7 Things To Do in Chiang Mai

Surrounded by lush countryside and mountains, the “Rose of the North” is smaller and more-laid back than Bangkok, with a cooler climate and beautiful natural scenery. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and with some of the most renowned temples in the country, there is a palpable mix of ancient and modern. There’s no shortage of sights and activities within Chiang Mai, and whether you’re looking for history, culture, adventure, or relaxation, you’re sure to find it in this diverse city.

If you have at least a few days in Chiang Mai, consider the following activities:

1) Take a Cooking Class

Choose from a full day or half day class which usually beings with a visit to a local market to pick up fresh ingredients for the dishes. I did a full day class with Thai Secret Cooking School, which lasted from 8:30am to 4:30pm and cost 1000 Baht ($30). I know 8 hours seems like a long time to be cooking, but the day flew by; we each made an appetizer, soup, two main dishes, and a dessert,  and everything was incredibly delicious. Plus, we picked a bunch of veggies and herbs from their garden, so all the ingredients were fresh and organic.

2) Get a Massage

There seems to be a massage parlour on every corner in Chiang Mai and they are extremely affordable – starting around 120 Baht ($4) per hour.

3) Visit the Temples

There are over 200 temples in and around Chiang Mai and it’s nearly impossible not to spot one while walking through the city.

Some of the most famous temples are:

Wat Phra Singh– Known as the Temple of the Lion Buddha, it also houses a major monastery

Wat Chedi Luang– This was once the home of The Emerald Buddha, but was moved when part of the structure collapsed during an earthquake

Wat Chiang Man– Built in 1292, this is the oldest temple in the city

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep– Located on the Doi Suthep Mountain which overlooks the city

4) Eat at the Chiang Mai Gate Night Market

Open daily from around 5pm to midnight, this market has an abundance of vendors to choose from. You can find BBQ meat skewers, noodle dishes, soups, stir-fry dishes, smoothies, desserts, and fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood.

5) Shop at the Night Bazaar & Weekend Markets

The Night Bazaar is open everyday from the late afternoon until midnight. This sprawling market is spread out over several streets and you can buy anything from clothing and jewelry, to purses and accessories, to artwork and tapestries – plus much more.

*Location: Chang Khlang Road

The Saturday Market is open from late afternoon until midnight and has a variety of vendors, including a great selection of food and beverage stalls.

*Location: Wua Lai Road

The Sunday Street Market is best known for traditional arts and handicrafts.

*Hours: Open from late afternoon until midnight
 Location: Tha Phae Gate and down Ratchadamnoen Road

6) Take a day trip to visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple, is approximately 2.5 hours from Chiang Mai. This isn’t a traditional temple – from its white exterior to the religious symbolism represented in the architecture – but it’s strikingly beautiful nonetheless.

7) Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park

Elephant Nature Park is a prime example of ethical tourism: it’s a sanctuary for elephants that have been rescued from the logging and tourism industries, and serves as a permanent place for recuperation and freedom.

Visit for the day, or spend a week or two volunteering and interacting with these incredible creatures.

On the day trip, you will take a tour of the beautiful grounds, learn about each individual member of the herd, hand feed the elephants, and get in the river to help bathe them. You’ll also watch a heartbreaking video showing the domestication process of elephants (which involves isolating a young elephant in a cramped cage while it’s brutally beaten for days).

*The park is roughly 90 minutes from Chiang Mai city.

1 Thing NOT to do in Chiang Mai: Visit Tiger Kingdom

I think it goes without saying, but you should avoid Tiger Kingdom at all costs. This facility does not centre around the welfare or conservation of tigers — it’s focused on only one thing: exploiting animals for profit.

Tigers are kept in tiny cages for most of the day, and when they are let out, they’re forced to pose for photos with tourists who seem to be completely oblivious to the fact that they’re directly contributing to the abuse and exploitation of these magnificent creatures. Check out this article for more in-depth information about why you should never visit Tiger Kingdom (or any other tiger temple in Thailand for that matter).

Have you been to Chiang Mai? What were your favourite sites/activities?