Situated in Thailand’s northern mountains, Chiang Mai offers a mix of ancient temples, lively street food scenes, and amazing views. We spent 4 nights in Chiang Mai, but we could have easily stayed for much longer! There’s just so much to see and do here, a true gem in the north of Thailand. If you’re wondering what to expect from this charming city, keep reading to find out about 10 unique things to do in Chiang Mai.
Table of contents
- 1. Watch the sunrise at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
- 2. Explore Wat Pha Lat
- 3. Cool off at Dantewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park
- 4. Visit Wat Chedi Luang
- 5. Wander around the (night) markets
- 6. Take a Thai cooking class
- 7. Stroll through Nong Buak Haad Public Park
- 8. Take a day trip to Doi Inathon National Park
- 9. Enjoy delicious food at Its Good Kitchen
- 10. Try some cocktails at Nophaburi Bar
- Where to stay in Chiang Mai
1. Watch the sunrise at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, situated atop Doi Suthep mountain, is one of the area’s most breathtaking temples. The best time to visit is at sunrise, and here’s why: firstly, who doesn’t love a stunning sunrise view? Seeing the sun come up above the city is a sight like no other. Secondly, because reaching the top involves climbing many stairs, about 15 minutes’ worth. Since Chiang Mai can get quite hot, mornings offer a cooler mountain breeze. You don’t want to reach the top all sweaty! Lastly, sunrise visits are less crowded compared to sunset visits, trust us when we say they can get quite busy.
Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to a magnificent sight of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and its surroundings. The iconic golden pagoda is the centerpiece, surrounded by statues, murals, and blossoming trees. The golden pagoda was undergoing construction during our visit, but we can imagine that it’s usually incredibly impressive! For sunrise we recommend the platform in the back, on the right hand side.
Good to know
The temple is open daily from 6 AM to 8 PM. The entrance fee is 30 baht (just under € 1), which you have to pay at the top of the stairs. Plan to spend around 1 hour exploring the temple. You will want to feel like your hike was worth it! Last but not least: since this is a sacred place, you’ll have to cover your knees and shoulders, and remove your shoes before entering.
2. Explore Wat Pha Lat
Wat Pha Lat is a serene temple nestled halfway up Doi Suthep mountain. Its unique location makes it our favorite temple in Chiang Mai, so we definitely had to include it in this list of 10 unique things to do in Chiang Mai. Tucked away in the jungle, Wat Pha Lat offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere. You can find dragon statues, a waterfall and small river, and temples all around the place. Although it may not be as well-known as Wat Pha That Doi Suthep, it is certainly worth a visit. We suggest visiting Wat Pha Lat right after exploring Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for sunrise to avoid the crowds and fully immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings. The morning sun will make this place feel truly magical!
3. Cool off at Dantewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park
During our visit to Chiang Mai in the burning season, the days were scorching hot! To escape the heat, we decided to check out Dantewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park, which is about a 45-minute drive from Chiang Mai. We had seen this place all over Instagram and were eager to experience it for ourselves. Initially, we were skeptical and thought it might be just another tourist trap. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere! Despite being man-made, the park had a great vibe, and it wasn’t too crowded when we visited in the middle of the day.
The park features several waterfalls, caves, pathways, colorful flower fields, and more. Our favorite was the heart shaped hole in the wall, with a beautiful waterfall as backdrop. We absolutely enjoyed our time there! You can easily spend a whole afternoon here, and the place is great to visit with kids, too! There are multiple playgrounds, cute animals, and toys for them to enjoy. The entrance fee is 80 baht (around € 2).
4. Visit Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chedi Luang is a historic Buddhist temple situated in the center of Chiang Mai. It was constructed in the 14th century and has undergone numerous renovations and expansions over time. Despite being damaged by earthquakes and standing at around 60 meters tall, the temple remains an impressive sight. You’ll see statues of elephants and other figures still intact, with the giant chedi as a spectacular centerpiece. Other things to spot are a reclining buddha, two viharns, and… a mens-only temple! We were shocked when we saw the sign that women weren’t allowed, even more when we saw women can’t visit because they menstruate… Bizarre, to say the least. The entrance fee is 50 baht, which is around € 1,30.
