or Doi Suthep-Pui.
Keep busy with Chiang Mai’s busy markets and road meals within the outdated metropolis, loosen up with meditation or a Thai therapeutic massage, and even take a day journey to Chiang Rai or to a number of the most stunning landscapes in Thailand.
The Finest Issues to Do in Chiang Mai!
You would simply spend a month (or extra) in Northern Thailand, making Chiang Mai a base for exploration.
With the perfect restaurant and cafe scene within the nation, wonderful nightlife, a powerful Buddhist presence, and sufficient actions to fill a calendar 12 months, there may be undoubtedly no scarcity of issues to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand!
It truly is the cultural capital of Thailand, and little doubt you’ll fall in love with it in your subsequent go to. Better of all it’s very reasonably priced in comparison with the south of the nation.
There are such a lot of locations to go to in Chiang Mai, and each day we discovered an increasing number of to do! If you wish to know what to do in Chiang Mai, have a learn of this text and are available go to town for your self!
2020 Replace – We truly discovered ourselves based mostly in Chiang Mai for two.5 months after our first two visits, and actually cherished our time there and have added a few of our favorite new Chiang Mai points of interest to this information.
READ MORE: When planning to go to Thailand you’ll want to use our complete Journey Information to Thailand!
1) Go to Elephant Nature Park
Sadly, Thailand has a historical past of animal abuse to assist enhance its tourism economic system. Actions akin to driving an elephant or visiting the sedated tigers in lots of the temples solely add to this cruelty and must be averted in any respect prices.
However in Chiang Mai, there may be one sanctuary that’s dedicated to training and rehabilitation. Elephant Nature Park is a rescue centre for elephants which have been abused by the tourism business over the a long time.
Right here you possibly can both go to the elephants of their pure surroundings or volunteer at Elephant Nature Park to assist out across the sanctuary.
Driving elephants are prohibited; as a substitute, the main target is on treating and defending these stunning creatures. Positively among the finest issues to do in Chiang Mai.
Elephant Nature Park can be the most costly possibility for visiting elephants in Chiang Mai, however that’s as a result of they’re the best possible firm on the town.
- Handle: Kuet Chang, Mae Taeng District
- Opening hours: each day from 7 AM – 5PM
- Value: 2,500 THB
2) Benefit from the Cafe Scene
Okay, we admit it – we’re suckers for a metropolis with an important cafe scene. And in Thailand few locations provide the type of coffee-hopping joys that Chiang Mai does.
As a result of we work on-line, we love a very good cafe with tasty espresso, a snug setting, funky music and quick wifi.
After an enormous morning searching for out all of the Chiang Mai points of interest, we’d typically discover ourselves in one of many quirky cafes to whereas away the afternoon hours.
Our favourites had been Good Morning Chiang Mai and Chicken’s Nest Cafe, however you can spend weeks bouncing from place to put and by no means get sick of it.
The cafes actually are the bomb and among the finest issues to do in Chiang Mai.
3) Journey the Mae Hong Son Loop
Okay, this isn’t precisely in Chiang Mai, however no journey to Northern Thailand can be full with out renting a scooter or motorcycle and driving this unimaginable four-day loop.
Ranging from Chiang Mai, you full a circuit, spending nights in Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son and searching for out the sweetness in Pai, earlier than returning again to town.
It’s recognized to be among the finest motorcycle loops in Southeast Asia, and after we spent 10 months driving two motorbikes 15’000km across the area, we are able to truthfully agree that it’s properly value doing.
There’s lots to see and do alongside the best way, and first up is the sensational mountain surroundings. Be certain your journey cameras are charged as a result of it’s significantly going to blow your thoughts.
There’s additionally lots of cool detours you possibly can take that may take you as much as some distinctive hill tribes. The folks up there are very pleasant and welcoming, however ensure you are dressed modestly and present them respect.
And if the temperature is getting the higher of you, there’s loads of beautiful waterfalls to cease off at and take a fast dip.
The Mae Hong Son Loop might be up there with Chiang Rai as being among the finest journeys from Chiang Mai. Many vacationers hit up Chiang Rai afterwards, however save time for the Mae Hong Son Loop, you actually received’t remorse it!
(Severely, don’t be a kind of digital nomads or backpackers who spend all their time within the metropolis and by no means leaves.)
Learn our full information on driving the Mae Hong Son Loop.
4) Spend Time With A Native
We’ve been fortunate sufficient to spend months backpacking Thailand, and one factor we by no means tire of is the welcoming and beneficiant tradition of the Thai folks.
If you’re within the nation you’ll little doubt have numerous unimaginable interactions that may assist persuade you Thailand could be the perfect nation on the earth.
When you’re within the metropolis and on a restricted schedule, there are many issues to do with locals in Chiang Mai, akin to trekking and cooking courses.
Our absolute favorite expertise with locals is a Thai cooking class. We did this one and completely cherished it.
