What to do in Chiang Mai – Thailand 2024

Chiang Mai is a very small city in Thailand but with so many attractions that it will never be enough to visit everything. But with these tips that I'm going to leave here, I'm sure you'll be able to enjoy the best experiences in this charming and cultural place.

 

Where to go in Chiang Mai – Thailand

1 – Old City of Chiang Mai – Thailand

The charming old town is easily located due to its square shape and four sides are surrounded by a canal. It is also surrounded by a wall and has four main gates.

Inside this affectionately called square houses several temples, several monuments, as well as bars, restaurants and all types of accommodation.

 

 

2 – Oldest temple in Chiang Mai

One of the attractions worth exploring and taking some time to visit is Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in the city that is located within the walled area. This temple was erected in 1297, shortly after the city's origins.

They say that the King asked for a Buddhist temple to be built so that he could live and observe the emergence of the new capital of his kingdom, Lan Na.

Remember, to visit and enter each temple, you must wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Therefore, normally when entering you leave your shoes outside as a sign of respect.

 

 

3 – Visit Elephant Sanctuaries

This particularly is my favorite activity: since the first time I came, in 2020, I simply fell in love with them at first sight. I like to describe them as being like big dogs. They are very docile and friendly.

Remembering that I highly recommend visiting the sanctuaries and not the places where they normally exploit and force elephants to carry people in exchange for tourism. These sanctuaries are where elephants are rescued and cared for after abuse by humans.

Therefore, you have the option of spending half the day with them or the whole day. Likewise, on these tours you put on typical clothes that they provide and give food to the ‘animals’. Then we walk with them to the nearby lake for a mud bath, one last cuddle and then returns home.

 

 

4 – Typical Thai Markets in Chiang Mai

This has several areas where Thai people offer various typical foods, sell clothes, especially those pants with elephants, they were one of the first things I bought when I arrived, don't judge me, lol.

In addition to the famous smoothies, coconut water, natural juices. The most famous markets are the Night Bazaar night market, or Ploen Ruede Night Market.

So, if you are here on the weekends, on Saturday there is a big local market called Walking Street on Wua Lai Road. As well as on Sunday, where it starts at Tha Phae Gate and continues along the entire Ratchadamnoen Road and continues to the Wat Phra Singh temple.

 

 

5 – Go to a festival in Chiang Mai – Thailand

If you are planning your next trip to Thailand, perhaps you could consider the dates of these three important festivals:

• Songkran  It is Thai New Year and takes place in April every year. They follow the tradition of throwing water on everyone as a way of celebrating. It can be in cups, bottles, buckets, water guns, or anything to pour water on people. Normally this event lasts a whole week, it's worth checking out.
• Loy Krathong  –  or popularly known as “lantern festival”, it is an event that has a free option that usually takes place every year in one place, they usually put the location, time and days on the Chiang Mai government website which you can check here link here or you also have agencies that organize the paid event. This festival is held at the end of November and lasts 3 days.
• Chiang Mai Flower Festival – This charming event takes place on the first weekend of February with lots of dancing, float parades and outdoor music.

 

 

6 – Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep National Park

The Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple is the most important in the city of Chiang Mai. It is located 11km from the city center and has incredible views.

Therefore, its architecture is made up of statues of seven-headed serpents along the stairs of the temple where a golden pagoda is also located. The temple is open every day from 6am to 6pm.

In this sense, you can get there by car, taking one of the red cars that are super easy to find near the Old City or hiring some tour.

 

 

7 – Do Some Radical Activity

Chiang Mai has some super interesting activities for those who like adventure. In other words, some places offer the option for you to experience ziplining, rafting, or trekking.

If you enjoy hiking, you need to explore the mountains around the city. Like the Monk’s Trail, or rather, the monks’ trail, or on the way to the Doi Suthep temple.

To be sure and secure your place in one of the paid activities, I highly recommend booking your tour in advance. In addition to the convenience of payment, since not everywhere in Thailand accepts credit cards, you can also avoid queues and make your trip more relaxed.

Even better, you don't pay more for it and you're still safe by using a reliable agency, book your tour with this link here.

 

 

Conclusion

Chiang Mai really is a super charming and incredible place to explore, even better while spending very little. Since Thailand is among one of the cheapest countries to be visited.

And following the same reasoning, if you are also like me and LOVE traveling spending almost nothing, I developed the Mentorship for Traveling Spending Little, a course in which I teach step-by-step everything you need to know to be able to travel to various places in the world without having to spend a fortune. I've traveled to more than 30 countries, and I want to help you achieve your dream trip.

To know more about the mentorship click here, questions and suggestions are always very welcome and you can leave it here in the comment or go there in our Instagram @oursweettrip stay on top of destinations or curiosities of places!

Oh, we also have a channel on Youtube, subscribe in there!! Kisses!!!