The Ultimate Chiang Mai Travel Guide

Many times, a place is so vast and has such a rich culture that we get lost while planning an itinerary. We want to do all, but we want to take our time to explore. Chiang Mai is one such city with so many amazing places for a tourist to explore that sometimes it can be a tad over whelming. So, here we try to create the Ultimate Chiang mai Travel guide for anyone who wants to explore the city’s best kept secrets and the must see spots!

Note: This itinerary skips the heavily crowded sites like Doi Suthep in favor of genuine cultural experiences at idyllic locations like Wat Pha Lat and Wat Umong, providing a deeper look at Lanna culture.

History of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, which means “New City” in Thai, was founded at the turn of the 13th century by King Mangrai. Seeking a strategic location along the Ping River for better trade opportunities, Mangrai moved his capital from Chiang Rai to this new site, marking the birth of Chiang Mai. By the 15th century, the Lan Na Kingdom, known as the “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields,” had grown powerful enough to challenge the Ayutthaya Kingdom, though it never managed to conquer it.

However, internal strife weakened Lan Na, leading to its subjugation by the Burmese in the 16th century, with intermittent periods as a vassal state of Ayutthaya. Discontent with Burmese rule simmered until the late 18th century, culminating in their expulsion. The Lan Na Kingdom then became a vassal of the emerging Siam nation-state. Lan Na was fully assimilated by the early 20th century into what we now know as modern-day Thailand.

Chiang Mai’s vibrant tapestry of temples is a testament to its rich history. Theravada Buddhism and a confluence of diverse cultures and theologies along main trade routes were strong influences. Lan Na rulers’ conquests enriched the city’s art and architecture. These factors together have created a stunning array of temples, each telling a unique story and playing a vital role in the heritage of Thailand.

Getting around in Chiang Mai

Exploring the city offers many commuting options to suit every traveller’s needs. Ride-sharing apps like Grab and Bolt provide convenient services for cabs and scooters. If you prefer the freedom of driving yourself, car and scooter rentals are widely available.

For a quintessential Thai experience, hop on a tuk-tuk—those iconic three-wheeled vehicles with bench seating. While typically shared, you can hire an entire tuk-tuk for a more private journey if you’re willing to cover the full fare. Another option to get around, particularly for farther attractions such as Doi Suthep are the red trucks or Songthaews.

The best time to visit Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s tropical climate is tempered by its elevation, offering a pleasant respite from the heat. However, be aware of the poor air quality from January to April due to crop burning. The summer months of March to May can be quite warm, while November to February brings cooler winter temperatures.

The monsoon season runs from June to October, with August and September seeing the heaviest rainfall. Visiting during this time allows you to witness the Ping River and waterfalls at their most spectacular, though occasional flash floods might lead to temporary closures of some attractions.

April is a fantastic time to visit if you want to experience the vibrant Songkran festival, where the Thai New Year is celebrated with lively water fights. This is also peak mango season, adding a delicious treat to your trip.

The high tourist season stretches from November to January when even locals flock to the hills to enjoy the cool weather and dry conditions. November also hosts the enchanting Krathong festival, where candles are floated on the Ping River or released into the sky in paper balloons as a gesture of thanksgiving.

We stayed at the Amaka II of the Amaka Cafe – Bed and Breakfast. It is located near the Wat Lok Molee and is sufficiently close to the major sights of Chiang Mai. We were treated to a fabulous breakfast of our choice every morning in Amaka I. Our hosts helped us arrange transport for our itinerary and hinted at things to do and local foods to try.

