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What places to visit in Chiang Mai?

Home > Destinations in Thailand > Places to visit in Chiang Mai

What to see in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, the northern capital and its 300 temples is also a gateway to the nature, the jungle and the hill tribes. It is the starting point for many treks but the city itself with its historic center surrounded by ramparts and moats also has a lot of charm. The most famous place in Chiang Mai is the Doi Suthep temple. Its night bazaar is also very popular with tourists.
I also listed at the end of the page some good tours, excursions and activities that you can do in Chiang Mai or from Chiang Mai. Click here to see them.

Must-visit places in Chiang Mai

doi-suthep-chiang-mai.jpg

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
A must see. On the top of a mountain, it is the most famous temple in the area. It is very popular with the thais and of course tourists and offers a magnificent view (often more clear in late afternoon) on Chiang Mai
wat-phra-sing-chiang-mai.jpg

Wat Phra Singh

วัดพระสิงห์
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
The most visited temple in the city, it is a perfect illustration of the nothern architectural style
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Sunday Walking Street

ถนนคนเดินเชียงใหม่ วันอาทิตย์
My opinion :
starstarstarstar
This big night market takes place every Sunday night in the center of Chiang Mai including food stands in two temples. A popular ambience. We really suggest you to go even if you will not be alone !
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Wat Palad

วัดผาลาด
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
is a charming forest temple with superb refined statues and a quiet and pleasant atmosphere. A small haven of peace often ignored by the many tourists who pass right by each day in their ascent to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep a few kilometers higher.
saturday-walking-street-chiang-mai.jpg

Saturday Walking Street

ถนนคนเดินวัวลาย
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
Big night market a little less known than Sunday Walking Street, Chiang Mai Saturday Walking Street also attracts a lot of people and allows you to do a little shopping and have dinner by tasting the local cuisine at the very numerous stalls and street restaurants. The neighboring Silver Temple is also superbly lit and open to the public these evenings.
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Silver Temple

วัดศรีสุพรรณ
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
As its name suggests this temple is known for its hall covered internally and externally with silver finely carved or engraved. It is particularly beautiful at night with its colorful illuminations. Next to Saturday Walking Street, it's worth visiting it at the same time you enjoy the traditional Saturday pedestrian street in Chiang Mai.
ban-pa-pong-piang-rizieres-terrasses-thailande.jpg

Ban Pa Pong Piang rice terraces

บ้านป่าบงเปียง
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
This tiny village in the mountains of Doi Inthanon has, it is said, the most beautiful rice terraces in Thailand. I do not know if it is true but yes, they are superb. Staying up there in spartan conditions is one of the most beautiful experiences you can experience in Chiang Mai province during the rainy season.
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San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

น้ำพุร้อนสันกำแพง
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
These naturally warm water sources are probably the most famous hots srpings among those close to Chiang Mai. You can soak your feet in the hot mineral water, cook eggs, or bathe fully and swim in the hot mineral water pool and get a massage of course. A nice relaxing outing!
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Bo Sang Umbrella making village

บ่อสร้าง
My opinion :
starstarstarstar
This village a few kilometers from Chiang Mai is famous for its traditional umbrella making. Throughout the year, you can go there and visit the workshops to see all the stages of the confection and in January is held a big festival. In the village, umbrellas are ubiquitous but there are also workshops of silver work, wood carving...
elephant-nature-park.jpg
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
It is the elephant sanctuary of reference in Thailand. There, you are sure to live a beautiful and respectful encounter with elephants. Because even if things slowly change (thanks to the work of Lek Chailert the founder of the park and the people she gathered around her), there are still many elephant camps or so-called sanctuaries where animal welfare is not a concern.
huay-thung-tao-king-kong-park-chiang-mai.jpg

Straw King Kong statues

คิงคองฟางยักษ์
My opinion :
starstarstarstar
These giant King Kong statues built with rice straw became in a few months one of the great curiosities in Chiang Mai. They are installed near Huay Thung Tao Lake about ten kilometers from the city.
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Sticky Waterfall (Bua Thong waterfall)

น้ำตกบัวตอง
My opinion :
starstarstarstar
The Bua Thong waterfall, a 1-hour drive from Chiang Mai city is nicknamed Sticky Waterfall because of its naturally gripping coating which allows you to climb it by its bed very easily. That's also why people go to visit it: to climb the waterfall!
Find a room in Chiang Mai

