From ancient temples and lively markets to mountain viewpoints and traditional neighbourhoods, there is always something new to discover. Here are the best things to do in Chiang Mai to help you make the most of your stay.
With so many temples to visit in Chiang Mai, remember to dress respectfully with shoulders and knees covered, and always carry some cash since most temple entrances are cash only.
1. Chiang Mai Lantern Festival
It is no secret that the Lantern Festival is the event that put Chiang Mai on the world map. It’s that magical moment when thousands of glowing paper lanterns rise into the sky at the same time, creating a scene so beautiful that it feels like you have stepped into a movie. The Lantern Festival has deep cultural and spiritual roots and is traditionally linked to Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, two celebrations that focus on releasing negativity and welcoming good fortune. It takes place in November during the full moon, which is also the most popular time to visit the city. During this period the entire city celebrates. Streets and temples are decorated, markets stay open late, and you will see people releasing lanterns, floating krathongs (small handcrafted offerings made from banana leaves, flowers, and candles) along the Ping river, and taking part in ceremonies and parades.
While there are many lantern events happening around Chiang Mai during this time, the most famous one that you see all over social media is the CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival. This is the large coordinated mass release that most travellers picture when they think of the Lantern Festival. Tickets for this event sell out months in advance, and most visitors end up buying from resellers. It is completely possible to do so, but you need to be careful and make sure that the seller is trustworthy because smaller and less impressive events sometimes try to pass themselves off as the real thing.
CAD Khomloy offers several types of tickets, ranging from Standard to Elite, and the first difference you will notice is the type of transportation that brings you from Chiang Mai to the festival grounds, which are about an hour and a half away. Depending on your ticket, you may travel in a shared shuttle, a more comfortable group vehicle or a private transfer. Once you arrive and the afternoon begins, everyone shares the same area. All guests, regardless of ticket type, enjoy the same live performances, cultural demonstrations, food stalls and traditional activities, and there is no separation at this stage of the event. The distinctions between the ticket categories become relevant again in the evening. Your ticket determines where you sit for dinner and where you are positioned for the lantern release. Elite tickets offer a more comfortable dining area and a higher quality buffet, while standard tickets have a simpler food section. The seating arrangement during the release also changes slightly with each tier. Higher tier tickets are placed in more central or slightly elevated sections, although in reality the difference is small because the lanterns rise above everyone and the experience looks the same from all areas.
We chose the standard ticket, which is already quite expensive, and it was more than enough for an incredible experience. You do not need to upgrade to a higher tier ticket because there is quite a big price difference and it does not add much to the overall moment. The standard ticket gives you everything you need to enjoy the festival fully.
For more informations, here is the official website for the CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival.
2. Visit an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary is one of the most meaningful experiences you can have in Chiang Mai, but it is important to choose the right kind of place. There are many sanctuaries around the region, yet not all treat their elephants with the respect they deserve. We strongly recommend choosing a truly ethical sanctuary that does not allow riding, touching, bathing, or feeding the elephants, and instead focuses on giving rescued elephants a peaceful environment after years spent in circuses, trekking camps, or zoos. Observing these animals from a respectful distance and learning about their stories is not only more responsible but also far more rewarding. Also, this kind of sanctuary is more expensive than the unethical options, but the higher price helps cover proper care, spacious living areas, and good food for the elephants, so it truly feels like money well spent.
We decided to visit ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, a fully ethical sanctuary, and our experience was genuinely unforgettable, so we honestly cannot recommend it enough.
3. Take a Thai Cooking Class
Taking a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai is a fun and hands-on way to dive into the local food culture. The classes usually start with a visit to a fresh market or a small organic farm where you learn about the herbs and ingredients that give Thai dishes their amazing flavours. Then you get to cook a few classic recipes yourself, from curry pastes and stir-fries to mango sticky rice, and enjoy everything you make. It is a relaxed activity that lets you learn new skills, taste delicious food, and bring a little piece of Thailand back home with you.
We booked our class with Passionfood Thai Cooking School Chiang Mai and had such a great experience that we would happily recommend it to anyone. The setting, the recipes, and the warm teaching style made the whole day both fun and delicious.
4. Explore the best markets in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Night Market
The Chiang Mai Night Market, held only on Sunday nights, is the most vibrant market in the city (and maybe of all Thailand). It stretches across the entire Rachadamnoen Road, from Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan all the way to Tha Phae Gate, as well as a part of Prapokklao Road. The atmosphere is lively and colourful, with stalls selling handmade crafts, clothes, souvenirs, local snacks, and plenty of street performances along the way. It gets very busy, but wandering this long stretch is a great way to experience the city’s energy on a Sunday night.
After spending more than 3 months in Thailand, this market was hands down our favourite and also the most impressive.
Baan Kang Wat (บ้านข้างวัด)
Baan Kang Wat is a small, creative community village that feels warm, artistic, and incredibly charming. It’s filled with little cafés, boutique shops, local artisans, and cozy corners that make it feel unlike anywhere else in Chiang Mai. Every building has its own unique touch, and the whole place feels calm, friendly, and beautifully curated. If you like discovering places with personality and creativity, this is easily one of the most unique spots to explore.