Plan your trip

Getting there:

• Road: You can take a bus from Bangkok’s Moh Chit station. The buses take between 9 to 12 hours to reach Chiang Mai. The buses are operated daily by the government and private travel agencies.
• Rail: Daily trains run from Bangkok’s Hualamphong Station to Chiang Mai Station. The journey takes between 12 hours and 15 hours. Tickets can be booked in advance. First and second-class ticketed travel options are available. Chiang Mai Station is about 3 km east of the city centre.
• Air: Chiang Mai International Airport, 3 km southwest of the city centre is the main airport. Domestic and International flights are operated out of the airport daily. You can travel between the city and the airport by taxis, buses and other local transport options.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 – Chiang Mai Itinerary

Our morning began with a scrumptious breakfast of cheese toast, noodles and Thai iced tea at the Amaka I. We took a cab to the Jing Jai Market.

Jing Jai Market

We reviewed our itinerary the previous night. We found the rustic, farmers’ and artists’ markets in Jing Jai Market are open only on the weekends, but we had planned to visit during the week. So, a quick rejig of the itinerary found the Jing Jai Market at the top of our itinerary, a decision we had much to be happy about 😉

Plan your trip

• Timings:
  • Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday: 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
  • Jing Jai Gallery (Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM ; Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
  • Jing Jai Weekend Market (Saturday and Sunday: 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM)
  • Jing Jai Village (Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM ; Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
• Getting there: Tuk-tuk/Taxi cab (Grab or Bolt)/Songthaew
• Entry fee: There’s no entrance fee to the market area.
• See here for more details.

About the market

Jing Jai in Thai means Earnest or Sincere-hearted. The market is an art lover’s paradise. Elegant and functional pieces of clothing, whimsical pieces of art created right in front of our eyes, busking musicians with a couple of dogs in tow, dragons and other fantastic creatures from hemp fibres, unique stationery, and a dizzying array of tea and snacks available in the cafes – this is Jing Jai in a nutshell!

We spent nearly half a day strolling around the market, taking in its sights and sounds, trying our best not to impulse-shop, and utterly failing at it! Every stall owner did their best to quote fair prices and ensure the shoppers’ left happy regardless of if they were customers. This was a new experience for us, as we were used to haggling over purchases in such markets with the entailing disgruntlement. Do not miss this market, especially on the weekends!

We had lunch at the Downtown – Vegan Garden, with a large spread on offer. The portion sizes were generous, the service was quick and attentive, and the seating was comfortable. The Lanna Folklife Museum was our next stop.

Lanna Folklife Museum

The museum features permanent exhibits dealing with the Lanna people’s lifestyle, the Lanna school of architecture, the art, traditions and rituals of the Buddhist faith, and craftsmanship from the bygone era. The building used to be the Chiang Mai District Court and now houses the Lanna Folklife Museum.

Plan your trip

• Timings: Wednesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ; Closed on Monday and Tuesday
• Getting there: Tuk-tuk/Taxi cab (Grab or Bolt)/Songthaew
• Entry fee: Adults: 90 THB; Children: 40 THB
• See here for more details.

We spent about 3 hours in this museum. The entry ticket also featured a map of the museum with the various sections. We saw the various aspects of the vihan (Buddha Image Hall) in a Lanna-style wat (Buddhist temple), the various sculptures made using locally available materials, distinct Chiang Mai-style murals, celadon ceramic ware, music, musical instruments, Lanna textiles, and so on.

It’s a great way to understand and appreciate the Lanna culture and tradition. The Lanna people’s environmentally sustainable methods of re-routing water for agriculture was an interesting exhibit. Our next stop was the Wat Chedi Luang.

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang means the Temple of the Big/Royal Stupa. It dates from the 14th century CE.

Plan your trip

• Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days
• Getting there: Tuk-tuk/Taxi cab (Grab or Bolt)/Songthaew
• Entry fee: Free for Thais. Adults: 50 THB; Children: 20 THB

You can read all about our visits to the temples of Chiang Mai here.

As it was a weekend, the lanes outside Wat Chedi Luang became ‘walking streets’. The streets were closed to motor vehicles. Many stalls sprang up selling curios, decor, food, quirky art, and clothing. We spent most of the evening strolling around, shopping some more, enjoying some refreshing coconut pudding to beat the heat. We took a cab back to our stay for dinner and rest.

