Unusual Things To Do In Chiang Mai, Thailand

This post is about “What to do in Chiang Mai”. The cultural capital of Thailand, the “Rose of the North,” a historic city with an interesting past and a beautiful urban layout. It’s a must-see on your trip to Thailand. So you don’t miss a thing, in this post, we recommend the non-touristy, best things to do and must see tourist attractions, so you add it on your itinerary.

Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand: A Complete Travel Guide

Chiang Mai, known as the cultural capital of northern Thailand, is where ancient temples meet lush mountains, colorful markets, and a slower, more peaceful lifestyle. If Bangkok is Thailand’s buzzing heart, then Chiang Mai is its soulful, artistic spirit.

Modern Chiang Mai is a rather small city, with around 150,000 inhabitants, although if you add its sprawling suburbs, the population grows to over one million. In any case, Chiang Mai has a relaxed pace of life, absolutely nothing like Bangkok!, that encourages wandering, and the distances between many of the places of interest are short, so that in many cases they can be covered with a pleasant walk.

Whether you’re here to explore temples, trek through misty jungles, indulge in delicious northern Thai cuisine, or just unwind in a laid-back atmosphere, Chiang Mai has it all. Here’s a list of the 20 best things to do and top attractions in Chiang Mai, along with helpful tips for your trip.

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1. Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Perched on a mountain 1,073 meters above sea level, this is Chiang Mai’s most iconic temple. The golden chedi gleams in the sunlight and offers panoramic views of the city.

• Travel Tip: Be prepared for the 306-step climb or take the cable car

• Address: Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai

• Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

• Entrance Fee: 30 THB

2. Explore the Old City Temples

Chiang Mai’s Old City is surrounded by ancient walls and moats. Inside, you’ll find over 30 historic temples like:

Wat Chedi Luang – known for its massive ruined stupa

Wat Phra Singh – home to the revered Phra Singh Buddha image

• Location: Chiang Mai Old City

• Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds

3. Join a Thai Cooking Class

Chiang Mai is one of the best places to take a Thai cooking class. Learn to make local dishes like khao soi, green curry, and mango sticky rice.

Recommended: Thai Farm Cooking School, Grandma’s Home Cooking School

• Price: Around 1,000–1,500 THB for a half-day course

• Tip: Most classes include a market tour and vegetarian options.

4. Stroll Through the Night Bazaar

A lively market perfect for foodies, souvenir hunters, and bargain lovers. From handcrafted items to street snacks, there’s something for everyone.

Don’t miss: Try khanom krok (coconut pancakes) and browse the handicraft stalls.

• Address: Chang Khlan Road

• Opening Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

5. Take a Day Trip to Elephant Nature Park

This ethical elephant sanctuary offers visitors a chance to observe rescued elephants in a natural setting — no riding involved.

Note: Book in advance to avoid fully booked.

• Location: About 60 km north of Chiang Mai

• Contact: elephantnaturepark.org

• Price: Around 2,500–3,000 THB for a day visit

6. Visit Doi Inthanon National Park

Nicknamed “The Roof of Thailand”, this park is home to Thailand’s highest peak. Hike through cloud forests, visit waterfalls, and see the King & Queen pagodas.

• Distance: About 1.5–2 hours from Chiang Mai
• Entrance Fee: 300 THB (plus vehicle fee)
• Tip: Bring a jacket – it gets chilly!

7. Discover Chiang Mai’s Street Art Scene

Walk around the Old City and trendy Nimmanhaemin area to find stunning murals, graffiti walls, and contemporary art galleries.

• Hotspots: Soi 5 Nimmanhaemin, One Nimman, and near Tha Phae Gate
• Cost: Free and fun for photographers

8. Enjoy a Traditional Khantoke Dinner

Khantoke is a traditional northern Thai dining experience featuring a round tray of dishes served while you enjoy live music and Lanna dance performances.

• Where to Go: Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center, Khum Khantoke
• Price: Around 600–800 THB per person

9. Shop at Sunday Walking Street Market

Held every Sunday evening along Ratchadamnoen Road, this massive market features handmade crafts, local food, and live performances.

• Hours: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Tip: Go early to avoid crowds and wear comfy shoes.

10. Try Khao Soi – Northern Thai Noodle Curry

This rich, coconut curry noodle soup is Chiang Mai’s signature dish. Try it at local favorites like:

• Khao Soi Khun Yai
• Khao Soi Mae Sai
• Price: Around 50–70 THB per bowl

11. Learn how to make Lantern

Chiang Mai is famous for its lantern festivals. Try making your own paper lantern in a fun, hands-on workshop.

