The laidback mountainous landscapes of Chiang Mai are famous for offering a stark contrast to the busy cities and lavish beaches that are the usual Thailand calling cards. Known for breathtaking views, traditional handicrafts and a creative scene of artisans, baristas and chefs, there’s lots to see and do in this ancient Lanna Kingdom capital.
Beyond the walled old city, adventure seekers are spoiled for choice, with jungles, rivers, caves, mountains and waterfalls in every direction. Food and forest are the defining features of Chiang Mai, a place that is wonderfully relaxed and exceptionally diverse – no matter how many times you visit there’s always something new to discover.
Here are some of the best things to do in Chiang Mai.
1. Climb Doi Suthep and make merit in the clouds
Chiang Mai is home to over 300 temples in the city and surrounding areas, but there’s no temple more famous than Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – the temple that sits atop Chiang Mai’s mountain Doi Suthep. Easy to see from the city glistening in the afternoon sun, it is a popular pilgrimage site for locals.
For a small fee (essentially a donation), you can tour the grounds, meet with monks, perform rituals and even join meditation training retreats. Legend has it that the temple is built upon the site where a sacred white elephant trumpeted three times and died in 1383, leading to the King of the time believing it to be the most sacred spot on the mountain. Simply ascend the staircase guarded by two seven-headed serpents and discover the golden pagoda atop, make merit whichever way you see fit and enjoy the panoramic views of the city below.
Detour: Along the road up the mountain you’ll find a number of visit-worthy stops, including the shrine to the activist monk Kruba Srivichai, Huay Kaew Waterfall and Bhubing Palace, a home for visiting royals. However, to keep in the temple-spirit of things, why not follow the Monk’s trail that leads from the edge of the city through the jungle to the hidden, fairytale-like forest temple of Wat Pha Lat before taking a taxi, red truck or continuing your hike on foot up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
2. Get lost in Kad Luang
Also known as Talat Warorot, Kad Luang is the city’s primary market district that sprawls from the banks of the Ping River to the eastern edge of the old city walls. The name simply translates to “central market” in northern Thai dialects and has been a place of trade since the foundation of the city back in 1296.
The main market halls house wet markets, food markets, flower markets and everyday items, while the maze of side streets and shophouses sell everything from gold and Indian fabrics to classic hill tribe products and Chinese herbs.
With so much to see, give yourself a few hours to get lost in the many roads that intersect, stopping for a snack or a coffee at one of the various vendors that keep workers and visitors fed and watered.
3. Sample Thailand’s single origin coffee
Since its introduction as a replacement for opium cultivation, an abundance of locally cultivated coffee has led to a boom in coffee shops, slow bars and specialty roasters all vying for attention. From tiny street corner aunties trying their best at drip coffee to award-winning latte art champions, visitors are spoiled for choice, making coffee bar hopping all the more fun (and not just because of the caffeine rush).
While most fresh coffee shops have some form of Thai coffee or blend of beans to sample, there’s a few that stand out as the city’s “best.” Akha Ama is the OG of origin coffee in the city, operating as a social enterprise to ensure farmers earn a fair living wage and that profits go back to the villages that invested in coffee to begin with.
Bigger brands you may notice include Doi Chaang and Doi Tung, each competing on a more national level, while there are also countless indie coffee bars like Graph, Gateway, Yelloo and Ministry of Roasters, each with their own style and approach to serving coffee.
Local tip: If you’re in the Nimmanhaemin Road area, you’ll notice two very similar named coffee shops: Ristr8to and Roas8ry Lab. Once one brand, the owners eventually parted ways to become competitors. However, their recipes and styles are almost completely identical, both becoming internationally famous for their latte art and creative concoctions crafted during a time when they were still one.
4. Listen to local bands and original music
Thailand has a love for live music, with musicians singing covers in almost every bar and many evening restaurants. Look beyond the tribute acts and you’ll find a thriving and intriguing original music scene that is supported by a select few passionate individuals.
