Things to Do in Chiang Mai: Our Best Tips & Highlights

The Sights in Chiang Mai on a Map

To give you a quick overview, we’ve marked the top things to do in Chiang Mai on a map for you.

Old Town of Chiang Mai

What you need to know: The old town of Chiang Mai is square and completely surrounded by an ancient city wall and a small canal. You enter through various gates — to the north, south, east, and west.

Is it worth it? Absolutely — the old town alone is a standout highlight on any road trip through Thailand. There are several temples here you really can’t miss, and we’ll walk you through our favorites in just a moment. The city wall is seriously cool too. The east gate is the most popular — but also the most packed.

Our tip: We really recommend doing a guided city tour of the old town. It’s a great way to get to know the city better and hear fascinating stories about the temples from your guide — plus you can ask all your questions about Thai culture.

Tour tip: A half-day bike tour is a fantastic option. You cover ground so much faster, and it’s perfect for a first impression of the city.

Book the guided bike tour of Chiang Mai’s old town

Wat Phra Sing

• Admission: 50 Baht (just under $1.50)

What you need to know: Wat Phra Singh sits in the western part of the old town and is considered the most important temple in Chiang Mai. Its greatest sacred object is a small Buddha statue called Phra Sihing.

Is it worth it? Yes — we’d definitely put Wat Phra Singh on your list when you’re in the old town. The temple complex is really beautiful and impressively well preserved.

Our tip: Every year during the Thai New Year festival Songkran, the Buddha statue is carried through the streets of Chiang Mai in a grand procession. If you happen to be there, don’t miss it.

Wat Chedi Luang & Phan Tao

• Admission: 50 Baht (just under $1.50)

What you need to know: Right in the heart of the old town, there’s a complex with several impressive structures — most notably Wat Chedi Luang, with its ancient, half-ruined stupa and striking elephant sculptures. Wat Phan Tao is also here. Its main hall is built entirely of teak wood, which sets it apart from most other temples in the city.

Is it worth it? Yes! The whole complex is worth seeing, and Wat Chedi Luang is honestly one of our favorite temples in Chiang Mai.

Our tip: During the Loi Krathong lantern festival, a truly spectacular ceremony takes place at Wat Phan Tao every year. If your timing lines up, don’t skip it.

Wat Chiang Man

• Admission: free

What you need to know: Wat Chiang Man is in the northeastern corner of the old town. Built in 1297, it’s the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. The complex isn’t huge, but it’s absolutely worth your time.

Is it worth it? Yes! It’s generally much less crowded than Wat Chedi Luang — and on top of that, it’s free. Easy decision.

Night Bazaar

What you need to know: The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is just east of the old town, in the streets near the Ping River. From late afternoon well into the evening, the area fills up with vendor stalls and street food courts as far as the eye can see.

Is it worth it? Oh yes! You’ll find delicious local street food, clothes, and regional products — it’s a great evening out.

Our tip: Make sure to try Khao Soi — the classic dish of northern Thailand. It’s a rich, curry-based noodle soup topped with crispy noodles, and it’s seriously one of the best things you’ll eat on your trip.

Walking Streets

• Where is the Saturday Walking Street? Wua Lai Road (from Chiang Mai Gate at the southern city wall of the old town)
• Where is the Sunday Walking Street? Ratchadamnoen Road (from Tha Pae Gate in the east, running straight through the old town)

What you need to know: Every Saturday and Sunday, just before sunset, several streets in Chiang Mai transform into a massive night market. You’ll mainly find souvenirs, handicrafts, clothing, and lots of great food.

Is it worth it? The Walking Street is definitely not an off-the-beaten-path experience — it’s very much aimed at tourists. That said, a stroll through the streets is still well worth your time.

Our tip: Go as early as possible. Around 5 PM it’s still relatively calm — later on, it’s shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Some vendors may still be setting up when you arrive, but the browsing experience is so much more relaxed.

3D Museum

• Admission: 460 Baht ($12.50)

What you need to know: Ever heard of a 3D museum? Neither had we, before we stumbled across “Art in Paradise” in Chiang Mai. Spread across two floors, there are countless interactive scenes where you can pose for truly unique vacation photos. It’s a lot of fun!

Is it worth it? We think so — especially if you hit a rainy day. It’s one of the best indoor activities Chiang Mai has to offer.

Our tip: Don’t go alone. The whole point is taking photos, and for that you obviously need someone behind the camera.

Get your ticket for “Art in Paradise” in Chiang Mai

Extra tip: Restaurants & Cafés in Chiang Mai

What you need to know: For us, the charming cafés and restaurants are a huge part of what makes Chiang Mai so special. A thriving community of digital nomads has settled here, which has given rise to a real café culture. You’ll find most of the great spots around Nimman Road, but the old town has plenty of cool places to eat and hang out too.

