Not only do we love Chiang Mai for its magical temples, bustling markets, and authentic cuisine but also for the fact that it’s the gateway to Northern Thailand. This is the type of place where you could stay for weeks on end and easily fall into a nice rhythm - soaking up the relaxed atmosphere, cafe culture, and taking adventures to Pai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son.

Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand, although it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. As soon as you hop off the plane you begin to notice differences: the people are more polite and friendly, the streets are open and walkable, and nature is never too far away. We enjoy hanging out in the student areas, or by the river, mixing with the locals and trying all sorts of weird and wonderful street food. Chiang Mai takes Thai cuisine to new levels, going far beyond the popular Khao Soi or Sai Ua.

While there’s some classic spots around the city that you should absolutely visit, such as Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the Sunday Night Market, Chiang Mai is also full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. That’s why we’ve put together this travel guide - giving you a fresh perspective of Chiang Mai and introducing you to some of the experiences travelers often overlook. From authentic Northern Thai restaurants to secret temples only locals know of, you’ll never get bored in this captivating city.

Chiang Mai - Christmas — *Cam & Kat in Chiang Mai*

10 Unique Things To Do in Chiang Mai

1. Dress Up for a Photoshoot at Wat Ton Kwen

One of the coolest experiences we’ve ever had in Chiang Mai was dressing up in traditional clothes for a photoshoot at Wat Intharawat (Wat Ton Kwen). The temple was made famous from a Thai TV show called Klin Kasalong, and it boasts beautiful old wooden structures in the typical Lanna architectural style. You can get dressed up in these awesome Lanna outfits, wander around the peaceful temple grounds, and pay for a photoshoot for 800-1,000 THB which includes all digital files. It’s well worth the money and leaves you with unique photos that you can take home.

Our friend, who is from Chiang Rai, organised the photoshoot for us but it’s possible to hire a photographer upon arrival. Get there early, in order to beat the heat and crowds, and there should be photographers hanging out by the costume shops beside the temple gates. It costs an additional 150 THB for the clothing rental, but you get to choose your own colors and patterns, and the staff will even dress you - adorning you with accessories such as hats and earrings. If you prefer to book in advance, you can do so via Airbnb Experiences: Chiang Mai Chic Photos by Birdy & Friends.

Chiang Mai - Photoshoot at Wat Ton Kwen — *Wat Ton Kwen*

Chiang Mai - Wat Ton Kwen — *Wat Ton Kwen*

Chiang Mai - Photoshoot at Wat Intharawat — *Wat Ton Kwen*

Photoshoot at Wat Intharawat — *Wat Ton Kwen*

Photoshoot at Wat Intharawat (Wat Ton Kwen) — *Wat Ton Kwen*

2. Enjoy Mookata in the Student Areas of Chiang Mai

On our latest trip to Chiang Mai, we stayed at an Airbnb in an area called Chang Phueak. Our house was right in the middle of a student zone, so we couldn’t find a 7-Eleven or supermarket that sold beer (in Thailand alcohol sales near schools or universities are prohibited). But what we did find was some delicious mookata down a sleepy back alley for insanely cheap prices. Imagine this: only 129 THB per person and you get a mookata buffet, complete with all the fresh cuts of pork, chicken and seafood that you can eat. There’s lots of student areas in Chiang Mai that offer cheap dining such as Na Mor, Lang Mor, Santitham, and Jed Yod in addition to Chang Phueak.

3. Visit Wat Chedi Luang at Night

This is the one touristy temple in Chiang Mai that we actually recommend visiting because the experience is just so wonderful at night. Arrive at dusk and you’ll see lanterns flickering on, the magnificent ruined stupa (with its famous staircase) glowing in lights, and if you’re lucky monks dressed in orange robes praying and making merit. We were blown away by the serene atmosphere at sunset. What made it even more special was watching school kids play volleyball and kick volleyball at the court right next to the temple grounds - adding a real local flavor to the temple visit.

