Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2024

Nestled in the heart of southeast Asia, Thailand has become a haven for backpackers looking to experience once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, stunning beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and spiritual retreats. Known as the Land of Smiles, Thailand is known for the world renowned warmth of Thai hospitality. Within the misty mountains of the north is the cultural jewel of Chiang Mai. The city holds a harmonious blend of ancient tradition and contemporary charm, with centuries-old temples and a vibrant art scene. Wander through art allergies, studios, and craft markets, celebrating the craftsmanship of various handmade treasures and artistic creations. Chiang Mai is a must-add to any southeast Asia itinerary; here are the top 10 reasons you should slow down and take your time in the “Rose of the North”.

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10. Get a Thai Massage

Unlike other types of relaxation massages, Thai massage is not just a physical experience; it is a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses the whole body and is rooted in yoga and the ancient principles of Ayurveda. Key features of Thai massages include energy lines, assisted yoga poses, pressure points and palming, and release of tension and toxins. Thai massage is typically performed fully clothed in comfortable attire, to allow for ease of movement during the stretching and yoga poses. You can find customizable options that fit your schedule and comfortability, ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and focusing only on your neck or legs, to a full body massage. A typical Thai massage in Chiang Mai costs around 150-300 baht, or $5-10. There are also add-on services that can be purchased, like hot stones or clay scrubs, in addition to the base price. Like anything else in Thailand, the cost can increase depending on where you choose to go, a basic shop along the street or a luxury day spa. No matter which option you go with, a Thai massage is a definite bucket list item for any trip to Chiang Mai.

9. Whitewater Rafting and ATV’s in the Mountains

Looking for a rush of adrenaline and want to take in the picturesque landscapes of the mountains of northern Thailand? How about this full-day whitewater rafting and ATV tour from Chiang Mai? When we arrived in the morning, we were each paired with a local who guided us through the rapids. No need to worry if you are a beginner, they will give you all the tips you need and make sure you make it through the course safely. We went roughly five kilometers with five different sets of class 4 and class 5 rapids. Following the rafting experience, we were given an included lunch of pineapple fried rice and fresh fruit, then suited up for the ATV portion of the day. We were given a quick tutorial on how to navigate the mountainous terrain, and then set off following our guide to a village at the highest point in the area. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. We even saw elephants wading across the river just yards away from us! We arrived back in Chiang Mai completely exhausted after a day full of adrenaline and excitement. Click here to see the exact tour we went on. 

8. Shop at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

After a long day of exploring the city and adventuring, the best way to end your night is at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Food stalls, art vendors, and other artisan stalls line the street for you to wander through and shop. We went nearly every night we were in Chiang Mai and found different places to eat at and things to look at each time. We grabbed a few dishes to share and found a spot to relax with a Chang beer and listen to the many street performers singing and playing an admittedly strange array of popular western music… from 2010. One thing we learned while in Thailand is that they LOVE Ed Sheeran. At any given moment, we could spot two or three performers putting on their rendition of Shape of You and Perfect.

The Night Bazaar is your ultimate stop for Thai souvenirs. From authentic Thai silk to handcrafted wooden carvings and art pieces, you are sure to find something suited to your taste in this vibrant street fair. One of my favorites pieces I brought home from Thailand is a wine bottle holder made of olive wood with a detailed elephant carving on the front. I love decorating my home with special souvenirs from my travels, and this is the perfect display for my kitchen! It is important to support local artisans and choose items that represent the culture and craftsmanship of Thailand. Allow yourself to get lost among the rows and rows of vendors and explore some of the lessor-known stalls for unique finds. Remember: bargaining is perfectly acceptable in this type of market and locals love to haggle over a fair, but reasonable price.

7. Tour the Chiang Dao Caves and Bua Thong “Sticky” Waterfalls

An unexpected find of our trip was a group tour to the Chiang Dao Caves and Bua Thong Waterfalls, also known as the “sticky waterfalls”. Spend the morning venturing through a system of interconnected limestone caverns, with only a gas-lit lantern. You will be able to view stalactites, stalagmites, Buddha statues, and other religious offerings from travelers. In the afternoon, grab a delicious lunch from a local restaurant before making your way to the waterfalls. They are known as the “sticky falls” due to limestone deposits that allow you to walk up them barefoot. Our guide led us down to the lower part of the falls and gave us an hour to explore on our own. We played like children and felt like Spiderman using ropes to climb up and down the falls. The hour was plenty of time to see each different layer of waterfalls and make several trips from the bottom to the top. By the time we had to go, we were wiped out and ready to find dinner back in the city. 

