Chiang Mai Top 10 Best Things to do in Northern Thailand’s Capital City

Incredible Experiences to Have in Chiang Mai, The Rose of the North

Northern Thailand is so vastly different than the Bangkok area that it almost feels like another country. Chiang Mai is the largest city and capital of this mountainous region, where you can find beautiful natural landscapes, thousands of sacred temples, and elephant sanctuaries. It was formerly the head of the Lanna Kingdom founded in 1296 and an air of tradition and tranquility remains to this day. The city is also known for its massive festivals including the Yi-Peng Lantern Festival and the largest water gun celebration in the world! Here are the top 10 best experiences to have while visiting Chiang Mai.

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10. Doi Inthanon National Park

Just 2 hrs south of downtown you’ll find Doi Inthanon National Park, the highest peak in Thailand. This incredible natural oasis is home to royal pagodas, lush forest trails, and cascading waterfalls. Sign up for a day tour with transportation included here.

9. Take a Day Trip to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai is a wonderous green hill zone with many interesting cities in the surrounding area. Another excellent day trip can be to the city of Chiang Rai just 3 hrs north. Here among other temples, you will find the sensational Wat Rong Khun, aka the White Temple. This sanctuary is a dazzling piece of modern Buddhist art that feels like walking into a dream painted with stardust and fire and is totally worth the trip by itself. Sign up for a guided tour with round-trip transportation here.

8. Eat Khao Soi at the Night Bazaar

The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a paradise of street food, cheap souvenirs, a lively atmosphere, and one of the city’s specialties; Khao Soi. This prized noodle bowl is northern Thailand’s signature dish, made with a golden coconut milk curry and chicken just spicy enough to feel that endorphin rush. The night market is one of our favorites in the country to try this authentic Thai cuisine.

7. Wat Pha Lat Temple

Wat Pha Lat is a more traditional styled jungle temple found on the Doi Suthep mountain, 15kms from the city center. The moss covered spires and serene waterfall adds an air of tranquility to the peaceful atmosphere. You can take a taxi to the top or alternatively hike up the monk’s trail for a scenic (but challenging) experience.

6. Get the Best Thai Massage in Chiang Mai

Balancing on the edge of pleasure and pain is one of Thailand’s oldest traditions; a Thai Massage. This healing ritual is a bit more intense than your average experience. They will bend and twist you in ways you didn’t think possible and while some of the movements may hurt, your body will leave refreshed. You can find affordable parlors on almost every street, but Chiang Mai is the only place you can get a full body massage from female ex-convicts. Despite the skepticism, Women’s Massage Center by Ex-Prisoner had a professional ambiance and was one of the best massages we had in Thailand!

5. Visit the Temples in Chiang Mai Old City

The Old City is Chiang Mai’s famous city center surrounded by a huge moat and what seems to be like an infinite amount of temples. Keep in mind some of the guidelines for visiting the sacred sites (like taking off, shoes, and covering knees and shoulders) from our Thailand travel guide. A few of the most notable destinations from this massive variety of temples include:

• Wat Chiang Man – Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, home to ancient Buddha statues and a beautiful elephant-flanked stupa.
• Wat Phra Singh – A revered temple showcasing classic Lanna architecture and the sacred Phra Singh Buddha image, reflecting the spiritual heart of Northern Thailand.
• Wat Phan Tao – A charming all-teak wood temple known for its peaceful ambiance and handcrafted elegance.
• Wat Chedi Luang – Once the tallest structure in ancient Chiang Mai, this ancient chedi was once a symbol of the kingdom’s power until getting split in half by an earthquake.
• Wat lok Moli – A quiet, lesser-known temple with a striking brick chedi and stunning floral-lined entryway.
• Wat Sri Suphan -Known as the Silver Temple, it dazzles with intricate metalwork and a uniquely modern, silvery façade. Unfortunately women are not allowed inside but this temple had the coolest architectural design.

4. Climb the Sticky Waterfall

Bua Tong is a famous natural landscape that has been given the nickname “Sticky Waterfall” due to the optical illusion it grants as you easily scape up the waterfall. Thanks to the mineral-rich limestone deposits, you can easily walk up the cascading rockface with minimal effort. The rocks are not slippery, so almost all skill levels can hike up without any issues. It’s about 30 mins from Downtown Chiang Mai, so it’s best to sign up for a tour with round-trip transportation or call a Grab.

3. Ride up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple

This is one of Thailand’s most opulent temples, which overlooks the city on the sacred summit of Doi Suthep. You can hike to the top of Golden Wat Phra That temple complex (a total of 306 steps) or you can ride the funicular straight to the peak. The summit offers panoramic views of the mountains and city below, while the golden stupa perched at the mountaintop shimmers with reverence. Take a guided tour for more insights into the cultural traditions and history imbedded deep within this vibrant sanctuary.

2. Visit a Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary

Chiang Mai contains a plethora of elephant sanctuaries to interact up close with these gentle giants. Be sure to choose an “ethical sanctuary” to avoid any lash back from the haters. We signed up for a “supposedly” ethical one with no riding or chains but had other questionable practices like feeding or petting them. I don’t know what’s so unethical about giving an elephant a banana or splashing water on them but apparently people’s version of ethical becomes quite flexible. Just go to the Elephant Nature Park if you don’t know which one to choose.

1. Celebrate Songkran, The Largest Water Festival in the World

Officially known as the Thai New Year, Songkran is the world’s largest water festival and one of the wildest celebrations we’ve ever been to! Armed with water guns and buckets, the entire country becomes enveloped in a massive water fight for 3 days straight. Chiang Mai also happens to be the best place in the country to celebrate it, with a much more chill and traditional atmosphere than Bangkok. Either way don’t expect to stay dry during this wild festival of life. Stay tuned for our Sognkran travel guide for all the essential tips you’ll need to survive this insane party.

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Chiang Mai is a wonderful city with a much more tranquil vibe than Bangkok. It’s like the Kyoto of Thailand with regards to its majestic temples and serene nature. It’s also renowned for its world class festivals like the Yi Peng lantern festival and Songkran. Chiang Mai is a magical city where you can find elephants, hundreds of intricately designed temples, and even their very own specialty cuisine. If you visit one place in Thailand, make sure it’s the enchanted Chiang Mai. Stay tuned for more epic adventures though Thailand coming soon! Until, thanks for ready and keep leveling up!

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