Chiang Mai is more than just what’s inside and surrounding the Old City walls. Apart from religious monuments, nature and ethnic culture both play an important role in shaping Chiang Mai’s travel landscape.
If you are planning a trip to Chiang Mai, it’s a good idea to browse the comprehensive list of all must-see attractions below to get a feel of what awaits your discovery.
The X Centre Chiang Mai offers a range of adventure and adrenaline-fuelled activities and off-road tours. Open every Read More...
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai was among the pioneers of the new ethical elephant attractions which have swept Read More...
Chiang Mai Grand Canyon is a waterpark built in an abandoned limestone quarry. The quarry has been empty for many years Read More...
Art in Paradise Museum Chiang Mai is one of the most fun places in the city to take photographs of you and your friends. The museum has over 130 different images of illusions – paintings drawn to create a 3D image which allows people to seem as if they are really in the picture. It is Read More...
The biggest of the 12 mosques in the province, every Saturday and Sunday, classes are held here for young local Muslims, beginning around 08:00 to the noon prayer. This mosque also receives 20 students each year for parents who can't afford to send their children to a government school.
First built in the 19th century by Read More...
This mid-sized craft village about nine kilometres east of the Old City specialises in the paper umbrella-making craft. Well known for outstanding handcraft quality as well as signature floral designs, Bor Sang Village has made its name throughout the country and abroad – so much so that the name Bor Sang has become synonymous with the Read More...
Bua Thong Waterfall near Chiang Mai is a small and beautiful, multi-tiered waterfall made of limestone and mineral deposits. It has been nicknamed ‘the sticky waterfall’ because the limestone creates enough friction to stop slipping, so making it very easy to climb up the waterfall (with the help of ropes). The limestone is slightly rough but Read More...
For centuries Chiang Mai has been the centre of religious activity in Northern Thailand. During the Lanna era, Buddhism was the main religion that flourished and grew; the many ancient temples in the city are testimony to this legacy. Important ceremonies and functions are held at the Buddhist association which also serves as a Buddhist youth Read More...
The centre is a modern multi-media museum and cultural education centre, featuring a range of medias from video, scale models, enlarged photos, wall murals and text in Thai and English. Built in 1924, the building was the former Provincial Hall of Chiang Mai and is considered to be a stunning example of post-colonial Thai architecture.
Visitors Read More...
Chiang Mai Grand Canyon is a waterpark built in an abandoned limestone quarry. The quarry has been empty for many years and was naturally filled with water by monsoon rains. It became a popular swimming spot because of the natural beauty of the canyon. The water is bright blue and the canyon walls are very steep Read More...
Opened in 2013, this new museum follows the history of the Lanna (the last 700 years), as well as touching on the period before this. This museum has a much more modern feel when compared to the Chiang Mai National Museum, and it presents information in bite-size pieces, great for children. The displays come with a Read More...
Located near the historic Wat Jet Yod, this is the main museum of northern Thailand and is under the patronage of Their Royal Majesties, the King and Queen. It was renovated in 1996 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the founding of Chiang Mai and now features a larger and better organized exhibition. The museum is Read More...
Modeled after a similar attraction in Singapore, this expansive park is part of the Thai government’s huge multi-million baht plan to increase Chiang Mai's attraction to tourists. The concept of the park is to provide visitors with a thrilling experience similar to being out in the wilderness at night. Read More...
Chiang Mai University has a beautiful, green campus and offers tours around the large campus on electric buses. The main entrance to the university is on Huey Kaew Road and this is the only entrance that tourists can enter. Sometimes the guards will ask for your passport or ID card to register when entering. The main Read More...
Although not the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of the city, the Chiang Mai Zoo is surprisingly interesting. Covering 200 acres of land in the foothills of Doi Suthep and providing excellent views of the city in addition to its fascinating wildlife exhibits, Chiang Mai Zoo is certainly worth a visit, Read More...
Canopy walkway is located at the impressive Queen Sirikit Botanic Gardens in the Mae Rim district in the mountains. The impressive walkway structure – made from fibreglass, glass and steel – suspends you over the forest canopy below, offering some stunning views over the mountains in the distance. It has also now been recognised as the Read More...
The Daraphirom Palace Museum is a relatively unknown museum that is nevertheless well worth a visit. It was built back in 1913 for the Lanna princess, Dara Rasmi. The Daraphirom Palace is a large wooden mansion raised up on stilts and painted in a pastel yellow colour. Outside the main entrance is a stone statue of Read More...
Doi Inthanon National Park is a true jewel of natural beauty, consisting of rugged mountainous terrain blanketed by lush tropical forests and dotted with mighty rivers and majestic waterfalls. The park's protected status makes it a sanctuary for a wide range of animal species and it is perhaps the best place in Thailand for bird watching. Read More...
Doi Pui, at 1,685metres above sea level, is the highest peak in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. It is famous for its beautiful waterfalls which are easily reached from the main road. But one of the hottest attractions for Doi Pui must be Hmong Tribal Village situated less than five kilometres from the famous Wat Phra Read More...
