Chiang Mai Travel Guide

1. Try ziplining

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush and some time in (and above) lush forests, go ziplining. Chiang Mai has many operators offering beginner and advanced zip lining courses including multiple platforms, sky bridges, and abseiling options. Jungle Flight is the home of one of Thailand’s longest zipline courses and Kingkong Smile offers both a short and a long course. The sites tend to be 1-1.5 hours’ drive from Chiang Mai into the mountains, but most operators include a return shuttle trip in the booking fee.

2. Go jungle trekking

Chiang Mai is the main starting point for all sorts of jungle trekking tours. I like the three-day ones the best because, the longer the tour, the more interesting and secluded places you visit. Most multi-day treks include homestays with local families and some a bamboo raft trip down a river or some time at a waterfall. Be careful with whom you sign up, as many guides simply walk with you and don’t tell you much about the land or wildlife. Moreover, if you visit a tribal village, make sure the money stays with the villagers, and that they aren’t being exploited, which unfortunately happens a lot. Be sure to ask your accommodation for suggestions. Don’t book in advance.

3. Take a cooking class

Chiang Mai is the most popular place in Thailand for cooking classes, offering a variety of classes and amazing deals. You’ll often begin your class by going to the market and learning about Thai produce before heading back to the kitchen to cook a few dishes. Some classes even take place on a farm or location with their own vegetable garden, like Grandma’s Cooking School which includes a tour of the organic garden before the cooking class. Every class ends with eating everything you’ve prepared so bring an appetite!

4. Eat a kantoke dinner

This traditional Thai event generally takes place on special occasions, like holidays, festivals, and weddings. At a kantoke dinner, you experience both Northern Thai food and culture at the same time. At this event, visitors are seated on the floor around a circular tray laden with Northern dishes (called a kantoke, giving the tradition its name). While you eat, you’ll watch traditional Thai and Northern dances and other cultural performances. The Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center is the premier place to go, and tickets include dinner.

5. Cruise down the river

Cruise around rural Mae Ping on a two-hour journey that takes you past beautiful scenery around Chiang Mai. Enjoy the scenic vistas, stop to visit a local farm and its herb and fruit gardens, and relax with an onboard Thai dinner. Mae Ping River Cruise is the main company offering tours. You can do a two-hour cruise or a longer dinner cruise.

6. Chat with monks

Monk chats are a chance for visitors to learn about the country’s religion and culture, while for young monks it’s an opportunity to practice their English. It’s a popular cultural activity that occurs at many of the major temples throughout the city, including Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Doi Suthep, Wat Suan Dok, as well as the MCU Buddhist University. Hours vary based on location.

7. Go whitewater rafting

The Mae Taeng River is a popular destination for whitewater rafting, with rapids ranging from levels two to four (easy to advanced). Keep in mind that the river is at its most intense during the rainy season, between August and October, and tours might sometimes be postponed if levels are dangerous. 8 Adventures offers tours which include transportation from Chiang Mai and lunch.

8. Browse Warorot Market

This historic market opened in the early 20th century and is the largest and oldest in the city. It’s a great place to get a more local shopping experience and grab some fresh produce, dried foods, specialty snacks, and clothes. There are even flower vendors outside the market and street food stalls that stay open into the evening. The food stalls are located on the first floor, while clothing and other goods are on the second and third floors. Located near the river, it’s open daily from 6am-7pm.

9. Visit The Highland People Discovery Museum

Highlighting Thailand’s ten minority hill tribes, this ethnographic museum offers informational videos and exhibits on each tribe’s lifestyle, beliefs, clothing, and jewelry items (as well as a gift shop where you can purchase a few authentic items too!). The 4-storey museum building is surrounded by a lake and outside the gardens hosts life-size models of traditional huts of various tribes you can take a stroll through at your leisure. Set aside at least 2-3 hours to get a good feel of what the museum has to offer. It’s open Monday-Friday, and admission is free (donations are welcome).

10. Climb up the Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls

While a little outside of the city, this makes for a great day trip. The falls, due to the type of limestone they’re made of, are almost sticky and allow you to climb up the cascading water. The rocks themselves are interesting, looking a bit like fluffy clouds. Not only is it a neat experience, but it’s also a great workout! Pack a picnic and a change of clothes, find a spot, and “stick” around for lunch. You can self-drive or take a taxi and agree a time for your driver to come back for you, or negotiate a ride with one of the drivers on site. Admission is free, and basic shower and toilet facilities are available.

(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, maps, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)