• Where: Lanna Wisdom School or local craft studios
• Fee: Around 500–800 THB

12. Visit the Chiang Mai Zoo & Aquarium

A family-friendly attraction with over 400 species of animals and Southeast Asia’s longest aquarium tunnel.

• Location: Huay Kaew Road, near Doi Suthep
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: 150 THB (Zoo), 290 THB (Aquarium), or combo tickets available

13. Experience the Yi Peng & Loy Krathong Festival (Nov)

Held in November, this double festival is magical. Thousands of lanterns light up the sky, and locals float krathongs (decorative rafts) on rivers to pay respects.

• Tip: Book accommodations early and join a lantern release ceremony with local temples.

14. Visit Bua Thong “Sticky” Waterfalls

These unique waterfalls have limestone rocks that allow you to walk up the falls without slipping!

• Location: About 60 km north of the city
• Fee: Free
• Best Time: Early morning; bring a change of clothes

15. Explore Warorot Market

A bustling local market filled with fabrics, herbs, snacks, and everything Thai. Great place to see local life.

• Location: Near the Ping River
• Opening Hours: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• What to Try: Northern sausages (sai oua), crispy pork, dried fruits

16. Visit the Lanna Folklife Museum

This museum is great place to witness the story of northern Thai culture through exhibits on traditions, costumes, and rituals.

• Address: Prapokklao Road, Old City
• Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
• Entrance ticket: 90 THB

17. Take a Bike Tour of the Countryside

Get off the beaten path with a cycling tour through rice fields, temples, and quiet villages.

• Price: Around 1,000–2,000 THB depending on the route

18. Relax with a Thai Massage at a Spa

Chiang Mai is a wellness haven. Try a traditional Thai massage or indulge in a herbal spa treatment.

• Popular Spots: Fah Lanna Spa, Cheeva Spa, Lila Thai Massage
• Cost: From 200 THB/hour (basic massage) to 1,500 THB+ for luxury spas

19. Visit the Art in Paradise Museum

An interactive 3D art museum that’s fun for all ages. Pose with optical illusions and take creative photos.

• Location: Chang Khlan Road
• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Fee: 400 THB (Adults), 200 THB (Kids)

20. Stay at a Boutique Lanna-Style Hotel

Chiang Mai is home to numerous beautiful boutique hotels that reflect the region’s culture, like:

• 137 Pillars House for luxury colonial-style
• Tamarind Village for cozy Lanna charm
• BED Nimman for stylish and budget-friendly

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Must-Know Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Planning your first trip to Chiang Mai? These essential travel tips will help you explore the city with confidence—from local customs to getting around and what to pack.

How to get to Chiang Mai?

By Plane

Domestic flights: Chiang Mai Airport has a domestic terminal with direct flights to both Bangkok airports (DMK and BKK, about 29 flights daily), Phuket (HKT), Krabi (KBV), Koh Samui (USM), Hat Yai (HDY), and Surat Thani (SRT), among other destinations in Thailand. The best airlines to fly to/from Bangkok are: AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai Smile Air (low-cost), or Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways (non-low-cost).

International flights: Chiang Mai also has an international terminal with direct flights to Asian cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Yangon, Mandalay, Luang Prabang, Shanghai, etc.

Getting to the city from teh airport

How to get from the airport to downtown Chiang Mai? To get to downtown Chiang Mai from the airport, a taxi is the most convenient option, costing 150 THB, although some hotels offer free transfers. Shared minibuses are also available for 100 THB, but they are more uncomfortable and slower. The municipal RTC Smart City Bus is the cheapest option, costing 20 THB, although it is slower, and it’s important to take the correct route, as the buses travel in opposite directions.

By Train

Chiang Mai Railway Station is 2.5 km from the Old Town. The overnight train from Bangkok is a popular and convenient option, with a 12-hour journey time saving you a night’s accommodation. There are around 5 trains daily. To get to the city center from the station, you can take a tuk-tuk or taxi (120-150 THB), a red songthaew (30 THB), or the B1 bus, which serves the city center.

By Bus

Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Station is 3 km from the Old Town. Buses from Bangkok are plentiful, with nearly 30 daily departures from Mo Chit Northern Bus Station and a few from Nakhon Chai Air. Prices start at around 800 THB, and journey times range from 9:30 to 10 hours direct, though with stops, it can take up to 5 hours. To get to the city center, you can take a tuk-tuk, taxi, songthaew, or buses B1 and B2, which pass through the city center.

On a tour

For those not backpacking, a good option is a northern overland tour from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, passing through Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Sukhothai, Lampang, and Chiang Rai. This multi-day cultural tour visits many destinations in the center and north of the country and can be booked year-round through one of our tours.

