We've lived in Chiang Mai for two years and have tried hundreds of places in and around the Old City. Whether you're into culture and food, pampering yourself, or into exploring what the nearby mountains have to offer, here are some of our favorite things to do in Chiang Mai.
01 Thai Cooking School
Thai food features an incredible balance of sweet, spicy, tangy, and salty flavors. Conveniently enough, many Thai dishes can be easily prepared even by the most novice cook. Although there are dozens of Thai cooking schools in Chiang Mai, our experience at Best Trip Cooking School rocked. Our instructor is temporarily taking a break from teaching, but her friend at Asia Scenic Thai Cooking School comes highly recommended.
02 North and South Gate Food Stalls
If you're going to try Thai street food, the collaboration of food stalls at both the Chang Puak (north) and Chiang Mai (south) Gates along the city's square moat is not only easy to find but also offer a great variety of Thai dishes. From stir-fries to curries to vegetarian food, fruit smoothies, and Thai desserts, this is a fun and easy way to dive into Thai food.
The Chiang Mai Gate is easier to order from because many of the vendors offer English menus.The North Gate Jazz Bar is right beside Chang Puak Gate on the north side of the square moat and a great place to meet other expats. Local musicians begin playing around 9:00pm, but make sure to grab a seat a bit earlier because the venue fills up fast. Free cover charge and there's no obligation to buy drinks.
04 Shop in Extravagant Malls
Cool off in the AC and meander through any one of Chiang Mai's malls. Featuring movie theaters, familiar Western brands, and a great selection of international food options, we recommend checking out just how spectacular the Maya, Promenada, or Central Festival malls are. No third-world country here! In fact, they'll probably give your malls back home a run for their money.
05 Temple Tour + Monk Chat
Chiang Mai Old City has over 300 temples. Although we've only been to a handful, we think Wat Sri Suphan and Wat Umong are among the most stunning. Wat Sri Suphan is the only temple in Thailand made entirely of silver and located less than 1km south of the Old City's square moat. Wat Umong is peacefully situated in shady groves and moss-covered brick caves about 2 km directly west of the Old City's square moat. Wat Chedi Luang is in the heart of the city and offers a unique service - chatting with local monks!
06 Learn About Northern Thai Lanna Culture
In the heart of the Old City is the Lanna Folk Museum. Converted from what was once an old royal residence, rich art displays offer insight to the colorful Lanna cultural of the northern Thai people. Spend an hour browsing there and then hop over to the Cultural and Arts Center just across the street for more.
07 High Tea in the Thai Country
For a unique East meets West cultural experience, try dining on English pastries and tea surrounded by beautiful Thai surroundings. Treat yourself to an afternoon enjoying a variety of muffins, scones, other sweets, and finger sandwiches in addition to several coffees, teas, and juices. A perfect balance of sweet and savory. The Dhara Dhevi, Four Seasons, and Anantara are three beautiful places to try.
08 Luxurious Spa Treatment
Thailand is famous for its massages. The luxury treatments and spa packages are so affordable here that it's hard to pass up the opportunity to pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a facial or aromatic oil massage at some of Chiang Mai's finest spas. Start with De Chai Spa, Oasis Spa, and Fah Lanna Spa.
09 Play With Elephants
Our experience at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary was captivating, soul satiating, and unforgettable. One of the very few elephant parks in Thailand that treats their elephants humanely - no riding, no tricks, and no performances! We're happy to be part of the movement for responsible tourism and encourage others to do the same. The Elephant Nature Park is another popular organization and a great alternative.
A must see activity for nature lovers! This incredible set of waterfalls, dubbed the Sticky Waterfalls (also known as Bua Tong Waterfalls), is unusual due to a natural limestone deposit that creates a non-slippery rock surface on which to climb up against the cascading waters. Beautiful, refreshing, and relaxing.
11 Cheap Thai Foot Massage
There are several massage shops on Loi Kro Road (across the street from the Raming Lodge) that offer a satisfying 30 minute Thai foot massage for less than $2.50 USD. As an added bonus, you can enjoy a cool evening breeze and people watch as patrons from the nearby bar and club scene meander down the road in your direction.
Beer is cheap in Thailand, but 115 baht ($3.50 USD!) all you can drink beer buffet from 6:30pm to 9:00pm is a steal. Serving up Tiger beer, a local gluten-free brew, enjoy a posh outdoor atmosphere and nearby live music at Club Corner in the up and coming Nimmanhaemin area on Soi 7.
Looking for More Than Just Things to Do in Chiang Mai?
Looking at "things to do" lists are great for churning up ideas for your trip to Chiang Mai, but they don't answer questions like, "How do we get there?" or "Where do we eat lunch around here?" or "What guesthouse should we stay at?"
On the off chance you'd rather have those critical (yet time-consuming) details taken care of, check out our themed Chiang Mai Express Travel Itineraries. They may be exactly what you're really looking for.
We now offer professional travel prep via our Thailand Coaching Sessions and trip planning through our custom Travel Itineraries .