6. Watch a Muay Thai Fight (or Even Take a Class!)

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a traditional martial art and combat sport that originated in Thailand. It involves various techniques that incorporate a combination of fists, elbows, knees, and shins, earning it the nickname “The Art of 8 Limbs”. Watching a Muay Thai fight in Chiang Mai is an electrifying experience that immerses you in the thrilling world of this cultural staple. 

Chiang Mai offers various stadiums where you can witness matches, including Thapae Boxing Stadium, Kawila Boxing Stadium, and Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium. Before each match, you will witness a unique variety of rituals, showcasing respect for their trainers and the art of Muay Thai. Join in with the passionate crowd as you enjoy live traditional Thai music accompanying the fights. You can expect to pay around $30 for ringside tickets in Chiang Mai, or $15-$20 for standard stadium seats. Looking for an elevated experience? For around an additional $15, you can purchase VIP seats, which include air-conditioning (a must if you are visiting during the hot, dry season), and often free beer with your ticket. Interested in gambling? Muay Thai is surrounded by a betting culture that often gives spectators the opportunity to place bets on certain fighters. It is certainly not my cup of tea, but definitely adds a layer of excitement to the atmosphere. You can purchase tickets online, in-person at any of the stadiums, or by approaching one of the many promoters you will see on the streets near the Night Bazaar. Fights happen most nights of the week and tickets are often available the day-of. If you are looking to book in advance, check out tickets here.

5. Try Khao Soi

Khao Soi is a regional Thai dish specific to Chiang Mai. It is a noodle soup made with wheat-based egg noodles and served in a coconut milk curry broth. Khao Soi is typically made with beef or chicken (most places offer a combination so you can try both), topped with crispy deep fried noodles and served with lime and red onions.

One of our favorite places to get khao soi is Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom. This restaurant is known for being featured on the Netflix show, Somebody Feed Phil. It is also in the perfect location for walking around the old city after having a bowl. Honestly, so much of the food we had in Thailand was so good, we just got in line wherever we saw the locals gathering around mealtime. You won’t have to go far to find the most delicious bowl of khao soi anywhere in Chiang Mai. If you want to get a sampling of all the best dishes to try in Chiang Mai, check out this food tour, where you can sample a variety of the best street foods the city has to offer, including khao soi!

4. Hike to Doi Suthep

Doi Suthep is an iconic temple atop Doi Suthep mountain near Chiang Mai. It is very accessible and easy to get to on your own. Take a Songthaew (a shared red truck that operate as public taxis… walk around the city for a few minutes and you won’t miss them) from the city center to Doi Suthep. This journey takes around 30 minutes and will cost roughly $2 per person each way.. A taxi will take a similar amount of time and cost $8-10 each way. The temple complex itself does have an entrance fee of around $3, used to maintain the grounds. This ticket does not need to be purchased in advance and can be paid at the entrance gate. 

Once you arrive, climb the Naga Staircase (or the tram for a more leisurely ascent!) to reach the main pagoda. This journey consists of 306 stairs adorned with intricate dragon railings. Explore Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the main temple atop the mountain. Visit the golden chedi, admire the sacred White Elephant Statue, and marvel at the stunning panoramic views of Chiang Mai and its surroundings. Visitors can also participate in the ritual of ringing the sacred bell, which according to tradition, brings good luck and prosperity. 

Before descending and returning to Chiang Mai  using the same transportation options, take some time to explore the surrounding temples and shrines within the Doi Suthep complex. Each offers different architectural features and holds cultural significance to the area. As with any of the religious temples in Thailand, remember to dress modestly, covering your knees and shoulders. This hike can easily be included as part of a guided tour, to take out any stress of navigating public transportation on your own.

