Best Things To Do in Chiang Mai

The emblematic Thai city of Chiang Mai has a history of more than 700 years that you can see reflected in its Buddhist temples and architectural remains preserved in the old area. You will also enjoy natural areas, leisure attractions and other places that will allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture.

You can visit the Doi Suthep, Wat Umong and Wat Pha Lat temples, have fun at the Grand Canyon water park and kayak on the Ping River. Even join a Thai cooking class, live a Muay Thai experience , learn how to make silk, among other things.

Chiang Mai has managed to stand out over the years due to its beautiful temples, being one of its great tourist attractions. Let yourself be amazed by these majestic constructions and contemplate closely part of the cultural legacy of this important Thai city.

Among some of the best temples in Chiang Mai that you can visit are:

• Wat Umong Buddhist Temple, whose history dates back more than 700 years. The site is notable for a system of ancient tunnels and a tranquil natural space with forests and a lake.
• Doi Suthep Buddhist temple, a sacred place with pagodas, museums and a characteristic aroma of incense.
• The Wat Pha Lat temple, dedicated to Buddhist worship. The entrance of this ancient enclosure located on Doi Suthep mountain is guarded by two Nora Nair (hybrid demi gods), and inside you will see some pagodas and altars.

This experience can be done on your own without any inconvenience. However, in the city you will find several guided activities such as the excursion to the best temples of Chiang Mai, which will allow you to see Doi Suthep, Wat Umong and Wat Pha Lat.

Chiang Mai is not all about temples and historical sites, you will also find leisure places like the Grand Canyon water park, where you will spend a really fun day in a natural environment. You can slide down the slides and lie on the sand to enjoy the sun, among other activities.

Once in the park, you will have access to a wide variety of attractions, spread over some 35 outdoor areas, some of them being the following:

• A series of slides with an extension that exceeds 10 meters long and others of smaller size, specially designed for children.
• The zip line with a height of up to 400 meters that crosses the great canyon of the park and from which you will get a privileged panoramic view of the place.
• The white sand beach, where you can relax and recharge your batteries under the warm rays of the sun.
• An obstacle course on the water, where you will have to walk across bridges and test your balance, climb, etc.

In addition, with the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon water park tickets you can paddle a canoe through the calm waters of the park. For this, you will have the necessary safety equipment and the advice of an instructor who will tell you everything you need to know about kayaking.

Information of interest

• Price: from 28€ per person.
• Schedule: from 10:00 to 19:00 hours (every day).

If you are a culinary enthusiast, then during your stay in Chiang Mai you should take part in a cooking class with a culinary expert. You will learn how to prepare some traditional Thai dishes.

This activity usually incorporates a visit to one of the local markets, such as Somphet Market. There, accompanied by a chef-guide, you will select all the ingredients necessary for the preparation of the different dishes. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the history of the market.

Afterwards, you will enjoy the Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai. The chef will teach you the step-by-step of some recipes. Although the menu usually varies, there are some not-to-be-missed preparations such as the following:

• Green curry, prepared with milk.
• Pad thai or rice noodles with tofu, shrimp, chicken, egg and fish or soy sauce.
• The kuay teow lui suan, which are rice paper rolls with soy and vegetables.
• The khanom tarn, a palm cake.

Information of interest

• Price: from 31€ per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.

Another of the things to see and do during your 1-3 day stay in Chiang Mai or longer is undoubtedly kayaking on the Ping River at night. This is a very popular activity among locals and tourists. You will see a different perspective of this ancient Thai city, illuminated by the moon and artificial lights.

You will sail for about 6 kilometers along the banks of the Ping River. While enjoying the calm crystal clear waters, fresh air and starry skies, you will see the city's skyline, picturesque bridges and traditional houses covered by lush trees in the distance, among other things.

This night kayak tour of Chiang Mai is usually guided, so you don't have to worry about paddling equipment and canoe handling. The guide will teach you the basics of kayaking so you can get around safely.

Information of interest

• Price: from 28€ per person.
• Duration: usually around a couple of hours.

Chiang Mai' s night markets are lively and picturesque places where you can experience the culture of this city from the perspective of the locals. You will taste the most popular street food, enjoy live entertainment and purchase handicrafts.

Some of the markets you can visit in Chiang Mai at night are the following:

Sunday Night Market

When you arrive at the Sunday Night Market, you will be immersed in a large food court that stretches along the streets of the old center of Chiang Mai. You'll also stumble upon handicraft stalls. As night falls, you'll see street musicians with their lively tunes.