READ MORE: Try our model new 3-days in Chiang Mai itinerary information!
5) Discover The Buddhist Temples
Chiang Mai is stuffed with superb Buddhist temples, referred to as ‘wats’, and nearly all of them are open to guests. Whereas Wat Phra That Doi Suthep might be probably the most stunning, those within the metropolis shouldn’t be missed both.
Even should you think about your self non secular, the temples are a Chiang Mai must-see!
Positively try Wat Phra Singh, Wat Pan Tao, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Umong. One of many actual distinctive issues to do in Chiang Mai is to attend a monk chat.
Principally, that is the place you possibly can go to a temple and discuss to the monks about Buddhism, life within the temples, or absolutely anything you possibly can consider.
They’re typically very excited to apply their English, so it’s mutually useful. Try the posters plastered across the temples to see when the common monk chats are on.
The monks would possibly even offer you some extra recommendations on what to do in Chiang Mai!
6) Hill Tribe Trekking within the Surrounding Mountains
Lots of people who go to Thailand begin within the Southern islands, that are undoubtedly stunning, however can lack a little bit of tradition and authenticity.
It’s no surprise then that when folks arrive in Chiang Mai, they’re typically craving to study in regards to the historical past and ethnic improvement of the nation.
The jungles within the Chiang Mai province are a trekker’s paradise, full of waterfalls, valleys, mountains and, maybe extra apparently, varied hill tribes.
Simply ensure you join your treks with a good and accountable tour operator, the place nearly all of the cash will go to the native folks of northern Thailand.
Keep away from visiting the Karen lengthy neck tribes.
These minority folks have been compelled to proceed their paralysing traditions, on the insistence of the federal government, to continue to grow the booming tourism economic system.
This one trekking at Doi Suthep Mountain is admittedly cool (booked with Klook).
7) Wander the Sunday Strolling Avenue Markets
Each Sunday evening the centre of the Outdated Metropolis is closed to site visitors, and meals distributors, craftspeople and artists take over with their distinctive and bargain-priced road markets.
The evening road markets are among the many hottest Chiang Mai vacationer points of interest.
It’s a beautiful night out, and also you’ll discover locals and vacationers alike wandering round, testing the gadgets on the market and simply having fun with themselves.
When you’re trying to purchase any souvenirs or trinkets that is the place to do it. You’ll discover all types of issues right here, from conventional to modern, and often at superb costs.
Or should you would relatively spend your cash on one thing completely different, you will get foot massages for just a few {dollars}, and actually stuff your self foolish with all of the scrumptious native meals that’s scattered everywhere in the markets.
Positively one of many higher issues to do in Chiang Mai at evening. The Saturday Night time Market can be simply as nice!
Scorching tip – don’t eat lunch on a Sunday, since you’re going to fill your self up on the strolling road markets for dinner!
8) Do a Meditation Course at Wat Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai is stuffed with methods to get in contact along with your internal self, however maybe probably the most well-known one is the Doi Suthep Vipassana Meditation Centre. Located on prime of Suthep Mountain, this temple receives hundreds of tourists each single day.
For those who wish to keep longer and study extra about this life-changing technique of meditation, the monks open their doorways and supply programs that vary from 3-28 days.
Talking is forbidden throughout your time within the temple, and all of your energies are centered on respiration and clearing your thoughts of ideas and troubles.
Programs are run on donations. Alesha accomplished a 7-day course in 2014 and completely cherished it.
Click on right here to seek out out extra about her Vipassana meditation course in Chiang Mai.
- Handle: Suthep Rd, Muang
- Opening hours: each day from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
READ MORE: Be sure you try the entire nice issues to do in Krabi!
9) Get a Thai Therapeutic massage on the Chiang Mai Girls’s Correctional Establishment
That’s proper – get a Thai therapeutic massage on the ladies’s jail. Earlier than you flip your nostril up at this concept, you will need to realise that that is truly a beautiful and massively useful enterprise.
The ladies on this correctional facility are all serving quick sentences for minor offences, and it is a approach for them to study a brand new talent to assist them migrate again into society.
There’s a restaurant and crafts retailer on website, and the massages and spa services are very fairly priced (anticipate 180 Baht for a therapeutic massage). One of many strangest, however extra fascinating, issues to do in Chiang Mai.
- Handle: 100 Rajchavithi Street Sriphum subdistrict
- Opening hours: Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 4:30 PM, Saturday – Sunday from 9 AM – 4:30 PM
- Value: round 180 THB
10) Cliff Diving on the Dangle Dong Rock Quarry
If leaping off of excessive issues into water appears like your concept of enjoyable (it’s for us), then ensure you head out to the Dangle Dong Rock Quarry in northern Thailand.
Initially used as a mine to filter out limestone, the quarry has now full of water that glows a vibrant turquoise inexperienced. The large pool is deep sufficient to launch from the very best cliffs, a few of them as much as 12m excessive.