Other nice places to visit in Chiang Mai

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang

starstarstarstarstar with its beautiful chedi. Here, you can meet and chat with buddhists monks in a dedicated spacee
Doi Inthanon

Doi Inthanon

starstarstarstarstar It is the highest mountain in Thailand and also one very interesting national park near Chiang Mai's. People like to go there especially for treks, discovering nature, birds, flowers, waterfalls, mountain villages and rice fields. And of course the two pagodas on the summit.
Wat Luang Khun Win

Wat Luang Khun Win

starstarstarstarstar This temple lost in the jungle more than a 1h30 drive from Chiang Mai is a real little hidden gem that for the moment very few foreign tourists know about and yet it is worth a visit. Be careful, its access is a bit complicated, especially the last 5 kilometers of a dirt track in the forest.
Wat Ched Yod

Wat Ched Yod

starstarstarstar just a little outside of town on the the highway,he has beautifully preserved stucco carvings.
Wat U-Mong

Wat U-Mong

starstarstarstar (the one just outside the city. There is another temple with the same name attractive in the city center ). In the forest, with underground sanctuaries, in the nature and with one little lake, Wat U Mong is a very relaxing place.
Huay Thung Tao Lake

Huay Thung Tao Lake

starstarstarstar This reservoir with mountains in the background is located about ten kilometers from the center of Chiang Mai and is a good place to relax with family, enjoy the lake and its activities (swimming, pedal boats, kayak ...) and eat good food. The restaurants serve very good Thai food at very affordable prices that you eat in small huts.
Wat Phra That Doi Saket

Wat Phra That Doi Saket

starstarstarstar This temple stands on a hill 27 kilometers outside Chiang Mai and looks a bit like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep with its golden chedi but is smaller and less touristy. A little further up, there is a temple which offers a magnificent view of the surroundings especially during the rainy season.
Muang On Cave

Muang On Cave

starstarstarstar The interior of this cave on the road from Chiang Mai to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs is really impressive. This is a stop that I recommend you to do before diving into the hot mineral water pool a few kilometers further or when you go to see Bo Sang handicraft village.
Wat Ban Den

Wat Ban Den

starstarstarstar This gigantic temple about fifty kilometers from Chiang Mai city located in the Mae Taeng district is quite famous. There are many buildings and amazing statues sometimes flashy colors. Many people say it is the most beautiful temple in the area. I have a different opinion but go there to make yours.
Wiang Kum Kam

Wiang Kum Kam

starstarstarstar Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city in which there are ruins of temples that are 5 or 6 centuries old and others a little more recent. It is especially a god site for bike rides in its small streets, to discover its temples. Little known to tourists, this is not a must visit in Chiang Mai but a place that I personally like.
Chiang Mai Zoo

Chiang Mai Zoo

starstarstar just before the several kilometers rise up to the Doi Suthep mountain, it mainly famous because of its pandas couple and their baby. It is very large and has many animal species.
Wat Pan Tao

Wat Pan Tao

starstarstar and its magnificent Lanna style teak building which was a royal residence before being transformed into a temple.
Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man

starstarstar this is the first temple built in Chiang Mai and therefore the oldest one in the city.
Wat Lok Molee

Wat Lok Molee

starstarstar small temple that is often missed but has a large brick chedi and beautiful a wooden hall.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham

Wat Phra That Doi Kham

starstarstar This temple full of charm is perched on a mountain and little known by foreign tourists. But is quite interesting and offers among other things a beautiful view over the valley where you can see the Royal Park Rajapruek. A nice place to couple with the visit of Rajapruek floral park .
Royal Park Rajapruek

Royal Park Rajapruek

starstarstar This large floral park dedicated to King Rama IX is about ten kilometers from Chiang Mai. There are many plants and flowers including a charming orchid garden. The best time to visit it is from December to February when many flowers are blooming. You will also find a nice royal pavilion there.
Huay Kaew Waterfall