Day 2 – Chiang Mai Itinerary

Wat Pha Lat

The next day, we set off on a trip that’d take us through the various temples of Chiang Mai. Our first stop was the temple of Wat Pha Lat on the slopes of the Doi Suthep mountain.

Read more about this temple in the middle of greenery and our experience here.

Wat Umong

The Wat Umong Suan Phutthatham was our next stop. This was a truly difference mainly because of its underground tunnels, the old charm and the calmness all around.

We stopped for lunch at Pure Vegan Heaven. Their Garlic Sweet Potatoes, Rabbit Humus, Falafel Wraps, and a couple of refreshing juices made lunch special. We left fully sated and ready for Wat Phra That Doi Kham.

After an hour there, we went to the erstwhile Lanna capital of Wiang Kum Kam.

Wiang Kum Kam

Wiang Kum Kam was the interim city of King Mangrai before the founding of Chiang Mai as his capital. The Ping River kept flooding the city every monsoon, and so the king moved his capital to Chiang Mai.

All that is left in Wiang Kum Kam now are the foundations of the buildings from the time of King Mangrai. You can take a motorised wagon, run by volunteers to see the various monuments in Wiang Kum Kam. Alternatively, if you have more time, you can take a bicycle tour of Wiang Kum Kam for a nearly 3-hour trip steeped in history.

Wat Sri Suphan

Our next stop was the Wat Sri Suphan, also called the Silver Temple. We made our way back home by cab, with a quick stop at S&P for baked goodies. You can read all about our experience at this temple here.

Day 3 – Chiang Mai Itinerary

Mae Kampong

Our first stop for the day was the village of Mae Kampong. Our hosts at Amaka helped with the transport arrangements. We took a cab to this pretty village. Mae Kampong is the first model homestay in Thailand for tourists to stay with the locals and experience the Lanna lifestyle.

The Wat Mae Kampong was a lovely temple with a fully wooden vihan in the middle of a pond fed by burbling brooks. In this picturesque setting, we lost all track of time. Our other stop on this leg was the Mae Kampong waterfall. There are seven levels to the waterfall. The first four levels are reachable through stone steps overgrown with roots in places. The uppermost three levels are accessible by steep metal ladders. We also saw some giant orb weaver spiders basking in their webs. We sampled some delectable Daifukumochi filled with anko paste.

Bo Sang Umbrella Village

The Bo Sang Umbrella Village was our next stop. Nearly a hundred years ago, a monk named Phra Inthaa received a paper umbrella from a Myanmarese resident of Bo Sang. Intrigued, he travelled to Myanmar to learn their umbrella-making techniques. He discovered how to create umbrellas from mulberry paper (locally called Sa paper) and bamboo frames (Mai Bong). The paper was coated with resin from persimmon trees to make it water-resistant. Phra Inthaa brought these techniques back to Bo Sang and established an umbrella-making commune.

We got to see the entire process:

• Making paper from soaked mulberry fibres by sieving and pressing them on meshed frames
• Crafting the umbrella’s parts like the frame, handles, and topper from timber
• Attaching the paper to the frame, and painting it with decorative images.

Artists can create custom paintings on items like mobile covers and spectacle cases, or even paint vibrant, on-the-spot tattoos on your arm or face.

We were back in Downtown – Vegan Garden for lunch.

Wat Suan Dok

After resting for a while in Amaka, we set out to Wat Suan Dok. The white mausoleums outside the temple during sunset were a sight to behold! You can read all about our experiences in Wat Suan Dok here.

Tha Phae Gate

We took a cab to Tha Phae Gate. This is the eastern gate used by monks, traders and diplomats to enter Chiang Mai. Today, the massive walls and the doors frame a large public space, with many restaurants and cafés nearby. We tried durian from a vendor here.

Our next stop was the Chang Phuak Gate Night Market where food stalls start from 5:00 PM and operate until midnight. We had Banana Nutella at the Roti Geback and chilled tender coconut water for dinner. The night market is a haven for non-vegetarian food lovers.