Chiang Mai - Wat Chedi Luang at Night — *Wat Chedi Luang*

Chiang Mai - Wat Chedi Luang Temple — *Wat Chedi Luang*

Chiang Mai - Wat Chedi Luang — *Wat Chedi Luang*

Chiang Mai - Monks at Wat Chedi Luang — *Wat Chedi Luang*

4. Try Authentic Northern Thai Cuisine at Krua Phech Doi Ngam

Krua Phech Doi Ngam is a Michelin awarded eatery that mainly caters to locals, so you won’t find the typical pad thai or green curry here. Instead, it’s all about trying weird and wonderful Northern Thai dishes, for example: Gaeng Pak Wan Sai Kai Mod Dang (soup with vegetable leaves and red ant eggs) and Aep Pheung (grilled bee larvae wrapped in banana leaf). That being said, you can still order less adventurous food like northern pork curry and grilled leaf omelette if you’re not feeling up to the challenge.

Krua Phech Doi Ngam - Chiang Mai — *Krua Phech Doi Ngam*

Red Ant Egg Soup - Chiang Mai — *Red ant soup*

Krua Phech Doi Ngam - Bee Larvae — *Grilled bee larvae*

5. Take a Day Trip to Mae Kampong

Whether you’re after the perfect day trip, or want a place to visit along the way to Chiang Rai, Mae Kampong makes for a fun little adventure. This mountain village is situated 50km east of Chiang Mai and is famous for its lush forest, traditional wooden homes, and quirky cafes. We visited during the day and spent a few hours wandering around the village, buying snacks from the street vendors, and having coffee at Rabiang View Cafe. We didn’t stay overnight but saw a couple of really cool homestay and glamping accommodations. It must be a magical place to spend the night.

Getting to Mae Kampong isn’t for the faint of heart though. The road up is narrow, windy and very steep in sections - so if you’re driving yourself, be extra careful. You can park your car at the base of the village, but to reach the Rabiang View Cafe you need to jump in a local songthaew for a short nerve-wrecking drive up the valley. Some parts of the road feel almost vertical, but the drivers do their best to make you feel comfortable.

Mae Kampong Mountain Village — *Mae Kampong*

Chiang Mai - Mae Kampong — *Mae Kampong*

Chiang Mai - Rabiang View Cafe — *Mae Kampong*

6. Give Back at a Local Orphanage in Chiang Mai

In our opinion, the most rewarding way to give back on your Chiang Mai travels is to visit an orphanage or children’s home and make a small contribution any way you can - whether it be a donation, gifts or volunteer work. We felt so lucky to experience this recently, with one of Kat’s best friends taking us to a small orphanage on the outskirts of town in the San Sai District. We all pitched in for some snacks and toys for the kids, and ordered Pad Krao Pao and Pad Thai to eat together over dinner. At first, the kids were shy, but they soon warmed up to us - enjoying their meals, chatting away and playing some very competitive games of football.

The highlight of the evening was when they all sang Cam happy birthday in Thai. He turned 34 that day and found it hard to hold back the tears when they all sat together to sing in front of him. This isn’t something we normally do when we travel, because it’s so hard to leave afterwards, but this was truly a humbling experience. A sweet local Christian couple run the orphanage, and provide a really loving and positive environment for the children. If you’d like to visit an orphanage in Chiang Mai, just keep in mind that it’s not meant to be a photo-op or touristy activity. You need to arrange a visit beforehand and ensure it’s done with the utmost respect.

Chiang Mai - Orphanage Visit — *Orphanage*

Chiang Mai - Football at an Orphanage — *Orphanage*

7. Explore the Endless Markets of Chiang Mai

There are dozens of different street markets dotted across the city - down tourist streets, by student hubs and nestled in residential areas. Some can get busy, so be prepared to weave between a sea of people in search of your favorite street food. The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a hit with tourists, as it’s open daily and stretches down Chang Khlan Road. Another one you can’t miss is the Sunday Night Market, in the Old City, showcasing a number of artistic and creative vendors in addition to food and drink stalls. Chamcha Market, in the San Kamphaeng district, offers something totally unique: cute wooden stalls and a slow, community-focused atmosphere.

