I’m obsessed with Chiang Mai. It’s a place I find myself constantly going back to, so I’m glad it’s getting more popular.
Chiang Mai really is a great spot for the crafty market girlies. The city is full of amazing cafes, markets, art classes and events, even elephant sanctuaries and bamboo rafting activities.
In this Chiang Mai activities list, you’ll discover the best things to do in Chiang Mai, including top-rated day trips, local attractions, hidden gems, and unique activities that go beyond the usual tourist trail.
Looking for Chiang Mai temples, Instagram-worthy cafes, or authentic local markets? Curious about where to go for bamboo rafting, elephant sanctuaries, or shopping in Chiang Mai? This guide covers it all. Whether you’re crafting your Chiang Mai itinerary or simply wondering what to do in Chiang Mai, here’s your ultimate travel guide to the city’s must-see places and memorable experiences.
What is Chiang Mai best known for?
Chiang Mai is best known for its temples, vibrant night markets, and laid-back vibe in the heart of Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is a top travel destination for those looking to experience traditional Thai culture, ethically see the elephants, explore temples in Chiang Mai, and enjoy local markets. Chiang Mai is one of the best places to visit in Thailand.
How many days should I spend in Chiang Mai?
To experience the best things to do in Chiang Mai, plan to stay for at least 5 days. This allows time to explore top Chiang Mai attractions and enjoy nearby day trips to places like the Sticky Waterfalls or Grand Canyon Water Park. I have always stayed for at least a week however, which is great if you love slow travel and really being able to enjoy the local culture.
What are the best day trips from Chiang Mai?
The best day trips from Chiang Mai include a mix of nature, adventure, and culture. Day trips include a visit to the Sticky Waterfalls (Bua Tong Waterfall), bamboo rafting, and ethical elephant sanctuaries. These trips are perfect for travellers seeking outdoor activities in Chiang Mai and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Is Chiang Mai worth visiting compared to Bangkok?
Absolutely, Chiang Mai is worth visiting for traveler’s looking for a more relaxed, cultural, and nature-filled experience. Unlike the fast-paced city vibe of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is known for its historic old city, local food markets, cultural activities, and lush mountain surroundings.
What are the best cultural experiences in Chiang Mai?
Some of the best cultural experiences in Chiang Mai include visiting iconic temples like Wat Chet Lin and participating in a traditional Thai cooking class. These activities offer an immersive look into Northern Thai traditions and should be part of any Chiang Mai bucket list.
Where to go in Chiang Mai at night?
Chiang Mai comes alive after dark with some of the best night markets in Thailand. Head to the Saturday Night Market on Wualai Road or the bustling Sunday Night Market.
Chiang Mai Bucket List: Top 20 Attractions, Day Trips and Local Experiences
1. Chiang Mai Coconut Markets
The Chiang Mai Coconut Markets is one of the best hidden gems in Chiang Mai. You can expect gorgeous scenery and Thai coconut desserts and flavours everywhere. Plus, the market is situated in a beautiful coconut plantation. You can find some of the best local food in Chiang Mai here, and this is a great off-the-beaten-path experience.
2. Wat Chet Lin
Wat Chet Lin is probably one of my favourite Chiang Mai temples. It’s in the Chiang Mai Old City (central Chiang Mai) so it’s super accessible. There’s a beautiful bamboo bridge and the decorations are so pretty. So if you’re looking for peaceful places in Chiang Mai, this is definitely something to add to your to do list.
3. No 39 Cafe
The No 39 Cafe in Chiang Mai is one of the best cafes in Chiang Mai. They have plenty of speciality drink options and live music for their open-air seating. The Chiang Mai cafe honestly looks like a resort, you can sit around the pool on arm chairs and enjoy your meal. If you’re looking for instagrammable cafes in Chiang Mai, this is definitely one for your list. Check out my post on the 10 best cafes in Chiang Mai for more!
