Chiang Mai, and the surrounding area, has lots of things to do and see – so much that you could easily stay here months and still only scratch the surface. But we know that most people don’t quite have months to explore the region so here are a few of our top tips to get you started
IN THE CITY ITSELF – OR VERY NEARBY!
EXPLORE THE OLD CITY
- The ‘Old City’ – pretty much the area inside the moat and old city walls – is well worth half a day, or even more, ambling around. There are some significant and very important Temples in the Old City, particularly Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, and then lots of smaller Temples which, even if you’re not a Temple afficianado are still beautiful to look at. There are also lots of small places to eat, coffee shops to sit back and watch the world go by and just a lovely, laid back atmosphere to this part of the city.
WAROROT MARKET
- Just outside the old city walls, near the river, Warorot Market is a great place to explore for anyone interested in regular Thai markets. Much less ‘touristy’ than the Night Market or the Weekend Market, Warorot has a bit of everything and is well worth a look.
THE NIGHT MARKET
- Very popular with travellers and whilst it’s a little touristy you can pick up great bits and bobs here and you’re never too far from some delicious snacks. Well worth a visit one evening if you’re in the city.
TAKE A BOAT TRIP ALONG THE RIVER
- A lovely relaxing way to see a different side of the city taking a gentle slow boat trip up and down the river. The boats depart from Wat Chai Mongkol and it’s a lovely laid back way to spend a couple of hours. Highly recommended.
LEARN SOME THAI COOKING
- Chiang Mai seems to be the home of ‘cooking schools’ and there are a huge number of different places offering lunch time, afternoon and evening cooking sessions. If you want to learn a bit about how to cook ‘proper’ Thai food and then impress your friends when you get home, then definitely worth thinking about.
WAT UMONG
- A fascinating small Temple – in an underground tunnel – in the Wat Umong district of the city. And then the whole area around here is developing quite an artsy feel with lots of cool cafes and restaurants dotted around. A very different ‘vibe’ to the ‘old city’ and well worth a look.
NIMMAN
- The more modern part of the city just to the North West of the Old City and full of cool coffee shops, great places to eat and some galleries etc etc. Well worth a look in the evening and if you like craft beer there are more than a few spots to keep your thirst at bay.
WAT DOI SUTHEP
- The Temple perched on the mountain overlooking the city and a must visit for pretty much every traveller visiting the city. Whilst it can get busy don’t let that put you off – the road up to the Temple is a great 10km winding road with great views back down to the city and the Temple itself is stunning. For the more energetic, why not rent a bike and cycle up in the early morning – but do be warned that it’s 10km non-stop uphill!
- And for the more adventurous the road heads up beyond the Temple first to Bhubing Palace (if you want to go inside you must be dressed smartly – long trousers, shoulders covered) and then even higher eventually to the small community of Ban Khun Chang Khian. The road is stunning, there are a few little places to eat and the views well worth the effort of getting here. Highly recommended
WAT DOI KHAM
- Around 20-25 minutes West of the city – but still sort of in the suburbs – Wat Doi Kham isn’t really on the ‘tourist trail’ but is hugely popular with Thai visitors and residents of the city. Perched on a hill (more great views) this Temple is a great place to observe people making merit (it’s got a reputation for brining financial good fortune) and perhaps making merit yourself. And there are some great little places to eat / have a drink around the base of the hill.
STREET FOOD
- No trip to Thailand is complete without enjoying some fantastic ‘street food’ and Chiang Mai has lots of great places to try. But there are decent congregations of stalls around both the Chiang Mai Gate entrance to the ‘old city’ and also Chang Puak area – both of which are well worth a culinary adventure.
A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD – OUTSIDE OF THE CITY / URBAN AREA
MAE KAMPONG
- This village high in the forested mountains around 90 minutes North East-ish of the city is well worth a visit. Whilst it’s becoming more and more popular (and therefore busier) the road up to the village is lovely, the houses in the village feel very atmospheric and there are a couple of superb coffee shops (with delicious cakes) perched overlooking the village itself. And head a little further up the road there’s a waterfall and eventually a superb viewpoint ridge known as Kew Fin on the border of Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces
BUA THONG WATERFALLS (the sticky waterfalls)
- Easy to add on to a visit to Mae Kampong, the sticky waterfalls are just that, waterfalls that are sticky making it ‘easy’ to climb up! However, there’s a rope to help for a reason and please be careful – the waterfalls are fun and in a lovely area and whilst they are sticky, they aren’t made of super-glue!
