Top 25 Must-Do Activities in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Known as the ‘Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai is rich in history and surrounded by exquisite architecture. Established over seven centuries ago, Chiang Mai served as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and is home to more than 300 temples. Its northern location results in cooler temperatures compared to Bangkok or other southern regions, allowing for longer sightseeing activities without excessive fatigue.

TIP: Plan your tours and activities in advance to secure your spot: Best tours in Chiang Mai – Consider the Chiang Mai Segway Tour

The residents of Chiang Mai are among the friendliest and most relaxed in all of Thailand. The city’s charm will instantly captivate you, and narrowing down this list to just 25 attractions has proven quite challenging. Therefore, let’s commence our exploration of the top things to do in Chiang Mai:

1. Visit Doi Suthep

The most renowned attraction in Chiang Mai is Doi Suthep. Every travel agent and driver will inquire if you wish to visit, much like Big Ben in London. Doi Suthep is located approximately 12km from Chiang Mai and offers stunning panoramic views of the city. Standing at 1,676 meters, this mountain houses Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a 13th-century temple featuring a prominent white elephant shrine and a replica of the Emerald Buddha.

Tip: This Doi Suthep & Hmong Hill Tribe Village visit includes a scenic journey through the historic areas of Chiang Mai, a visit to Doi Suthep, and an opportunity to engage with the Meo Hill tribe.

2. Explore Nimmanhaemin Road

Nimmanhaemin Road represents the most fashionable area of Chiang Mai, replete with upscale bars and restaurants where the city’s trendsetters congregate. The main thoroughfare features numerous high-end bars, while the side streets are equally vibrant. A new shopping mall at one terminus of the road houses various designer boutiques, a multiplex cinema, and several well-known restaurant chains. This locale is the priciest in Chiang Mai regarding property values and dining options.

3. Discover San Kamphaeng Road

Referred to as the ‘Handicraft Highway’, this 10km stretch of road is famous for outlets specializing in pottery, silverware, lacquerware, sculpture, wood carving, and silk merchandise. The region is particularly known for its clay pottery, known as Celadon, characterized by its green glaze that resembles jade. Additionally, many visitors are unaware that Chiang Mai is renowned for producing some of the finest silverware in Thailand, with outlets like Louis Silverware showcasing master artisans at work.

4. Experience Doi Inthanon National Park

Doi Inthanon National Park encompasses the highest mountain in Thailand, an extension of the Shan Hills primarily composed of granite. The park spans approximately 48,240 hectares, with the mountain’s pinnacle reaching 2,565 meters and experiencing temperatures as low as -8 degrees Celsius. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the multitude of bird species that inhabit Doi Inthanon, making it a premier birdwatching destination within Thailand.

5. Savor Khao Soi

Northern Thailand is celebrated for many culinary highlights, but its most outstanding is likely Khao Soi, a delectable coconut curry soup featuring yellow egg noodles and chicken. Crispy fried egg noodles crown the dish, adding complementary textures. Accompanying the soup is a platter with chopped red onions, pickled green mustard, and a lime wedge. Visiting Chiang Mai without indulging in Khao Soi is inconceivable, as this dish is nothing short of exceptional. There are also various food tours available.

6. Shop at Warorot Market

Adjacent to the Ping River, Warorot Market serves as a morning market, distinguishing it from most night markets in the area. Opening early and closing at dusk, it is a popular shopping destination for locals, offering competitive prices not typically found in tourist markets. Visitors can discover a diverse range of products, including fresh produce, clothing, jewelry, handcrafted souvenirs, and much more. Exploring the nearby side streets reveals an array of Thai handicrafts made by local Hill Tribe artisans, often at reduced prices.

7. Cruise on the Mae Ping River

An engaging two-hour voyage on the Mae Ping River provides a delightful way to spend your afternoon, where you can marvel at the changing scenery. The riverbanks are dotted with beautiful traditional teak homes and lush rural landscapes. Several tour operators (offer online booking) provide these boat excursions, typically lasting around forty-five minutes before pausing at a local farmer’s home for lunch and the opportunity to observe jasmine rice production while relaxing in the picturesque gardens.

8. Enjoy time at the Cat Café

Inspired by a popular trend in China and Japan, Chiang Mai features its own Cat Café named Catmosphere. The café reflects its theme through decor showcasing cats in spaceships against a cosmic backdrop. Currently, fifteen cats inhabit the café, allowed to roam freely as if it were their home. Be advised that while the drink prices are slightly elevated compared to standard cafés, this is due to the care and grooming required for the cats. During peak times, a two-hour maximum visit may be imposed, but this should suffice for a fulfilling feline experience.

9. Visit Chiang Mai’s Grand Canyon

This former soil quarry, now transformed into a breathtaking canyon filled with water, remains relatively undiscovered by tourists. The canyon’s depth and stunning views create a captivating experience, with the collected rainwater estimated to be around forty meters deep. A pleasant restaurant at the entrance invites visitors to rest and enjoy a drink before embarking on their exploration. While there may not be numerous activities, the awe-inspiring sights will leave visitors enchanted at every turn.

10. Immerse in the Night Bazaar

During the day, Chang Klan Road appears unremarkable, yet at night, the scene transforms as vendors set up their stalls for the evening’s market festivities. Hundreds of merchants line the road, offering a diverse array of products, from imitation designer merchandise to lanterns and handicrafts. Many items lack price tags, and bargaining is encouraged. The market operates year-round, regardless of weather conditions.