4. Saturday Night Markets
I actually don’t think I ever went to a restaurant for dinner in the entire week that I was in here. I genuinely structured my entire itinerary to ensure I would be hungry enough to really make the most of the Chiang Mai night markets. And if you don’t already know, the Saturday and Sunday night markets are genuine must-dos in Chiang Mai. If you’re wondering what food to look out for, check out my blog post on the best Thai street foods to try!
5. Sunday Night Market
So the Sunday Night Market in Chiang Mai really is my favourite. I really think it is so important to ensure you hit both of the weekend night markets, but the Sunday one really does have my heart. If you’re looking for things to do in Chiang Mai at night or local experiences, the Sunday night market really does have everything. Expect amazing street food, souvenirs, local crafts, even shooting games.
6. Chiang Mai Zoo
If you’re looking for family friendly things to do in Chiang Mai with kids, the Chiang Mai Zoo is a great option. You can even hire a golf cart and drive through the zoo yourself, and prices are pretty affordable for this. We did want to walk but we were pretty tempted even just because this isn’t something we’d be able to do anywhere else. My favourite here are the hippos which you can actually feed for 100 baht. The Chiang Mai Zoo is definitely a great option if you’re looking for affordable things to do in Chiang Mai on a budget.
7. MAYA Shopping Centre
A more modern attraction in Chiang Mai is the MAYA Shopping Centre. Chiang Mai shopping centres are amazing, and you can usually find indoor street food, amazing restaurants, local crafts and souvenirs, and of course local brands. I grabbed my Gentlewoman bag from here, and even went to a Thai BBQ restaurant. I don’t think enough people talk about Thai BBQ (Moo Kata), you can order most dishes of meat for about 50 baht each ($2 AUD). My partner and I left very full and only spent about $13 AUD combined. So, if you’re wondering what to do in Chiang Mai, don’t ignore shopping centres like MAYA.
8. Sticky Waterfalls
The Sticky Waterfalls Chiang Mai are a must visit while you’re in the city. The Sticky Waterfall, or Bua Tong Waterfall, is made out of limestone so you can literally walk right up it. This is about an hour out of the city, so if you’re looking for Chiang mai day trips, this is definitely one of the best nature attractions in Chiang Mai to add to your list.
9. Jing Jai Market Chiang Mai
The Jing Jai Market is a local market in Chiang Mai that is one of the best experiences in my opinion. It’s a local craft market with plenty of food and local artists. There was even craft activities you could try and a group of students offering portraits. The Jing Jai Market in Chiang Mai is definitely something to add to your bucket list if you love markets.
10. Elephant Sanctuary
Of course if you’re visiting Thailand, elephant sanctuaries are definitely a must-do in Chiang Mai. They really are an amazing experience. I don’t think anyone should leave without giving this a try while you’re here. Especially since it can be hard to find ethical sanctuaries in other cities. Most of the ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai are always aiming to buy more elephants off unethical places, so your money is contributing to a better life for the elephants. When visiting Chiang Mai ethical elephant experiences are a must-do in Thailand.
11. Kadmanee Night Market
The best night markets in Chiang Mai are definitely the Saturday and Sunday night markets. However, The Kadmanee night market is a great option if you’re looking for night markets on a weekday. This is a great spot for local street food in Chiang Mai and is a perfect late night activity in Thailand. The Kadmanee night market is so good because there’s plenty of seating and is a bit more open and pretty than other night markets.
12. Baan Kang Wat Markets
Baan Kang Wat Chiang Mai is an amazing art market. It’s a really pretty and local experience filled with local artists and souvenirs. You can browse all of the craft stalls, plus explore plenty of art classes or craft activities to get involved in. I tried making my own keychain, but there’s plenty of activities available like pottery, painting, embroidery and more. This is a great option for creative things to do in Chiang Mai, especially if you love arts and crafts.