Is it worth it? Of course. Spending an afternoon at a café or going out for a proper meal is simply part of the Chiang Mai experience — and we absolutely love northern Thai cuisine!

Our tip: Freebird Café is a truly wonderful project — refugees from Myanmar are trained and fairly paid here. The food is vegan or vegetarian and honestly delicious.

Day Trips from Chiang Mai

Here are the best day trips from Chiang Mai in our opinion. We’ve marked them on a map so you can get a feel for where everything is.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

• Admission: 30 Baht (80 cents)

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is probably the most famous temple in Chiang Mai, and it’s an absolute must-visit.

Doi Suthep sits outside the city, on the mountain of the same name. The gilded chedi at the center of the temple complex is particularly stunning.

We really recommend visiting Doi Suthep in the evening around sunset.

The light is especially beautiful at that time, and when the monks gather around the golden dome for their evening prayers, the atmosphere on the grounds is truly special.

Note: Please be respectful — when the monks are praying, sit down on the ground, stay quiet, and keep a respectful distance.

Beyond the temple complex itself, the view over Chiang Mai is breathtaking.

At the top there’s a viewing platform overlooking the city, and on the way up you’ll pass several great vantage points along the route.

On the way back down, keep an eye out for small pull-off areas — it’s worth stopping to take in the view of illuminated Chiang Mai below.

Getting to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

The best way to reach Doi Suthep is on a rented scooter. You wind your way up via switchbacks for about half an hour. It’s a really great ride.

Note: After sunset, it gets quite cold up on the mountain. Bring a sweater or jacket if you’re heading up in the evening — even if it’s warm down in the city during the day, it can get seriously chilly up there.

Once you reach the parking lot at the top, you can choose between an elevator and several hundred steps up to the temple. The elevator costs 50 Baht ($1.30); the stairs are free.

If you’d rather not ride a scooter, you can get to Doi Suthep by Red Taxi.

From Chiang Mai Zoo, Red Taxis head to Doi Suthep for 40 Baht ($1), and you’ll also find them near most temples in the city ready to take you there.

You can also hire a Red Taxi just for yourself. A private trip to Doi Suthep costs around 500 Baht ($13), depending on how well you negotiate.

Doi Suthep National Park

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is located within Doi Suthep National Park. If you’d like to combine your temple visit with a bit of nature, that’s totally doable.

Here are two great activities in Doi Suthep National Park:

#1 Hike the Monk’s Trail

This popular hiking trail leads from the outskirts of Chiang Mai almost all the way up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The path is very steep, but along the way you’ll pass several temple complexes and enjoy great panoramas at various points.

• Starting point: view on Google Maps
• End point: view on Google Maps
• Length: approximately 3.5 kilometers (uphill only)
• Elevation gain: about 600 meters

#2 Visit the Waterfalls

The national park also has several waterfalls. We visited the Montha Than Waterfall — it’s near Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and you can get pretty close by scooter.

Chiang Mai Grand Canyon

• Admission: 750 Baht ($20)

The Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai? Sounds odd, but it’s real. About 20 kilometers southwest of the city lies a former quarry.

The comparison with the Grand Canyon in the US is definitely a stretch — but the Chiang Mai version is a fantastic place to go swimming.

There’s a small beach where you can get into the water, and if you’re feeling brave, you can jump off one of the cliffs.

After several accidents, life jackets are now required. You can easily rent them on-site.

The real highlight, though, is the water park in the back section of the canyon. Think wild obstacle courses over the water — it’s seriously a lot of fun and absolutely worth including on your list of things to do in Chiang Mai.

By scooter, you can get from Chiang Mai to the Grand Canyon in about 30 to 45 minutes.

Get your ticket for the Grand Canyon Water Park

White Temple Chiang Rai

• Admission: 100 Baht ($3)

The town of Chiang Rai is located about 200 kilometers northeast of Chiang Mai. There’s a lot to see in the area and you could easily spend several days there.

If you don’t have that much time, a day trip to the White Temple in Chiang Rai — the Wat Rong Khu — is definitely worth it. It’s one of the top sights in Chiang Rai.

Book a day tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

The White Temple is unlike anything else we’ve visited. Wat Rong Khu is entirely white and decorated with ornamental details down to the smallest element.

And as if that weren’t unusual enough, inside the temple you’ll find murals featuring Michael Jackson, Superman, and Master Yoda.

Pai

Pai is a small town in the northwest of Chiang Mai province. It’s known for its beautiful scenery, with waterfalls and hot springs in the surrounding area.

Because there’s so much to see and do, we recommend spending at least one night in Pai rather than trying to do it as a day trip.

