10 best things to do in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is a rich city with culture and style, you will never be bored while visiting Chiang Mai. There are temples, museums, mountains, ancient city walls, moat and coffee shops waiting for your visit. Chiang Mai is a unique place with a modern lifestyle and traditional nature sites with different tribal villages and various national parks around the city.
1. Chiang Mai old city
Visiting Chiang Mai old city is like visiting a living museum. The old city is surrounded by ancient walls and a moat. You will see beautiful temples around the city with historical buildings. You can take a walk on foot to observe and absorb the beauty of the ancient city. You must definitely visit Was Phra Singh, Was Chedi Luang and Wat Phan Tao.
2. Doi Suthep
Wat Phar That Doi Suthep or Doi Suthep temple is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in Thailand. It’s been the heart of Lanna culture for almost 700 years. You can experience the beauty of the city from a high top view at the temple. This holy and magical place is a must-see place that you can’t miss.
3. Doi Inthanon
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand. It has a national park where you can enjoy the natural scenery and various animals that inhabit the area is well known for bird-watching and is a very popular tourist destination with natural beauty, water falls, national parks and hill tribe villages.
4. Chiang Mai Night Safari
At Chiang Mai Night Safari you will enjoy seeing s animals from friendly ones to predators. There are three animal zones, Savana Safari, Predator Prowl and Jaguar Trail. You can have a night experience on an open-sided tram or on foot. You will also get to see a laser light show and dancing fountain.
5. Water fall at Doi Pui
Doi Pui is the highest peak in the Doi Suthep Pui National Park. Not far from the main road, you can reach famous waterfalls where you can enjoy the scenery and it’s a great place for taking pictures. One thing you can’t miss is the Hmong Tribal Village, it is not far from Doi Suthep temple or Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
6. A lost city, Wiang Kum Kam
Wiang Kum Kam is an underground ancient city dating back to Thailand's eight-century kingdom. You will see many ancient items, Buddhist sculptures, architecture and structures from the olden times. One fun thing to do is taking a horse drawn carriage to look around the old city.
7. Handicraft Village
The village is in Sankampaeng and it is well known for handmade umbrellas. This village has become a symbolic tourist spot in Chiang Mai. You can find various designs and styles for umbrellas. And all the umbrellas are made from sa paper, all handmade. You will enjoy shopping there.
8. Elephant time
The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai is a place for taking care of the elephants like a retirement care home. The sanctuary provides a natural environment and tourists can still interact with bathing, riding and taking photos with the big friendly animal.
9. The caves
The caves are located in Chiang Dao. You can explore the caves with local guides and they will lead you with a lantern. While you walk in a cave, you will see some spectacular limestone and Buddhist shrines.
10. Lanna folk museum Chiang Mai
The Lanna folk museum Chiang Mai is located in the old city, opposite the three King Monument. The museum is an interesting one and full of exhibitions about history, lives and culture. The museum offers a lot of information.