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: every Sunday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

The Night Bazaar

The Night Bazaar is a very busy destination in the city where you will find many bars and restaurants. There are also dozens of stalls with street food and handicrafts. It is ideal if you want to embark on a gastronomic tour of Chiang Mai, to discover the flavors, aromas and textures of its traditional food.

• Price: admission is free.
• Hours: every day from 18:00 to 24:00 hours.

Saturday Night Market

Another place not to be missed is the Saturday Night Market. It takes place at the south gate of the Chiang Mai city wall. There, you will have the opportunity to see and buy objects of all kinds: jewelry, paintings, frames, handicrafts made with silver, among others.

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: every Saturday from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

If you like off-road adventures, during your stay in Chiang Mai you should get on a quad bike and go deep into the jungle of this Thai city. You will get off the beaten track and live a different, fun and adrenaline-filled experience.

You can drive a quad to the Mae Taeng Valley, in the northern part of Thailand. It is a journey of about 40 kilometers, which includes roads and uneven terrain. You will enjoy the vegetation and wildlife of these fields. An ideal route if you wish to visit an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai.

To carry out this experience, you can rent the off-road car and take the route at your own pace. You also have the option to book a quad tour in the countryside of Chiang Mai and be accompanied by a professional guide who will give you some basic quad biking tips.

Martial arts such as Muay Thai are also part of Thailand's culture and, during your stay in Chiang Mai, you can discover this discipline considered the national sport. Join a Thai boxing class and learn the legendary movements of fists, elbows, feet and knees.

There are many Muay Thai gyms in the city that you can visit to live this unique experience. For example, there is the Bangarang Muay Thai, located in the rice fields, or the Chiangmai Muay Thai Gym, in the center of the old town.

In any of them, you will enjoy the company of an experienced trainer, who will teach you the history and basic fundamentals of Muay Thai. You will learn a combination of moves and punches, adapted to your level of stamina.

Sericulture or silk production is one of the most traditional commercial activities in Chiang Mai. And you can be part of a Thai silk class and discover the history and cultural importance of this textile art. You will learn about the amazing weaving techniques and feel like a local weaving with your own hands.

Once you arrive at the textile production workshop you will live an amazing experience. The class usually starts by pulling the yarn directly from the silkworm cocoons. These are fed by Thai weavers with mulberry leaves.

After carefully winding the silk thread, you will proceed to sit in front of a traditional weaving machine and perform the spinning. Of course, beforehand, an expert in this art will teach you the different techniques for crossing the fibers. If you are skilled enough, you could weave up to 1.8 meters.

Information of interest

• Price: from about 102€ per person.
• Duration: a maximum of 6 hours.

Take advantage of your stay in Chiang Mai to take home a unique souvenir of your visit to this majestic Thai city. Join a silversmithing class and create your own silver jewelry. You will learn a series of traditional craft techniques from a goldsmith with a long history in this craft.

For this experience, you will have the opportunity to capture on paper the design you want for your jewelry. Then, a professional silversmith will guide you step by step to turn your sketch into a memorable piece of goldsmithing. With this activity, you will delve into the history of Thai silver jewelry.

You will learn how to work a noble and malleable metal like silver. You will be able to mold it easily to make different shapes and join them into one piece. Afterwards, you will carry out the polishing process to improve the finish and enhance the shiny tone of the silver.

Interesting information

• Price: the average cost is 69€ per person (Approx.).
• Duration: about 5 hours.

Touring the streets of Chiang Mai by Tuk Tuk is another of the things to do in the city. This is a traditional and very popular means of transport, which will allow you to get a different perspective of the monuments, temples and other places of interest.

Once you are on board the Tuk Tuk, you will move around Chiang Mai, being able to make some stops to see the destinations on your way. Although the route of this type of tour varies depending on the company hired, there are places you can not miss. So essential, that they are usually incorporated into the itinerary of some of the best tours and excursions in Chiang Mai.

Along the walk you will have the opportunity to see:

• The Three Kings Monument Square: located in the center of the old town. There, you will find the statue of King Mengrai, ruler of Lanna; King Ramkhamhaeng, who ruled the Sukhothai Kingdom and King Ngam Muang, who ruled Phayao.
• Wat Phra Singh Temple: a 14th century Buddhist compound with beautiful gardens.
• Wat Chedi Luang Temple: with more than 700 years of history.
• Warorot Market: where you will find street food, fashion, handicrafts, fresh produce and more.

Information of interest

• Price: approximately 27€ per person.
• Duration: a couple of hours.