There is so much to do and see in Chiang Mai, you could easily spend more than 5 nights in this area. If you have more time, you could stay in Chiang Mai for weeks.
The Old City of Chiang Mai has narrow streets filled with temples, traditional houses, and vibrant markets. You can experience the city on foot or hop on a motorbike to discover all the hidden gems.
WHERE TO STAY IN CHIANG MAI?
The city has many excellent hotels, but our top favourite choice is Aksara Heritage. The rooms are luxurious, and the staff is fantastic. When I come back to the city I will definitely stay here again. It is not the cheapest but a true oasis in the Old City of Chiang Mai.
Check the availability here.
Chiang Mai is my favourite city in Thailand and here are the best 10 things to do on your trip:
1. VISIT ELEPHANT RESCUE PARK
Elephant Rescue Park was built especially for elephants that live with them permanently. When you visit the rescue park you see how well the elephants are treated here. They purchase and rescue elephants from circuses, the logging industry, mistreatment camps, hardworking sites, and unfortunate accidents.
You have half-day tours and full-day tours. It is a place that cares for the elephants. Here is the official website. There are many different sanctuaries around Chiang Mai but not all of them really are good for the elephants. This was my favourite and one of the most memorable experiences from visiting Thailand.
2. SUNDAY NIGHT MARKET IN CHIANG MAI
My absolute favourite thing you have to do is visit the Sunday Night Market. Chiang Mai is known for its night markets but this one is the best I have ever visited. A big part of the Old Town gets closed, and the locals put out stalls with everything you can imagine.
With the most delicious Thai food, souvenirs, and massages. It is packed with tourists and locals both enjoying the evening.
3. STICKY WATERFALLS
Sticky waterfalls also known as Bua Tong Waterfalls are a little bit out of the city centre of Chiang Mai. The waterfalls are unique and something you can’t find elsewhere. It is something that you need to experience to realize how special it is. The waterfalls are like the name says sticky.
You can walk upstream easily, and it is a very fun activity to do. You can walk on sticky waterfalls because of the limestone deposits found in the water and on the rocks. The limestone creates a rough and porous surface that provides excellent traction.
You can rent a car and drive yourself there or you can take a guided tour with Pon Tours. Check the availability here.
4. VISIT POEN RUEDEE NIGHT MARKET AND THE NIGHT BAZAAR
There are so many markets in Chiang Mai that it is hard to choose which ones to visit. One of the best ones is Poen Ruedee Night Market. It is very touristy but there is a lot of different food options.
Just a few steps away there is also the Night Bazaar that that comes to life in the evenings. The Night Bazaar offers shopping, some restaurants and if you are lucky even live music.
5. TAKE A COOKING CLASS IN CHIANG MAI
Thailand is famous for its delicious Thai food. In Chiang Mai, you can take a cooking class and learn so much about ingredients and food preparation. Most of the popular classes have the option to choose what dishes would you like to learn.
You can choose to have a half-day class or a full-day cooking class. My best recommendation is with Grandma’s Home Cooking School. You can check the program here.
6. WAT CHEDI LUANG TEMPLE
Wat Chedi Luang Buddhist temple is right in the Old Town. It is one of the city’s most historically significant and visually impressive temples.
Wat Chedi Luang is home to the city pillar, which is considered to be the spiritual guardian of Chiang Mai. The city pillar is located within a shrine on the temple grounds, and it is an important place for traditional ceremonies and local beliefs. There is also a big gong that you can play by striking it.
7. WAT PHA LAT TEMPLE IN CHIANG MAI
One of the most fascinating temples in Chiang Mai is Wat Pha Lat. The temple’s architecture beautifully blends with the natural surroundings. The temple is surrounded by lush greenery, moss-covered rocks, and a small waterfall. This creates a beautiful atmosphere.
To get there you can take the Monk’s trail. The trail is taking you through beautiful nature. It is around a 30-minute forest walk so we recommend wearing sneakers and do not forget to have sarong or long pants to cover your legs when you get there.
8. FOOD IN CHIANG MAI
Chiang Mai is a wonderful place if you are a foodie. The city offers a vibrant food scene with many amazing restaurants.
Our favourite dish from this area is the famous Khao Soi. You can find it in most of the traditional restaurants and it is a dish you cannot skip on your visit to Chiang Mai. Don’t forget to try some delicious desserts like mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream!
9. DAY TRIP TO CHIANG RAI
Chiang Rai is about a 3-hour drive away. The easiest way is to rent a car for the day and go on a road trip but you have to start early in the morning because the drive is long. You can visit two famous temples: The Blue Temple and The White Temple.
There are also organized tours provided by TripGuru; you can check availability here.
10. THAI MASSAGE
Thailand is famous for its Thai massages. After all the amazing things you can do in Chiang Mai, you have to relax at one of the spas and massage salons in the city.
Our best but most expensive recommendation is to go to Zira Spa. For a mid-range option, you can go to Calm Massage and Spa.