There’s so much to do in Chiang Mai that it can be difficult to get a get an idea of which are the best, so that you don’t miss out on anything. Keep reading for my top picks.
Are you planning your trip to Chiang Mai?
Check out some of the best tours and activities and hotels in Chiang Mai so that you don’t miss out on anything:
Top tours and experiences in Chiang Mai:
1. Sunset tour at the Hill Temple
2. Wat Chedi Luang temple Tour
3. Thai and Akha cooking class (including vegetarian options)
4. Street food tour
5. Local Market tour
6. Explore the old town on a bike tour
7. Bike around the countryside of Chiang Mai
8. Muay Thai class
9. Muay Thai match entry ticket
Chiang Mai, a city in the north of Thailand, offers a unique blend of traditional culture and modernity. It’s absolutely one of my favorite cities in Thailand, where I have spent several months immersing myself in the local culture while studying Thai massage.
Known for its beautiful temples, delicious street food, and friendly locals, Chiang Mai is a destination that shouldn’t be missed. But beyond the well-known attractions, Chiang Mai also is home to unique activities and hidden gems.
Here I share with you my list of the best things to do in Chiang Mai:
1. Ride an Elephant – the top activity to do in Chiang Mai
Taking an elephant ride tour is absolutely one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai. Most elephant ride tours in Thailand are not ethical due to the treatment of the elephants. In most places, elephants are subjected to cruel training methods and mistreatment. But Chiang Mai is home to several elephant sanctuaries, where visitors can interact with these gentle giants in an ethical and humane way.
My choice was Patara Elephant Farm, one of the best elephant sanctuaries in Thailand. It’s a program for rescued elephants, that come, for example from circuses or the illegal logging industry.
Being around the elephants in their natural habitat and spending time with playful baby elephants has been the most unforgettable experience of all my time in Thailand.
The program at the farm assignes you an elephant for the time you are there. During the day, you give it a health inspection, feed, bare-back ride for 20 minutes in the jungle, and brush and bathe him it the river. They also offer a program in which you don’t ride the elephant, if that’s not your thing.
2. Explore the Sunday Market.
The Sunday Market is a must-see for any tourist visiting the city. The market is huge, lively and colorful, full of cute items of all sorts, including, handicrafts, clothing, art, beauty products, plus delicious street food. It makes you realize why Chiang Mai is one of the must-see destinations in Southeast Asia.
It starts at ThaPae Gate, at the heart of the old city, and runs all along Ratchadamnoen Rd, for around one kilometre.
The Sunday market is open every Sunday night, from around 4pm until midnight. It’s the best place to find a bargain and experience the local culture. You can literally spend hours there. You can find everything from traditional Thai textiles to handcrafted silver jewelry, and even traditional Thai musical instruments.
My favorite things to get at the bazaar are ice-cream mochis and artisanal coconut soaps. I usually bring a dozen soaps back home! They have them with all kinds of fragrances, like lavender, coffee and frangipani. It’s also a great place for buying clothes.
The Sunday Market is not the same as the Night Bazaar. You can find unique things at the Sunday Market, and wandering around is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai. The Night Bazaar is open every day, it’s located in a building and is not as interesting.
Night markets are one of my favorite places to visit in Thailand. If you are visiting other cities like Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Rai during your Thailand itinerary, you will probably visit similar markets, but I think the Chiang Mai Sunday market beats them all!
3. Doi Suthep Temple, a temple at the top of a hill
Did you know that Chiang Mai is known as the city of the 300 temples? They are scattered throughout the city, and there are beautiful ones in the surroundings as well.
A very famous one is Doi Suthep, located on the top of a hill near the city. Taking a day trip to Doi Suthep is a fun activity to do either by tour, or by yourself if you rent a motorbike or if you like to hike. This temple is located on a mountain just outside of Chiang Mai and offers beautiful views of the city.
One interesting fact about the temple is the story surrounding its origin. The legend says that in the 14th century, a hermit had a dream where he was told to go to a specific area and look for a relic.
He went to look for it and found a bone, which is believed to be a part of the shoulder of Buddha. This relic displayed magical powers: it glowed and it was able to vanish. The hermit took the relic to the king of Lanna.
The king put part of the relic on the back of a white elephant, which he released into the jungle. The elephant climbed the Doi Suthep mountain, stopped, trumpeted three times, then dropped dead. This was considered an omen, and the king ordered the construction of the temple at the site.
