Chiang Mai is one of the coolest cities in Thailand. There are a lot of things to do in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is located in the northern part of Thailand. Northern Thailand is much more famous for its Elephant Sanctuary, Old Temples, Parks, Northern cuisine, and a lot more things. So let’s start the journey of Things to do in Chiang Mai.
Thai Cooking School
One of the top things to do in Chiang Mai is to learn how to cook some staple Thai dishes at a Thai farm cooking school. Kick off the day at a bustling local market and then head over to their cooking grounds to pick some fresh ingredients and begin preparing dishes.
Everything is made from scratch with a traditional mortar just like how the locals do. The end result tastes even better because you cooked it yourself. Not gonna lie, this is awesome fun for the whole family.
Khaomao-Khaofang Imaginary Jungle
A unique and totally immersive place to dine in Chiang Mai is the Khaomao-Khaofang Imaginary Jungle. The whole place is jungle-themed and surrounds a huge lake. You’ll stumble upon waterfalls and hidden dining areas.
But it’s not just for looks, the Thai food is authentic and tastes amazing. In fact, it’s so good that it’s been featured in the Michelin Guide three years in a row. It just hits differently when you’re eating delicious spicy food in this environment.
This place is simply jaw-dropping. You need to see it in real life. I mean, even the toilets are jungle-themed.
Chiang Mai Night Safari
If you’re wondering what to do in Chiang Mai at night, well, you could always go on a night safari. Seriously, this is not to be missed. It’s a unique experience where you get to jump on a tram car and get up close to nocturnal animals.
The space is huge, and there are two different rides that take you through to see wild animals from all corners of the world. Don’t forget to check out the tiger and night predator show and pop by the petting zoo outside to feed some cute animals, something the kids will love.
Doi Inthanon National Park
You can hike to the highest point in Thailand, which is 2565 meters, as part of the Doi Inthanon National Park. Other than seeing the summit, there are a bunch of other activities that you can do out here, like going on nature trails, seeing a couple of waterfalls, and more. The views from on top of Doi Inthanon are spectacular.
You can see a bunch of campsites here and so many trails marked, lots of hotels, and stuff also. So if you don’t want to do the hiking in a day and you want to be here for sunrise and sunset and all, you can actually stay here, which is pretty cool.
Just a few kilometers below the summit are two pagodas, which were built to commemorate the late king and queen. It’s a peaceful area surrounded by beautiful gardens, and inside, there are statues of the Buddha and some really intricate mosaics and carvings that tell you stories and lessons from his life.
Another few kilometers down to the base of the mountain, you will find an area that will take your breath away. The Wachirathan Falls is one of the biggest waterfalls in this entire park.
Old City – Wat Chedi Luang
When it comes to the Old City, there are a bunch of really interesting temples you could visit. There are over 300 Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai, and many of them are located inside the historic old town.
One of the most iconic structures in Chiang Mai is the Wat Chedi Luang. The Wat Chedi Luang is over 600 years old, and it’s one of the older structures in Thailand. Apparently, even though the structure itself used to be higher, there was a really bad earthquake in which the top section of it fell off.
The cherry or the stupa stands in the middle of a huge temple complex, and there are stunning temples all around built in the northern Thai style of architecture from the time of the Lana Dynasty.
When you’re here, if you have any questions about Buddhism, spirituality, or just life in general, you have a bunch of monks who are always sitting, and you can actually have a full-on conversation with them. It’s open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Wat Phra Singh Temple
Another stunning temple complex that one must see is Wat Phra Singh. If you go there on a sunny day, you can barely keep your eyes open because of its stunning golden shiny structure.
This is one of the most important temples in all of Northern Thailand. The Big Buddha statue was brought all the way here from Sri Lanka in 1367. It is a very special temple for the Buddhist community.
Elephant Sanctuary
Visiting an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai is on most travelers’ bucket lists, but finding one that’s ethical can be tough.
Unfortunately, Thailand has a history of animal abuse, and captive elephants are sometimes forced to swim with tourists and carry them on their backs, which can be harmful to these gentle giants. In Chiang Mai, there are many sanctuaries that claim to be ethical, but in practice, that’s not always true.
You can visit Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary that’s committed to the education and rehabilitation of elephants that have been abused by the tourism industry. You can observe the roaming elephants for a few hours and help with feeding them. It could be a relaxing and rewarding experience.
Northern Thai Cuisine
Some of Thailand’s most delicious food can be found in the north, and in Chiang Mai specifically, the staple dish is Khao Soi. The “9 Siblings Cafe” in Old Town Chiang Mai serves up a bowl of this delicious dish which hits all the right spots.
This creamy yellow curry noodle soup comes with a choice of chicken or beef, and you can find it in nearly any restaurant in the city. But be aware it’s usually served as lunch, so many of the popular Khao Soi restaurants close around 2 or 3 PM.
But if you’re feeling a little more adventurous and want to try some authentic Northern-style cuisine, you’ve got to hit the place called “Tong Tem Toh” in the Nimman area. No Northern Thai meal is complete without Lob, which is definitely an acquired taste.
Trendy Nimman
The neighborhood of Nimman is a great place to make a base while you’re in Chiang Mai. You will be really impressed with the Pinterest-perfect architecture of this area.
You have everything here from budget-friendly hotels to mid-range boutique hotels to extremely high-end properties to choose from. There are spas and co-working spaces at every other corner.
There are award-winning cafes, bars, dessert shops, and a multitude of restaurants serving up every possible cuisine under the sun, and at the center of it all is the very posh One Nimman Mall.
One side is really high end, and then you have the center, which is quite a cheap area but still, the quality of products is so nice.
Wua Lai Walking Street – Saturday, Sunday Night Market
If you are coming to Chiang Mai, you have to make sure that you plan it around a weekend because the Saturday and Sunday evening markets that take place in and around the old city will just blow your mind.
I think it’s safe to say that Thailand’s market culture is just full power. Your brain is in a constant state of stimulation – sight, sound, smell, taste, and all different kinds of sensations.
Your brain is constantly being triggered with new information at every step of the way, and that sometimes can lead to utter confusion. Should I buy this or that? Should I try this or not? What’s in this? Can I even handle this?
And the one phrase that every street vendor would repeatedly shout out to you, “Never try, never know.” If you actually think about it, there is such profound depth to that statement because, really, in life, if you don’t try something out, you will never know what you’re missing out on. That’s the spirit with which you need to experience a country like Thailand.
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