Things to do & places to visit in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Chiang Mai Province #3 destination in Thailand 2023. The average rating score is 4.51 based on 103.3k traveler reviews, of 356 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Bangkok, current date and time: Monday, April 29, 2024, 19:06.

Chiang Mai Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in April

95°F - 71°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Very warm, comfortable

Feels like

15%

Chance of rain

119.0 millimeters

Amount

6.4 mph

Wind speed

51%

Humidity

12.5

Daylight length

6:07 AM

Sunrise

6:40 PM

Sunset

40%

Cloud cover

Sleeveless shirt

What to wear

Top things to do (24)

Top destinations in Chiang Mai Province 78

See more 66 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Smile Organic Farm Cooking School (8.785 reviews)
- Great time to learn Thai dishes
Monday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Cooking Classes

Smile Organic Farm Thai Cooking School provides Thai cooking courses at an organic farm. Our school is set in a beautiful, serene organic farm and garden, you will learn how to grow vegetables and taste herbs in our own garden, pick organic fresh ingredients for your healthy Thai dishes, as well as cooking and enjoy your food in a relaxing atmosphere. See more..
5.0 Thai Akha Cooking School (4.921 reviews)
- Highly Recommend this Experience!!
Monday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Cooking Classes

Thai Akha Kitchen is run by Akha people who were born and raised in Thailand. We love Thai food just as much as you! Give us a chance to tell you our story. Our small culture will sooner or later cease to exist and will become forgotten, so this is our chance to pass down our traditions and cooking styles to the world in hope that at least some parts of it will live through people who continue to use our techniques. Akha Food is totally different from Thai Food and is much healthier and fresher. Akha people have a saying: “There are only three things in jungle that you can’t eat, and nobody knows what they are”. In other words, we haven’t found anything that’s not edible yet! See more..
5.0 Thai Farm Cooking School (4.423 reviews)
- Fun and instructive learning experience!
Spent More than 3 hours Cooking Classes

Thai Farm Cooking School is the first and original Thai cooking school at an organic farm in Chiang Mai since 2001. We offer full day and half day cooking classes at our organic farm. It is a great way to get out of the city for a day and learn all about the organic ingredients that we proudly grow ourselves at the farm. You will cook delicious healthy meals from scratch at individual cooking stations. Our cooking instructors are all passionate about food and love to share their knowledge with you. See more..
5.0 Asia Scenic Thai Cooking School (3.165 reviews)
- Amazing experience!
Monday: 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Cooking Classes

What makes Asia Scenic Thai Cooking School superior to other cooking schools: our flair for the artistry of Thai cooking paired with exquisite attention to Thai culture’s captivating details. See more..
5.0 Zabb E Lee Thai cooking school (2.681 reviews)
- Must Do Cookery School in Chiang Mai
Monday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Cooking Classes

We offer you a wide variety of choice, healthy and delicious Thai food. You will enjoy cooking with experienced and skilled instructor. We will share with you the secret of Thai cuisine. Our school is surrounded with the relaxing and beautiful atmosphere of the old town city. See more..
5.0 Maerim Elephant Sanctuary (1.776 reviews)
- Best elephant experience
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

what a fabulous day! Max our elephant guide was so great, our group size was about 16 people but you still managed to get photos of just yourself with the elephants - you do get a lot of time with them - plus there is a photographer who takes a lot of photos which you get to view & buy at the end! It’s so worth it and it looked like they generally care and respect the elephants. You get to do so much a full day is the best way to spend with the elephants, feeding them giving them a mud bath getting food for them and rinsing them. Could not fault this place at all. Making your own noodle soup is great - add your own spices and how much filling you like and eat as much as you like. You also get to smell and hold some elephant poop 10/10 what a great day! See more..
5.0 Elephant Rescue Park (1.742 reviews)
- Amazing experience and a great cause
Monday: 6:00 AM - 10:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Elephant Rescue Park is a happy place for rescued elephants, located in the green valley of Chiang Mai. Our primary objective here is to rescue poor elephants from circus, hard work and mistreatment, provide a safe loving and secure environment for all the elephants that come and live with us, We try to keep them happy and healthy as they should be in nature but this can only be achieved with your help and support. Come and join us today. Don’t forget, all monies raised from our tours goes back to our elephants and towards rescuing new ones. You’ll get to feed them, walk with them, hug them, play with them, bathe with them and so much more. See more..
5.0 Happy Elephant Home (894 reviews)
- An experience I will never forget!!
Nature & Wildlife Tours

