HomeAsiaSoutheast AsiaThailandChiang Mai 9 Places to Visit in Chiang Mai + Things To Do for First-Timers By Marcos Detourista. Updated on February 1, 2023. Where to go in Chiang Mai? Achieve your travel goals with this list of beautiful destinations, things to do, best places to visit, Chiang Mai tourist spots, attractions & more. 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 Click below to compare rates & read reviews: Chiang Mai HotelsTours + discountsFlights Popular tours & discounts booked by other travelers: Chiang Mai Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai City & more (northern Thailand) Chiang Mai Car Charter – One Day or Multiple Days Surrounding Areas Doi Inthanon National Park Doi Suthep Temple-Chiang Mai City Tour by Oriental Holiday Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Rai Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle Tour from Chiang Mai View all travel tips on: Chiang Mai. 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 Tours + discounts Must-visit temples in Chaing Mai Wat Chedi LuangLocation: 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum. Save on Google Maps. Wat Phra SinghLocation: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing. Save on Google Maps. Wat Chiang ManLocation: 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum. Save on Google Maps. Wat Phan TaoLocation: 127/7 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum. Save on Google Maps. Wat Lok MoleeLocation: 298/1 Manee Nopparat Rd. Save on Google Maps. For more travel inspiration, follow Detourista on: InstagramFacebooktiktokPinterest 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. See rates & book online Doi Suthep Temple-Chiang Mai City Tour by Oriental Holiday 3. Mount Doi Inthanon Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand Location: Ban Luang, Chom Thong District. Save on Google Maps. See rates & book online Doi Inthanon National Park Doi Inthanon National Park tour package from Chiang Mai See discountsSee more 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 See rates & book online Baan Thai Cooking Class Kao Soi Khuj YaiLocation: 8 Sri Poom Rd. Save on Google Maps. Nimmanhaemin districtLocation: Su Thep. Save on Google Maps. 7. Chiang Mai Weekend Markets Night market at Wat Phan Tao, Chiang Mai Chiang Mai weekend markets Sunday Walking StreetLocation: Rachadamnoen Road (behind Thapae Gate). Save on Google Maps. Saturday Walking StreetLocation: Wualai Road (behind the Chiang Mai Gate). Save on Google Maps. 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 Where to stayTours + discounts See rates & book online Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle Tour from Chiang Mai Black House & White Temple Trip from Chiang Mai Top discounts Chiang Mai Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai City & more (northern Thailand) Chiang Rai Airport-Chiang Rai City/Hotel Shuttle – CEI Shared Transfers Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Rai Chiang Rai tour package from Chiang Mai Tours + discountsSee more See more: Chiang Rai travel tips 6 Places To Visit in Chiang Rai Sukhothai Location: Sukhothai province, central Thailand. Save on Google Maps. Sukhothai Travel Essentials Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Sukhothai Biking Tour – Half Day and Whole Day Tours Sukhothai One Day Tour Sukhothai Highlights Half Day Tour See more: Sukhothai travel tips 6 Things to do in Sukhothai + Tourist Spots 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 Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link (ARL) Ticket Bangkok Chao Phraya Princess Cruise Ayutthaya Day Trip with Sunset Boat Ride from Bangkok See more: Bangkok travel tips 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 Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Pak Ou Cave & Kuang Si Waterfall Day Tour from Luang Prabang Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang Shuttle – Shared City Transfers Luang Prabang Private Car Charter by Laos Smile See more: Luang Prabang, Laos travel tips 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. 1. Chiang Mai Old City Temples 2. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep 3. Mount Doi Inthanon 4. Mae Ya Waterfall 5. Old City Walls & Gates 6. Chiang Mai Food 7. Chiang Mai Weekend Markets 8. Wiang Kum Kam 9. Wat Jed Yod Chiang Rai Sukhothai Thi Lo Su Waterfall Bangkok Luang Prabang, Laos Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank. Where to Stay in Chiang Mai Click below & search recommended Chiang Mai hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your min/max price, travel dates, and sort by review ratings. I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings. AgodaBooking.com Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons. Don’t Stop Here Click below for more travel inspiration: 20 Things to do in Thailand + Tourist Spots Bangkok Itinerary + Travel Guide Don’t leave yet. There’s more! 14 Places to Visit in North India + Things To Do for…5 Places to Visit in Laos + Things To Do for First-Timers15 Places to Visit in Venice + Things To Do for First-Timers11 Places to Visit in Luang Prabang + Things To Do for… Discover more blogs and travel tips in: Chiang Mai ThailandSoutheast AsiaAsia See all places Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.