Top Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand

We have now been visiting in Chiang Mai four different occasions. During these visits, we have found some top things to do in Chiang Mai. The first time we came here was on November 2015 and we truly fell in love this Northern Pearl. Since that visit, we have also come to Chiang Mai in March and November 2016 as well as now, in February 2017.

All in all, we have spent almost 12 weeks (3 months) here. Having said that, we have managed to find some great places to go and see when staying in Chiang Mai. Without further parley, let’s dig into this article about Top Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

1. Pick few of over 300 astonishing temples

First of all, there are countless of beautiful, old temples in Chiang Mai. As a matter of fact, there are over 300 Buddhist temples in this 700 years old town. We visited the most attractive ones during our first trip to Chiang Mai – and so should you. We recommend you to see, at least, Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain). The first two temples mentioned are located within the Old Town in the middle of Chiang Mai close to each other so they are easy to access. Wat Phra That Doi Kham, also known as Temple of the Golden Mountain, is a bit harder to visit. It has been built on the top of Doi Suthep mountain on the west side of Chiang Mai. You can rent a scooter and drive approximately half an hour there.

2. Amazing Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum

Second, after seeing some gorgeous temples, you should most definitely go and see modern art as well. To be exact, there is a wonderful 3D Art Museum, Art in Paradise, in Chiang Mai. You can grab tens of fascinating pictures from underwater scenes to playing with wild animals when wandering around the art museum. Make sure to go there with a friend or two in order to make it even more funnier. You can reach Art in Paradise when continuing a couple of hundred meters to the south from the south end of Night Bazaar.

3. Bua Thong Waterfalls aka Sticky Waterfalls

In addition, third place in our list of Top Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand is Bua Thong Waterfalls. It is known by the locals as Nam Phu Chet Si or more generally as “Sticky Waterfalls”. Bua Thong Waterfalls isn’t just another waterfall to see and take few pictures of. You can actually walk up along the waterfall. That’s why it is often referred as “Sticky Waterfalls”. Bua Thong Waterfalls is located around 50 kilometers North of Chiang Mai so you have to either join a group tour or rent a scooter in order to visit there.

 

 

In addition of Sticky Waterfalls, there are plenty of other waterfalls to visit near Chiang Mai.

4. Flowery Royal Park Rajapruek

Furthermore, the fourth spot on our list goes to Royal Park Rajapruek. This beautiful park includes several flower gardens and you can found it approximately 10 kilometers Southeast of Chiang Mai Old Town. Even though the park is open for visiting every day of the year from 8 am to 6 pm, you should try to schedule your visit from the beginning of November to the end of February. During that time they will open Memorial hall of Thai plants as well as the flora festival. The entrance fee is 200 baht per person and will include unlimited tram rides around the park. Nevertheless, it is more than desirable to walk instead of taking the tram since it’s so much easier to see nature at your own pace.

Let these pictures tell you what Royal Park Rajapruek is all about.

5. All kinds of marketplaces

Finally, the last but not least in our picks of Top Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand are night markets. There are plenty of marketplaces in Chiang Mai just like in many other Southeast Asian cities.

One of the most famous ones is Night Bazaar which is open every night beginning around 6 pm. It is located in the Chang Klan Road on the East side of Old Town. You can find hundreds of booth along the street selling a variety of things from food to clothes. In addition of tourist stuff booths, there are a couple of good food markets during the half kilometer road as well such as Ploen Ruedee Food Court and Anusarn Market.

 

 

Moreover, you should check out Saturday Night Market Walking Street at Wua Lai Road and Warorot Market (Kad Luang) too.

An important bonus advice for you!

Before concluding this article about Top Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand, I will give you one warning, though. Do not visit Chiang Mai between mid-February and mid-April if you have a choice. The reason for that is burning season causing by Northern Thailand and Burmese farmers preparing their land for the coming year. The burning season will make the breathing air almost unbreathable so if you have some kind of respiratory problem, you should most definitely skip Chiang Mai at that time range. South of Thailand is much better option for the two month period. Apart from this problem, Chiang Mai is one of the best locations in the whole Southeast Asia in our opinion.

In this article, we went through Top Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The matters in our list were temples, 3D Art Museum, Bua Thong Waterfalls, Royal Park Rajapruek and night markets. In addition to these five listed affairs, there are so many things to experience in Chiang Mai. Just come here to see in your own eyes what this Northern Pearl is all about!