Chiang Mai, the big city in northern Thailand, is surrounded by lush mountains and dotted with the ancient temples. It is a perfect destination for your vacation due to the various travel options such as the shopping malls, natural attractions, or chilling cafés. It is the best hub to explore the northern tradition and culture of Thailand.
For those who are planning to visit this amazing city, check this out, we proudly represent a list of 8 things to do in Chiang Mai that you shouldn’t miss!
1. Zipline Adventure
Flying through the fascinating jungle like an eagle.
While traveling through the vast natural attraction, you can also enjoy the exciting activities! A zip line is a great place for those seeking the jungle adventure. There are many challenging platforms to get through such as walking on a zigzag route and flying a skateboard in the air. Here are some of the most popular zipline activities that you can try:
- Flying Squirrels Zipline (the only place in Chiang Mai to a treetop bicycle)
- Eagle Track Zipline (perfect hillside view with Maeram river flowing below)
- Flight of the Gibbon 1 Day Zipline Adventure from Chiang Mai (offering various included options such as Segway and Elephant sanctuary)
- Flight of the Gibbon – 2D1N Zipline Adventure from Chiang Mai (including Segway Tour or Mountain Biking options)
Besides the adventure, each of them also includes Thai food in each option as well! You can choose either lunch or dinner for Flying Squirrels. The Eagle Track serves the Thai buffet cuisine. The Flight of the Gibbon provides lunch for the 1 Day trip and both lunch and dinner for an overnight trip.
2. Tea Plantation
Visit a paradise for tea lovers.
Chiang Mai is one of the famous tea plantation cities in the world. The northern part of Thailand is a perfect location to grow fresh tea. If you are looking to taste the Thai local fresh tea, Araksa Tea Garden is the place to go! You will be impressed by not only the tasty and aromatic tea but also the stunning plantation view. The lush tea plants are lined up on the hillside providing a wonderful scene. You can pick the tea leaves and make a drink by yourself following the explanation by the host. The Araksa Tea Garden is best for those who are seeking for an authentic tea experience.
3. Elephant Sanctuary
Be a guardian for these big animals.
Elephants are the national symbol of Thailand. They are not only wild animals but also a significant part of Thailand’s history. Thai people honor the elephant’s incredible strength, durability, and longevity.
The elephant sanctuary allows you to touch, feed, photograph, and bathe the happy elephants in a safe and sustainable environment. You’ll be relieved to see how the Chiang Mai Elephant Jungle Sanctuary unquestionably provides them home and care these heartwarming animals deserve.
If you are looking for a destination where you can get close to the elephants and sustain the animal welfare at the same time, you should absolutely check out the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary.
Book Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Visit at a discount rate
4. Night Safari
See exotic animals right in front of your eyes
Chiang Mai’s Night Safari is the world’s third nocturnal zoo and is also a government nature theme park. It cares for 1,400 animals of 134 different species, many of which are rare, or on the brink of extinction.
In this Night Safari, you will be able to see the animals roaming in their natural habitat and will also be given a chance to feed some of the animals you see. You’ll be amazed at how tall some animals are when they stand on their hind legs!
You’ll be able to see a variety of different species from tigers, bears, leopards, lions and many more! Don’t be scared of the predators roaming the Safari, because you will be viewing the animals safely inside a secure tram.
You also get to watch Tiger Shows and Night Predator shows when you visit or choose to walk along the Jaguar Trail.
This experience is sure to be a memorable one, so don’t forget to check out the link below for more information!
Book Discounted Tickets to Chiang Mai Night Safari
5. Tha Pae Walking Street (Sunday Market)
Explore the bustle of a street market.
Every Sunday from 4:00PM to midnight, Tha Pae Walking Street comes to life. It begins at the Tha Pae Gate at one end and stretches a whopping 1km along Ratchadamnoen Road, through the heart of the Old City. The roads are also blocked so no vehicles can enter and disturb people roaming freely around the market.