Coconut Market (กาดบะป๊าว)
The Coconut Market, open only on weekends from Friday to Sunday until 3 PM, is a lovely and unique little market to visit. It has a very local feel, with food stalls, handmade items, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes browsing really enjoyable. It gets its name from the surrounding coconut plantations, where you can wander between the tall coconut trees and enjoy the peaceful, green setting that makes this market so special. This natural backdrop gives the whole place a refreshing charm you won’t find in most other markets in Chiang Mai.
Jing Jai Market Chiang Mai (จริงใจมาร์เก็ต เชียงใหม่)
Jing Jai Market is a beautiful open-air market known for its organic products, handmade crafts, and relaxed atmosphere. While it is open throughout the week, Sunday is definitely the best day to visit, as there are many more vendors and the overall vibe is much livelier and more enjoyable. With its spacious layout, local food stalls, and plenty of small shops to explore, it’s a wonderful place to spend a slow morning and experience a more authentic side of Chiang Mai.
If you follow our recommendation to visit Jing Jai Market on a weekend, it’s a great idea to combine it with the nearby Coconut Market, since that one is only open on weekends and pairs perfectly for a relaxed morning market stroll.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (ไนท์บาซาร์เชียงใหม่)
The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is one of the city’s well-known night markets, but in our opinion, it’s not the most exciting one. Many of the stalls feel similar, with low-quality fake items rather than unique handmade goods, and the overall selection isn’t as interesting as in other markets around the city. The food options also aren’t that great, and the atmosphere is not as charming or unique compared to other markets in Chiang Mai. If you are short on time, we honestly recommend skipping this market and focusing on the more authentic and enjoyable ones.
Make sure to check out our must-try restaurants guide, we’ve rounded up our favourite spots you don’t want to miss.
5. Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร)
Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan is one of Chiang Mai’s most important temples and a beautiful place to explore. The complex is known for its classic Lanna architecture and its impressive golden pagoda, which catches the sunlight and instantly draws your attention. Even though it is centrally located and easy to reach, the grounds feel surprisingly calm, with wooden halls, serene courtyards, and shaded walkways that make it a lovely stop while wandering through the old city.
The golden pagoda is beautiful at any time of day, so we recommend visiting both during daylight and again after dark when it lights up and looks even more impressive.
6. Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวงวรวิหาร)
Wat Chedi Luang is one of the most striking temples in Chiang Mai, thanks to its massive ancient pagoda that rises above the old city. Even though the structure is partially ruined from past earthquakes, its weathered bricks and towering height give it a powerful and historic presence. Walking around the base lets you appreciate how large it truly is, and the mix of old stones and surrounding temple buildings creates a really atmospheric stop right in the heart of the city.
Just a short 5-minute walk from the temple, you will find the Three Kings Monument, a central square featuring statues of the three founders of Chiang Mai.
7. Wat Lok Moli (วัดโลกโมฬี)
Wat Lok Moli is a quieter and often overlooked temple just outside the old city walls, which makes it a nice break from the more crowded spots. Its ancient stone pagoda gives the whole place a more rustic and historic feel compared to many other temples in Chiang Mai. The wooden main prayer hall at the front adds a warm contrast, and the grounds feel peaceful, making it a lovely stop if you want to explore a temple that is a bit more under the radar.
Right across the moat bridge from this temple, you’ll find the striking red and gold Wat Rajamontean, which is also worth a visit.
8. Wat Chiang Man (วัดเชียงมั่น)
Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and a great place to get a feel for the city’s early history. The atmosphere is calm and a bit more intimate than many of the larger temples, which makes wandering around the grounds really pleasant. The highlight is its unique pagoda, with an upper section covered in gold and a lower section made of stone decorated with carved elephant figures. It is an easy and peaceful stop inside the old city, perfect if you enjoy places with a bit more history behind them.
9. Kalm Village Chiang Mai (คาล์ม วิลเลจ เชียงใหม่)
Kalm Village Chiang Mai is a lovely creative art space that brings together local crafts, design, and Chiang Mai’s relaxed atmosphere. Local artists showcase handmade products, ranging from textiles and ceramics to home décor, and you can also explore a few small museum rooms that highlight different aspects of northern culture. The whole place feels calm and beautifully designed, and it is a great spot to wander around and then take a peaceful break at the library café inside.
The complex is completely free to visit, and while you are there, do not forget to go all the way up to the top floor for a lovely view over the old town and the ancient pagoda of Wat Chedi Luang.
10. Tha Phae Gate (ประตูท่าแพ)
Tha Phae Gate is the main entrance to the old city and one of the easiest places to start exploring Chiang Mai. The brick wall and the square around it are always lively, with people taking photos, relaxing in the shade, or heading toward nearby cafés and markets. It is a great spot to pass through at different times of the day, as the atmosphere shifts from quiet in the morning to much more energetic in the evening.