The experience was all around better than I could have even imagined!! My friend and I went and volunteered for 3 nights. The elephants alone were amazing but the people are what made the experience that much better. All of the workers are so friendly and fun, making the experience unforgettable. The views and food were absolutely amazing. Apple also took the time to explain the background of each elephant and about what is happening and has happen to elephants in the past. My favourite part was taking the elephants to the river and feeding them bananas! If you are in the area you must go here, you will learn so much and have a blast! See more..
5.0 Thai Elephant Home (879 reviews)
- Amazing experience!
Nature & Wildlife Areas

If you are looking for a authentic experience with the elephants I truly recommend them. We did a half day experience where we fed them bananas, then we walked through the jungle with them as they ate from nature. We arrived to the river and we bathed them and saw them play with the water. This is not a Disney type experience, this is an authentic / natural habitat experience. Super recommended!! See more..
5.0 Kanta Elephant Sanctuary (778 reviews)
- Great experience
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Kanta Elephant Sanctuary, The Ultimate Elephant Sanctuary. A new dimension of seeing, feeling and touching the elephants in the wild open space, happily. As they are parts of our family there is no need to control them in the harm way. No Training Hook No Ankle Chain and absolutely No Riding. Our elephant were take care of by our Carer with love and respect. See more..
5.0 Sammy's Organic Thai Cooking School (760 reviews)
- Excellent introduction to Thai cooking
Spent More than 3 hours Cooking Classes

What a superb event, picked up at hotel taken to a traditional Thai market to buy/ see Thai ingredients. Then taken to his farm and shown how to use and different ingredients. Then could choose what to prepare , soup curry etc . Cooked 4 things in total then ate each after we ate them See more..
5.0 Thai Secret Cooking School (515 reviews)
- Fantastic food experience!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Cooking Classes

Hi I am May! I am the owner and have always been the only instructor at Thai Secret Cooking School & Organic Garden in Chiang Mai Thailand. I opened my home to host Thai cooking classes 10 years ago and have many more years of experience teaching Thai cooking to people from all walks of life. I am playfully strict when teaching my half menu and full day menu. I want my cooking classes to be fun, educational, entertaining, most importantly a positively memorable experience for everybody. If you are not already a Master Chef, you will not be a Master Chef after my class. My classes are for people to casually enjoy a day cooking with me and new friends. Thai Secret is in the San Sai district of Chiang Mai, about 20 minutes from the old city mote area. Included in the price of my class is round trip transportation from the downtown area and my school. Touring the local Thai market, my garden, your own copy of Thai Secret Cookbook. Hope to cook with you soon! May Owner operated every day:) See more..
5.0 Maeklang Elephant Conservation Community (388 reviews)
- Beyond expectations
Nature & Wildlife Areas