At the Sunday Market, you will find both Thai locals and tourists having a wonderful time looking for bargains. The Sunday Market is a showcase of the arts and craftsmanship of the Northern Thai people. Many of the stall vendors make and sell their own products and the quality of craftsmanship is superb.
The handicraft displayed is perfect as gifts or beautiful and useful items to decorate your home. There are also restaurants, coffee shops and bars in the market area where you can opt-out of the crowd and sit and enjoy a meal or a drink and take a break from the busy street.
The Sunday Market really comes alive after dark when all the street entertainers, musicians, puppeteers, Thai dancers, and bands start to perform.
Tha Pae Sunday Market also hosts Muay Thai boxing matches for all to enjoy, so don’t miss your chance to watch a spectacular show while you are at the market!
Book Discounted Tickets to Tha Pae Boxing Stadium
6. Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep
Explore the ancient temples in Town.
Chiang Mai is a city of rich and unique history. One of the symbols that shows how it is distinct from others is the ancient temples. The neat design that keeps the long history in architecture strikes visitors from all over the world.
Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep are must-visit mountains to explore the northern Thai scenery. Both are located in Chiang Mai, but each has a different fascination.
Doi Inthanon is famous for a sea of clouds and the temple made by the Majesty King & Queen of Thailand Kingdom, while Doi Suthep is well known for a beautiful Lanna traditional monastery.
In order to reach them from Chiang Mai city, Doi Suthep will take about an hour while Doi Inthanon takes 2 hours and a half. Sometimes, taking public transportation may be hard for foreigner tourists due to a language barrier. We highly recommend you to book packages on Trazy. Our services provide an English speaking tour guide and safe transportation throughout your memorable trip.
Book Doi Inthanon National Park 1 Day Tour in Chiang Mai (Full Day)
Book Doi Suthep Temple & Hmong Hill Tribe Village Tour in Chiang Mai (Half Day)
Book Doi Suthep – Pui National Park Trekking Tour in Chiang Mai (Full day)
Book Doi Suthep Temple & Bhubing Palace Tour in Chiang Mai (Half Day)
7. Spa Experience
Soothing your body and soul with an authentic Lanna massage.
Thailand is notable for its world-class services, which is applied to Fah Lanna Spa as well. If you are looking for exceptional service and high-quality massage, you are in the right place! The Fah Lanna Spa staff prides themselves on their remarkable customer service, which they consider their first priority.
Treating yourself at this award-winning spa in Chiang Mai is a perfect idea to relax after long hours of trekking and tours and complete a memorable trip.
The Fah Lanna Spa offers several options from Traditional Thai massages to Oil massage therapies and a spa package as well!
Don’t forget to book in advance, as the spa may be fully booked.
Book Fah Lanna Spa: Exquisite Thai Massage & Spa
8. Nimman Road
Find your favorite place in the trendiest part of Chiang Mai.
If you are a café goer, you will definitely fall in love with Nimman Road or Nimmanhaemin Road. Nimman is a well-known area for fashionable cafés and bistros in various styles. It is the trendiest part of Chiang Mai. In the daytime, we highly recommend you to find your favorite café, take a sip of your drink, and enjoy the morning breeze of the local area.
This area has so many cafes to try, and the top 3 cafés recommended by us are The Barisotel, Rustic & Blue, and Brown Café ブラウン.
The Barisotel is a new and unique branch of The Baristro in the concept of café and hotel. The minimal ornament and the tasty menu will never let you disappointed. The signature menu is the Golden Thread Roti.
Rustic & Blue is famous for healthy and yummy dishes. The ambiance completely represents its concept of a farm shop.
Brown Café ブラウン is the perfect combination of Japanese decoration style and Taiwanese desserts. The signature menu is ‘Brown’ the Taiwanese snowflake dessert. Check it out by yourself and see which place is your most favorite!