Chiang Mai - Markets — *Chiang Mai markets*

Chiang Mai - Night Markets — *Chiang Mai markets*

8. Venture Out to Doi Inthanon National Park

Just a two hour drive from Chiang Mai, towards the southwest, lies Doi Inthanon National Park - one of Thailand’s most unique cultural and scenic attractions. Culture-wise you can check out the King and Queen Pagodas, with epic views over the misty valleys below. While a number of waterfalls and hiking trails keep you busy on the adventure side of things. We recommend visiting Doi Inthanon as part of the Mae Hong Son Loop - an amazing 4-5 day motorbike trip around Northern Thailand’s hidden gems.

Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon — *Doi Inthanon National Park*

Doi Inthanon Temple — *Doi Inthanon National Park*

Monks at Doi Inthanon — *Doi Inthanon National Park*

9. Embark on the Incredible Mae Hong Son Loop

The Mae Hong Son Loop is the adventure of a lifetime and one of Asia’s best motorbike journeys, probably only surpassed by the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam. You can rent bikes in Chiang Mai, tackle the 762 curves on the mountainous road to Pai, visit the charming Ban Rak Thai and marvel at the rice terraces of Mae Chaem. We did this trip with Cam’s parents, as they’re big motorbike fans, and we had an absolute ball. Many times, we felt like we were drifting off-the-beaten-track, riding through remote mountain towns and seeing locals in traditional dress go about their daily lives.

Chiang Mai - Motorbikes — *Mae Hong Son Loop*

Chiang Mai - Mae Hong Son Loop — *Mae Hong Son Loop*

Chiang Mai - Ban Rak Thai — *Ban Rak Thai*

10. Go on a Road Trip to Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is phenomenal - a place we were fortunate enough to visit with Kat’s friend who’s from the region. She took us on a tour of her favorite places and helped us immerse ourselves (as best as we could) in the local culture - whether it was eating frogs with her family, doing the “Ram Wong” dance at the markets, or rafting with locals at Mae Suai Dam. While the road to Chiang Rai isn’t as adventurous as the one to Pai, there’s no doubt in our minds that you should visit this jewel of Northern Thailand.

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

Budget: Family Home
Mid-Range: Lis Hotel
Luxury: Maladee Rendezvous Hotel

FAQs About Visiting Chiang Mai

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?

We usually visit Chiang Mai in between November and March, and find this to be a wonderful time to go. The weather is fine, and slightly cooler than Bangkok, without too much haze which can arrive in April/May during the burning season. Late November also coincides with the Yi Peng & Loi Krathong festival - a bucket list experience for many. The rainy season, from June to October, has its own appeal as well with lush jungle surroundings, cheaper hotel rates and less crowded markets to contend with.

What’s the best way to get to Chiang Mai?

You can’t really beat flying to Chiang Mai, as the bus or train from Bangkok just takes too long. The flight only takes a little over an hour and when you arrive you’ll feel instantly relaxed. Even the taxi ride to the airport is easy, especially if you’re staying close by like in Nimman (a 10-20 minute drive). Our airlines of choice are Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, just because they’re slightly more comfortable, but AirAsia is also reliable (and cheap).

How many days should I spend in Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is ideal for both short and long stays, catering to travelers who want a fun fast-paced trip as well as those who want to chill without a plan. At the minimum, you should stay for 3 nights and then, while you’re here, extend your trip out to Chiang Rai, Pai or even better take on the Mae Hong Son Loop. Chiang Mai is a young, trendy city where it’s enjoyable just to have coffee, explore the streets and visit a temple or two. Life moves slower in the north and it’s the perfect region to hit the reset button.

10 Unique Things To Do in Chiang Mai: A Northern Gem