When you would relatively take a dip with out taking the dive, there are many spots you possibly can simply swim out.
It may be arduous to seek out, so hiring a scooter or songthaew is one of the best ways to get there. The spot can be typically referred to as Chiang Mai Grand Canyon.
11) Get A Sak Yant From a Monk
When you’re finished with Chiang Mai sightseeing and also you’d wish to commemorate your northern Thailand journey – get a sak yant.
When you’ve ever needed to get a bamboo tattoo, then Chiang Mai is the place to do it. Fortunately there’s an unimaginable solution to have this expertise too.
A sak yant is a conventional, sacred tattoo within the Buddhist faith that’s carried out by an Ajarn, or tattoo grasp.
These Ajarns are sometimes Buddhist monks, and the sak yants given are historical script and designs that supply safety and energy to the individual sporting it.
Getting a sak yant is usually one thing many travellers wish to do on their journey round Thailand, however discovering a clear and hygienic place to do it may be robust.
Not desirous to danger an infection, we signed up for a sak yant tour with The place Sidewalks Finish and even had an English-speaking information to assist translate the complete expertise for us with the monk.
It was one of many actual highlights of our time in Chiang Mai, and should you’re interested by doing this your self, we extremely advocate it.
Try our detailed article about our expertise getting a sak yant in Chiang Mai.
12) Go Procuring on the Night time Bazaar
The evening bazaar in Chiang Mai is an absolute should for anybody who needs to dive into the myriad choices for presents and trinkets from Chiang Mai in addition to varied sensible gadgets for travellers.
A whole bunch of distributors start establishing their stalls round 6 PM. However the evening bazaar doesn’t begin kicking off till an hour or so later.
When you’re not within the temper to purchase something, there may be loads to see in simply strolling across the evening bazaar.
Plus there are many locations the place you possibly can choose up one thing to eat or drink. Thai road meals is among the many finest on the earth!
Chiang Mai Journey Information
Organising a visit contains a lot analysis and planning – it may be a bit tiring. To save lots of you the effort and time, we created an inventory that will help you discover lodging choices no matter your price range state of affairs.
The Chiang Mai Worldwide Airport can be simply 20 minutes from the middle of city, so transport to your lodging must be fast and straightforward. When you’re questioning the place to remain in Chiang Mai whereas visiting northern Thailand, learn on!
The place to Keep in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has an enormous variety of lodging choices to match each price range, from backpacker hostels and tiny guesthouses to 5-star luxurious resorts.
We stayed in a number of locations whereas visiting Chiang Mai, they usually had been all very respectable. If you’re a backpacker, try the choices on Hostel World.
If you’re a pair or would like one thing a bit higher-end, Reserving.com has an enormous choice of lodging.
Which Neighbourhood in Chiang Mai?
When you’re questioning the place to remain in Chiang Mai, it’s vital to decide on the correct neighbourhood to remain in.
Whereas lots of ex-pats and digital nomads select the favored Nimmanhaemin space for its abundance of cafes, bars and eating places, the reality is it’s a bit distant from the vacationer points of interest.
When you’re a backpacker you’ll wish to keep close to the Outdated Metropolis, which is probably the most picturesque and is strolling distance to many of the Chiang Mai factors of curiosity.
Nonetheless high-quality lodges are fairly restricted within the Outdated Metropolis, so that you’ll need to enterprise additional afield. Don’t fear although – you’re by no means too removed from something in Chiang Mai, and tuk-tuks and motorcycle leases are very low-cost methods to get round.
Finest Backpacker’s Hostel in Chiang Mai
There’s an awesome variety of superior hostels in Chiang Mai, and it may be daunting making an attempt to slender it right down to only one.
However the hostel with probably the most good evaluations is Hostel Lullaby. With over 1,000 constructive traveler evaluations, and a 9.7 out of 10 ranking on Hostelworld, that is simply a prime choose. Vacationers love that it’s centrally positioned within the Outdated Metropolis and social, but not tremendous loud like a celebration hostel.
Finest Mid-Vary Lodging in Chiang Mai
There’s no scarcity of mid-range lodging in Chiang Mai, however one among our favourites is the Sakorn Residence and Resort.
It’s simply outdoors of the Outdated Metropolis, so it’s a quieter place to relaxation your head and it actually has a shocking setup.
There’s a pool, enormous, brilliant and clear rooms, an important restaurant and pleasant employees. It actually has nearly every part you’d need for a keep within the metropolis.
Finest Luxurious Resort in Chiang Mai
If cash isn’t an possibility and you actually wish to splurge out on probably the most sensible lodging in Chiang Mai, then that you must try Akyra Manor.
It’s arguably the perfect 5-star lodge within the metropolis, and if you see it for your self you’ll perceive why. The suites encompass personal courtyards, and there are artwork galleries and scrumptious cafes and eating places on-site.
Severely, if you wish to stay in pure luxurious in Chiang Mai, that is the place to do it.
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