MAE SA WATERFALLS
- Around 30 mins or so outside the city, Mae Sa waterfalls have a lovely, and easy, path to follow allowing you to walk up into the forest alongside the series of waterfalls. A really pleasant way to enjoy the forest, the waterfalls and to stretch your legs
QUEEN SIRIKIT BOTANICAL GARDENS
- Around an hour from the city, the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens are a much for all plant lovers with a huge range of plants and canopy walks to enjoy
WAT PHRA PUTTABHAT SII ROY
- A stunning Temple at the end of a winding mountain road and site of one of Buddha’s footprint. Half the enjoying of a trip here is the road up through small communities and then high into the forest before you get to the ‘end’ of the road and the entrance to the Temple. The Temple itself is well worth exploring and there’s a very nice little restaurant / coffee shop just outside the Temple as well.
CHIANG DAO
- Around 90 minutes from Chiang Mai city, the Chiang Dao district of Chiang Mai has become more and more popular over the last few years and now there are a number of great little places to eat whilst enjoying the views. Thailand’s third highest mountain is here – Doi Luang Chiang Dao – and it’s a spectacular mountain and well worth seeing. And for the most adventurous you can head up the road into the National Park and overnight in one of the small villages around the side of the mountain. Accommodation is ‘simple’ but the location amazing and the food usually included with an overnight stay absolutely delicious.
MON JAM (also sometimes spelled Mon Chaem)
- One of the peaks surrounding the city and now a favoured camping location for Thai visitors to Northern Thailand – you’ll know you’ve arrived when you see literally hundreds of tents! The views are fantastic, there’s some great coffee available and tasty food is easy to find too. And if you’re feeling up for it there’s usually an old style wooden go kart set up to have a go on down a dirt track (great fun). If you rent a car then driving up the ‘back way’ to Mon Jam is well worth it – set your ‘maps’ for Tat Mok waterfall and then Mon Jam and this avoids the busier route up to the summit and takes you through stunning scenery, a handful of small villages and past one or two really cool little coffee shops. A brilliant drive and a nice half day or even full day (if you then head down into Samoeng) out.
TAKE THE TRAIN TO LAMPHUN
- Lamphun is Chiang Mai’s neighbouring province and the short train ride there (no need to book tickets in advance) is a really nice experience. And Lamphun itself is a very pleasant small city with some attractive – and significant – Temples and friendly people. A different and very pleasant half day / day out from Chiang Mai
WAT CHALERM PRAKIAT, LAMPANG
- A long day out – 2.5 hours each way to get there – but this Temple really is spectacular (Google it!). There are around 1,000 steps to get up to the top of the mountain ridge and then you’re greeted with a number of white ‘chedis’ dotted along the mountain and spectacular views across Lampang province. Yes, it’s a long drive there and back but honestly, if you’re looking for something a little different and don’t mind walking (slowly!) up around 1,000 steps this Temple really is well worth visiting.
THE WHITE TEMPLE, CHIANG RAI
- One of the biggest tourist ‘draws’ in Northern Thailand is the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, in Chiang Rai province and quite a few travellers do this as a day trip from Chiang Mai. It is stunning piece of art and a very interesting place to visit but do be warned that it can be very busy at times. Think of it as an amazing piece of art more than a quiet place of worship! And do note that it’s a good 3 hours drive each way so perhaps better to visit if you’re staying in Chiang Rai for a few days
A quick note so that you don’t worry about doubling up on things / places you might see when you’re on a trip with us – and nothing listed above is featured on our adventures!
- All of our trips spend time with elephants – so there’s no need to visit any other elephants homes (unless of course you want to spend more time with these wonderful animals)
- All of our trips also enjoy some bamboo rafting – so again, no need to double up
- Our multi-day adventures head to the summit of Doi Inthanon and include the hike at Pha Dok Sieo
- And our 11 Day Adventure heads to Mae Hong Son town and also Pai – both wonderful places in the mountains
Of course there are many other things to do both in and around Chiang Mai but we hope this gets you off to a good start when looking at what you might do in a few days before or after your Tuk Tuk Adventure.