The highest peak in the park is Doi Pui which tops off at 1,685 meters (5,528 feet), making it the eighth largest mountain in Thailand. Flowing from these heights are some of the most highly enjoyable and accessible waterfalls in the Kingdom's northern reaches. Mae Sa Falls, Huay Kaew Falls and Monthathan Falls are among the Read More...
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai was among the pioneers of the new ethical elephant attractions which have swept Thailand. Effectively a retirement home for the gentle giants who have worked in the often-unpleasant logging and tourism industries, the sanctuary allows careful interaction between visitors and residents. There are no gimmicks, no circus tricks, and absolutely no Read More...
Here we have the first school museum in the north of Thailand which serves as a learning centre for people of all ages, creeds and cultures. One of Chiang Mai's best known boy’s schools reflects over its influential history with an in house museum. When in 1905 Prince Vajiravudh [King Rama VI] came to Chiang Mai Read More...
Huay Kaew Waterfall is the closest waterfall to Chiang Mai city. It is located at the bottom of the mountain where Huay Kaew Road ends, and is next to Chiang Mai Zoo. The waterfall is free to enter and good for both children and adults. You can climb on the waterfall and there are small pools Read More...
Huay Tung Tao is a large lake with bamboo huts to relax in while overlooking mountains of Doi Pui. Huey Tung Tao is about a 20 minute drive from downtown Chiang Mai and offers a beautiful, peaceful setting away from the busy city. To enter Huay Tung Tao costs 20 Baht per person and there is Read More...
Boasting some of the most spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations in the country, Chiang Dao Cave stretches many kilometres into the mountains. Legend has it that it connects with several other caves, before eventually emerges at the other end somewhere in Shan State across the border. The official figure, though, is 12 kilometres, and you can Read More...
Directly opposite the army barracks in a small but pleasant park is the Kawila monument. The monument was erected in the honour of Kawila. Born in 1742, Kawila was the first of Prince Chai Kaew's 10 children who played a major part in the defense and rebuilding of Chiang Mai and consequently is considered as one of Read More...
Opened alongside the Chiang Mai Historical Centre, this museum has a beautiful location, inside the old courthouse, which was renovated with the project in mind. It’s close to the three kings monument in the centre of Chiang Mai Old City. The exhibition is all about the people who live and have lived in the region, setting Read More...
The Traditional House Museum is fantastic way to take a step back into the past and get a taste of Lanna culture in the past hundred years. This hidden museum was set up by Chiang Mai University and for some strange reason has been overlooked by visitors. Thankfully this makes the visit much more enjoyable as Read More...
By far the most romantic of Thailand’s celebrations, Loy Krathong takes place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month. The Thai word 'Loy' means 'to float in Thai, while 'Krathong' is a small raft, about a hand span in diameter, made from a section of banana tree trunk – although today specially made bread
Mae Rim is a small town packed with tourist attractions just north of Chiang Mai. While Mae Rim town consists of one long busy road, there are lots of unseen hotels, restaurants and activities hidden down the side streets of the town. The most popular area of Mae Rim is highway 1096 which goes though Mae Read More...
Mae Sa Valley is a green, forested area with one main road running through it and lots of tourist activities scattered along the road. The highway 1096 runs from Mae Rim (about 10KM from Chiang Mai) to the town of Samoeng which is a popular destination for motorbike day trippers traveling the Sameong Loop. Many people Read More...
Mae Sa Waterfall is an impressive eight level waterfall with a small plunge pool for swimming in. It is popular with both Thai’s and foreign tourists and can get especially busy on weekends with families. Entrance costs 200 Baht for foreigners and it is a good idea to pack a blanket or picnic and spend a Read More...
Mon Jam is a beautiful mountain top viewpoint and restaurant that has views over the Mae Rim Valley and Royal Project farms. Mon Jam is about an hour’s drive away from Chiang Mai and can be reached by car or motorbike. The road going up to the view point is quite steep so it is not Read More...
The Museum of Insects and Natural Wonders in Chiang Mai is a quirky collection of critters which has to be seen to be believed. Every spare surface of the modest venue on Srimankalajarn Road (a couple of streets over from Nimmanhaemin Road, west of Chiang Mai Old City) is covered with beetles, butterflies, stick insects, stones, Read More...
The Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden is located 30 minutes north of Chiang Mai, along the windy road to Samoeng. The Botanical Garden Chiang Mai was opened in 1992 and is a centre to promote research, biodiversity and allow visitors to see the most diverse natural plants that Thailand has to offer. The Garden is set in Read More...
The Raintree Resource Centre provides free lending library with over 7000 English books and 600 videos. They also hold the occasional special interest workshops (ex. English conversation classes, flower arrangement, ethnic cooking). A good place to venture out to, if you plan on staying in Chiang Mai some time. Read More...
Chiang Mai is proud of its reputation as ‘The Rose of the North’, and it is only fitting that the Kingdom’s second-largest city is a proud host of Southeast Asia’s biggest horticultural exposition. The first exhibition took place in 2006, as a tribute to King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the year of His Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Read More...
A lovely and very well maintained pubic park that is a great place to stop and soak up some sunshine. Situated in the southwestern corner of the old city it is Chiang Mai’s equivalent to Lumpini Park. Read More...
