Top 10 best things to do in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai was one of the coolest stops in my one-month-long trip to Asia. I only spent two days there (click HERE to watch the highlights of my trip on my Youtube channel) and I could’ve stayed at least three more to make the most out of every corner. On today’s post, I’ll share some tips about what I did and saw on the 2 ½ days I was there. I hope it makes your trip even more special! Oh, and I won’t mention attractions that exploit animals. It’s still a sad reality in Thailand, and I’m against it, but feel free to learn more about it.

To learn more about my day to day life in NYC, check out my Instagram (@marthasachser ) and follow my Youtube channel, which you can find HERE! 

HOW TO GET TO CHIANG MAI!

I went from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by the famous overnight train. I bought my first-class ticket on THIS website, a super safe platform that allows you to buy your tickets online and retrieve them at the train station. I got there by subway, straight from the airport. First Class was US$ 55 per person. I chose the train because it would allow me to save more money (no hotel) and I think it was quite a different and fun experience than going by plane. I recommend taking a private cabin, it’s much more comfortable and has air-conditioning. There’s a toilet outside the room, in the hallway. Not the best but we survived haha. Thai food is served, but it’s not included in your ticket, bring cash. It’s nothing too great, really, so I recommend buying snacks before boarding the train if you’d rather save money and pick your own options. To watch our train adventure in Portuguese, click HERE! 

VISIT AN ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

There are several elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, but it’s important to research a lot beforehand since many of them actually allow practices that go against elephant nature. We chose Elephant Nature Park because animal needs are actually taken into consideration  and human-to-animal interaction is limited so they can live as naturally as possible. Don’t expect to climb on them, bathe them or anything of the sort. Instead, you’ll walk alongside them, observe their behavior, feed them, touch them and take pictures, all in a peaceful manner. You will also be escorted the whole time. Set aside a whole day for this experience. Most tours will pick you up at your hotel at 8 am, and bring you back around 4 pm. It takes about an hour to reach the sanctuary.

STAY AT A HOTEL WITH A SWIMMING POOL

Believe me, you will thank me later. It’s very hot there, especially from April to November. Staying at a hotel with a swimming pool was wonderful and made the whole trip way easier. We stayed at Akyra Manor Chiang Mai, and totally recommend it! I wrote my review and posted more photos of out stay HERE!

VISIT THE NIGHT BAZAAR

This cliché cannot be left out on your trip to Thailand! There you’ll find everything from food and souvenirs to massages and live music. It was a lot of fun! We got there by tuk-tuk to get in the mood for the night.

EXPLORE THE TEMPLES

Chiang Mai has several temples, so I recommend doing your research beforehand if you don’t want to visit all of them. I chose to go to only one: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep with its 306-step staircase. I picked it because it was the most unique and famous temple I’d read about, and also because I had already spent a whole day visiting temples in Bangkok and thought it would be exhausting to do it again in another city. Plus, I hadn’t much time to explore Chiang Mai.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is located at the top of the mountain of the same name and It features a beautiful view of the city.  Please remember that you need to cover your shoulders and legs to enter the temple, but they will lend you something in case you don’t have anything to cover yourself with. Click HERE to learn about other famous temples in the city!

WALK AROUND THE CITY

Going to Chiang Mai, I didn’t know what to expect. Those who had been there said it was incredible, but the videos I watched didn’t convince me. I thought the city was “too normal” to make so many people fall in love with it and even more there, since Chiang Mai is known for being the home of probably hundreds of digital nomads.  And that’s it. But I found the magic once I got passed the heat. It is an ordinary city that charms you in so many ways that you’ll find yourself missing it even before you leave. At least I felt like that. I suggest going out for a walk with no certain destination, exploring cafes and local restaurants. Just walk around aimlessly and find new temples and corners along the way.

MAYA SHOPPING CENTER

Chiang Mai has an ancient and a modern area. The modern area concentrates two shopping centers, restaurants, a street market, etc. It’s nice to spend the evening in the area and see this other side of the city; it’s also a good place to buy a SIM card, since most mobile phone companies are there. It’s also a great opportunity to eat western food. It’s located at 55 Huaykaew Rd, Chang Wat Chiang Mai.

DOI PUI IS HMONG TRIBAL VILLAGE AND DOI SUTHEP-PUI NATIONAL PARK

I couldn’t visit it because we ran out of time, but I was told I should definitely visit next time. The national park has several waterfalls and its village is located at the top of the Doi Suthep mountain. To get there, you could sign up for a group or private tour, or drive there by yourself. In addition to its villagers, there you will also find local souvenir stores, gardens and even a museum that illustrates the history and culture of its people. The National Park’s entrance is located about 15 km away from downtown Chiang Mai, and you’ll need an additional 40-50 minutes to drive the winding road all the way to the village. Many red cars depart from Chiang Mai’s zoo or Wat Phra Singh and cost about ฿ 40-50 per person. The only difference in taking a group tour is that you’ll need to wait for the car to fill up before you depart. Learn more HERE!

PHOTO: MYCHIANGMAITRAVEL.COM

CHIANG MAI’S GRAND CANYON AND WATER PARK

Here’s another super fun activity I didn’t get to try! At Chiang Mai’s Grand Canyon you can appreciate the view and cliff jump. But if you’re looking for something even more exciting, check out the water park right next to it with its slides and trampolines. Tickets to the Grand Canyon are ฿ 100, while tickets to the Water Park are ฿ 450-500. To get there, you could get a taxi or a Grab (similar to Uber), which will cost you about ฿ 250 per ride. It’s a nice plan for a hot day in Chiang Mai. Photo: Wikimedia

DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK

Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest peak, reaching 8,415 ft above sea level. Nature, animals, rivers, villages and even some accommodations are available. You can either hire a private driver or drive there by yourself. Learn more HERE!

RIDE A TUK-TUK AND SHARED RIDES

They are everywhere in Chiang Mai, but don’t forget to compare prices and even negotiate before accepting a ride. It’s a lot of fun especially if there is no traffic. 

To learn more about my day to day life in NYC, check out my Instagram ( @marthasachser) and follow my Youtube channel, which you can find HERE! 

Well, that’s it! I’ve shared everything I remember from Thailand and I hope I was able to help you plan your trip even more! If you liked this post, don’t forget to share it with friends who’ve always wanted to go there!