Maeklang Elephant Conservation Community is based in the beautiful Mae Wang district. Around 1 Hour South of Chiang Mai’s busy city. Maeklang offers a natural environment for our Elephants with fresh mountain river flowing through our land surrounded by forest, rice fields, corn fields and Banana plantations. Here at Meaklang we offer an Eco friendly safe home for Elephants away from the harsh reality of tourism and forest work. Our goal is promote Eco tourism and Educate Locals and tourists, showing them how to use Elephants as a basis to grow organic food without using damaging pesticides… When rescuing Elephants our goal is to keep families together keeping mum and babies side by side making for a stress free life Learn about Elephants in the wild Meet our Family of Elephants Feed them Get muddy with them Bath with them Love them Thank You for choosing Maeklang See more..
4.5 Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara (8.050 reviews)
- Photo Worthy, large grounds, Worth the small entrance fee
Monday: 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Built about 600 years ago, this impressive temple once housed the precious Emerald Buddha. See more..
4.5 Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (7.697 reviews)
- Chiang Mai highlight
Spent 1-2 hours Lookouts • Observation Decks & Towers • Religious Sites

Located high in the hills above Chiang Mai, this magnificent temple was commissioned by King Kuena, ruler of the region from 1367-1388. See more..
4.5 Wat Phra Singh (3.547 reviews)
- Shimmering gold and heart-warming reds
Monday: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM Religious Sites

This temple was built in 1345 under King Phayu, the fifth king of the Mangrai dynasty. See more..
4.5 Doi Inthanon (2.225 reviews)
- Great experience and highly recommend!
Spent More than 3 hours Mountains

What a great experience, we booked a accommodation about 30 minutes away from Doi Inthanon and drove here at 6am in the morning just the right time to see a beautiful sunrise. The weather down by the mountain was rainy but at the summit we were above the clouds and it was clear sky. We almost skipped because of the rain but we were happy that we chose to wake up instead and come here. There is a park with 2 pagodas a few kilometers before the summit, it seems that most people go first to the park and then to the summit so if you go other way it will not be crowded. You can buy some snacks and drinks at both the summit and by the park. Temperature was 8 degrees at the summit 6 am in the morning so bring warm clothing. See more..
4.5 Tha Pae Walking Street (1.904 reviews)
- Loved it. Quality products with a good atmosphere.
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Flea & Street Markets

I travel a lot and my god I missed Asian night markets with the pandemic. My first for a month in Thailand and what a way to be back. Great vibe. Very busy but a nice atmosphere. If you are a tourist you need to show proof of vaccination to go in. Clean and well kept. The items they have on offer are really nice, think paintings, scarves, souvenirs, crafts, clothing, food, drinks and massages. Really cool vibe and easy to walk. Vendors are friendly and allow you to browse in peace. Very cheap. They don't tend to bargain much and prices appear to be final. Whilst the market was very safe, as always watch your bags when there are a lot of people around. See more..
4.5 Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain) (1.543 reviews)
- Beautiful Chédi of Chiangmai
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Religious Sites

Good place for visiting. Recommend to go during winter time in Thailand to feel cold wind blowing through. The temple is Thai-Lanna style decoration enriched with Thai-Northern cultures. Moreover, there is a coffee shop locating at below the hill before heading up to the temple too. See more..
4.5 Wat Umong (1.261 reviews)
- Unusual temple.
Monday: 4:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites

This unique 14th-century temple is built into the side of Suthep mountain and is constructed of a series of tunnels. See more..
4.5 Wat Chiang Man (1.095 reviews)
- Sunrise visit
Spent < 1 hour Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Have a taxi take you before sunrise to this temple where you can provide offerings to the monks and avoid the tourist crowds. You can find a small tour guide too who would be beneficial in guiding you during this experience and giving an informative synopsis on this temple. You’ll need to ask around on how to do this because not all your company locations offer it....I had a friend who gave me this advice. It was a very special experience. I was able to join the monks in their temples while chanting. See more..
4.5 Wat Sri Suphan (953 reviews)
- The Silver Temple
Monday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