Tha Pae Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in Chiang Mai and is part of the crumbling city wall which once acted as a fortress for the ‘Old City’ (and still today acts as a geographical boundary). The gate area is an epicentre for tourism in Chiang Mai, boasting more hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes, Read More...
Can't tell an Akha from a Hmong? Do you think that Yao is just a big guy who plays in the NBA? Then you need to pay a visit to the Chiang Mai Tribal Museum. Recently moved from its location on the Chiang Mai University campus, this museum is now housed in a modern, three storey Read More...
The son of, Mr. William Bain, who was a “Teak-Wallah” in the service of the East Asiatic Company, Uncle Jack opened the Ket Karam museum over four years ago. Having refurbished the old (580 years old to be exact) wooden structure there is a well organised display of artifacts from a previous era – the idea
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Wat Bupparam is one of Chiang Mai’s most visited temples and has a strong Burmese influence from the past. Located on Thapae Road and 500 metres from Thapae Gate, the old entrance to Chiang Mai city, Wat Bupparam has a strong historical significance. Thapae Road used to be the route traders would take as they entered Read More...
Wat Chang Kong is located on Loi Kroh Road. It was constructed by Chang Kong villagers who immigrated from Chiang Sean at the beginning of the Rama Period it now stands as an abandoned chedi which is completely surrounded by shops and dwellings on three sides. Read More...
Built sometime between 1385 and 1402, during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, 7th ruler of the Mengrai dynasty, Wat Chedi Luang's massive chedi (pagoda) is a distinctive feature of the Chiang Mai skyline. At its peak, the chedi measured 60 metres across at the square base and 80 metres tall and was once the Read More...
This is the oldest temple in the Chiang Mai, built in 1296 at the time of the city's founding. The temple served as the residence of Chiang Mai's founder, King Mengrai, for a time. The buildings are finely decorated in red lacquer, gold leaf and mosaics of tinted mirror, wonderful examples of Lanna style architecture. Wat Read More...
Another visually striking temple in Chiang Mai is Wat Lok Moli, well-known for its three-tiered wooden roof and prime location very close to Chang Puak Gate on the north edge of the Old City. The main temple hall has been well-restored, although the weathered chedi at the back shows the temple's true age, dating back to Read More...
Directly adjacent to Wat Chedi Luang, although there is a wall between the two you can walk through one to get to the other. The name of this temple means "Monastery of a Thousand Kilns", in reference to the numerous Buddha images within the magnificent Wat Chedi Luang. The temple has a viharn, which is one of the few remaining all wood structures in Chaing Mai, this was originally the ho kham whicgh literally translates as ‘guilded hall’ and was the palace of Chiang Mai's king, Chao Mahawong, who ruled from 1846 to 1854.It now functions as a monastery.
This venerable temple, located at the end of Ratchadamnoen Road, is perhaps the most venerated in Chiang Mai, behind Doi Suthep. While the dusty parking lot and hordes of taxi drivers may be discouraging at first, this temple is certainly worth a look.
Although the main hall of the temple dates back to 1512 and is Read More...
Wat Phraphutthabat Si Roi is a beautiful temple built near the place that pilgrims found four different footprints believing to be made by Buddha. The footprints are housed in a separate building to the temple and the largest footprint is close to 3 metres, while the smaller ones look more realistic. Wat Phraphutthabat Si Roi is Read More...
Famous (mostly among locals) for its huge seated Buddha, Wat Phra That Doi Kham is one of the lesser-known temples in Chiang Mai thanks to its slightly out-of-the-way location, but nonetheless just as spectacular as many of the more popular temples in Chiang Mai. The Giant Buddha structure towers nearly 20 metres into the air, painted Read More...
This old Burmese style temple is testament to the one time Burmese occupation of Chiang Mai, with its origins going back to the 14th century. Read More...
Just beyond the walls of the old city on the west side stands Wat Suan Dok, which dates back to the 14th century. Built by the King of Lanna on the grounds of his pleasure garden, this temple was originally intended to serve as a retreat for a revered monk from Sukothai.
This temple is a Read More...
Off the beaten track and more than a little odd is Wat U-Mong, which is located about 1 km south of Suthep Road, west of the canal. The halls of this temple are actually tunnels which crisscross an artificial mound.
The tales say that this temple was built for a highly revered monk who was so Read More...
This central Chiang Mai temple really stands out from the rest with its shiny coat of silver paint that glistens brightly in the sunlight. The tips of the stupas are solid silver and at night they have a neon light display which turns the temple into multiple colours – a stunning sight indeed. The temple complex Read More...
Located in attractive countryside about five kilometres south of Chiang Mai along the Ping River, Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city dating back to the eighth-century Haripunchai Kingdom. Later on it served as the capital of the then Lanna Kingdom for a short while until Chiang Mai was chosen to replace it in 1296.
Expect Read More...
The X Centre Chiang Mai offers a range of adventure and adrenaline-fuelled activities and off-road tours. Open every day, the centre is located 20 minutes north of Chiang Mai, in Mae Rim. They offer a paintballing adventure course and team games, which are good for families and friends.
You can get 100 paintballs and rent protective Read More...
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