Top 14 Things to Do in Chiang Mai: Highlight Your Trip

Chiang Mai is a city filled with a rich history and vibrant life. You could have a lot of experiences in this city, such as admiring ancient ruins, visiting local markets and tasting northern Thai food and so on.

Drawing from our years of crafting personalized travel itineraries for our guests, we have listed the top 14 things to do in Chiang Mai that will truly enrich your trip.

1. Join in the Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festivals

The Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals are the most famous festivals in Thailand, and Chiang Mai is the only place where you could experience both festivals at the same time.

The highlight of the festivals is undoubtedly the release of lanterns. Numerous people make their own lanterns with hopes and dreams and then gather together to release thousands of lanterns into the sky and rivers, lighting up the night.

There are more activities during these festivals, allowing you to soak up a mesmerizing atmosphere: traditional dance and musical performances, float parades, fireworks displays, and all kinds of Thai food.

If you want to attend the festivals, it is best to plan your trip and buy tickets in advance.

2. Dive into Ancient Temples

Chiang Mai has numerous temples and a strong Buddhist atmosphere, making temple visits a must-do activity in the city.

You could admire the ruins of ancient pagodas at Wat Chedi Luang, exquisite murals and the Shwedagon Pagoda at Wat Phra Singh, and see a number of white pagodas at Wat Suan Dok.

If you prefer pristine or less crowded temples, Wat Umong and Wat Pha Lat hit the spot.

Wat Pha Lat is a hidden jungle temple with old stone structures and intricate carvings. Wat Umong features an underground tunnel adorned with murals and Buddha statues.

3. Create Unforgettable Memories with Elephants

Chiang Mai is home to many elephant sanctuaries where elephants are rescued and given a safe, natural environment. It's the perfect place to interact with elephants!

You would have the opportunity to feed the elephants guided by staff members, observe elephants foraging in the forest and playing with each other, and hear their past stories.

If your time is limited, join Elephant Nature Park's day tour or the half-day tour at Elephant Rescue Park. For a deeper connection, consider spending 2-3 days at The Bush Camp.

These ethical sanctuaries prioritize the well-being of elephants without riding and performances.

4. Trek in Doi Inthanon National Park

Located at an altitude of 2,565 meters (8,415 feet), Doi Inthanon National Park, the Roof of Thailand, is an ideal place to trek and escape city life with impressive scenery and nature trails.

There are two trail options: the Ang Ka Nature Trail (an easy one) and the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail (a difficult one). Please note that the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is closed from June to October and reopens from November to May.

Along the trail, you would be surrounded by a pristine and lush rainforest and diverse vegetation, and experience cool waterfalls—a haven for nature lovers. Don't forget to pack a light jacket for your adventure!

5.Encounter a Sacred Almsgiving Ritual

Almsgiving is a traditional Buddhist activity in Chiang Mai and part of the monks' practice. Watching or participating in such a ritual could give you a glimpse into the connection between locals and monks.

It starts at about 6-7am. With the soft sound of chanting, you would see lines of saffron-robed monks walking silently through the streets, and believers putting food respectfully into the monks' bowls.

You could participate in an almsgiving ceremony near Wat Phra Singh or at the base of Doi Suthep. Remember to dress modestly and follow the monks' lead by maintaining silence and humility during the ritual.

6. Embark on a Trip to Doi Suthep Mountain

A trip to Doi Suthep Mountain could provide you with a visit to one of the most famous temples, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and take in a panoramic view of Chiang Mai.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is well-known for enshrining Buddha's relic in a magnificent golden pagoda, attracting many Buddhists to worship. Other buildings display Buddha statues, murals, and Buddhist art.

We suggest you go late in the afternoon to avoid the tourist rush and enjoy the sunset. At 5:30pm, you might witness the monks start chanting sacredly in the temple.

Apart from the temple, you could also visit a few waterfalls or ride a bike on the mountain.

7. Step into Hill Tribe Villages

Chiang Mai is one of the places that national minorities inhabite, including Karen, Lisu, Akha, Miao, and other ethnic groups, thus forming several hill tribe villages there. They retain their original traditional cultures and customs.

