Chiang Mai

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    Top attractions in Chiang Mai

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    Top 10 things to do in Chiang Mai

    Whether seeking adventure or something a little more spiritual, Thailand's second city is a great place to start. Chiang Mai means "new city," yet teems with historic, cultural, and natural monuments, each more breathtaking than the last! Here are a few.

    • Wat Chedi Luang

      1. Wat Chedi Luang

      This 15-century temple lasted barely 150 years before suffering serious earthquake damage. What survives provides a striking image, made all the more marvelous lit up at night!

    • Wat Umong

      2. Wat Umong

      There are two Wat Umong's in town. Be sure you're going to the one dedicated to the clairvoyant monk Thera Jan, in order to explore this iconic forest-temple's ancient tunnels.

    • Elephant Nature Park

      3. Elephant Nature Park

      Of Chiang Mai's many elephant camps this is by far the most humane. The animals have mostly been rescued from poor captivity conditions and visitors are encouraged to help feeding!

    • Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

      4. Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

      You'll likely find Chiang Mai's sacred peaks rather overcast, but it's precisely the cloudy conditions that have blessed Doi Suthep and Doi Pui with such rich plant- and bird-life.

    • Wat Prathat Doi Suthep

      5. Wat Prathat Doi Suthep

      Doi Suthep mountain boasts more than just flora and fauna. The elaborate temple's revered seated Buddha statue is a coveted sight for pilgrims and sightseers alike.

    • 6. Chiang Mai Zoo

      At the foot of Doi Suthep lies one of the city's best family attractions. If you're short on time, all the best enclosures are conveniently located towards the bottom of the hill.

    • Wat Chiang Man

      7. Wat Chiang Man

      Established by Chiang Mai's founder, Phaya Mengrai, towards the end of the 13th century, Chiang Man is the city's oldest temple and a sightseeing essential.

    • 8. Wat Suan Dorg

      Otherwise known as Wat Suan Dok, the 14th-century temple is a favorite among visitors for its English-language meditation retreats and talkative monks!

    • Doi Inthanon

      9. Doi Inthanon

      Thailand's highest mountain is a resplendent natural park that counts waterfalls, pagodas, and tribal villages among its many draws. We recommend planning a whole day to explore!

    • 10. Chiang Mai Night Safari

      Get up close to the animals at Chiang Mai Night Safari. Open both day and night, the zoo comes to life after dark. See all kinds of creatures, from big predators to more unusual animals.

    Planning Your Visit

    • When to visit?

      March, April, and May are Chiang Mai's hottest months, with November to January seeing the city's coolest temperatures. May to September is the rainy season, but despite its threatening name, is considered by some to be the best time to visit. If you can handle the odd, refreshing shower, you'll be rewarded with smaller crowds, greener countryside, and more active wildlife.

    • How many days?

      Chiang Mai is cheap to visit and boasts plenty to do. You'll want to spend at least four or five full days there.

    Good to know

    • Language
      Thai
    • Currency
      Thai baht (฿)
    • Time Zone
      UTC (+07:00)
    • Country Code
      +66
    • Best time to visit
      It depends how you feel about rain! If you don't mind a refreshing shower here and there, May to September is an absolutely wonderful time to visit Chiang Mai.

    Top Attractions in Chiang Mai

    Things to Do in Chiang Mai

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    What people are saying about Chiang Mai

    Overall rating

    4.7 / 5

    based on 3,949 reviews

    Nuestro guia fue CORN, muy simpático y atento, nos hizo el tour muy ameno a pesar de su larga duración, se nota que le gusta su trabajo. Nos explico todo a la perfección e incluso nos aconsejo donde comer. El viaje de ida y vuelta aunque es largo, fue muy cómodo. Recomiendo a todo el que quiera ir a ver Chiang Rai y volver en el dia a Chiang Mai que coja este tour. Actualmente el coste de ir y volver en autobús ya supone la mitad del precio del tour, la distancia entre los templos es considerable por lo que dependerias de los taxis de la zona por lo que esta opción es mucho mas comoda. Repetiriamos la experiencia sin lugar a dudas

    From Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Famous Temples Small Group Tour Reviewed by Saul, 3/19/2020

    We ended up having a private lesson because it was the early days of coronavirus and all other tourists had canceled their trip. Rachel was a great guide. Funny, fun, informative, great conversation while instructing. We loved getting to learn about the fresh ingredients and what purpose they served in recipes.

    Chiang Mai: Authentic Thai Cooking Class and Farm Visit Reviewed by William, 3/22/2020

    Long van ride but very beautiful spots. The guide was great and spoke English well. The van was quite comfortable. The waterfalls were stunning and the hike was peaceful. Not too difficult. Worth it for a day trip!

    Doi Inthanon National Park Small Group Full Day Tour Reviewed by Claire, 5/31/2020

    It’s not our first time we booked a tour with Get Your Guide. Once in Nice and now in Chiang Mai. Everything was prompt and nicely organised, our guide Corn was very engaging and friendly and very well prepared :)

    From Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Famous Temples Small Group Tour Reviewed by Tamas, 3/20/2020

    Lots of fun and very well taught. We learned how to cook authentic Thai. The teacher was very knowledgeable and entertaining. beautiful location in nature. loved every part of it!

    Chiang Mai: Authentic Thai Cooking Class and Farm Visit Reviewed by Mirna, 11/30/2020

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