Besides Cafés and Bistros, you can also enjoy shopping in various complex community malls. One of the most famous shopping malls is One Nimman. Baan Kang Wat and Lan Sieow Creative Art Space are the other shopping malls nearby the Nimman area.
9. Local food
Enjoy eating Chiang Mai’s mouth-watering street food.
Last but not least, food is always the highlight of traveling. If you are a food explorer, you shouldn’t miss out on the Thai local northern food in Chiang Mai!
Chiang Mai local food is distinct from other parts of Thailand. The northern dish is usually less spicy than the southern or eastern cuisines. This is the influence of Burmese and Chinese food in the past. The top 3 must-try local dishes are Khao Soi (Egg Noodle Curry), Khan Toke (Traditional Northern-style cuisine), and Sai Oua (Grilled Herb Sausage).
Thai cooking class is a rite of passage for every traveler visiting Chiang Mai. If you also want to join the Northern Thai cuisine class, experience it via Trazy. We are offering 2 classes at a discounted price! → Trazy offers 2 types of classes at a discount.
Book Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai
Or if you are ready to delve deeper into Chiang Mai’s unique traditional culture, give Khantoke dining a try! It is a northern Thai of eating where you sit on the floor to eat food on large wooden trays. Trazy’s Khantoke Dinner experience also has the option to add a market tour, so you get a complete look into Chiang Mai’s food culture!
Book Khantoke Dinner: Northern Style Dinner with Cultural Performance
10. Chiang Rai
Experience another northern fascinating province of Thailand.
Chiang Mai is the big transportation hub to other northern provinces of Thailand. Chiang Rai is one of the best choices to go because it is not too far (just 4 hours by bus) and you can experience another remarkable Thai northern fascination.
Chiang Rai has many gorgeous travel attractions. We highly recommend you to go Wat Rong Khun, Baan Dam, Blue Temple, and Golden Triangle.
Wat Rong Khun or White temple is designed by a very famous artist of Thailand, Dr. Chalermchai Kositpipat. The architecture is remarkable for the “heaven gate” belonging to the Buddhism believing. The highlight spot of this place is the bridge of “the cycle of rebirth” which is also the symbol of the temple.
Baan Dan or Blackhouse is the collection of more than 40 buildings of houses in black color and various shapes. This place is a museum, art studio and traditional house at the same time.
Wat Rong Sear Tean or The Blue Temple is a blue-colored temple, which is beautiful both inside and outside. Here, you will feel mesmerized by amazingly detailed structures and the general vibes coming from the use of blue color.
Visiting Chiang Rai for these 3 majestic temples is one of the most popular day tours from Chiang Mai as you can see the “White Temple”, “Black House”, and “Blue Temple” in one day.
Book Chiang Rai White Temple + Black House + Blue Temple 1 Day Tour – from Chiang Mai
Golden Triangle is the joint point of 3 neighbor countries: Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. You can see the river which flows through and trisects the area into 3 counties. It has been one of the most extensive opium-producing areas of Asia. In order to witness this unique borderline between three countries, hop on a day tour that will take you to the Golden Triangle along with other must-visit attractions in Chiang Rai!
Book Chiang Rai 1 Day Private Tour – from Chiang Mai
If you are looking to travel around Chiang Rai by yourself but having a hard time arranging transportation to the city, book this private taxi that will take you from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai safely in comfort! This private taxi also offers other northern Thai destinations from Chiang Mai!
Book Chiang Mai <-> Chiang Rai/Pai/Mae Hong Son/Sukhothai Transfer – Private Taxi
For more travel tips and ideas for your next trip to Thailand, make sure you visit Trazy.com, Asia’s #1 Travel Shop!
Photo Credits:
- The Barisotel official Facebook
- Rustic & Blue Official Facebook
- Brown Café ブラウン Official Facebook
- One Nimman Official Facebook
- Chill D Travel Official Website