5. Wander around the (night) markets
Chiang Mai boasts some of the best markets in all of Thailand, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on them! If you’re wondering which ones to check out, we’ve put together a guide to the top 5 (night) markets in Chiang Mai.
6. Take a Thai cooking class
Thailand has some incredible and flavorful food, so why not take the opportunity to learn to cook local dishes? We recommend Mama Noi for its gorgeous location and amazing teachers. The cooking class kicks off with a market visit to learn about local cuisine and ingredients. It truly was a local market, no (other) tourists in sight! Then, you’ll head to Mama Noi’s beautiful setting surrounded by lush greenery. You can choose from a variety of dishes, including soups, stir-fried dishes, and curries, along with mango sticky rice and Thai tea. During our class, we mastered Pad Thai, Tom Yum Kung, and Khao Soi, a traditional Northern Thai curry noodle soup. We had no idea this would be so much fun! And the dishes turned out very well, if we do say so ourselves. 😉
We booked a Chiang Mai cooking class at Mama Noi through GetYourGuide and paid € 25 per person. The price includes 5 dishes, drinks, and a recipe book. So worth it!
7. Stroll through Nong Buak Haad Public Park
You already know we enjoy strolling through parks to escape the city chaos. It’s a fun and free way to unwind. We were pleasantly surprised when we discovered Nong Buak Haad Public Park! This beautiful park has it all: lakes, bridges, palm trees, and flowers all around. And if you’re looking to get a workout in Nong Buak Haad Public Park’s got you covered too! Plus, there are food and drink stands, allowing you to have a picnic on the grass. What else could you ask for? Pick a spot in the shade and have an amazing afternoon!
8. Take a day trip to Doi Inathon National Park
If you’re into breathtaking mountain views, stunning waterfalls, and beautiful sunrises, you should definitely add Doi Inthanon National Park to your list of things to do in Chiang Mai! This amazing park is just an hour and a half away from the city and boasts the highest mountain in Thailand. Tons of locals visit this place, too, because Doi Inathon National Park provides some nice refreshment from the Thai heat. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit, but it’s definitely on our bucket list for our next trip to Chiang Mai.
9. Enjoy delicious food at Its Good Kitchen
Our favorite restaurant in Chiang Mai, and possibly in all of Thailand, is Its Good Kitchen. Here, you’ll find delicious authentic Thai food at affordable prices! We’ve eaten here many times and have never been disappointed. What’s really cool is that they customize the spiciness level of your food, which can be a challenge in Thailand or Asia in general. The restaurant is usually busy, which is a testament to how good it is, but don’t worry, you typically won’t have to wait long for a seat!
Pro tip
Be sure to try Khao Soi, a Northern Thai curry noodle soup. It’s slightly spicy and incredibly flavorful! We had it at various places, but the one at Its Good Kitchen was unbeatable. The best we ever had!
10. Try some cocktails at Nophaburi Bar
During our second night in Chiang Mai, we stumbled upon Nophaburi Bar. This cozy cocktail bar is the perfect place for a romantic date night. We especially enjoyed the cozy size of the bar, which, combined with the candlelight, created an intimate setting. There’s seating available for 15 people tops, which really adds to the vibe. At Nophaburi Bar, they don’t serve your usual cocktails, and that’s what sets them apart! Every single one of them is really original, and we really liked that they use local alternatives to “standard” liquor. You won’t find Bacardi or Hennessy here, instead it’s mekhong and meridian. The cocktails were so good, we returned on our last night just to try more of them! Our favorite was probably the Secret Scent. Not only did it taste really good, but it had some spectacle to it, too!
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
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