11. Visit Wat Phra Singh

Wat Phra Singh, a renowned Buddhist temple and monastery established in the 14th century, is also known as the Temple of the Lion Buddha, housing two significant Buddha statues. With 700 monks residing within the temple, tourists often engage in friendly conversations with them. The primary structure, an assembly hall rebuilt in 1925, showcases Phra Chao Thong Tip, a prominent copper and gold seated Buddha statue, alongside various other buildings to explore on-site. This location is included in several available temple tours.

12. Explore the Ruins of Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang, known as the Temple of the Big Stupa, contains the remnants of an ancient temple situated in the heart of Chiang Mai. Previously, this temple housed the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred religious artifact. Significant damage occurred during an earthquake in 1545, and the subsequent Burmese occupation led to further neglect. The temple remains an active site of worship, where monks diligently carry out their daily duties alongside numerous Buddha shrines.

13. Relax at Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm

The orchid symbolizes Thailand, further emphasized by Thai Airways’ use of the flower as its emblem. Situated just outside Chiang Mai, this farm showcases a breathtaking variety of exotic orchids year-round and offers seedlings for purchase. The souvenir shop provides fresh orchids dipped in gold and crafted into various jewelry items. Adjacent to the orchid farm, the butterfly farm houses a vast collection of butterflies in their natural environments.

14. Visit the Long Neck Karen Tribe

The Karen tribe, originating from Myanmar, established small villages in Thailand due to past political unrest. Visitors can engage in enlightening experiences by witnessing the tribe’s daily life while observing local crafts sold to support their livelihoods. It is advisable to visit these villages with a tour guide, enabling effective communication with the local populace and allowing for a deeper understanding of their culture. A comprehensive day tour is available: Chiang Dao: Five Hill Tribes Trek.

15. Hail a Songthaew

In Chiang Mai, the Songthaew serves as a popular mode of transport, distinguished by its bright red color, often referred to as a ‘red car’ by locals. This economical transportation option allows easy navigation throughout the city. Songthaews ply the narrow streets, collecting passengers and dropping them off at their preferred destinations. Guests sit on benches in the back, sharing rides with locals and other travelers. Keep in mind that not every Songthaew may accommodate your journey, as routes depend on existing passengers. This approach offers a more affordable alternative to tuk-tuk rides.

16. Participate in the Loi Krathong Festival

Chiang Mai hosts the most vibrant celebration of the Loi Krathong festival in Thailand, occurring annually in the twelfth lunar month. A Krathong, resembling a lotus, is a decorative basket featuring a candle at its center, released into the moat encircling Chiang Mai in a symbolic gesture of respect towards Buddha. Concurrently, thousands of lanterns light up the night sky, creating a spectacular visual display. This festival is genuinely remarkable, warranting a spot on every traveler’s bucket list. Visitors planning trips to Chiang Mai during this event should secure accommodations promptly, as hotels tend to fill quickly during this period.

17. Relax at the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

Situated within a forested area and surrounded by mountains, the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs feature mineral baths and a traditional mineral water swimming pool. The waters, enriched with high sulfur content, are believed to possess therapeutic properties. While indulging in relaxation, visitors can also enjoy a full-body Thai massage or, rather uniquely, purchase eggs to cook in the hot springs for a delightful lunch.

18. Enjoy a Traditional Khantoke Dinner

Renowned for its rich traditional Lanna culture, Chiang Mai offers visitors the opportunity to experience a Khantoke dinner. Guests are seated on the floor around a large round table known as a “toke,” where an array of northern Thai delicacies is served. During the meal, traditional Lanna entertainment adds to the ambiance. Depending on the chosen venue, guests might also enjoy live classical Thai orchestral music.

19. Celebrate at the Songkran Festival

Taking place annually from April 13th to 15th, Songkran is Thailand’s traditional New Year celebration. However, Chiang Mai elevates this festival, often extending the festivities for five to six days or even longer. Songkran carries significant religious connotations; locals believe that pouring water signifies purification and the washing away of sins. During this period, the city frequently experiences gridlock as residents stand by the roadside, ready to drench anyone passing by with water. Many people visit temples to pray and offer food to the resident monks, and throughout the festival, images of Buddha are paraded around the streets, with water being thrown over them as an additional act of cleansing.

20. Engage with the Nightlife

Chiang Mai’s nightlife offers a variety of bars and clubs, all at significantly lower prices than in Bangkok, making it an excellent location for a night out. Nimmanhaemin Road boasts an abundance of trendy bars, including The Monkey Club and The Warm-Up Cafe, both of which are popular among locals and tourists alike. Thapae Gate is also a bustling area for nightlife, with Zoe’s Bar drawing crowds nightly and the revelry continuing well into the early hours. It is common for patrons to purchase a bottle of spirits, accompanied by soda or cola and an ice bucket, as bars typically offer spirits by the bottle at remarkably affordable prices.

21. Receive a Traditional Thai Massage from an Ex-prisoner

Across Chiang Mai, you’ll likely encounter numerous massage parlors that offer reputable services provided by fully qualified staff. For a distinctive experience, consider visiting the Women’s Prison in Chiang Mai, where rehabilitation programs equip soon-to-be-released inmates with vital life skills, including massage training. The ex-prisoner massage parlor is supervised properly to ensure a secure environment, providing these women with valuable opportunities to reintegrate into society after their release.

22. Shop at the Weekend Market

Often referred to as the Sunday Market or the Walking Market, this venue is likely the most famous market in Chiang Mai. Open every Sunday, it begins at Thapae Gate and extends along the entire length of Ratchadamnoen Road. Many stalls offer handmade goods, and you may find artisans crafting their products right at their stalls. Throughout the market, several Buddhist temples allow food vendors to set up in their forecourts, preparing food fresh before your eyes as you wait. Moreover, a plethora of street performers can be found between the stalls, presenting music, dance, and various acts, enhancing the overall market experience.