Founded in the 13th century, Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Lan Na Kingdom. It’s the second largest city in Thailand and an obligatory stop on the SE Asia backpacker trail. It’s not hard to see why. Chiang Mai is laid-back, friendly, and easy to fall in love with. It’s often the gateway to the rest of northern Thailand as well. Come for the temples, stay for the food. Below some things to do that are the best in Chiang Mai.
Visit Chiang Mai’s temples
There are hundreds of Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai. If you are passionate about the intricacies of these temples, you could spend days or even weeks wandering through them all. On the other hand, if you are prone to temple burn-out, I suggest picking two or three and then exploring the rest of the city. The most famous temple, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, is actually outside the city on top of Mount Suthep. Other top picks include Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, and Wat Chedi Luang.
Go rock climbing
Get outside and have a little fun! We went rock climbing with Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures (CMRCA) on Crazy Horse. It was terrific. The guides were great, very patient and knowledgable. Our sons wore themselves out rappelling down into a cave and then climbing up one of the faces of Crazy Horse. The lunch provided by CMRCA was delicious too. I can’t recommend them enough.
See the elephants
The elephant is one of Thailand’s most famous symbols. When you go to Chiang Mai, you’ll undoubtedly be given lots of opportunities to visit an elephant park. Be warned though – some of these parks have a reputation for cruelty. I wrote about our visit to the Elephant Nature Park in November (see here). This park is a sanctuary for wounded and injured elephants. You won’t find any circus performances or riding here. You will find a staff that is dedicated to taking care of their large residents, and a mischievous young elephant or two.
Visit the night markets
I’m of two minds on night markets. If you’ve never experienced the exotic sights and smells of a Southeast Asian night market, don’t miss it for the world. If this scene is very familiar to you, however, you may decide to pass. If you do go, I recommend the Sunday night market within the city walls over the nightly bazaar between the eastern wall and the river.
Eat the food
The food is delicious and cheap. If someone knows only one thing about Chiang Mai, it’s probably that. Northern Thai food differs greatly from the southern regions and Chiang Mai is the perfect place to try some. Khao Soi, a rich and spicy dish of noodles in coconut milk curry, is one of the region’s signature specialties. Larb Kua, a spicy mix of pan-fried meat, innards, and spices, is another favorite.
Travel further
Chiang Mai is the gateway to northern Thailand so don’t just stop at the gate. Journey to Chiang Rai, a quieter town that will make Chiang Mai seem crowded by comparison. Or even further, to the border with Laos. You’ll encounter hill tribes, good food, and a welcome that lives up to Thailand’s nickname, the Land of Smiles.