Day 4 – Chiang Mai Itinerary

The day started with a visit to the Wat Lok Molee. It was a short walk from our stay. We tried some mango sticky rice here. The preparation of the mango for the sticky rice was mesmerising to watch. We got a takeaway to savour leisurely once back in our stay.

Wat Chiang Man

Our next stop was Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai., dating back to the time of King Mangrai. We took a break at Into The Woods Cafe. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere and a large collection of books. Bobbleheads from the Harry Potter franchise, fairytale-themed murals, and a few tongue-in-cheek warnings about carelessly handling the books completed the quirky vibes of the place.

You can read about our temple visits and plan yours as well here.

We walked to the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center, a short distance from the Wat Chiang Man.

Plan your trip

• Timings: Wednesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ; Closed on Monday and Tuesday
• Getting there: Walk/Tuk-tuk/Taxi cab (Grab or Bolt)/Songthaew
• Entry fee: Adults: 90 THB; Children: 40 THB
• See here for more details.

The permanent exhibits take you back in time from the prehistoric times until today, to give you glimpses of the Lanna area through the ages. The rituals and the astrological beliefs that resulted in the founding of Chiang Mai City on the site it exists today, the crucial role that the Ping River played in the prosperity of the Lanna Kingdom, the unique school of architecture and arts that arose as a result of cultural influences from trading, life in the city, annual rituals and animism that predated Buddhism, sustainable use of the natural resources, and the adaptations of the various Indigenous Peoples of Northern Thailand to make agriculture possible in the hilly terrain are all topics explained through the exhibits. We found the exhibits and the explanations quite engrossing.

Three Kings Monument

We passed by the Three Kings Monument on the way back to your stay. The statue commemorates the close alliance between King Mangrai of Lanna, King Nigam Muang of Phayao and King Ramkhahaeng of Sukhothai. Some kids were skateboarding in the open space in front of the monument. A map of Chiang Mai cast on a metal sphere stood nearby.

We made our way back to our stay, having completed our Chiang Mai itinerary. The warm people, laid-back lifestyle, delicious food, pretty sights and their respect for nature are all fond memories of our time in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai with Kids

Are you travelling to Chiang Mai with kids? Then these tips are for you.

1. Do not miss Mae Kampong village. Trust us when we say the photos do not do enough justice to the place. There are some great spots to chill and enjoy the view. Small hikes lead up to beautiful waterfalls that are not deep and kids can have a lot of fun. Carry some easy-to-dry clothes with you.
2. Lanna folklife museum is set up very well and kids can learn a lot from the museum. The lives of the people displayed with statues would be interested for them.
3. Jing Jai market has musicians performing live, artists working on various types of art and many other interesting activities going on. The vibe is top notch!
4. From a culture and temples perspective, my pick would be Wat Pha Lat. This easy-to-navigate forest temple provides a genuine look at old-style Lanna heritage, blending perfectly with nature. Children will be able to walk through the dragon-guarded stairs and it will be a refreshing experience.

FAQs & Quick Tips

• If you’re planning a year-end visit, be prepared for heavy traffic, especially at popular sites like Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep.
• The drivers of both tuk-tuks and songthaews are familiar with Google Maps for navigation, ensuring you reach your destination smoothly. Remember to agree on the route and fare before you set off.
• Most temples have a dress code and do not encourage clothes with buddha images on them. The Silver temple does not allow women to enter the main temple. While it can be frustrating, it is important to be respectful.
• Certain markets and places are only open on certain days of the week. For example, Jing Jai market is only open on weekends. Do check that when you plan your itinerary.
• We went in April due to the holiday season in India and got roasted! Especially at places like Wiang Kum Kam, it was scorching. Bottled cold water is available everywhere, but better carry some water as well. Umbrellas can also be taken on rent at most of these places if you aren’t carrying one.

What are your favorite Chiang Mai spots? Let me know in the comments!