Our hotel pick for Pai: Pai Village Boutique Resort
Top highlights in Pai:

• Bamboo Bridge
• Tha Pai Hot Springs
• Mae Yen Waterfall
• Yun Lai Viewpoint
• Santichon Village

There are buses from Chiang Mai to Pai that take about four hours. It’s easiest to book them through 12goasia.

Elephant Camps

First, the most important thing: this isn’t about riding elephants — it’s about supporting the elephants living there by visiting a responsible camp.

Elephants have a hard life in Thailand and other Asian countries, because they’re often exploited for profit.

Many tourists don’t do their research and book elephant riding without realizing they’re supporting the abuse of these animals.

Elephants are wild animals, and to make them compliant for tourists, their spirit is cruelly broken. If you want to understand why you should not ride elephants, these articles are worth reading:

The truth about elephant riding in Asia

Elephant riding: making money on the backs of animals

Near Chiang Mai there are several elephant camps that have made it their mission to rescue elephants from captivity.

Unfortunately, not all of them are genuinely worth recommending — there’s also good money to be made from simply claiming to “rescue” elephants.

We decided against visiting a camp ourselves, because after extensive research we could no longer clearly tell the good ones from the bad ones.

That doesn’t mean we want to put you off going. We just want to encourage you to choose your camp very carefully.

If you can recommend a camp, feel free to let us know!

Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

Looking for a travel destination in November? Perfect! Plan your trip so that you’re in Chiang Mai for Loi Krathong — you won’t regret it.

The Loi Krathong lantern festival is one of the most important celebrations in Thailand. In Chiang Mai it’s especially grand, because the Yi Peng Festival takes place at the same time — during which thousands of glowing lanterns rise into the night sky.

Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai is simply a truly special experience. We attended three years in a row, and it was magical every single time. For us, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world on that day.

Loi Krathong always falls on the full moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, so the exact date shifts from year to year.

Loi Krathong dates for the coming years:

2026: November 25
2027: November 14
2028: November 2
2029: November 21
2030: November 11

How Many Days in Chiang Mai?

We recommend spending at least three nights in Chiang Mai. That gives you one full day to explore the old town and the remaining days for excursions into the surrounding area.

Our suggested itinerary for three days in Chiang Mai:

• Day 1: Old Town Chiang Mai + cooking class or 3D Museum
• Day 2: Doi Suthep National Park + Night Bazaar/Walking Street
• Day 3: Day trip to the White Temple in Chiang Rai

That said, we’d really recommend staying longer in northern Thailand — spending a night or two in Chiang Rai and/or Pai makes the trip so much richer.

Our suggested itinerary for one week in northern Thailand:

• Day 1: Old Town Chiang Mai + cooking class or 3D Museum
• Day 2: Doi Suthep National Park + Night Bazaar/Walking Street
• Day 3: Day trip to an elephant camp or the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon
• Days 4 + 5: Pai
• Days 6 + 7: White Temple in Chiang Rai + more highlights in Chiang Rai

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai?

In 90 percent of cases, the answer is simple: in the old town or right next to it. Our personal pick is the Villa Thai Orchid.

Why the old town is such a great choice for accommodation — and what other options you have — we cover in detail in our hotel tips for Chiang Mai:

Chiang Mai: Where’s the best place to stay?

How Do You Get Around Chiang Mai?

The old town of Chiang Mai is very easy to explore on foot. For points of interest outside the old town and day trips into the surrounding area, though, you’ll need a bit more than your legs.

Fortunately, you have a wide range of transportation options in Chiang Mai.

Renting a Scooter in Chiang Mai

Many travelers rent a scooter for their time in Chiang Mai, and it’s easy to see why — a scooter gives you the most flexibility. Even if the traffic looks a bit chaotic at first, you’ll get the hang of it fairly quickly.

A scooter costs about 300 Baht ($8) per day. There are plenty of rental shops around, but during peak season it can sometimes be tricky to find one on short notice.

Recommended scooter rental shops in Chiang Mai:

• Bikky (2 locations on Huaykaew Road)
• Cat Motors (197/1 Ratchamanka Rd.)
• Happy Days Shop (88 Chaiyapoom Road)
• Mango Bikes (Siri Mangkalajarn Road, Soi 1)
• Smile motorbike & car rental (Rachadamnoen Road, Soi 2)

A helmet is of course included when you rent. In Chiang Mai, it’s common practice to simply leave the helmet hanging on the handlebar when you park — in our experience, no one has ever touched ours.

Warning: You need an international driver’s license to ride a scooter in Thailand. While this is barely enforced elsewhere in the country, the police in Chiang Mai have made it something of a priority.

Checks happen frequently and at many locations. If you’re caught without the proper license, you’ll pay a fine of 500 Baht (around $13).