Chiangmai Original is a community that brings local artists together and gives them a stage to play their own music. Their flagship venue Chiangmai Originalive is where you’ll find many events, alongside other legendary Chiang Mai locations such as Thapae East which focuses on creative arts and alternative music, North Gate Jazz Co-op, known for its laid-back lineup of jazz musicians whose melodies sprawl out onto the road next to Chang Phuak Gate, and The A Ter, a new project focusing on performance shows by the same owner as the jazz co-op.
For a true Thai feel, head to Sudsanan, another iconic music venue that offers a classic northern Thai folk music experience complete with a loyal following of local hippies and long-term residents.
5. Tour the old city’s oldest temples
The four walls of Chiang Mai’s old city is home to hundreds of temples, with schools, government buildings, hotels, restaurants and houses seemingly squeezed in around them.
The two most famous old city temples are Wat Chedi Luang, a 13th century marvel that was quite possibly the largest structure in ancient Chiang Mai until an earthquake several hundred years ago; and Wat Phra Singh, the old city’s most revered temple, home to ancient Buddhist scripts, the city pillar and a number of coffee shops and massage pavilions for weary pilgrims.
The city’s oldest temple, Wat Chaing Man, was built in 1296, the same year that Chiang Mai was founded as the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Today the main viharn (assembly hall) houses the oldest-known Lanna Buddha image and enshrines the city’s guardian images. Look to the back and you’ll spot a spectacular elephant chedi which people walk around three times holding incense and offerings in memory of the Buddha, the Dhamma (his teachings) and the Sangha (the community).
6. Climb the Sticky Waterfall
Nam Tok Bua Tong, better known as the Sticky Waterfall to tourists, is one of the most unusual waterfalls in Thailand. Unlike most slippery waterfall faces, these falls are caked in limestone deposits that have built up over millennia, creating a rough, slip-resistant texture that prevents slippery stuff (like algae) from growing.
Now a local attraction, the forest department has kindly installed ropes and wooden stairs to turn the falls into a natural waterpark, complete with sliders and selfie spots. The three tiers of fast-flowing water are no challenge even for the less agile, with aunties, kids and haphazard tourists ascending with ease.
Detour: Given the waterfall is about an hour out of town, combine a visit with a night in Srilanna National Park, where you can take a longtail boat out to idyllically isolated floating cabins on the Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam Reservoir, a place where mobile signals disappear and nature dominates. Options range from basic backpacker to Mountain Float luxury.
7. Party like a local in the city’s best clubs
Despite its reputation as a sleepy cultural town (which it certainly is), Chiang Mai also has its fair share of nightlife thanks to its large student cohort and party-loving locals. The neighborhood of Nimmahaemin is a good place to start thanks to its diverse options, with a range of fancy cocktail bars, basic bottle shops and most of the city’s biggest nightclubs.
Warmup Cafe is the city’s most famous club, now celebrating its twenty-fifth year. Featuring live bands and EDM DJs, this is where the cool people come to party, but if you’ve come to dance, expect to do it around a table with bottle service.
For something a little more cultural, try Tawandang Mahason, where electrifying cabaret-style country and folk song performances take place all night, every night – guaranteed to drop you right into the heart of rural clubbing culture.
On the flip side, the rooftop of MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center has a number of fun but slightly fancier bars like Myst that serve cocktail towers from a bar that overlooks the city below – perfect for dates and sundowners.
Local tip: If you like to dance, there are very few venues that have dance floors in Chiang Mai, and those that do are often empty. Instead, look out for live music concerts that bring crowds of loyal fans that are not as image conscious as those looking to mingle in the clubs.
8. Buy something beautiful at Chiang Mai’s many markets
Sunday Walking Street is Chiang Mai’s biggest market, packed with local artisans and creative food vendors peddling their wares. Talented performers show off their skills in between stalls, and local Hmong, Karen, Lisu and Akha tribes also venture down to sell their creations. The market runs on Sundays, 4pm to midnight.
The other famous city market is Wua Lai Walking Street, taking the Saturday evening slot just south of the old city. Although similar to the Sunday Night Market, this one has a greater focus on local handicrafts including Thai silk, silver and woodwork that line the city’s ancient, yet still very active, commerce zone.
Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar sprawls across two blocks and is open every day, but expect to find typical tourist souvenirs and suit shop vibes here. What makes this place worth visiting however, is the many bars, restaurants, boxing rings and cabaret shows that visitors can avail, making for a fun evening out whether you buy anything or not. Open from 6–10pm daily.
Other markets worth searching online for include Jing Jai Market, which hosts an amazing vintage market once a month; Kad Na Mor Market, where students flock to for cheap clothes and accessories; and Chang Phuak Gate Night Market, a true hawker fest of freshly prepared Thai food sold by shouting vendors.
9. Go wild in the Mae Sa Valley
The Mae Sa Valley is one of Chiang Mai’s most picturesque locations, located just a short distance north of the city and a popular starting point for those heading to Pai. Densely populated with tourist attractions, it offers a microcosm of experiences from waterfalls and gardens, jungle coasters and quirky farm attractions.
For families, the Elephant Poopoopaper Park lets little ones get crafty, making handmade paper from elephant dung, while Siam Insect Zoo has lots of wriggly creatures to gawk at. Those more into the serious side of gardening can enjoy the incredible Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, home to a vast collection of plants and rare, indigenous Thai flora.
The Mae Sa Waterfall is the valley’s best natural attraction, along with the mountain peak Hmong village of Mon Cham that caters to day visitors and overnight holidaymakers. And for those looking for something a little more thrilling, Pongyang Jungle Coaster & Zipline is just around the corner, home to ziplines, activities and Thailand’s only toboggan-style jungle coaster.
10. Taste the real Northern Thai cuisine
Northern Thai food tastes very different from traditional Thai food, substituting coconutty broths with more jungly alternatives (with one much-loved exception). This unique cuisine is a must-try for any food-focused adventurer.
Han Thueng Chiang Mai is one of the city’s best places to try authentic Northern fare with a Bib Gourmand recommendation. The chef serves up a delicious combination of spicy, sweet and salty flavors, including local faves like ant egg omelets and crispy pork skin with young chili dip.
Tong Tem Toh and Huan Soontaree are two other visitor favorites, attracting hungry souls with Thai-style hors d’oeuvre platters and local musical performances – ideal for those unfamiliar but eager to try the local cuisine.
You also can’t visit Chiang Mai without trying khăo soi, a popular yellow curry coconut noodle soup (the exception!) that is served with chicken or pork and garnished with crunchy noodles, shallots, mustard greens, and lime juice.
Local tip: Sign up for a cooking class and take your favorite foods home with you. With many places to choose from, look for what best aligns with your tastes. For classic homely Thai dishes, go for Grandma’s Home Cooking School, or if you want to try your hand at local tribal cuisines, go for Thai Akha Cooking School. For vegetarians/vegans looking to cook something you can eat too, try May Kaidee.
11. Escape to the sleepy mountain town of Mae Kampong
Mae Kampong has become the city’s go-to hillside village, just an hour out of town and ideal for mini-breaks. Reminiscent of a quaint Japanese village, this small town sits high up in the hills along treacherous single-lane roads.
Visitors come to get away from the city, sample the famous sai oua (spicy Northern Thai sausage sold by Sai Oua Mae Nim) and enjoy real community tourism. With no hotel chains, 7-Elevens or branded coffee shops, the village is owned and run by the locals themselves. The village has ample accommodation, with homes and cabins opened up to visitors but it’s best to book ahead nonetheless.
Detour: On the way, stop by Doi Saket Hot Spring and simmer in the natural spring water pools or take a left at the Teen Tok Royal Project Development Center and head further into the hills for some canopy action at Jungle Flight Chiang Mai or KingKong Smile Zipline.
12. Learn about local Lanna heritage
Head to the Three Kings Monument and you’ll find a wealth of history ready to be discovered. The statue itself is in honor of the three kings who joined forces to found the city in peace and is the centerpoint around which you’ll find the Lanna Folklife Museum, Chiang Mai Historical Centre and Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center.
Chiang Mai University also has several destinations that provide a more local perspective on culture and history, such as the Northern People’s History Hall (Suan Anya) and Lanna Traditional House Museum. While great to see, their opening times can be a little unpredictable.
This article was first published Oct 25, 2021 and updated Oct 7, 2024.