11. Wat Phra That Doi Kham (วัดพระธาตุดอยคำ)
Wat Phra That Doi Kham is a beautiful hillside temple just outside the city, offering peaceful surroundings and lovely views over Chiang Mai. The temple is known for its huge seated Buddha that overlooks the area, as well as a striking golden guardian statue standing nearby. With its golden pagoda and smaller shrines scattered around the grounds, the temple has a calm and authentic atmosphere that makes it a really pleasant stop, especially if you want a quieter place with a nice viewpoint.
12. Wat Umong Suan Putthatham (วัดอุโมงค์ สวนพุทธธรรม)
Wat Umong Suan Putthatham is one of Chiang Mai’s most unique and atmospheric temples, set in a quiet forested area just outside the city near Baan Kang Wat market. Known for its centuries-old underground tunnels and peaceful, shaded grounds, it feels completely different from the more crowded temples in the centre. You can wander through the tunnel network, explore the old pagoda, and enjoy the calm surroundings filled with trees, ponds, and resident monks going about their daily routines.
13. Wat Pha Lat (วัดผาลาด (สกิทาคามี))
Wat Pha Lat is one of the most peaceful and magical temples in Chiang Mai, hidden in the forest along the way to Doi Suthep. The atmosphere here is completely different from the city temples, with small shrines, moss-covered stones, gentle waterfalls, and forest paths that make the whole place feel almost secret. It is quiet, serene, and surrounded by nature, which makes it a perfect stop if you want a break from the crowds and a more spiritual, calming experience.
If you like hiking there is the famous Monks Trail. The trail starts at “Monks Trailhead (Ticket Counter)” and goes until Wat Pha Lat. From there, you can continue the trail from “Doi Suthep Hiking Trail (Wat Pha Lat)” until you reach Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The hike itself is not particularly amazing and can get a bit tricky or slippery if it rained the day before. It is more of a nice option if you simply want to say you have walked the old path used by monks, rather than a must do trail for the views or scenery.
14. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพราชวรวิหาร) a.k.a Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most famous as well as most visited temple in the region, and sits high on the mountain with sweeping views over the entire city. Reaching the top requires climbing a long staircase guarded by colourful serpent statues, but the effort is worth it once you step into the bright golden pagoda area that shines beautifully in the sunlight. The atmosphere is a mix of spiritual and lively, with monks chanting, visitors walking around the pagoda, and the city stretching out far below.
15. Explore Nimman (Nimmanhaemin) neighbourhood
Nimmanhaemin, often simply called Nimman, is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Chiang Mai and a great area to explore if you enjoy a more modern, creative vibe. The streets are lined with stylish cafés, boutique shops, art studios, and small restaurants, giving the whole area a youthful and energetic feel. It’s also a great place to discover cool co-working spaces, hidden alley cafés, and local designer boutiques, all while enjoying a more laid-back, contemporary side of the city. Whether you come for coffee, shopping, or just wandering around, Nimman is a fun neighbourhood to spend an afternoon in. It’s also one of the best neighborhoods to stay in when visiting Chiang Mai.
While exploring the neighbourhood, don’t forget to visit One Nimman, a beautifully designed open-air shopping and dining complex with cafés, boutiques, craft shops, and a lively central courtyard.
16. Day trip to Chiang Rai
A day trip to Chiang Rai is a very long but rewarding excursion if you want to experience some of northern Thailand’s most iconic sights. Many tours leave early in the morning and take you to highlights like the White and the Blue Temple, giving you a good overview of the city’s unique art and architecture in just one day. It is definitely a tiring trip with several hours on the road, but if you do not have time to stay for a few days, it is still a great way to discover what makes Chiang Rai so special.
Here is a recommended tour for your Chiang Rai day trip.
If you are planning to visit Chiang Rai for more than just a day trip and want to spend a few days there, make sure to check out our full travel guide with all our tips and recommendations.
If you have more time we recommend you visit:
Buatong Waterfall-Chet Si Fountain National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติน้ำตกบัวตอง–น้ำพุเจ็ดสี): Also known as the Sticky Waterfall, is one of the most unique natural spots around Chiang Mai. The limestone rocks here have a special mineral texture that gives them an unusual grip, allowing you to climb up the flowing waterfall without slipping. Surrounded by peaceful forest and clear water, it offers a fun and refreshing experience that feels completely different from other waterfalls in Thailand.
This tour takes you to the Sticky Waterfall, as well as the mystical “Seven-Color” Fountain hidden in the hills of Chiang Mai.
Kew Mae Pan nature trail (กิ่วแม่ปาน): Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in northern Thailand, offering sweeping views over the mountains of Doi Inthanon National Park. The trail is relatively short but incredibly scenic, with wooden walkways, lush forest sections, and open viewpoints that overlook rolling green hills and clouds drifting below you. It is a guided trail, which helps protect the environment, and the cool mountain air makes the walk feel refreshing compared to the heat in the city. If you enjoy nature and panoramic landscapes, this is easily one of the best outdoor activities near Chiang Mai.
Explore the beauty of Doi Inthanon National Park with this guided tour.
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