Huay Kaew Waterfall

starstarstar It is the easiest waterfall to reach from Chiang Mai city. Located at the foot of the Doi Suthep mount, it can be a pleasant stop after visiting the perched temple. Just be aware that at the end of the dry season, the water level can be very low and therefore the waterfall far less interesting.
Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

starstarstar Natural Canyon filled with fresh water, 18 km from Chiang Mai, the place hosts two parks, a large waterpark with plenty of elements including inflatable ones and another quieter, more beautiful and cheaper where you can also swim and cross the canyon on a zippeline.
Wat Ton Kwen

Wat Ton Kwen

starstarstar This small temple and its wooden hall located about fifteen kilometers from Chiang Mai does not lack of charm. Very fe tourists go visit it. Foreigners are really not numerous to go there since many of whom are unaware of its existence but it is a nice quick stop to add on the road to Rajapruek Park or Wat Phra That Doi Kham.
Kuan Im Chokchai chinese temple

Kuan Im Chokchai chinese temple

starstarstar You will not find this surprising little Chinese temple in any travel book guide. However, it is worth visiting it for its dragon and tiger statues crossed by corridors with colorful murals. An amazing visit that may change to all what you saw during your stay in Chiang Mai...
Wat Muen Ngoen Kong

Wat Muen Ngoen Kong

starstarstar Little known temple but not lacking in charm. It has a lovely lanna-style ordination hall, a golden chedi and a reclining Buddha in one of its halls.
Elephant Poopoo Paper Park

Elephant Poopoo Paper Park

starstarstar It's a nice place to visit especially with kids that shows you its process of turning elephant dung into paper. You can get your hands dirty and there are workshops to create products based on this paper.
Khlong Mae Kha

Khlong Mae Kha

starstarstar A small portion of the Mae Kha Canal in the city of Chiang Mai has been cleaned up and renovated and became since 2021 one of the new popular places in the city. Not the most unmissable visit in Chiang Mai but a charming place that hosts more and more events.
Wat Suan Dok

Wat Suan Dok

starstar not particularly interesting to visit but like in Wat Chedi Luang you can meet the monks to discuss with them
Bhubing Palace

Bhubing Palace

starstar The interior of this royal palace can not be visited but people come for its gardens, its rose garden, its reservoir, its winter flowers, its centenarian ferns... Not a must visit in my opinion but that will interest flowers and plants lovers and it is not far from Doi Suthep temple.
Warorot Market

Warorot Market

starstar It is the largest and most frequented market in Chiang Mai. On 3 floors in two large buildings separated by a street, there are many things to buy and tourists come for the curiosity to visit this amazing big market.
Pha Chor Grand Canyon

Pha Chor Grand Canyon

starstar This canyon located a 1 hour drive from Chiang Mai. It is famous for its rocky walls with columns shaped by natural erosion over centuries. People sometimes call Pha Chor, the Grand Canyon of Thailand despite its rather modest dimensions.
Wat Buppharam

Wat Buppharam

star which has certainly a historical and architectural interest but is best remembered for his statue of Donald

Tours in Chiang Mai and around

This selection includes tours, excursions and activities that I have personally tested or were tested by people I fully trust but also offers by recognized agencies or websites known for their seriousness and quality.

comfortable immersion stay with the karen hill tribe

Comfortable immersion stay with the Karen hill tribe

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Spend 2 days or 3 days immersed with the Karen hill tribe in a mountain village in a comfortable homestay. Share their daily life, their activities and meet the elephants in an ethical and respectable setting. An unforgettable and unique adventure !

live thai rural life for a day

Live Thai rural life for a day

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Spend the day in a small rural village near Chiang Mai and live a summary of the Thai local life in the countryside (rice palnting, breeding, cooking, traditions...).

two days trek at doi inthanon and ban pa pong piang (chiang mai)

Two days trek at Doi Inthanon and Ban Pa Pong Piang (Chiang Mai)

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Discover the nature and life of the Karen hill tribe at Doi Inthanon mountains near Chiang Mai. This tour will also take you to see the most beautiful rice terraces in Thailand!

sacred jungle trail trek up to doi suthep temple in chiang mai

Sacred Jungle Trail Trek up to Doi Suthep Temple in Chiang Mai

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Trek up to Doi Suthep temple, the most revered temple in Chiang Mai with a guide starting from the monk's trail and then plunging into the jungle. You will come across a forest temple and hidden waterfalls.

two days trek on doi inthanon mountain with visit of a karen village

Two days trek on Doi Inthanon mountain with visit of a Karen village

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Discover the jungle and the mountains and the life of the Karen hill tribe during a 2-day trek on the highest mountain in Thailand. Tee your Karen English-speaking guide will also amaze you with its magic tricks!

the ancient opium route trek from chiang mai

The Ancient Opium Route trek from Chiang Mai

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Trek on an ancient path created by the Hmong hill tribes when they arrived from Laos in the last century and settled in Chiang Mai mountains to cultivate poppy.

