When it comes to looking for an authentic experience in Thailand, you will find there are many things to do in Chiang Mai that connect travelers to Thailand’s cultural side.
It’s a fairly small city located in the north of Thailand, known for its stunning temples, delicious food, elephant sanctuaries, and surrounding natural beauty.
It’s the ideal place to seek adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both. Chiang Mai has something for everyone.
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Those who are not sure what to do in Chiang Mai will find the best Chiang Mai nightlife and attractions below.
1 Visit the Temples
Chiang Mai and the surrounding villages are home to over 300 temples, each with its own unique architecture, history, and story.
Of course, it wouldn’t be possible to visit all the temples in one trip, but anyone planning to visit Chiang Mai should make sure to visit Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan and Wat Lok Moli, which both date back to the 14th century.
One of the most famous temples in the city is Wat Chedi Luang, which is home to a 14th-century stupa made from bricks, lined with huge elephant statues at the bottom.
These temples offer a glimpse into the spiritual side of Thailand and are a must-visit for anyone interested in learning more about the country’s culture.
Just outside the city is the mountain temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The temple is famous for its huge golden pagoda with intricate carvings, as well as the beautiful mountain views it overlooks.
There are also tours to the temple that also visit the Sticky Waterfalls (Namtok Bua Tong) in Nam Phu Chet Si National Park, which is the perfect nature site to cool off on a hot day.
2 Explore the Old City
The Old City is one of the biggest attractions in Chiang Mai. It’s surrounded by a moat and wall which dates back to the 13th century. Be sure to check out the Tha Phae Gate, a famous gate on the Eastern side of the city.
It’s a great place to explore on foot, with many ancient temples, shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars to discover.
Walking around the Old City is a great way to get a feel for the local culture and way of life.
3 Take a Cooking Class
Thai cuisine is world-renowned for its bold flavors and unique combinations of ingredients. In Chiang Mai in particular, they are known for their curries such as Khao Soy and Masamam Curry.
Taking a cooking class in Chiang Mai is an excellent way to learn more about the local cuisine and culture.
Many cooking classes take place in traditional Thai houses or gardens, allowing visitors to experience an authentic experience.
Cooking classes also tend to begin with a visit to the local market to shop for fresh ingredients and learn about the ingredients that go into making a traditional Thai dish.
Then spend a couple of hours learning how to make signature dishes like pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice.
4 Enjoy a Thai Massage
Another popular thing to do in Chiang Mai is to get a Thai Massage. Thailand is famous for its massages, and Chiang Mai has some of the best places to indulge in this relaxing treat.
Although, a Traditional Thai massage is anything but relaxing. The massage involves applying pressure to specific points on the body to release tension and improve circulation.
It’s a combination of sports yoga, massage, and stretching. The feeling afterward is one of rejuvenation and calmness.
For a more relaxing massage, many massage parlors also offer foot massages, oil massages, and aromatherapy massages.
5 Trek to Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand and is located in a national park just outside the city of Chiang Mai.
It’s also a place of historical importance since it is the resting place of King Inthawichayanon, the last king of Chiang Mai, who wanted to preserve the region’s natural beauty.
It’s a beautiful area with stunning waterfalls, lush forests, and hiking trails.
It’s possible to either trek to the summit of the mountain or drive up and see the incredible scenery of the surrounding areas. The views look over rice paddies, hill tribes, and local villages.
6 Eat Street Food at the Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar is a bustling market that takes place every night in Chiang Mai. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs, clothes, handicrafts, and other items.
The market also has plenty of food stalls selling traditional Thai dishes, making it a great spot to try some street food.
Occasionally, the bazaar hosts live music and entertainment and is a a favorite Chiang Mai nightlife event.
Those visiting Chiang Mai on a weekend might also want to check out Wua Lai Walking Street on Saturday, or Tha Phae Walking Street on Sunday, which both offer showcase some excellent street food and souvenir stalls.
7 Go on a Bike Tour
Chiang Mai is a bike-friendly city, with many companies offering bike tours around the Old City and into the suburban areas.
This is a great way to explore the city at a leisurely pace, while also getting some exercise.
There is a variety of tours that visit different parts of the city, including the Old City, the countryside, and the mountains.
8 Attend a Muay Thai Fight
Those looking for things to do in Chiang Mai at night should consider checking out a Muay Thai fight.
Muay Thai is a popular martial art sport that originated in Thailand. It’s a full combat sport in which fighters kick and punch, using their shins, knees, elbows, and hands to knock their opponent out.
Chiang Mai has several stadiums where live fights take place every night. The atmosphere is electric, with locals and tourists cheering on their favorite fighters.
Watching a Muay Thai fight is not for everyone. In Chiang Mai, the fighters tend to have respect for one another, and it rarely gets bloody, but it can be difficult to watch for those not into martial arts sports.
On the whole, it’s an exciting experience and a great way to immerse in the local culture.
If you’re interested, you can take Muay Thai boxing class to learn the moves.
9 Visit the Elephant Nature Park
Elephant tourism is a controversial industry in Thailand, with many elephants being mistreated and forced to perform.
However, the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is a safe space for these elephants that have been rescued from bad tourism, or from mahouts who can no longer afford to keep them.
There are a lot of elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, some allow visitors to wash, feed and play with the elephants, but the Elephant Nature Park allows tourists to observe without interfering or disturbing the elephants.
This is a more ethical way to see these gentle giants up close and support the conservation efforts of the Asian Elephant.
10 Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Those looking for unique things to do in Chiang Mai, then don’t miss a hot air balloon ride.
Chiang Mai is surrounded by stunning landscapes, and taking a hot air balloon ride is an excellent way to see them from a different perspective.
Float over rice paddies, mountains, and forests, and watch the sunrise or sunset from above.
It’s a breathtaking experience that will leave lasting memories.
11 Visit during The Lantern Festival
One of the best times to visit Chiang Mai is during the famous Lantern Festival, also known as Yi Peng, which takes during the 12th Full Moon of the year (usually in November time).
During this festival, thousands of lanterns (khom loy) are released into the night sky, creating a breathtaking display of light.
The festival also includes traditional ceremonies, parades, and the release of Loy Krathongs, prayer candles on banana leaves, which float down the river.
The Lantern Festival is a three-day event and is said to signify the release of bad energy and wish for good luck in the next year.
The Lantern Festival is an unforgettable experience and should be high on a Thailand bucket list.
It’s an experience that will leave any traveler with memories that will last a lifetime.
12 Enjoy the Nightlife
Chiang Mai nightlife is a vibrant scene with something to suit every taste and budget. In the city’s Old Town, you will find many bars and clubs, as well as night markets, where food stalls, bars, and live music venues are open until the early hours of the morning. The Nimmanhaemin area is also a popular place to party, with many modern bars and nightclubs that attract a young and trendy crowd. For a more laid-back experience, the Riverside area has more sophisticated wine bars with a classy atmosphere overlooking the Mae Ping River.
Conclusion
Chiang Mai is a city that offers something for everyone. It has the perfect blend of culture, nature, food, and adventure, and there are plenty of things to do and see.
From exploring ancient temples to trekking through national parks, there’s no shortage of activities to keep any traveler busy.
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About the Author
Louisa is the Co-Founder of Travel Thailand Together, a site written by ex-pats and frequent travelers to Thailand. Louisa is a travel writer and travel blogger who spends most of the year on the road. When it’s time to settle down to relax, Louisa can be found in the islands of Thailand, particularly around Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
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