9 Places to Visit in Chiang Mai + Things To Do for First-Timers

Chiang Mai’s location in the mountainous region of northern Thailand gives it a sufficient advantage as a tourist destination. Apart from extremely alluring sights, it also offers unique experiences that tourists would appreciate. Not to mention, it’s also one of the cheapest places to travel in Southeast Asia!

As the capital city of Chiang Mai province, Chiang Mai features top-rated attractions, which start with old city temples and quaint villages. You cannot leave the city without visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a mountaintop temple with a revered seated Buddha as the centerpiece. There are over a hundred more temples inside Chiang Mai walled city if you want to go on a crazy temple run, including Wat Chedi Luang. For gorgeous views of nature, head to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to the highest mountain in Thailand and the massive Mae Ya Waterfall. Doi Pui Village is another sight worth exploring, exhibiting the vibe of a traditional tribal village, as it played host to various groups through the years.

The best way to enjoy Thai culture is by indulging in delicious Thai food. Tourists coming to Chiang Mai also enjoy having a gastronomic adventure at the Gate Market, where vendors serve affordable, tasty delicacies—from khao soi, pad kra pow to mango sticky rice.  Chiang Mai is undoubtedly the best foodie destination north of Bangkok.

Chiang Mai is well worth a visit if you want to experience authentic Thai culture minus the madness—and high price—of the country’s capital, Bangkok. It may be 700 kilometers from the city center but having its own Chiang Mai International Airport is an edge that helps draw tourists from neighboring Asian cities, like Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore, and others.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Chiang Mai travel essentials

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1. Chiang Mai Old City Temples

Monks at Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai

Elephant sculptures at Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in the

Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai walled city

Wat Phan Tao (wooden temple), in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wat Phan Tao (wooden temple), Chiang Mai

Wat Lok Molee in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wat Lok Molee, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai city tour packages

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Must-visit temples in Chaing Mai

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2. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Wat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Giant Naga guards at Doi Suthep temple

Location: 9 หมู่ที่ 9 Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

3. Mount Doi Inthanon

Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand

Location: Ban Luang, Chom Thong District. Save on Google Maps.

Doi Inthanon National Park tour package from Chiang Mai

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4. Mae Ya Waterfall

Mae Ya Waterfall, cascading at Mount Doi Inthanon

Location: Doi Inthanon National Park. Save on Google Maps.

5. Old City Walls & Gates

Chiang Mai old city wall

Tha Pae Gate, Chiang Mai

Fountains and greens surrounding Chiang Mai walled city

6. Chiang Mai Food

Pad Thai in Chiang Mai

Kao Soi Khuj Yai, Chiang Mai

7. Chiang Mai Weekend Markets

Night market at Wat Phan Tao, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai weekend markets

8. Wiang Kum Kam

Wat Chedi Liem at Wiang Kum Kang, Chiang Mai

Wat Ku Maisong at Wiang Kum Kang area, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Location: Southeast of Chiang Mai Old City. Save on Google Maps.

9. Wat Jed Yod

Wat Chet Yot, inspired by the Mahabodhi temple in India.

Location: Tambon Chang Phueak (Northwest of Chiang Mai Old City). Save on Google Maps.

Chiang Rai

Location: Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

Chiang Rai Travel Essentials

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Chiang Rai tour package from Chiang Mai

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6 Places To Visit in Chiang Rai

Sukhothai

Location: Sukhothai province, central Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

Sukhothai Travel Essentials

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6 Places To Visit in Sukhothai

Thi Lo Su Waterfall

Location: Mae Chan, Umphang District, Tak 63170, Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

Bangkok

Location: Bangkok, central Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

Bangkok Travel Essentials

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12 Places To Visit in Bangkok

Bangkok Itinerary + Travel Guide

Luang Prabang, Laos

Monks at the riverside in Luang Prabang

Location: Luang Prabang province, northern Laos. Save on Google Maps.

Luang Prabang Travel Essentials

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11 Places To Visit in Luang Prabang

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Chiang Mai that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai tourist spots, things to do in Chiang Mai, where to go in Chiang Mai & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Don’t Stop Here

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