Chiang Mai in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

The city of Chiang Mai, known for its 300 temples, is located in northern Thailand, in a mountainous and densely forested area. It is an ideal destination that combines the mysticism and spirituality of Thai culture with the ancient buildings and lush nature of the surrounding environment.

Although there are many things to see and do in Chiang Mai, in 3 days you can discover its most iconic temples, visit its most representative markets and even enjoy nature walks, among others. Here you will find an itinerary of three days in the city, so you can start planning your next visit.

On your first day in Chiang Mai, you can see the temples on Doi Suthep Mountain, which are part of the Monks' Route. It is one of the best tours you can do in Chiang Mai. Then you can go to the Silver Temple, located south of the wall, and take a gastronomic tour in the evening.

Wat Phra Lat

The Wat Phra Lat temple is located in a natural environment surrounded by jungles and waterfalls in which it has sought not to intervene with nature. That is why the temples, altars, stupas and stairs are covered with plants. A beautiful marble staircase, guarded by Nagas snakes, will lead you to the temple.

To take the Monks' Path that takes you to this temple, you must go to the University of Chiang Mai. The total walk to the top is about 7 km round trip and has some steep sections. It is not recommended to be done in rainy season.

• Location: บ้านห้วยผาลาด 101, Sriwichai Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Hours: daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

The Monks' Path will lead you to the top of the mountain, where one of Chiang Mai's finest temples, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, is located. To get there, you must climb its staircase of about 300 steps, which is guarded by the mythical serpent Nagas. If you prefer not to climb the stairs, you can use the cable car.

In addition to its rich architecture and ornamentation, this temple offers you a very nice panoramic view of the surroundings. The golden stupa of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is also highly revered, as it is said to contain a fragment of the Buddha's bone. At the top there are food stores and a souvenir store.

• Location: Huai Kaeo Road Chang Phueak Mueang Chiang Mai Chiang Mai 50300.
• Opening hours: daily from 6 am to 8 pm.
• Entrance fee: about 2 € per person.

Wat Umong

Coming down from Doi Suthep, you can visit the Wat Umong temple which is located at the base, about 5 km from Chiang Mai University. You can go by cab or tuk tuk, whose costs are inexpensive, or hire a guided tour to visit the three temples, and take advantage of the informative commentary of the guides.

Wat Umong, from the 13th century, stands out for its system of tunnels, which used to be used for meditation. It is located in a wooded area, where there is also a pond and gardens. It is not often visited, so it is ideal for relaxing in nature.

• Location: 135, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
• Hours: daily from 5 am to 8 pm.
• Entrance fee: free of charge.

Wat Sri Suphan

From Wat Umong temple you have about 5 km to Wat Sri Suphan, known for its silver-colored roof and ornamentation. That is why visiting this temple is a must at sunset and at night.

Although it is known as the Silver Temple, Wat Sri Suphan is covered in aluminum and nickel, as silver has been reserved for the Buddha statues. On Saturday evenings, a flea market is held by the silver artisans who have their workshop in the temple, which you can take advantage of if your visit is on that day. Note that women are not allowed to enter the temple, but they can enter the enclosure and see it from the outside.

• Location: 00 Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai.
• Hours: Sundays to Fridays from 7 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 7 am to 11 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Gastronomic tour

After visiting the Silver Temple, you can take a gastronomic tour of Chiang Mai and enjoy typical Thai food. You can do it on your own or join a guided tour, and take advantage of the tastings included. Taking a food tour is one of the best things to do at night in Chiang Mai, as it allows you to try dishes such as Thai noddle soup and papaya salad, and drinks such as iced coffees and Thai teas.

On your second day in Chiang Mai, you can tour the Old City, the walled part of the city, and explore its most emblematic temples. Later, the city's night markets await you, where you can learn more about the local culture.

Old City

The Old City is a part of the city surrounded by a wall and a moat with water, preserved from ancient times, when it used to be the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. In this part of the city you will find some of the most important temples of Chiang Mai, such as Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.

If you have not stayed in the Old City, you can enter the Old City through the Saun Do West Gate, and walk about 300 meters to Wat Phra Singh temple.

Wat Phra Singh

The 14th century Wat Phra Singh is one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai. It contains the famous Lion Buddha, which during the Songkran festival is worshipped in the streets of the city. It also stands out for its golden stupa, which is one of the largest in Chiang Mai. Not to be missed are the murals on the life of Buddha and the reclining Buddha behind the garden.

• Location: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Hours: daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
• Entrance fee: free for the whole complex and about 2 € per person for the entrance to the main temple.

Wat Phan Tao

After walking about 650 meters along the Rachadamnoen Rd, you will reach the Wat Phan Tao temple, which is notable for being made entirely of teak panels. It served as a throne room for King Chao Mahawong before becoming a temple and today is famous for the lanterns created by the monks who live there. You can see them at the Loi Kratong festival, which takes place in late autumn.

