10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai

Doi Suthep is the regal mountain overlooking the city of Chiang Mai from the northwest. It is home to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, an awe-inspiring temple that is crowned by an elaborate chedi, 24 metres tall and gold plated from top to bottom. It gleams like a northern star from the heights of the mountain.

The temple is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in Thailand and is an impressive embodiment of the Lanna culture, with its origins dating back almost 700 years. As such, large numbers of Thais and foreigners come to experience the special magic of this holy place. Scattered around the temple are various statues depicting everything from the legendary white elephant upon whose grave the temple was erected to the assorted gods and Buddhas of the Thai religion.

The sheer number of Chiang Mai Old City temples practically make it a living museum. Its narrow streets are lined with beautiful temples, old shophouses and historical buildings, all surrounded by the crumbling ancient walls and the moat.

The Old City is quite a small, compact place, so you can easily get around on foot without tiring yourself out, allowing you to enjoy the city’s relaxed atmosphere and interesting scenery. Naturally, the temples are the star attractions of the Old City. You should definitely check out Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phan Tao, but there are several more within easy reach.

Wiang Kum Kam is the ruins of an ancient city and temple set in attractive countryside about 5 km south of Chiang Mai Old City along the Ping River. The city dates back to the 18th-century Haripunchai Kingdom.

Expect to see many interesting items and structures such as stone tablets with Mon inscriptions, Buddhist sculptures and architecture, earthenware and pottery. You can take in the marvellous structures on a cycling tour or take your time to appreciate the large site on foot.

Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden is the first of its kind in the country, and a popular spot where you'll find plants from all over the world. The garden encompasses over 220 hectares of space, which allows for various climates catering to an array of different plants.

While you'll find plenty of plants native to the area, more exotic species are here as well, including what you'd find in an Asian tropical rainforest. The walking trails can also turn your visit into a more romantic experience with breathtaking scenery. It's located about 19 miles northwest of town.

Royal Park Rajapruek is a large public park and agricultural research centre with vast green areas, royal exhibitions, and different styles of gardens. The 240,000-square-metre park is divided into different zones such as the Thai Tropical Garden, the Orchid Garden where you can see a colourful collection of rare orchids, and International Gardens showcasing plants and landscaping designs from other countries.

Royal Park Rajapruek was created in 2006 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. A highlight of the park for Thai visitors is the Ho Kham Luang Royal Pavilion, where an exhibit about the life and works of the late king is displayed.

Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand, rises 2,565 metres above sea level. Known as a sanctuary for a wide range of animal species and perhaps the best place in Thailand for birdwatching, the park on the peak is home to approximately 362 different species, many of which are not found anywhere else in Thailand.

Doi Inthanon is a popular destination, not only for its natural beauty but also for its historical significance. There are chedis (monuments) dedicated to Their Royal Majesties, The King and Queen atop the peak of the mountain. You can visit the Hmong village, Khun Ya Noi, for a visit to the market and admire the people's colourfully embroidered clothing. There are also several Karen villages, such as Ban Mae Ab Nai, where you can purchase fine examples of traditional Karen weaving and textiles and observe the quaint Karen way of life first-hand.

Chiang Dao Cave, in the namesake district about 72 km north of Chiang Mai, has caverns stretching many kilometres into the mountain. Even so, only a small part of the complex is possible to explore. Two of the caves, Tham Phra Nawn and Tham Seua Dao, are illuminated by electric lights, but the upper caves are pitch-black and require local lantern-carrying guides to lead the way.

There are some spectacular limestone formations and Buddhist shrines to be found in these caves. Check out the stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the magnificent frozen water walls (speleothems) formed by centuries of dripping water. Progress from one chamber to the next, following an oval loop and occasionally passing through narrow passages with very low ceilings and, sometimes, steep ascends, then exit the same way you enter. The 5 chambers can often be explored within an hour.

Doi Pui, at 1,685 metres above sea level, is the highest peak in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. It is famous for its beautiful waterfalls, which are easily reached from the main road. One of the hottest attractions for Doi Pui must be the Hmong Tribal Village, situated less than 5 km from the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Many travellers to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park stop their journey at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, although just a few kilometres ahead is where Doi Pui’s Hmong ethnic hill-tribe lives. A visit to this village is an eye-opener into the tribal villagers’ private life. It's one of the few places close to town where you can meet and chat with the Hmong as well as learn about their way of life from the living museum.

Bo Sang Handicrafts Centre is a handicrafts village about 9 km east of the Chiang Mai Old City. The village specialises in paper umbrellas. Bor Sang has made its name throughout the country and abroad – so much so that the name Bor Sang has become synonymous with the paper-umbrella craft and the umbrella itself, a cultural symbol of Chiang Mai.

Here, you'll find plenty of hand-painted umbrellas, tiny cocktail umbrellas, large parasols for gardens or patios and other handmade products – all made from sa paper in various designs and at reasonable prices.

The Lanna Folklife Museum is an interesting museum full of exhibitions about the lives, history and culture of the Lanna people of northern Thailand. The museum (also called the Lanna Heritage Centre) is located opposite the Three Kings Monument in the middle of the old city and sits inside the old municipal court of Chiang Mai.

The building has been renovated and now looks like a white colonial-style building. Despite the exterior, the museum offers a lot of information about the city’s history in English, Thai and Chinese.