Make sure to get a receipt and keep it with you. Once you’ve paid the fine, you won’t have to pay it again in the following days if you show the receipt.

The best solution is of course to have an international driver’s license with you. That usually does the trick.

Some officers also check whether there’s a motorcycle endorsement on the license. If you don’t have one, you may still be fined.

Our tip: Bring a thin cloth you can pull on under the helmet — the helmets aren’t exactly new. For everything else you should have with you in Thailand, check out our comprehensive packing list for Southeast Asia.

The Famous Red Taxis in Chiang Mai

They’re a constant presence on Chiang Mai’s streets: red pickup trucks with passengers riding in the back.

These so-called Songthaews, also known as Red Taxis, travel all across Chiang Mai and can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go.

Here’s how it works: To get into a Red Taxi, simply wave one down at the side of the road. Tell the driver where you want to go, and he’ll either say yes or no — for example, if he’s already heading to a different part of town with other passengers.

If the driver says yes, you hop in, and he’ll let you know when you’ve arrived.

If you know exactly where you want to get off, you can also press the stop request button on the ceiling inside the cab.

After getting out, you pay the driver. A ride costs 30–50 Baht (75 cents–$1.30) per person. If you’re traveling a particularly long distance or riding very late, it may cost a bit more — but the driver will tell you upfront.

You always pay only after you’ve been dropped off.

Songthaew drivers generally don’t speak much English. Your best bet is to name a destination they’ll recognize — well-known temples or the gates around the old town work great. A specific street name helps too.

Taking a Tuk Tuk in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai also has tuk tuks, which primarily transport tourists from point A to point B. You negotiate the fare with the driver in advance. In our experience, tuk tuks are usually the most expensive way to get around.

Classic Taxis in Chiang Mai

Regular taxis are rare in Chiang Mai and are mainly used to take travelers from the airport to their hotel. You’ll barely see any on the street, so hailing one at the curb isn’t really a thing here.

Getting Around Chiang Mai with Uber and Grab

A super convenient alternative to the Red Taxis is Uber. Just install the Uber app and you can call a driver directly from your phone.

As a rule, a driver arrives within five minutes and takes you to your destination, which you enter in the app beforehand. You can see the approximate fare before you confirm your ride.

Payment is handled by credit card through the app — or you can select cash payment if you’d rather not enter your card details.

A great alternative is the Grab app, which is also very popular in Thailand. Everything works essentially the same as with Uber.

How Do You Get to Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is located in northern Thailand, about 700 kilometers from the capital Bangkok.

The easiest way to get there is via the city’s international airport. There are also bus and train connections to Bangkok and other Thai cities.

Getting to Chiang Mai by Bus

Buses are the cheapest option for getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

The journey from Bangkok takes about ten hours and costs the equivalent of $10 to $20, depending on the bus company.

You can buy tickets directly or online at 12go.asia.

Getting to Chiang Mai by Train

Taking the train is easily the most romantic way to travel to Chiang Mai. Both day and night trains run between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, taking between 11 and 14 hours.

Night trains have the big advantage that you save one night’s accommodation and free up more time for the sights in Bangkok. And as long as you’re not in 3rd class, you can sleep quite comfortably.

The train station is about three kilometers east of the old town. You can buy tickets there directly or online at 12go.asia. A 2nd class ticket costs the equivalent of about $20 to $30.

Getting to Chiang Mai by Plane

Chiang Mai’s international airport is just a few kilometers southwest of the old town. There’s a solid selection of domestic flights and connections from other Asian countries.

Qatar Airways flies from Doha directly to Chiang Mai — a very solid option if you want to go straight to Chiang Mai rather than connecting through Bangkok.

Domestic flights from Bangkok run up to four times per hour. Tickets are often available for the equivalent of just $30.

There are connections from the large Suvarnabhumi Airport and the smaller Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.

Within Thailand, there are also plenty of direct flights from the south — for example from Phuket or Koh Samui. So you can easily combine a visit to Chiang Mai with a beach vacation on the many Thai islands.

Interesting international routes include connections to Yangon and Mandalay in Myanmar, as well as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Getting from the Chiang Mai Airport into the City

The most comfortable option is a taxi. In the arrivals terminal you’ll find several taxi counters.

Once you’ve cleared baggage claim and customs, turn left and walk straight to the end of the terminal building. The taxi stand is on the left.

Tell them where you’re headed and you’ll be given a slip of paper with the fare. A ride to the old town typically costs a flat 150 Baht ($4).

With the slip in hand, head outside where the drivers will be waiting. You pay the fare directly to the driver.

A cheaper option is a Red Taxi, which will take you to your destination for 100 Baht ($3).

You can of course also order a driver through Uber. The price is usually slightly higher than a regular taxi — but if there’s a long line at the taxi stand, Uber can be a real time-saver.