Chiang Mai - Things to do

A peaceful jungle hike just outside the city. The Monk’s Trail winds uphill from Chiang Mai University through lush forest to Wat Pha Lat, a hidden temple complex with waterfalls, shrines, and stone walkways draped in moss. Great for panoramic city views. Read our post.

One of Chiang Mai’s most beloved cooking schools, May Kaidee offers fully vegan classes that are fun and hands-on. You’ll start with a learn to make classics like Thai curries, pad thai, and mango sticky rice. It’s both a great meal and a skill you can take with you. Read our post.

Chiang Mai is known as the “city of temples,” with more than 300 scattered across town. The Old City alone has some of the most famous, each with their own distinct history and style. Take an afternoon to wander slowly. Read our post.

Unique to northern Thailand, Tok Sen is a traditional massage technique that uses a wooden hammer and chisel to rhythmically tap along energy lines in the body. The result is a deep, vibrating release unlike any other massage style.

A wellness garden south of town with herbal steam, sauna, a salt‑water pool, and an ice ice bath, plus low‑key weekend events. Open most afternoons; bring swimwear and rotate hot–cold for a proper reset. Read our post.

Right in the Old City, this spot is about a thermal circuit: Thai herbal steam, infrared & Finnish saunas, ice bath/cold plunge, and a magnesium hot bath. Open daily 10:00–22:00, it’s an easy go‑to for post‑temple recovery. Read our post.

A creative village west of the Old City, Baan Kang Wat brings together artists and makers in a leafy courtyard setting. You’ll find ceramics, textiles, prints, and handmade goods, alongside coffee shops and weekend workshops. It’s a calm, community-focused spot. Read our post.

Northwest of the Old City, this local market runs from around 7–11am. Stalls sell fresh vegetables, herbs, flowers, and everyday goods, alongside hot breakfasts and street food. We especially love the cacao stall. It's calmer and smaller-scale than most other markets in Chiang Mai. Read our post.

Jing Jai is a weekend farmers’ market in a shaded outdoor space north of the Old City. Local growers, artisans, and food vendors set up here, with a strong emphasis on organic and sustainable produce. It’s a great spot for fresh fruit and plant-based snacks. Read our post.

This wholesale market near the Ping River is where many restaurants source their produce. It’s sprawling and busy, with stalls piled high with fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices. It’s less curated than Jing Jai, but more atmospheric if you want to see the everyday rhythm of local trade.

Just 45 minutes northwest of Chiang Mai, Mae Rim is a popular countryside escape with waterfalls, botanical gardens, and cafés. You can spend a weekend here visiting places like Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, or simply relaxing in the cooler mountain air. Read our post.

Set in the hills of Mae Rim, this sprawling garden features forest trails, orchid collections, and Southeast Asia’s longest canopy walkway. It’s a peaceful place to spend a half day, with both landscaped sections and wilder forest to explore. The lotuses were our favorite part. Read our post.

Mon Jam is one of Chiang Mai’s most photogenic spots, with seasonal flower gardens overlooking rolling mountains. Small bamboo huts dot the hillside, and food stalls sell local snacks. Go in the morning for cooler air and clearer views, or late afternoon for softer light. Read our post.

A Japanese-style hot spring resort tucked in the mountains near Mon Jam. Day passes give you access to mineral baths, saunas, and cold plunges, with mountain views all around. It’s pricier than most Chiang Mai spas, but a unique experience if you’re after quiet, restorative time. Read our post.

One of Chiang Mai’s best-known music venues, North Gate Jazz Co-Op is a lively spot on the edge of the Old City moat. The atmosphere is casual and packed most nights, with local and international musicians playing jazz that often spills out into the street. Go early to grab a seat.

About three hours north of Chiang Mai, Pai is a small town surrounded by mountains, hot springs, and waterfalls. The drive there, famous for its 762 curves, is as memorable as the destination. Many nomads head up for a weekend of relaxed cafés. Photo credit.

Officially called Bua Tong Waterfall, this site about an hour and a half from Chiang Mai is unique because mineral deposits make the rocks grippy instead of slippery. That means you can actually climb up the cascades barefoot. It's a fun nature activity. Photo credit.

A few hours north of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is best known for its striking temples. The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is a surreal mix of Buddhist symbolism and contemporary art, while the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) glows with deep cobalt interiors. Photo credit.

Home to Thailand’s highest peak, Doi Inthanon is about two hours from Chiang Mai. The park offers waterfalls, forest trails, and viewpoints above the clouds. Highlights include the King and Queen pagodas near the summit and the short, scenic Ang Ka nature trail. Photo credit.

Chiang Mai is surrounded by elephant camps, but only a few sanctuaries operate with real care. The most respected is Elephant Nature Park, a rescue center where you can observe elephants in a natural setting without rides or performances. Photo credit.