Visiting these villages offers a unique opportunity to closely interact with the inhabitants and gain a deeper understanding of their way of life.

If you want to know more about the Karen people, you could choose the Long Neck village, which is notable for its long-necked women who wear brass rings around their necks.

Another option is Meo Village, a subgroup of the H'mong community, which still maintains its beautiful traditional clothing and intricate embroidery.

8. Throw Yourself into Local Markets (Daytime and Night Markets)

Whether it's day or night, you would find distinctive local markets in Chiang Mai, bursting with delicious food and unique handicrafts made by locals. Try to haggle with sellers for the best prices!

Most of the items sold in daytime markets are handcrafted and original, like hand-painted bowls and cups, colorful accessories, etc. You could go to JingJai Market, Chamcha Market (both only open on weekends), or Warorot Market (which opens every day) according to your schedule.

Night markets are more vibrant, with plenty of street food and live performances, allowing you to enjoy a feast for your taste buds and vision at the same time, like Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Sunday Night Market.

9. Attend a Cooking Class

To truly savor the flavors of northern Thai cuisine, taste simply is not enough—immerse yourself in a cooking class that unveils its culinary secrets.

During the class, you'll learn how to cook authentic Thai dishes and learn more about Thai cuisine culture, like some ingredients commonly used, as well as great recipes from teachers, which could help you make Thai food for your family.

Our well-planned cooking class tour will take you to a local fresh produce market and an organic farm, allowing you to learn more about local Thai food.

10. Take an Enjoyable Massage

Feeling tired and want to relax your whole body? Then have an affordable and high-quality massage service in Chiang Mai!

Massage parlors there are plentiful, ranging from high-end to economical and even street massages at night markets, to meet different needs.

If you'd like to have an unusual massage, you could go to Chiang Mai Women Correctional Institution Vocational Training Center, where the staff are women who are serving sentences for minor crimes. They learn massage as a survival skill so they can make a living after release.

11. Go on a Meditation Retreat

With a strong Buddhist atmosphere and many temples with quiet environments, Chiang Mai is the best place for having a meditation retreat, which is not only a part of Buddhist practice but also a practice to calm the mind and discover oneself in daily life.

There are two famous meditation retreat activities offered at Wat Suan Dok and Wat Tung Yu so choose one of them according to your plan.

If you choose to have a meditation retreat at Wat Suan Dok, you would experience a walking meditation around the Buddha statues and chant with other participants.

12. Discover the Wonders of Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) away from Chiang Mai. A day trip from Chiang Mai is a little rushed, so we recommend to stay overnight.

On our trip to Chiang Rai, you could appreciate famous temples that are different from those in Chiang Mai — the White Temple, the Blue Temple, and the Black House Museum — as well as some hill tribe villages.

If you could stay in Chiang Rai for at least 2 days, we will lead you to delve into the city by seeing the Golden Triangle and other great attractions.

13. Have Fun at the Sticky Waterfall

Could you imagine climbing in a waterfall without slipping? There really is such a place— the Sticky Waterfall! It is not slippery due to the surface of the rock, which is rougher and has more friction.

This attraction is perfect for bringing children to have fun and also a good place to escape the summer heat. Enjoy this amazing waterfall climbing experience in fresh air and beautiful scenery, and feel the cool mist on the skin.

Remember to take water-friendly clothing and shoes as well as other clothes for changing into after playing in the water.

14. Take an Evening Cruise on the Ping River

Looking for a relaxing and romantic place in the evening to end your day in Chiang Mai? Taking an evening cruise on the Ping River is a top choice!

Enjoy the sunset from the Ping River during the cruise and pass through Chiang Mai's traditional villages and historical attractions with a broader view.

Our evening cruise trip will provide you a drink and an appetizer, and a private dinner on the Riverside Law after a 2-hour trip.

Discover Chiang Mai with Us

In addition to the 14 things we have listed above, there are more activities in Chiang Mai waiting to be explored and experienced. Contact us and we will make a fantastic travel plan in Chiang Mai for you!