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Thailand

Chiang Mai

Spend three days: old-city temples, Doi Suthep, a full day at the elephant sanctuary and night markets each evening. This guide pulls together 3 sights, 1 outdoor spot and 2 places to eat from our curated routes.

Plan Chiang Mai with friendsBrowse 10 places
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Places
10

3 See · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 3 Shop

Curated routes
1

Bangkok to the Andaman

Best season
Nov – Mar

from our route notes

Warmest month
April

37°C / 98°F avg high

Coolest month
December

27°C / 81°F avg high

Wettest month
August

about 237 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Chiang Mai

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Chiang Mai across Doi Suthep and Old City.

  • Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang MaiPhoto: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

    Gold-spired mountaintop temple reached by a 300-step naga staircase.

    Tip Go at sunrise to avoid tour buses; cover shoulders and knees.

    • Doi Suthep
    • $
    • 2 hr
    • Early morning
  • Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang MaiPhoto: Kingkidton · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Wat Chedi Luang

    Partially ruined 14th-century chedi in the heart of the old city.

    Tip Monk chats are offered in the afternoons.

    • Old City
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Morning
  • Wat Phra Singh in Chiang MaiPhoto: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, · CC BY 4.0
    See

    Wat Phra Singh

    Chiang Mai's most revered temple, with Lanna-style murals.

    • Old City
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Morning

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Chiang Mai.

  • Elephant Nature Park in Chiang MaiPhoto: Elemanxx · CC BY 3.0
    Outdoors

    Elephant Nature Park

    Sanctuary where you watch and feed rescued elephants without rides.

    Tip Book the day visit well ahead; transport from town is included.

    • Mae Taeng
    • $$$$
    • 8 hr
    • Full day

Eat

2 places to eat in Old City, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Khao Soi Khun Yai in Chiang MaiPhoto: wankun P · Google
    Eat

    Khao Soi Khun Yai

    Small lunch-only shop known for its khao soi curry noodle soup.

    Tip Opens late morning and closes when sold out.

    • Old City
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Lunch
  • Huen Phen in Chiang MaiPhoto: Chang-Lin Chen · Google
    Eat

    Huen Phen

    Long-standing northern Thai restaurant serving khao soi, sai ua sausage and laab.

    • Old City
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Nimman for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Ristr8to in Chiang MaiPhoto: 陳宇強 · Google
    Drink

    Ristr8to

    Specialty coffee bar in Nimman, known for latte art.

    • Nimman
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Morning

Shop

3 shops across Chang Moi, Old City and Chang Khlan for browsing and souvenirs.

  • Warorot Market in Chiang MaiPhoto: Department of Tourism Thailand: LannaPhoto · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Shop

    Warorot Market

    Local market for dried foods, northern sausage and textiles near the river.

    • Chang Moi
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Morning
  • Sunday Walking Street in Chiang MaiPhoto: Christopher Chia · Google
    Shop

    Sunday Walking Street

    Weekly street market stretching from Tha Phae Gate through the old city.

    Tip Sunday evenings only; arrive by 5pm.

    • Old City
    • $
    • 2 hr
    • Sunday evening
  • Chiang Mai Night Bazaar in Chiang MaiPhoto: calflier001 · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Shop

    Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

    Nightly market for crafts, clothing and food stalls.

    • Chang Khlan
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

How to fit Chiang Mai into a trip

Chiang Mai is stop 2 of 3 on our Bangkok to the Andaman route. Follow it as-is or lift Chiang Mai into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Chiang Mai month by month

Average daily highs run from 27°C / 81°F in December to 37°C / 98°F in April. August is the wettest month, with about 237 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Chiang Mai weather and the best time to visit →

Chiang Mai questions, answered

How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?

Our route notes suggest 3 days in Chiang Mai. On our Bangkok to the Andaman route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 11-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 18 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Chiang Mai best known for?

Spend three days: old-city temples, Doi Suthep, a full day at the elephant sanctuary and night markets each evening. Standouts on our list: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (Gold-spired mountaintop temple reached by a 300-step naga staircase); Wat Chedi Luang (Partially ruined 14th-century chedi in the heart of the old city); Wat Phra Singh (Chiang Mai's most revered temple, with Lanna-style murals).

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?

Our Bangkok to the Andaman route is best Nov – Mar. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in April (37°C / 98°F), the coolest in December (27°C / 81°F) and the most rain in August (about 237 mm).

What are the best things to do in Chiang Mai?

Start with Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and Elephant Nature Park. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 3 sights, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 3 shops.

Where should a group eat in Chiang Mai?

Our picks: Khao Soi Khun Yai (Old City); Huen Phen (Old City). Opens late morning and closes when sold out (Khao Soi Khun Yai).

Plan Chiang Mai with your crew

Open the Bangkok to the Andaman route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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