Don't Miss! 10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai
The best things to do in Chiang Mai are Doi Suthep temple on the mountain, the ancient temples of the Old City, the Sunday Walking Street market, and a day trip to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. Add a morning at Royal Park Rajapruek and an evening at the Night Safari, both in Mae Hia south of the city, and you have the best of Chiang Mai in three to four days.
At a Glance
| # | Attraction | Area | Time needed | Entry (foreigners) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doi Suthep | Mountain | 2 to 3 hours | 30 THB |
| 2 | Wat Chedi Luang | Old City | 45 minutes | About 50 THB |
| 3 | Wat Phra Singh | Old City | 45 minutes | Free (small fee for some halls) |
| 4 | Sunday Walking Street | Old City | 2 to 3 hours | Free |
| 5 | Warorot Market | Near the river | 1 hour | Free |
| 6 | Wat Umong | West, near CMU | 1 hour | See below |
| 7 | Nimman Road | West | 2 hours | Free |
| 8 | Royal Park Rajapruek | Mae Hia | 2 to 3 hours | 200 THB |
| 9 | Chiang Mai Night Safari | Mae Hia | 3 hours | See official site |
| 10 | Doi Inthanon | Day trip | Full day | 300 THB + 100 THB pagodas |
1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai's most famous temple sits on the mountain above the city, about 15 km from the Old City. Climb the 306-step Naga staircase or take the cable car (20 THB) to the golden chedi, then enjoy the view over the whole city from the terrace.
- Hours
- 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Entry
- 30 THB for foreigners
- Tip
- Go before 8:00 AM for cool air and fewer people.
Full details in our Doi Suthep guide.
2. Wat Chedi Luang
A huge ruined chedi in the middle of the Old City, and one of the most striking sights in Chiang Mai. The top of the chedi collapsed after an earthquake in 1545. It once held the Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok, and a black jade copy sits in the eastern niche today. The temple grounds also hold Chiang Mai's city pillar.
- Hours
- 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (main hall closes at 6:00 PM)
- Entry
- about 50 THB for foreign adults
- Tip
- Look for the "Monk Chat" tables, where you can talk with monks about Buddhism and daily temple life.
3. Wat Phra Singh
The finest example of classic Lanna temple architecture in Chiang Mai, founded in 1345. It houses the Phra Buddha Sihing, one of the most respected Buddha images in northern Thailand, and the small Viharn Lai Kham hall has beautiful old murals and wood carvings. It is also the center of Chiang Mai's Songkran celebrations in April.
- Entry
- Grounds are free. Some halls charge a small fee for foreigners.
- Tip
- Wat Phra Singh sits at the west end of Ratchadamnoen Road, and Wat Chedi Luang is a short walk away. Visit both on Sunday afternoon, then stay for the market.
4. Sunday Walking Street
Every Sunday, Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic and fills with stalls for about 1 km, from Tha Phae Gate to Wat Phra Singh. It is the biggest market in Chiang Mai, with handmade crafts, clothes, art, and a huge choice of northern Thai street food. The temple courtyards along the road turn into open-air food courts.
- When
- Sundays, from 4:00 PM to about 11:00 PM
- Tip
- Arrive around 5:00 PM before it gets too crowded. Bring cash.
- Not here on Sunday?
- The Saturday Walking Street on Wualai Road (Silver Street), 4:00 PM to about 10:30 PM, is smaller but just as good for silverwork.
5. Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
The main local market, where Chiang Mai people shop. Come for northern Thai snacks, sai ua sausage, dried fruit, tea, and cheap souvenirs at local prices.
- Hours
- daily, about 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Tip
- Go in the morning when the food is fresh.
6. Wat Umong
A quiet forest temple on the west side of the city, famous for its old brick tunnels with Buddha images inside. It feels far from the city even though it is only a short drive from Nimman.
- Tip
- Combine it with a walk around the lake at Chiang Mai University nearby.
7. Nimman Road (Nimmanhaemin)
Chiang Mai's modern side: cafes, restaurants, small shops, and galleries along a main road and its side streets (called "soi"). A good place for an afternoon coffee or dinner.
- Tip
- Walk the numbered side streets. Many of the best cafes are not on the main road.
8. Royal Park Rajapruek
A large royal botanical park in Mae Hia with the beautiful Lanna-style Ho Kham Luang pavilion and gardens from around 30 countries. Great for families and photographers.
- Hours
- daily until 6:00 PM
- Entry
- 200 THB for foreign adults (100 THB for Thais)
- Best season
- November to February
- Nearby
- Wat Phra That Doi Kham, a hilltop temple just 3.3 km away.
9. Chiang Mai Night Safari
Ride an open tram through the park after dark to see giraffes, lions, and white tigers. Kids love it, and giraffes often come right up to the tram.
- Hours
- 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ticket office closes at 9:00 PM)
- English night tram
- every 30 minutes from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
- Tickets
- see the official ticket page. Children under 100 cm enter free.
Traveling with kids? See our family guide to Mae Hia.
10. Doi Inthanon National Park
A full-day trip to Thailand's highest mountain (2,565 meters), about 1.5 to 2.5 hours from the city. See the Royal Twin Pagodas, walk the cloud forest boardwalk at the summit, hike the Kew Mae Pan trail (1 November to 31 May only), and visit Wachirathan Waterfall.
- Entry
- 300 THB for foreign adults, plus 100 THB for the pagodas
- Tip
- Leave by 5:30 AM and bring a warm jacket.
Full details in our Doi Inthanon guide.
How to Plan Your Days
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Old City: Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, then the Sunday Walking Street (or Saturday on Wualai Road) |
| Day 2 | Morning at Doi Suthep, afternoon at Wat Umong and Nimman |
| Day 3 | Mae Hia: Royal Park Rajapruek, Doi Kham, then the Night Safari in the evening |
| Day 4 | Day trip to Doi Inthanon |
Where to stay: The Old City is best for temples and markets. Mae Hia is quieter, close to the airport, and a good base for Rajapruek, the Night Safari, and an early start to Doi Inthanon.
Tips for Visiting Chiang Mai
- Best time to go: November to February, when the weather is cool and dry. Avoid February to April if you can, because smoke from seasonal burning often hides the mountain views.
- Temple dress code: Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes before entering temple buildings.
- Getting around: Grab and Bolt are easy to use. Red trucks (songthaew) are cheap for shared rides.
- Cash: Bring small notes for markets and temple fees.
FAQ
What is Chiang Mai best known for?
Its hundreds of temples, the mountain temple of Doi Suthep, weekend walking street markets, northern Thai food, and cool-season mountain trips.
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
Three to four days is enough for the top attractions, including one day trip to Doi Inthanon.
What is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai?
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, on the mountain above the city. In the Old City, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh are the most visited.
Which day is the Chiang Mai night market?
The biggest market is the Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road. There is also a Saturday Walking Street on Wualai Road, and the Night Bazaar is open every night.
What is the best month to visit Chiang Mai?
November to February, for cool, dry weather and clear mountain views.
