Top Oz Tours offers a great range of Chiang Mai tours and experiences. You can browse the options here.
Chiang Mai is affectionately known in Thailand as the ‘Rose of the North’, and offers visitors a fascinating blend of culture, customs, and cuisine.
Located in the foothills of the Thai Highlands — just under seven hundred kilometres north of Bangkok — the city is famous for its serene temples, cooking classes, adventure activities, and market shopping.
This is the second biggest city in Thailand, but you wouldn’t know it! Somehow Chiang Mai manages to maintain a village vibe. There are hundreds of cafes (which Aussie travellers will love), alongside small galleries and artisan stores. And those in the market for handmade arts and crafts have come to the right place!
If you’re planning to obtain a Destination Thailand Visa (informally known as a digital nomad visa) and enjoy an extended stay while working remotely, there are endless reasons to base yourself in this vibrant part of the country. Explore the rental properties available in Chiang Mai and take the first steps towards realising your work/travel dreams.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Chiang Mai on a first visit.
1. Explore the Old City
The Old City is a gated, square-shaped neighbourhood that’s home to several of Chiang Mai’s must-sees. There are temples, markets, and cafes and restaurants here, and it’s a lovely atmospheric place to while away a day. Get off the beaten track just a little and you’ll uncover myriad hidden treasures.
2. Do a DIY temple tour
Beautiful Buddhist temples (wats) abound across Chiang Mai, and you’ll feel an immediate sense of calm when entering any of these ornate spiritual buildings. Start with a visit to popular Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (just Suthep for short), which is set high up in the hills of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. In the Old City you’ll find Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and the small and rustic Wat Phan Tao. Remember to dress appropriately: cover knees and shoulders, and remove footwear before entering.
3. Shop up a storm in the markets
Chiang Mai’s street markets offer colourful souvenir shopping and will put your haggling skills to the test. The Night Bazaar is a favourite with many visitors, and offers everything from watches and passport covers, to funny t-shirts and fish foot spas. Bring cash and be ready to bargain!
4. Get a traditional Thai massage
You can’t visit Thailand without getting a traditional massage (well, you can, but you’ll be missing out on a quintessential experience!). A one-hour foot or body massage from any of the street-side salons dotted across Chiang Mai will set you back around 250 THB ($10 AUD). There’s a lot of pushing, pulling, and prodding, but you’ll feel amazing afterwards!
5. Chat with a monk
It’s not every day that you get to pick the brain of an ordained Buddhist monk. ‘Monk Chat’ has become popular in recent years as a way for tourists to learn about a monk’s life and for monks to practise their English. Come prepared with questions and be sure to leave a donation on your way out. Wat Chedi Luang, which shares a location with Mahamakut Buddhist University, is a popular spot for a monk chin-wag.
6. Take a cooking class
A cooking class is one of those tourist activities that will give back to you, your family and friends for years to come. Sammy’s Organic Thai Cooking School offers a full day option that includes making and eating six courses, a take home cookbook and two hours of nap time in a hammock if you choose. Classes are taught in English by Thai staff.
7. Try Chiang Mai’s signature dish
There’s a Thai saying that goes something like: ‘If you haven’t been to Wat Phrah That Doi Suthep or tasted khao soi, then you haven’t really been to Chiang Mai’. We’ve ticked one off, now here’s the other. Khao soi is the city’s signature dish. This noodle-based meal is mix of sweet, sour and spicy, soft and crunchy noodles, and a sprinkling of spring onion. Add chilli, onion, pickle and lime to enhance the already yummy Thai flavours. Ask for khao soi gai if you would like chicken added.
8. Ride in a tuk tuk
Getting around in Chiang Mai is relatively easy. You can rent a car or moped (check that you’re covered by your travel insurance in the event of an accident), or save some stress by using tuk tuks and the hop-on-hop-off red truck taxis. Wave a truck down and ask the driver if he’s going near your destination. Confirm the price before you get in the back, and pay him on arrival through the passenger-side-window. Tip: Take a business card from your hotel so you can show the driver the address and get ‘home’ more easily.
9. Go trekking
The mountainous terrain around Chiang Mai is alive with adventure. Trekking is hugely popular here, and the easily accessible national parks of Doi Suthep, Mae Wang, Doi Inthanon, and Huai Nam Dang offer some of the best hiking in Thailand. You won’t have any difficulty finding trails to suit your level of fitness, so lace up and get out there!
10. Bathe with an elephant
Love them or loathe them, elephant attractions are common in northern Thailand. However, they can be vastly different experiences, so do your research carefully if you decide to visit one. Some are simply about riding the elephants (in which case, chains may be used to hobble them), but others focus on the health and wellness of the animals. Elephant Family Care’s half day tour gives you the opportunity to feed the resident gentle giants, before joining them in the pond for a cooling bath. Don’t worry — you’re given suitable clothing to wear, so that yours stays clean and dry! Lunch and a ride back to town are included in the tour price.
Need a place to stay?
Rarinjinda Wellness Spa Resort
The Rarinjinda Resort offers luxury accommodation and is perfect for those who like to indulge in a little pampering. Situated near the Ping River, this spa hotel is a 10 to 20-minute walk to the Night Bazaar and Old City. The resort caters for all types of travellers, including families. Relax by the pool, work out in the fitness room, zen out during a complimentary yoga class, or hit the spa for a massage.
A daily buffet breakfast of Thai and Western-style dishes is served at Deck One — located on the riverfront, just across the street from the resort. The peaceful view of the river may entice you back here for dinner.
This post was published thanks to Property Scout.
The writer travelled as a guest of Rarinjinda Wellness Spa Resort.
Browse our range of Chiang Mai tours and experiences here.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the best things to do in Chiang Mai on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Jennifer Morton is a freelance writer and photographer. The Canadian expat has lived all over Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. She also spent six months working on a cruise ship in Europe. When Jennifer is not writing about travel, you may find her lounging on the beach, fishing with her son, sipping coffee at a cafe, reading a book, or zooming in on a beautiful scene.