2 days trek in chiang mai: the karen land of rice

2 days trek in Chiang Mai: The Karen Land Of Rice

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Go on a 2-day trek from Chiang Mai to discover the Karen who live and farm in the mountains and spend the night in one of their villages next to the terraces rice fields.

2 days trek in chiang mai: climbing the pass of hmong ngo

2 days trek in Chiang Mai: Climbing The Pass Of Hmong Ngo

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Go on a 2-day trek from Chiang Mai to the magnificent peak and Hmong village of Mong Ngo located 1450 meters above sea level. It is an ideal place to discover Chiang Mai's high mountains. You will spend the night up there.

chiang mai tour: teakwood temple, sticky waterfall & mae ngat dam

Chiang Mai Tour: Teakwood Temple, Sticky Waterfall & Mae Ngat Dam

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Know more about the local lifestyle, discover the local organic rice field and fruit garden, visit the unique and amazing teak wood temple, taste the local food, and see the sticky waterfall like you've never done before!

chiang mai : bua tong sticky waterfalls and picnic with a local

Chiang Mai : Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls and Picnic with a Local

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Sticky and pretty, the Bua Tong Waterfalls in Chiang Mai will surely give you a one-of-a-kind experience. Let's climb the Bua Tong limestone waterfalls and make a splash in the pool surrounded by greenery.

evening street food walking tour at chiang mai gate

Evening Street Food Walking Tour at Chiang Mai Gate

Offered in Englishenglish guide
If you’re in Chiang Mai, you might find at the Chiang Mai Gate the food stalls located on the south side of the Old City’s square moat. The Chiang Mai Gate food stalls come to life around 5-10 pm everyday, and I'll be taking you there! Let's go!

relax in the best onsen & enjoy the scenic mountain view at mon cham

Relax in the Best Onsen & Enjoy the Scenic Mountain View at Mon Cham

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Let's escape from the busy and crowded city by relax with nature. You will relax in the public onsen, Japanese-style. Don't worry! Men and women are arranged to the separated area. Then, we'll drive up to Mon Cham Hill to check out the sunset. It's impossible to watch the sunset and not feel like you're dreaming !

let's be a farmer, experience the local farming in chiang mai

Let's Be a Farmer, Experience the Local Farming in Chiang Mai

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Visit a local organic farm, learn how to do a rice planting in the field. Explore the farm, picking chicken eggs. feed the animals and get in touch with the buffalo. Enjoy a local lifestyle on the way and be a farmer for a day!

live the agricultural life in the mountains of chiang mai

Live the Agricultural Life in the Mountains of Chiang Mai

Offered in Englishenglish guide
I'll be taking you to experience Mae Tang to see the agricultural canal lifestyle where water is life! People in Mae Tang are mostly farmers and live their simple lives along the canal. Enjoy cycling along the canals and enjoy the nature!

taste the 10 must-try dishes in chiang mai

Taste the 10 Must-Try Dishes in Chiang Mai

Offered in Englishenglish guide
I'll take you to 10 local food places in Chiang Mai city selected by me, a true Local Expert through and through! I would love to show you what we eat in daily, so be ready to spend your extraordinary day tasting some extraordinary food!

private 3-hour vegetable and fruit carving class in chiang mai!

Private 3-Hour Vegetable and Fruit Carving Class in Chiang Mai!