• Location: ตําบล พระสิงห์, 105 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District.
• Hours: daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Wat Chedi Luang

Right next to Wat Phan Tao, is the Wat Chedi Luang temple, which in its origins was the most imposing temple in Chiang Mai. Its main chedi was about 85 meters high before its roof was destroyed, but it remains one of the most impressive in the city. It is also one of the most revered, as for a time it was home to the Emerald Buddha, one of the country's most sacred relics.

• Location: 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai 50200.
• Opening hours: daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
• Entrance fee: about €1 per person.

Sao Inthakin and the pillar of the city

Next to Wat Chedi Luang is Wat Inthakin, which contains the pillar of the city. Legend has it that the god Indra gave it to the city for protection and prosperity, and that he would later have removed it and left a replica, which is an object of veneration for the locals.

If you go in June to Chiang Mai, you can attend the Inthakin festival in which offerings of flowers, candles and incense are made to the city pillar and processions with the Phra Fon Saen Haa Buddha take place.

Monument of the Three Kings

If you walk about 350 meters from Wat Chedi Luang, you will come across the Three Kings Monument, one of the most iconic monuments in Chiang Mai. It consists of three bronze sculptures representing the kings who, according to legend, founded the city of Chiang Mai. They are located at the entrance of the Chiang Mai Art and Culture Center, in the heart of Old City.

• Location: QXRP+3WX, Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District.

Wat Chiang Man

500 meters from the Three Kings Monument is the 13th-century Chiang Man temple, the oldest in the city. It contains some of the oldest and most revered Buddha images, such as the Marble Buddha and the Crystal Buddha.

On the grounds is a golden-roofed stupa that appears to be supported by the elephants at the base. Also not to be missed are the murals on the life of the Buddha, the gardens tended by the monks and the record of the exact date of the founding of Chiang Mai on a stone found in the Library.

• Location: 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200.
• Hours: daily from 5 am to 9 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Night Markets

The Chiang Mai night markets are located about 3 kilometers from Wat Chiang Man, towards the Ping River. You can go walking, by bus or tuk tuk, which are very economical.

In the markets, which operate from 6 pm, you can buy handicrafts, paintings, jewelry and souvenirs, and taste the most traditional Thai food. There are also often music concerts and/or dance performances, so they are a great opportunity to get to know the local culture.

Here is a list of the most recommended markets:

• Night Baazar: it is one of the largest in the city and operates from 6 pm to 0 am. Location: Q2P2+44 Chiang Mai.
• Kalare Night Baazar: it operates from 4pm to 11pm.
• Sunday Market: if you visit the city on a Sunday you can go to this night market held on Ratchadamnoen Rd, which is in the center of Old City.
• Saturday Market: it runs from 6pm to 10pm on Saturdays, at the south entrance of the city.
• Warorot Market: if you arrive at the market before 6 p.m., you can check out this daytime market, which operates from 9 a.m. onwards. Location: Q2Q2+W9 Chiang Mai.

On your third day in Chiang Mai, it is a good idea to spend the day at Doi Inthanon National Park, as visiting this park will immerse you fully in the lush nature of this Thai region. It is located about 87 kilometers from Chiang Mai.

• Location: 19 Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai 50160, Thailand
• Opening hours: daily from 5 am to 6 pm.
• Admission fee: about 8 € for adults and about 4 € for children.

How to get to Doi Inthanon National Park

To get to Doi Inthanon National Park, you can take a bus near the Tha Phae gate (west) of the Walled City, which leaves you about 20 km from the entrance to the park, and make the rest of the journey by cab or tuk tuk. Alternatively, you can take a cab from Chiang Mai (by prior arrangement), or book a full-day tour from Chiang Mai, with transfer, guide and meals included.

What to see and do in Doi Inthanon National Park

Doi Inthanon National Park is located on Doi Inthanon Mountain, the highest mountain in the country, about 2565 meters high. It is a park with waterfalls, trails surrounded by jungle, royal gardens and numerous species of animals and plants.

Here are the highlights you can see in this park:

• Waterfalls: there are several waterfalls that you can admire, such as Wachirathan, about 70 meters high and Siritharn, which has a 40 meter high fall.
• Trails: highlights are the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail, about 3 km, which you can only do with a qualified guide, and the Angkha Nature Trail, a short trail through a forest.
• Pagodas and the royal gardens: these are two small pagodas that were built to entertain the kings of Thailand and are located at the top of Doi Inthanon mountain.
• Sobhad Village: is where the Karen community lives. Its inhabitants are very hospitable, so it is an opportunity for you to get to know their culture.

This is the itinerary I propose to get to know Chiang Mai in 3 days, with activities in the city and in nature. One last suggestion: if you loved the temples and you prefer to dedicate an extra day to them, you can take a full day tour to Chiang Rai, where you can visit some of the must-see temples in Thailand, such as the White Temple and the Blue Temple.