You can get to the temple by motorbike or hiking the Monk’s Trail. For a more enchanting experience, consider booking a sunset tour of the temple. This way you can avoid the crowds and listen to the soothing chants of the monks while enjoying the beautiful sunset.
4. Visit the Wat Chedi Luang temple
This temple is one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai. The temple is home to several statues of the Buddha, as well as a large stupa that dates back to the 14th century. The temple is a great place to learn about Buddhism. You can even attend a monk chat (offered every day), where tourists can speak with monks and ask them anything about Buddhism or Thailand.
Before visiting, it can be a good idea to learn more about the temple and its stories. For example, one of the buildings of the temple houses the city pillar, which is believed to protect the city. Next to it, there is a small shrine constructed to honor the guardian spirits, who are believed to have brought the pillar from heaven.
Additionally, there are three large trees nearby that people also consider protectors of the city. Legend has it that if the tree closest to the pillar were to ever fall, it would signify a great catastrophe.
Taking a tour of Wat Chedi Luang could be a good idea to learn more about the temple.
5. Take a Cooking Class
Chiang Mai is known for its delicious street food, and there are many cooking classes that teach visitors how to prepare traditional Thai dishes.
One very popular option is the Thai and Akha Cooking class, a 6 hour cooking class featuring both Thai and Akha (an indiginous hill tribe from South East Asia) dishes.
They start with a trip to the local market before learning how to make the dishes.
Some of the popular dishes you can learn are Tom Kha (Coconut Soup), Pad Thai (Stir-Fried Noodles), Red Curry and the delicious Mango Sticky Rice (the class also includes vegetarian options). Ti’s a great introduction to the cuisine of Northern Thailand.
6. Take a Food Tour
Chiang Mai is a food lover’s paradise, and taking a food tour is a great way to experience the city’s delicious street food and local specialties.
A popular option is the Chiang Mai Street Food Tour, an evening tour which takes visitors to some of the city’s best street food vendors.
For a breakfast and lunch experience, you could take the Fresh Local Market Tour, which starts with a Thai breakfast and continues with a visit to explore a local market. There you will be able to learn about the ingredients used in traditional Thai cooking and try some of the local fruits and sweets.
7. Visit the Warorot Market.
Warorot Market, is one of the most iconic markets in Chiang Mai, considered to be one of the oldest in the city, dating back to the late 19th century. It is located just a short 2-minute walk north from the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, nestled alongside the Ping River. It’s a bustling hub of activity during the day and opens early in the morning (at least from around 6am), remaining open until after dark.
At Warorot you can find anything for sale. Vegetables, fruits, fresh flowers. It is also a great place to find traditional textiles, such as silk and cotton fabrics, as well as handmade crafts like pottery, wood carvings, and silver jewelry.
You can also find a wide variety of food, street food, and try local delicacies such as Khao Soi, a traditional northern Thai dish made of egg noodles in a coconut curry broth. It is also a great place to find traditional medicine, herbs and spices.
You can easily spend a couple of hours there. For sure this is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai to get a glimpse into the local life.
8. Get a Thai massage
Chiang Mai is a great place to get a traditional Thai massage, and there are many massage shops and spas that offer this service. If you have taken a massage in Bangkok you will notice that the style in Chiang Mai is different.
The typical stretches that they use in Thai Massage come from the North of Thailand (from regions such as Chiang Mai), while in Bangkok and the South they use more acupressure (focalized hard pressure applied with the thumbs).
To receive a massage in Thailand, you will need to be wearing loose and comfortable clothing, as you don’t take your clothes off for massage. “Thai oil massage”, where you are without clothes, is frequently offered at hotels and at the beach, but is not typical Thai massage. It is just a modified version of the massage, catered for tourists.
Usually, the experience at a massage shop starts with the massage therapist washing your feet. After the massage, you are generally treated to tea, fruits or small pastries.
Massage shops are everywhere in Chiang Mai. For a different experience, head to massage at the Women’s Ex-Prisoner Center, where you can support the rehabilitation of the former female prisoners by getting a massage by them. Or otherwise, after a day of hard walking, get a foot massage. Even in the street, you will find many places where they offer it.
9. Learn Thai Massage
There are many schools that offer courses in English for tourists in Chiang Mai. Learning massage is actually the reason I have spent several months in Chiang Mai, twice. In my opinion this is the best place to learn massage in Thailand, since most of the schools are located here and you can find very high quality teachers.