13. Thai Cooking Class
Thai cooking classes are some of the most fun and unique cultural experience in Chiang Mai to add to your to do list. Chiang Mai cooking classes are everywhere in the city, and are a great way to not only get a bit better at cooking your favourite Thai dishes, but also to really involve yourself in the local culture. A Thai cooking class is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai.
14. Chom Cafe
Chom Cafe in Chiang Mai has been all over my social media, and it really does live up to the hype. It’s a beautiful garden cafe and is one of the most relaxing places to eat in Chiang Mai. The Chom Cafe Chiang Mai is a cafe with a beautiful nature spot that you can walk through and grab photos once you’re done eating. There’s even a koi pond and mini waterfall. Check out my post on the 10 best cafes in Chiang Mai for more!
15. Carp Cafe
Look I’m the furthest person to a fishing bro, but I’m 90% sure these are actually koi fish, not carp. But regardless, the Carp Cafe is a very cool animal experience in Chiang Mai. You literally sit in booths that are inside the water, so you’re at the same level as the fish. You can also buy food and feed them, and they really do swarm all around you. This is one of the most unique Chiang Mai cafes and is definitely something to add to your Chiang Mai bucket list!
16. Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon Chiang Mai is one of the best outdoor activities in Chiang Mai. This is a little bit further away from the city centre, but you can still easily catch a Grab there. The Grand Canyon is a giant lake with an inflatable obstacle course. There’s also activities like zip lining, but the obstacle course really is the main event. And trust me, it’s a workout. It’s kind of like Wipeout and you will be sore the next day. If you’re looking for adventure things to do in Chiang Mai, this is a must-do.
17. Mae Kha Canal
The Mae Kha Canal Chiang Mai is definitely a hidden gem that not enough people know about. The canal is decorated with beautiful lanterns and lighting installations. Plus, it’s lined with local food and souvenir shops. There’s definitely a bit of a Japanese theme here between the decorations, gardens, and food available. The Mae Kha Canal is one of the best hidden gems in Chiang mai, and is a relaxing attraction to add to your to do list if you’re looking for a peaceful evening with live music and great food.
18. One Nimman
One Nimman is a trendy neighbourhood in Chiang Mai with amazing cafes, markets and shopping. If you’re looking for things to do in Chiang Mai, it’s definitely worth spending an afternoon exploring the local scene. It’s small enough that you could easily walk the whole neighbourhood. Plus, the Chiang Mai shopping and dining really doesn’t get much better than this.
19. Bamboo Rafting
If you’re looking for Chiang Mai outdoor activities or day trips, bamboo rafting is one of the best peaceful things to do in Chiang Mai. These are typically about an hour out of the city, but you could make a day out of hitting up some of the best activities in Chiang Mai that are further away from the city. These could include the Pong Yang Jungle Coaster and Zip Line and the Dantewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park, which are all a bit further away.
20. Pong Yang Jungle Coaster and Zip Line
The Pong Yang Jungle Coaster Chiang Mai is one of the best adventure activities in Thailand. This is where you can experience an alpine coaster or zip line. Of course it is a little bit further away, but is still one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Bonus: Dantewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park
The Dantewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park is one of the best photo spots in Chiang Mai. There’s plenty of amazing photo opportunities in the park everywhere, including pretty waterfalls and scenery. This is also a cafe, so this is definitely up there on my list of best restaurants and cafes in Chiang Mai.
If you’re planning your trip and wondering what to do in Chiang Mai, use this guide as your go-to Chiang Mai bucket list. You’ll uncover the best things to do in Chiang Mai, hidden gems, and aesthetic cafes.
Chiang Mai is one of the best places to visit in Thailand. Its mix of culture, food, nature, and friendly local experiences makes it a must-visit destination in Northern Thailand. Save this Chiang Mai travel guide and start planning your perfect itinerary filled with unique activities, top-rated day trips, and authentic Thai experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Let me know if I’ve missed any of your favourite spots in Chiang Mai!