Transportation in Chiang Mai

In this guide to visiting Chiang Mai, you’ll find that you can get almost anywhere on foot, but it’s good to know;

Songthaew

Red pickup trucks that serve as shared taxis. Some have fixed routes, and you can simply hail them and hop in for 20 THB. If you want a ride off the beaten track, acting as a taxi, they’ll likely charge around 150 THB.

Taxis

You can use apps like GRAB or BOLT. Rides within the city usually cost less than 60-80 THB.

Rent a motorbike / Scooter

Many places in Chiang Mai offer motorbike rentals starting at 150 THB/day for the simplest ones. Keep in mind that you probably won’t have insurance, and if you do have it, it probably won’t cover much. Also, be informed about this point and remember that wearing a helmet is mandatory.

Rent a bicycle

It will cost you around 50-250 THB/day, depending on the quality of the bike; some hotels offer them for free.

Rent a car

This is really only necessary if you want to go to Doi Suthep or more remote places like Doi Inthanon National Park. Car rentals start at 1,000 THB/day, depending on the model. In Chiang Mai, you’ll find local rental companies as well as major international companies like Avis, Budget, and more. Again, make sure it’s insured and take photos of the vehicle so you can be credited for any damage you didn’t cause. And, this is also required you to have an IDP or local Thai license.

This is really only necessary if you want to go to Doi Suthep or more remote places like Doi Inthanon National Park. Car rentals start at 1,000 THB/day, depending on the model. In Chiang Mai, you’ll find local rental companies as well as major international companies like Avis, Budget, and more. Again, make sure it’s insured and take photos of the vehicle so you can be credited for any damage you didn’t cause. And, this is also required you to have an IDP or local Thai license.

Accommodations in Chiang Mai

There are some areas that you can consider to stay in Chiang Mai on this map:

Old town area is great for first-time visitors, tourists, and backpackers. You may see that the most important temples are here, plenty of restaurants and cafes, and Sunday market on Ratchadamnoen Walking Street.

Tha Pha Gate is the best for backpackers because in this area, it’s an affordable area, and good nightlife, plenty of restaurants and cafes, close to the main temples in the old city, and close to the Night Bazaar.

Night Bazaar is good for traditional tourists and shopping lovers because it’s a night market, close to Wararot and Tonlamyai markets, the city has the most active nightlife, and a wide variety of Asian and Western-style restaurants.

Riverside is the best choice for tourists with families. Here you can take some advantages such as river views, a quiet and beautiful location, and being closer to nature.

If you want to stay in a modern area, Nimmanhaemin is the best. It’s also great for digital nomads, backpackers, and shopping lovers because of sophisticated nightlife and chic bars, worthy local atmosphere, exclusive shops and art galleries, and Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center.

The best time to visit Chiang Mai

You can visit Chiang Mai year-round without having to look too closely at the calendar . Chiang Mai, being in the north of the country, has a milder climate than, for example, Bangkok. From November to February, and especially December and January, temperatures drop, and while it’s still hot during the day, it can get a bit cool at night. Morning and evening temperatures can drop to 15-20°C, or even lower on some days, which is very cold for Thailand, while the rest of the year is hot. From May to October, it’s the rainy season, but you can still enjoy the city since it usually rains in the afternoon and evening, and not every day, so there’s nothing to worry about.

It’s important to keep in mind that in March and April, the hottest months, farmers in the area and neighboring countries burn forests and fields, and pollution levels in Chiang Mai skyrocket. Therefore, it’s important to understand Thailand’s climate before traveling there.

• Check out the best time of the year to visit Thailand

Any special events to visit?

Aside from checking Thailand’s weather to see when’s best for you to visit Chiang Mai, it’s also important to know two of the most important and beautiful dates to visit this city: Loy Krathong or Songkran (Thai New Year).

Loy Kratong, known as the Lantern Festival, is celebrated during the full moon in November and commemorates the end of the rainy season. Respect is shown to the water spirits and offerings are made to rivers and lakes. In Chiang Mai, the entire canal that runs alongside the old town is filled with flowers and light offerings.

Meanwhile, Songkran, or the Buddhist New Year, celebrated on April 13, 14, and 15, is a very fun time to experience in Thailand, as the streets become pitched water fights to celebrate the end of the dry season and welcome the rains. It’s definitely a recommended experience if it coincides with your trip to Thailand.

• Check out Songkran, the Thai new year

Final Thoughts on visiting Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a city that captures your heart with its mix of history, culture, nature, and warmth. Whether you’re temple hopping, exploring hill tribe villages, or just enjoying a quiet coffee in a garden café, there’s a sense of peace and wonder in everything here.

So take your time, go slow, and enjoy the little things — that’s the Chiang Mai way.