3. Day Trip to Chiang Rai

Located a three hour bus ride from Chiang Mai sits Chiang Rai, the northernmost major city in Thailand. Chiang Rai is famous for its White and Blue Temples. Explore unconventional and contemporary Buddhist temples with intricate designs and symbolic artwork. Chiang Rai is also home to Baan Dam (the Black House), a unique museum that features dark, intricate architecture, and an art collection curated by Thawan Duchanee. While in Chiang Rai, you can also visit the Hill Tribes Museum and Education Center to get a glimpse into the lives of the northern hill tribes of Thailand. If you plan to stay the night in Chiang Rai, walk around the Night Bazaar, where you will find local crafts, souvenirs, and street food. 

It is a relatively straightforward journey to get there, with several options to travel between the two cities. Public buses do operate regularly and take approximately 3-4 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Buses depart from the Arcade Bus Station in the city center. Shared minivans provide a faster trip and also depart from the Arcade Bus Station. These vans are more direct and make fewer stops, keeping the travel time to a minimum. Alternatively, consider joining an organized tour that includes transportation from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. These tours include visits to the popular attractions, like the White and Blue Temples, and often give you some free time to explore the areas on your own. Check out this day trip for a budget-friendly public tour!

2. Take a Thai Cooking Class

One of the main reasons I was excited about visiting Thailand was the cuisine. After touring our way through the street food in Bangkok, I was ready to learn the ropes and make my own with a cooking class. We ended up choosing this class through Thai Smile Organic Farm Cooking School. Our evening cooking class included transportation from our hotel in Chiang Mai, along with a visit to a local market where we got to sample fresh herbs commonly used in Thai cuisine. Our instructor picked out groceries we would be using to complete our dishes. Once we arrived at the farm, we were taken out to the garden to source our own fresh Thai basil and other ingredients directly from the plants. Then it was time to roll up our sleeves and get cooking. The course we chose included preparing and trying five dishes: a curry paste, a curry, a stir-fried noodle dish, a soup, and spring rolls. Each participant was given their own workspace complete with a wok and cutting board. We got to choose a dish from each category based on our personal preference, and were then given step-by-step instructions to actively participate in the cooking process. After we completed each dish, we got to sit down with fellow travelers from all over the world to share stories and enjoy the communal aspect of preparing and sharing a meal together. We had such a great time with both our instructor and the other participants in the class that our group decided to join together and visit a local pub in the city after we were done for the night. Following the class, we received a recipe book from the cooking schools so we could recreate the dishes we made at home. Participating in the class was such a fun and interactive way to connect with Thai culture through rich and flavorful cuisine. 

1. Travel to an Elephant Sanctuary

Thailand is home to roughly 3,000 wild Asian elephants, with an additional 3,800 living in captivity. The region surrounding Chiang Mai is full of sanctuaries offering various experiences with the elephants. We ended up opting for the full-day experience at Into the Wild Elephant Camp. We were picked up from our hotel in Chiang Mai at 8:30am and driven about an hour and a half to the camp. We were in Thailand during the low season, so we ended up being the only two people on the full-day tour (the half-day experience had around 20 participants). We got to spend extra time with the elephants that we would not have got if it was more crowded, so that was a really unexpected experience. 

The owner of the property sat down with us upon arrival and discussed the history of working elephants in Thailand and ethical practices the camp follows to allow tourists the best experience possible for both them and the elephants. Our guide then took us out to feed the elephants bananas, dates, and other snacks. We got to hike with the elephants across the vast property, following them wherever they decided to wander. The elephants are free to roam wherever they please, but they always end up coming back in the evenings. As we made our way back to the camp, we helped give them all a mud bath and played with them in the nearby stream. Our guide had a great time taking our GoPro and capturing our awe while interacting with these beautiful creatures. The pictures we got from this experience were so special and one of the highlights of our entire trip. We helped the staff prepare the elephants’ daily medicinal treat balls, where we also got to learn about the healing properties of some of the local plants and herbs. At the end of the day, we said goodbye to the elephants and were dropped off back at our hotel in the city. Truly, a day I will remember for the rest of my life. 

It doesn’t take much to see the appeal and fall in love with Chiang Mai. From the cultural authenticity, natural beauty, friendly locals, and relaxed atmosphere, this Northern Thai city offers a multifaceted experience that resonates with a diverse group of travelers. It was my favorite stop of our trip, and a must-add to any southeast Asia itinerary!

Visiting Thailand soon? Read more about the top things to do in Krabi!