Chiang Mai City Municipality itinerary — 2 days
Day 1 — Chiang Mai City Municipality
8 stops · ≈ 5 h 47 minChiang Mai's main park inside the old city, by the north-western corner of the moat: a lake full of fish, shady trees, playgrounds, exercise corners and picnic lawns. Every February it hosts the Chiang Mai Flower Festival with hundreds of flowerbeds. Locals come here for morning workouts and yoga, and entry is free. The Chang Puak gate with its evening market is nearby.
A historic 14th-century Buddhist temple complex in the heart of Chiang Mai's walled Old City. Its central monument is a colossal ruined stone stupa (chedi) that once soared to 82 metres and enshrined the sacred Emerald Buddha before a massive 1545 earthquake. Giant sculpted elephants still guard the brick terraces. The temple compound also houses the revered City Pillar shrine (Sao Inthakin) and a viharn with a reclining Buddha.
Stretching along Chang Khlan Road, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is the pulsing heart of the city's evening scene. At sunset, blocks fill with hundreds of stalls showcasing northern Thai crafts: hand-carved soaps, hill-tribe silverware, painted umbrellas, and silks. Bustling food stalls serve regional specialties like aromatic khao soi curry noodles, freshly grilled satay skewers, and sweet mango sticky rice.
A bronze sculpture in the heart of Chiang Mai's old city, in front of the City Arts and Cultural Centre: King Mengrai, who founded the city in 1296, flanked by his allies, the rulers of Sukhothai and Phayao. The monument marks the founding of Chiang Mai, and locals still leave offerings at its base. It is nicely lit in the evening, near the Sunday walking street.
A jazz bar by Chang Puak Gate on the northern edge of Chiang Mai's old city: live music almost every night, from blues and swing to funk, plus open jam sessions that pull in local and visiting musicians. Entry is free and you are expected to order drinks; seating is simple and limited, so evenings fill up fast. Popular with expats and students, it hits its liveliest stride around midnight.
A highly rated culinary academy in Chiang Mai, introducing travelers to traditional Thai cooking techniques since 2008. Hands-on classes begin with an informative guided excursion to a bustling local market to learn about exotic produce, followed by herb gathering in an organic garden. Under expert chefs, participants prepare authentic dishes from scratch: handmade curry pastes in pestles, tom yum soup, pad thai, and mango sticky rice.
Weekday market with a covered section selling flowers, produce & household goods.
A fixture of Chiang Mai nightlife since 1984, The Riverside Bar & Restaurant is set along the banks of the Ping River on Charoenrat Road. Its multi-level teak decks and open-air riverside terraces provide breezy views across the water and illuminated bridges. Every evening, local bands take the stage with rock, blues, and pop sets, while the kitchen serves northern Thai specialties, fresh seafood, Western classics, and craft beers.
Reserve
4If you have time left — worth it too.
Organization offering a range of tours highlighting a range of Thai cultural experiences.
Sprawling over 80 hectares of lush tropical hillside at the base of Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Zoo is Northern Thailand's leading zoological park. Established in 1977, it houses a diverse array of global wildlife in expansive habitats, from Asian elephants and rhinos to koalas and big cats. A major highlight is the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium, boasting one of Asia's longest underwater tunnels at 133 meters, showcasing Mekong River fish.
A national park on the 1,676-metre mountain west of Chiang Mai, noticeably cooler than the city. The Monk's Trail climbs through jungle to the forest temple of Wat Pha Lat, and higher up the ridge glitters the golden chedi of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. In the lower park hide the Monthathan and Mae Sa waterfalls, while on Doi Pui sits a Hmong village with craft stalls. Morning mist often lingers on the mountain road until midday.
Chiang Mai Night Safari is a major nature theme park located at the base of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, modeled after Singapore's renowned safari. Visitors board open-sided safari trams to tour the Savanna Safari and Predator Prowl zones, observing active nocturnal wildlife like giraffes, zebras, white tigers, and bears in naturalistic open habitats. The park also features an illuminated lakeside walking trail and musical water fountain shows.
- Always negotiate the fare before getting into a tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi.
- Dress modestly when visiting temples and cultural sites.
- Try to carry small change for local transportation and markets.