Chiang Mai is located on the eastern and western banks of the Ping River connected by two bridges. This flourishing tourist spot includes the best things to do in Chiang Mai. The eastern part of Chiang Mai includes modern areas, whereas the western portion consists of 18th-century walled constructions and many temples and ruins of the 13th or 14th century.
The city with its spectacular nature, history, and Lanna culture hosts millions of local and foreign visitors every year making Chiang Mai one of the reasons to visit Thailand . Tourists can visit Phra That doi Suthep, and buy stylish handicrafts at Thapae walking street and local markets. The Rajapruek Royal Park and Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden offer numerous species of plants.
Local cuisine and mountain tours including the doi Inthanon top are unforgettable activities in Chiang Mai. The scenic rice fields also prove amazing to the visitors. This ultimate guide will assist you in making your Chiang Mai trip memorable.
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Things to do in Chiang Mai
Shopping at Chiang Mai’s markets
Chiang Mai boasts an iconic night bazaar where you can buy almost everything like silverwork, pottery, antiques, handicrafts, Thai silk, shoes, clothes, etc. Similarly, on Saturday evenings outside the old city emerges Wualai walking street with countless counters, offering tasty snacks, local products, and handicrafts. In addition, the Sunday walking street market includes many shops and stalls where you can buy a variety of different things.
This street stretches almost one mile, with local bands performing live music. These local markets and night bazaar are the best attractions and things to do in Chiang Mai.
Visit the Most Famous Temples
Chiang Mai includes numerous Buddhist temples with their marvelous architecture. Though the city keeps many temples, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is famous among the locals as well the foreign visitors. There is a long staircase to reach this temple, where you find statues of seven-headed serpents. The top of this temple offers a dazzling view.
Wat Chedi Luang, the historic center of the city is famous for its gigantic pagoda and elephant statues. Wat Sri Suphan was built as the central temple of the silversmith colony and is an iconic Lanna-styled traditional temple. The temple is known as the “Silver Temple” for its amazing adornments. You can visit many temples in Chiang Mai and some in the outskirts.
Art in Paradise: 3D Art Museum
This first 3-dimension Art Museum Chiang Mai, displays paintings with a sense of realistic art. A South Korean artist Mr. Jang Kyu Suk established this illusion Art Museum. He collected eye-deceiving artworks from renowned South Korean artists. The visitors feel themselves as a part of these interactive masterpieces of Realistic Art.
The Museum includes 8 categories or zones. In the Aqua zone, you discover the underwater atmosphere. The Dinosaur Zone offers Jurassic creatures. The Classic Zone makes you world-famous artists. The Lanna zone presents a unique culture.
In the Thai zone, you enjoy traditional Thai play. The Egyptian zone offers you the mysterious land of Egypt. The museum also includes a Zoo and Surrealism zones. You can enjoy taking photos with these masterpieces. Art in Paradise Museum opens daily from 9 am to 9 pm with an entrance fee.
Visit the Elephant sanctuaries
During your tour to Chiang Mai, you can encounter some elephants. Traveling to Chiang Mai is one of the reasons to visit Thailand and to meet with the majestic elephants. At present people understand the horrific condition of elephant camps, so elephant sanctuaries are replacing elephant camps. Visiting an elephant sanctuary is a unique and enjoyable experience.
Chiang Mai is an ideal place to visit the beautiful beasts. You should book your visit in advance especially during the high season, November to February to avoid missing meetings with elephants. Chiang Mai offers some famous elephant sanctuaries to visit and make your tour memorable.
Three Kings Monument: Anusawari Sam Kasat
The bronze Three Kings Monument, located ( in the center of the city adjacent to Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center. This commemorates an alliance among the three kings who founded the city of Chiang Mai. Ajarn Kaimook Chuto designed this 2.70-meter-high monument and cast it with brass and black copper.
There is a spacious courtyard in front of the monument that serves as a meeting point for people from all walks of life. The local families like to promenade here in the evening or night. This monument is a shrine for the locals and a regular place for great activity. The three kings’ monument is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai.
Visit the Karen Hill Tribe
The gentle and welcoming Karen hill tribe is the largest minority in Thailand, originally from Tibet, and now they reside in northern Thailand and southern Myanmar. They live in villages in the areas like Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai etc.
They are famous for their unique tradition, attire, and customs. They practice a strange custom to enhance the beauty of women by wearing metal rings on the necks of the girls from a young age to make their necks long, a standard of beauty for them.
Your visit to a Karen hill tribe village will prove one of the reasons to visit Thailand. The Karen people are masters in silversmithing skills and produce quality silver jewelry and beads, that are exported internationally.
Their silversmithing cottage industry is a remarkable feature in northern Thailand including Chiang Mai. In addition, they are the only tribe that owns and works with elephants in the forests. To spend a day in a Karen village with these remarkable people and buy some of their handicrafts is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai.
Jungle flight Zip-line Tour
During your visit, the Jungle flight zip-ling tour is one of the adventurous and best things to do in Chiang Mai. These thrilling and treetop activities are suitable for everyone. After you reach the Jungle Flight Camp, the instructors give a safety briefing on the equipment and treetop fun.
It is very easy to learn the handling of ropes and harnesses during the adventure activities. This activity introduces you to the rainforest and the rainforest preservation. You can opt for one of the two zipline activities.
If you are more adventurous and daring you can choose the zipline rollercoaster to whizz through the forest with fast speed. Find the zip-line tour and make your trip amazing.
Doi Inthanon National Park: The best national park in Thailand
Doi Inthanon National Park, with its tallest peak 2565 meters in Thailand, is known as “The Roof of Thailand”. The main entrance of the park is 70 km southwest of Chiang Mai. The national park covers more than 185 sq miles and includes waterfalls, hiking trails, birdwatching, remote hill tribe villages, best sunrise/sunset watching, and high humidity and cold weather round the year.
Doi Inthanon is one of the easy to drive through destinations, with smooth roads connecting amazing sites and attractions. One such attraction is the spectacular Kaew Mae Pan Nature Trail, where you can walk with a local guide to witness the best landscapes and overlook the valleys. Though you can explore the top in a single day, you can also take a guided tour to stay in a bungalow or camp on the top to wake up above the clouds in the morning.
Tips
You can have many amazing things in this city like relaxing in a massage parlor and enjoying local cuisine. Similarly, there are plenty of budget, mid-range, and luxurious accommodations in Chiang Mai you can book as per your choice and preferences.
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