Things to Do in Chiang Mai: 12 Places & 4–5 Day Itineraries
Twelve Chiang Mai sights with hours and fees checked against the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the city heritage centre and operators, plus 4-day and 5-day plans grouped by area.
Itineraries
4 days
Day 1 · Old City
Chiang Mai City Heritage Centre (City Arts & Cultural Centre)Wat Phra SingWat Chedi Luang VaraviharaWarorot Market (Kad Luang)
Day 2 · Doi Suthep & Night Safari
Wat UmongWat Phra That Doi SuthepDoi Suthep-Pui National ParkChiang Mai Night Safari
Day 3 · Elephant Nature Park
Day 4 · San Kamphaeng
5 days
Day 1 · Old City
Chiang Mai City Heritage Centre (City Arts & Cultural Centre)Wat Phra SingWat Chedi Luang VaraviharaWarorot Market (Kad Luang)
Day 2 · Doi Suthep & Night Safari
Wat UmongWat Phra That Doi SuthepDoi Suthep-Pui National ParkChiang Mai Night Safari
Day 3 · Elephant Nature Park
Day 4 · Doi Inthanon
Day 5 · San Kamphaeng
Things to do 12
Chiang Mai City Heritage Centre (City Arts & Cultural Centre)
Municipal heritage centre that runs the Chiang Mai Cultural Centre, Historical Centre and Lanna Folklife Centre.
- Hours
- Wed–Sun 08:30–16:30 (open on public holidays); closed Mon–Tue
- Fee
- Adult 90 baht, child 40 baht
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- Prapokklao Rd., Si Phum, in the Old City
Wat Phra Sing
Temple built in 1345 on Sam Lan Road. Wihan Lai Kham enshrines the Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image, which is paraded through town during Songkran (13–15 April).
- Hours
- 08:00–17:00
- Time needed
- about 40 minutes
- Getting there
- 2 Sam Lan Road, Old City
Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
14th-century temple with a large chedi and the Sao Inthakhin city pillar. The chedi was damaged by an earthquake in 1545.
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–17:00
- Time needed
- about 40 minutes
- Getting there
- 103 Phra Pokklao Road, Old City
Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
Local market selling northern foods such as fermented pork sausage and green chilli paste. Ton Lam Yai flower market is next to it.
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai
Wat Umong
Temple founded in 1296 under King Mengrai in a forest setting. It is used as a meditation centre and has tunnel-like structures built for meditation.
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- 135/10 Moo 10, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Temple on Doi Suthep at 1,056 m, dating to the late 14th century. Reach the golden chedi by a staircase of over 300 steps lined with naga serpents, or by electric tram.
- Hours
- Open daily; tram 06:00–18:00
- Fee
- Foreign adult 30 baht; tram 50 baht for foreigners
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Getting there
- About 11 km from the city centre via Huai Kaeo Road. Shared minibuses run from Chiang Mai University 05:00–17:00.
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
262 sq km park covering Doi Suthep, Doi Buak Ha and Doi Pui. It includes Huay Kaew Waterfall and the Hmong village on Doi Pui.
- Time needed
- half a day
- Getting there
- Huay Kaew Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Night Safari
Government-run nature theme park with safari tram rides and the Jaguar Trail walking zone. It is about 10 km from the city centre.
- Hours
- Ticket booth 11:00–21:00; closes 22:00
- Fee
- Foreigners: Safari Tram adult 1,200 / child 600 baht; Jaguar Trail adult 400 / child 200 baht; under 100 cm free
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- 33 Moo 12, Nong Khwai, Hang Dong
Elephant Nature Park
Sanctuary for rescued elephants, visited on half-day, full-day or overnight programmes with hotel pickup.
- Hours
- Half-day morning pickup 07:30–08:00; afternoon 12:00–12:30; SkyWalk full day returns 16:30–17:00
- Fee
- Half day 2,500 baht; SkyWalk full day 3,500 baht (ages 3–11 50%, 0–2 25%)
- Time needed
- half day or a full day
- Getting there
- Hotel pickup included
MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum
Private contemporary art museum showing the founders' collection of Thai and regional art, plus temporary exhibitions.
- Hours
- The site states 'Open every Friday through Monday, 10 AM – 6 PM' (its Visit page also shows 'Open every day except Tuesday'); check before going
- Fee
- Adult 200 baht, student 100 baht, senior 150 baht
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Getting there
- About 20 minutes' drive from the city. White minibuses to San Kamphaeng leave from Warorot Market (15 baht).
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
Hot springs 36 km from town with two geysers that shoot water up to about 20 m.
- Fee
- Foreign adult 100 baht, child 50 baht (TAT listing)
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Getting there
- Moo 7, Mae On, about 36 km from town
Doi Inthanon National Park
1,005 sq km park on Doi Inthanon, which TAT lists at 2,565 m. Sights include the two relic pagodas, Mae Klang and Wachirathan waterfalls, Kew Mae Pan trail and Mae Klang Luang rice terraces.
- Time needed
- a full day
- Getting there
- 119 Moo 7, Chom Thong
Good to know
- Wat Phra Sing and Wat Chedi Luang are listed as open 08:00–17:00.
- The City Heritage Centre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- MAIIAM's site states it is open Friday through Monday, 10:00–18:00; confirm before visiting.
- At Doi Suthep you can climb the 300-plus steps or take the tram (50 baht for foreigners, 06:00–18:00).
- Chiang Mai Night Safari's ticket booth closes at 21:00 and the park closes at 22:00.
FAQ
How much is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep?
TAT lists 30 baht for foreign adults. The tram up to the temple is 50 baht for foreigners and runs 06:00–18:00.
How much is Chiang Mai Night Safari?
For foreigners, the Safari Tram is 1,200 baht (adult) and 600 baht (child); the Jaguar Trail is 400 and 200 baht. Children under 100 cm enter free.
When is MAIIAM open?
The official site states 'Open every Friday through Monday, 10 AM – 6 PM'. Its Visit page also shows 'every day except Tuesday', so check before going. Adult admission is 200 baht.
How much is Elephant Nature Park?
The half-day visit is 2,500 baht and the SkyWalk full day is 3,500 baht, with hotel pickup. Ages 3–11 pay 50%.
Which days is the City Heritage Centre closed?
Mondays and Tuesdays. It opens Wednesday to Sunday, 08:30–16:30, including public holidays.