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Come and experience Thai vegetable and fruit carving arts during this 3-hour private class in Chiang Mai! You'll learn about traditional Thai carving techniques and have fun transforming local fruits and vegetables into your own unique art pieces!

visiter le doi suthep et le temple wat palad

Visiter le Doi Suthep et le temple Wat Palad

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Visitez le temple Doi Suthep, le temple le plus célèbre de Chiang Mai avec une architecture Lanna exquise ! Vous pouvez également voir la vue panoramique de Chiang Mai depuis le sommet du temple. Ensuite, nous visiterons le parc national de Doi Pui et le temple caché appelé Wat Pha Lat Temple !

alms offering & temple hopping in chiang mai

Alms Offering & Temple Hopping in Chiang Mai

Offered in Englishenglish guide
In this trip, we will follow the guidance of a local to give your offering to the monks in the early morning. Most of common gifts are included rice, fresh fruit and traditional dessert in the alms bowl. We will then go on the the most important temple hopping in Chiang Mai and discover the ancient days of this peaceful city.

travel chiang mai: umbrella village, wood carving village & unique silver temple

Travel Chiang Mai: Umbrella Village, Wood Carving Village & Unique Silver Temple

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Visit Bo Sang umbrella making center in Sankampaeng, Silverware and Thai silk. You can do tattoo painting or buy unique T-shirt or mobile phone case for artists to paint or create in 10 minutes. Wood carving at Baan Tawai. And visit stunning Silver Temple.

Tours from Chiang Mai

2 days trek in chiang dao: to the summit of doi luang
Thailand Mountain Trails (TMT)

2 days trek in Chiang Dao: to the Summit Of Doi Luang


Go on a 2-day trek to conquer Mount Doi Luang in Chiang Dao in Chiang Mai province. It is one of the peaks in Thailand offering the most beautiful sights. The ascent is only open 4 months a year.

visit historic lamphun, eat with locals in the countryside and cook northern-style dinner
TakeMeTour (Ad)

Visit Historic Lamphun, Eat with Locals in the Countryside and Cook Northern-Style Dinner


Lamphun was the second Lanna capital and it's more than 1,300 years old. You'll learn more about the Lanna culture, including the local way of life, Buddhist customs and food. We'll lunch with Lamphun locals and cook easy dinner like northerners at my home.

chiang rai famous temples from chiang mai
TakeMeTour (Ad)

Chiang Rai famous temples from Chiang Mai


Visit the most beautiful temples in Chiang Rai : one all white and one all blue! We'll also go to the unique Black House museum, also the lotus temple unseen in Thailand and have one of the best Khao Soi in Chiang Rai for lunch.

explore the unseen temple & secret village in lampang
TakeMeTour (Ad)

Explore the Unseen Temple & Secret Village in Lampang


Join me and you'll get to explore an unforgettably beautiful temple on the cliffs and the beautiful scenery at the border between Lampang and Chiangmai! You'll also get to relax at a waterfall and a hot spring!

sightseeing and northern thai home-cooking at farmhouse in lamphun
TakeMeTour (Ad)

Sightseeing and Northern Thai Home-Cooking at Farmhouse in Lamphun


Let's cook and eat like a northerner! If you want to experience original Northern Thai food (beyond tasting), let us make your wish come true. Learn how we cook and serve these special dishes at our farmhouse in Lamphun and go sightseeing around the city.

Places to see elsewhere in Thailand

Thale Noi Lake

thale noi lake

This lake offers superb views especially for the sunrise with the fishermen's huts and the warm colors of the sky, but also a lotus flowering area, it is also a natural reserve for birds. Going...


arrow_circle_right View details about Thale Noi Lake

Wat Tha Sung (Crystal Temple)

wat tha sung (crystal temple)

It is the most famous and visited temple, especially by Thais, in Uthai Thani province and it is therefore obviously a must-see place! And it is very photogenic, especially its Golden Castle!


arrow_circle_right View details about Wat Tha Sung (Crystal Temple)

Yomjinda Road (Old town)

yomjinda road (old town)

The old town of Rayong is quite famous, especially Yomjinda Road which is the prettiest street in the area and probably the most interesting to visit. There are also a few nice and delicious little...


arrow_circle_right View details about Yomjinda Road (Old town)

Wat Lokaya Sutha

wat lokaya sutha

and its reclining Buddha


arrow_circle_right View details about Wat Lokaya Sutha

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All COVID-19 restrictions for coming to Thailand lifted from October 1 !

all covid-19 restrictions for coming to thailand lifted from october 1 !

We have been waiting for it for months, hoping it will happen on July 1, but it will finally be October 1, 2022, when Thailand will lift the last COVID restrictions to enter the country. From this date, it will no longer be necessary to show...

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