From young but already very experiences teachers, to iconic older practitioners who are said to have some mysthical connection to ancient masters. Learning Thai massage is a whole world in itself, it’s not only about anatomy but also about the energy channels of the body.
Of all the places I took classes in, of I would have to choose only one place to recommend it would be Sunshine Massage School. They provide both beginner and advanced classes. The instructors are experienced and knowledgeable, both amazing Thai teachers as well as some of the best foreign teachers who offer special courses there on occasion. To take one of this classes you will need to have at least five days in Chiang Mai.
10. Tea Time at the Dhara Devi, the best cafe in Chiang Mai
Go for tea time at the Dhara Devi Cake Shop. The Dhara Devi is a luxurious hotel that is located on the outskirts of Chiang Mai (for sure one of the best hotels in Chiang Mai if you want to splurge). It is actually one of the most impressive hotels in Asia.
The hotel features a beautiful garden and a tea room, where guests and visitors can enjoy a high tea (served from 2pm – 6pm).
You also have the option to go to a separate area, where you can order à la carte. This is actually what I did and I don’t think I missed out on anything). They have lots of different kinds of éclaires and macaroons, among other incredibly delicious pastries. I still dream of their rose and Thai tea éclaires. In my opinion, this is the best cafe in Chiang Mai. If you love to eat, a visit to the Dhara Devi is a must.
11. Take a Bike Tour of the City or the Countryside
Pedal through the winding streets, explore off the beaten path locations and immerse yourself in the local culture. You will be able to see the city from a different perspective, visiting places that are not always accessible by car or on foot. You will also discover locations that you might not find on your own.
For example, you can book this bike tour, which takes you through the charming old city, beautiful quiet temples, and multiple other locations, including a stop at Warorot Market.
You can also take a tour to explore the countryside by bike. It’s a great way to see the traditional way of life in rural Thailand, while passing by rice fields, orchards, and picturesque villages.
12. Learn Muay Thai or attend a match
Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, is a popular activity for tourists visiting Chiang Mai. The city is known for being a center for muay thai training in Thailand. It offers many gyms and training centers that cater to all levels, from beginners to professional fighters.
You can choose from taking daily Muay Thai classes, short-term training programs, or longer-term programs that run for several weeks or even months. Many gyms offer accommodation as well, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the training experience.
If you are into it, you can get a ticket to attend a Muay Thai match at the local stadiums. There you’ll be able to see some of the best fighters in the region in action. Many of the matches are during the evening, and they are a great opportunity to see the sport up close.
13. Get a VIP seat at the movies and stand up for the king
Chiang Mai has modern cinemas, many of them featuring VIP seating options. These VIP seats offer a more luxurious and comfortable experience, and they often come with added perks such as reclining seats, food and drink service, and even blankets!
A very interesting experience that can feel surreal for a tourist, is that people pay respect to the king of Thailand before the movie starts. Everyone (Thai and foreigners) is required to stand up and observe a moment of silence before the start of the film, while they play the national anthem and a picture of the king is projected on the screen.
14. Attend the Light Festivals
If you visit Chiang Mai around November, you won’t want to miss the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals, when the night sky comes alive with light.
These are two of the most important festivals in Thailand, and they coincide on the same day (usually in November).
During the festival, you’ll see thousands of lanterns being released into the night sky. This experience is one of the highlights of Thailand that will stay in your memory forever!
You can buy a lantern too and release it into the sky. Letting go of the lantern is believed to release any negative energy and bring good luck. If your lantern disappears up in the sky before the light of your candle goes off, it means you have a really good year ahead of you.
Please make sure to buy a biodegradable lantern (most are, but not all). It’s a very simple but effective way to help the planet especially considering that tens of thousands are likely to be released on that day.
In addition to the lanterns, you’ll also see the traditional krathongs being floated down the river. Krathongs are floating offerings: small rafts made of banana leaves, decorated with flowers, candles, and incense. The act of floating a krathong down the river is traditionally an offering to the Water Goddess.
Read here to learn more about planning your visit to the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Chiang Mai has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure or a more traditional tourist experience.
Plus, the surrounding area is also great to if you want to take day trips from Chiang Mai. With its rich culture, beautiful temples, delicious street food and many other exciting things to see and do, Chiang Mai is a destination that will leave you with lasting memories.
