THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO IN CHIANG MAI THAILAND
Chiang Mai in Thailand is beautiful. This former capital of Lanna Kingdom offers a refreshing escape from Bangkok’s humid heat. There are hundreds of temples scattered throughout the city. Chiang Mai is home to so many incredible things that people return to. We are all included! We were able to visit Chiang Mai four more times.
First-timers should check out the most popular activities, such as a Doi Inthanon National Park waterfall expedition, learning Thai cooking or viewing the sunrise from Doi Suthep. This Chiang Mai travel guide will give you plenty of tips and tricks to make your visit memorable.
Top Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Things to Do in Chiang Mai City Center
Tha Pae Gate (Old City Gate).
There is no doubt that you will visit Chiang Mai’s old city to see its temples when you visit. The Old City Wall, the entrance to the Old City, is the most prominent landmark in Chiang Mai. This is Chain Mai’s hub, where you can visit temples, the night market, and many restaurants.
A moat and a brick wall surround the old city. An impressive concentration of temples surrounds it. The top spot in Thailand for temples in Chiang Mai. Monks go about their day. Do not be afraid to enter a temple. Explore the old city of Chiang Mai on foot, and you’ll have a lot of fun.
Chiang Mai Night Markets
Night bazaars are a highlight of Chiang Mai. The markets open when the sun sets. Every evening, the Night Bazaar opens on Chang Klan Road. Sunday Night Bazaar is a highlight on Sundays.
Every Sunday night, in Chiang Mai, the streets near Tha Pae Gate, Ratchadamnoen Road, close to traffic, turn into pedestrian streets and night market with vendors selling anything you can imagine. This is the place to go if you are looking for some bargains.
The highly-rated Night Market Tour will take you safely through the night market to find Thai crafts, handbags, watches, and just about anything else under the sun. The East Side of the city walled city is lined with stalls for a mile. It is open seven nights a week.
You must be in the right frame of mind to hit the night markets. It is busy and crowded, so you must be ready to bargain. Dave and I warm up and practice our bartering and smiles during dinner. We are now ready to make our way through the streets and crowds after getting ourselves psyched. We make an event out of it and have fun bargaining over knock-offs like watches and handbags.
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chedi Luang, one of the most stunning temples in Chiang Mai. This Buddhist temple is located in the historic center of Chiang Mai and measures 82m high. It is also the largest temple in the Lanna Kingdom. The famous Emerald Buddha used to reside here. Wat Chedi Luang is a great place to see the daily monk chat.
Wat Suan Dok
Another favorite attraction in Chiang Mai is Wat Suan Dok. Its 14-century architecture is stunning. Members of the Lanna Royal family are also buried near the temple.
Even better? It is also home to a monk university that hosts daily monk chats and weekly meditation retreats open to the public. What could be better than learning about North Thailand’s culture, religion and history from a young monk? And all that he does is share his English with you!!
Temple Hopping
There are many temples in Chiang Mai, and it could take you months to visit them all. There are 300 temples you can visit in Chiang Mai. Most temples are found within the Old City, so you can walk through the streets searching for them. To fully explore the temples of Chiang Mai, we recommend taking a tour.