Things to Visit in Chiang Mai: Temples, Mountains, and Markets
Discover the best of Chiang Mai from its 300 ancient temples and misty mountain trails to vibrant night markets and Thai cooking classes. Covers temples, nature, food, culture, and adventure activities.
Chiang Mai's most sacred temple sits 1,073 meters above the city with panoramic views. Climb the 306-step naga staircase or take the funicular. The golden chedi and surrounding terraces are at their most atmospheric during evening prayers. Entry is 30 THB. A red songthaew from the Old City costs 40-60 THB per person.
Explore Wat Chedi Luang and its massive ruined chedi
This partially destroyed 14th-century chedi was once the tallest structure in Lanna kingdom at 82 meters. The remaining structure is still impressive and houses a jade Buddha replica. Monk Chat sessions happen daily from 9 AM to 5:30 PM, where you can ask ordained monks questions about Buddhism. Free entry.
See the silver temple of Wat Sri Suphan
Every surface of this temple's main hall is covered in hammered silver and aluminum depicting Buddhist stories. Local silversmiths still work on site and you can watch or join silversmithing workshops. The temple is best visited at night when illuminated. Entry is 50 THB. Note: women cannot enter the main hall.
Wander through Wat Phra Singh in the Old City
Home to the most revered Buddha image in northern Thailand, this temple complex includes a beautiful Lanna-style library on a raised platform and intricate gold-and-red murals inside the rear chapel. Entry is 40 THB. The morning alms offering ceremony is open to visitors.
Visit the forest temple of Wat Umong
This 700-year-old temple features unique underground tunnels with faded murals that once served as meditation passages for monks. The grounds include a lake, deer park, and shaded forest paths. It is far less visited than the Old City temples. Free entry.
Nature and Mountains
Hike the Doi Inthanon summit trail
Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 meters is a 90-minute drive from the city. The summit has a short boardwalk trail through cloud forest and two impressive chedis built for the King and Queen. The Kew Mae Pan nature trail at 2,200 meters is the most scenic hike, taking 2-3 hours through wildflower meadows.
Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary
Several sanctuaries near Chiang Mai rescue elephants from the tourism and logging industries. Look for sanctuaries that do not offer riding, use hooks, or chain their elephants. Ethical half-day visits cost 2,000-3,500 THB and include feeding, bathing, and observing elephants in a natural setting.
Swim at the Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls
These unique limestone waterfalls have a surface so rough you can walk up the cascading water without slipping. Located about 60 km north of the city in Sri Lanna National Park. Entry is free. Bring water shoes and a change of clothes. Best visited as a morning trip before afternoon rain.
Trek to hill tribe villages in the surrounding mountains
Multi-day treks through the northern Thai highlands visit Karen, Hmong, and Lahu communities. Responsible operators employ local guides and channel fees to the villages. Two-day, one-night treks cost 2,000-4,000 THB including meals, guide, and homestay accommodation.
Markets and Shopping
Browse the Sunday Walking Street Market on Ratchadamnoen Road
The biggest and best market in Chiang Mai takes over the entire main road of the Old City from 4 PM to midnight every Sunday. Hundreds of stalls sell handcrafted goods, art, clothing, and food. The food section alone is worth the trip. Arrive before 6 PM for easier browsing before peak crowds.
Eat at the Saturday Night Market on Wualai Road
Smaller than Sunday's market but with better silverwork and fewer tourists. This street specializes in local Lanna handicrafts. The food stalls here serve excellent khao soi, sai ua northern sausage, and mango sticky rice at 40-80 THB per dish.
Explore the Warorot Market for local goods
Chiang Mai's oldest and largest permanent market is where locals shop for dried fruits, nam prik chili pastes, northern Thai sausages, and fresh flowers. The clothing and textile floors above the food section sell traditional Lanna fabrics. Open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM.
Visit the Nimmanhaemin hipster neighborhood
Nimman Road and its numbered sois are Chiang Mai's trendiest area, packed with specialty coffee shops, design boutiques, art galleries, and fusion restaurants. The One Nimman complex has curated shops and restaurants in a stylish open-air setting.
This rich coconut curry soup with egg noodles, chicken or beef, crispy noodle topping, and pickled mustard greens is a northern Thai original. Every local has a favorite spot. A bowl costs 50-80 THB at most street restaurants. Ask for it spicy if you can handle the heat.
Take a Thai cooking class with market visit
Chiang Mai is the cooking class capital of Thailand. Most classes start with a guided market tour to buy ingredients, then cook 4-6 dishes including curry paste from scratch. Full-day classes cost 900-1,500 THB. Half-day classes cover 3-4 dishes. Book a day ahead during peak season.
Try sai ua northern Thai sausage at a market
This herb-packed pork sausage is loaded with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, and chili. It is grilled over charcoal and sold by the portion at markets and street stalls for 30-60 THB. The flavor is complex and aromatic. Best paired with sticky rice and raw vegetables.
Visit a specialty coffee roaster in the Nimman area
Chiang Mai has become a hub for Thai specialty coffee, with beans grown in the northern highlands at 1,200-1,500 meters elevation. Several roasters in the Nimman neighborhood offer single-origin pour-overs for 80-150 THB. The Thai Arabica varieties have a unique flavor profile.
Adventure Activities
Zip-line through the jungle canopy
Several operators offer zip-line courses through the rainforest canopy with platforms 30-50 meters above the ground. Courses range from 10 to 40 platforms and cost 1,500-3,500 THB. The longer courses include sky bridges, abseils, and spiral staircases around giant trees.
Go white water rafting on the Mae Taeng River
The Mae Taeng River north of Chiang Mai has class 3-4 rapids during the rainy season from July to November. Dry season from December to May has gentler class 2-3 rapids. Half-day trips cost 1,500-2,500 THB including transport, equipment, and lunch.
Rent a scooter and ride the Samoeng Loop
This 100-km mountain loop north of the city passes through farmland, villages, and jungle with minimal traffic. The winding mountain roads offer dramatic views. Allow 4-6 hours with stops. Scooter rental costs 200-300 THB per day. Fuel up before starting as gas stations are sparse on the loop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
Four to six days gives you time for temples, a cooking class, an elephant sanctuary visit, mountain hiking, and night market browsing without rushing. Three days covers the Old City temples, one market, and one outdoor activity. A full week adds trekking, zip-lining, and day trips to Doi Inthanon and the Sticky Waterfalls.
What is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
November through February is cool and dry with temperatures around 15-28 degrees Celsius and clear mountain views. This is peak tourist season. March and April are the hottest months and coincide with burning season, when agricultural fires create haze that can reduce air quality significantly. The rainy season from June to October brings afternoon showers but lush green landscapes and fewer tourists.
How do you get around Chiang Mai?
The Old City is walkable and most temples are within a 15-minute walk of each other. Red songthaew shared trucks run fixed routes for 20-40 THB per person, and you can flag one down on any main road. Ride-hailing apps work well with motorcycle or car options. Bicycle rental costs 50-100 THB per day and works well for the flat Old City area. Scooter rental costs 200-300 THB per day for longer distances.
Is Chiang Mai good for digital nomads?
Chiang Mai is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in the world thanks to fast internet, low cost of living, excellent coffee shops, and dozens of coworking spaces. Monthly apartment rental starts at 6,000-10,000 THB for a studio. Coworking spaces charge 3,000-5,000 THB per month. The Nimman area and Old City have the highest concentration of remote workers.