World’s First Silver Sanctuary World’s First Silver Sanctuary, located at Wat Sri Suphan (Sri Suphan Temple), Chaingmai, Thailand. The Abbot of Sri Suphan Temple, Phrakru Phitak Suttikun (Suphon Suthasilo), Temple Committees, Devotees, and group of Lanna craftsman had been constructed the silver sanctuary by using the former base, former boundary stones and former principle Buddha image (Phra Jao Jed Tue, built in B.E. 2043.). The Silver Sanctuary was built and decorated by Silver Handicraftsmen (Lanna folk wisdom) of Wua Lai Community that has been descended from their ancestors. The sanctuary is decorated with the pure silver on the most crucial and safety parts. Aluminum was used for the decoration of the rest of the sanctuary areas, instead of using pure silver for the whole building. Inside the sanctuary, each carved wall consists of the stories of Lord Buddha, Buddhist Doctrine, History of Phra Jao Liab Lok and Phra Jao Prod Lok (Thai Buddha’s preaching stories), Buddha’s footprint, and the happiness life in believe of Buddhism. On the other hand, the outside of the sanctuary’s walls are symbols of National Institute, Religion, and Royal Family, 4 Lotuses indicating 4 types of human recognition, Personification, King of Naga, ASEAN countries, World’s famous cities, the King’s literary work; Mahajanaka Jataka, Srithandon, and 12 Zodiac Signs. These stories are shown for the stronger believes in Buddhism. The Silver sanctuary has been established since B.E. 2547 for the first time by group of Lanna craftsman using the local wisdom (Silver Crafts) for the decoration; taken for more than 12 years to be completed, with the donation from all believers as total amount of 35,152,314 Thai Baht (Thirty Five Million One Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand Three Hundred and Fourteen). Finally, the construction of World’s First Silver Sanctuary has been completed and ready for all religious services. It is also be the conservation of Wua Lai Community’s wisdom (Silver Handi... See more..
4.5 Wat Suan Dok (907 reviews)
- Beautiful temple
Cemeteries • Religious Sites

Temple built on what were once a 14th-century monarch's gardens. Today, site of a Buddhist university and a popular spot for photographers, especially during sunset. Some of the temple's chedis (spires) contain ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family. Also, one can see half of a holy Buddhist relic brought from Sukothai in 1371, which unfortunately split into two upon arrival in Chiang Mai. The other half is buried at Doi Suthep. A 500-year-old bronze Buddha image, one of the largest in northern Thailand, is also housed here, in the small hall at the back of the compound. See more..
4.5 Royal Park Rajapruek (886 reviews)
- By far the weirdest tourist experience so far!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gardens

The Ratchaphruek Flower Gardens are a must-see when visiting the Chiang Mai area. The expansive gardens are incredibly picturesque. Bike rentals are available and, for less active travelers, an electric bus is available to take you around. See more..
4.5 Wat Phan Tao (711 reviews)
- Another pretty temple in Chiang Mai old town
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

This is another pretty temple in Chiang Mai old town. You can walk from one temple to another in this old town area. If you like arts and want to see every detail, you will find each temple quite different and you should prepare at least 1 hour to visit each temple. See more..
4.5 Bua Thong Waterfalls (Nam Phu Chet Si) (662 reviews)
- Nice morning at Sticky Falls
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Waterfalls

A nice drive from Mae Rim (or Chiang Mai), a delightful morning walking up the (non-slippery) falls. Water is cool, and you can get as wet as you want (we carried cameras up the talks). Views and plant life are beautiful and walking on the sticky rocks barefoot or with shoes is a highlight. Water cascades down white rocks created as limestone separates from the mineral rich water and coat the rocks as it (hard-water) cascades down the falls. There are ropes led down the falls to hold onto as you walk up. The park is a nice spot for a picnic. The area also has hiking trails. We spent a little over an hour before having lunch on a floating resort at Mae Ngat (20 min drive). We could have stayed for several hours and saw several groups picnicking in the park. And for a couple off baht, kids can feed the fish in the pond near the entrance. Enjoy. See more..
4.5 Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park (653 reviews)
- Fantastic concept and a fantastic place to visit
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park is an eco-friendly, outdoor museum park that explains the unique steps involved in making our world famous paper products from elephant poop fibers! See artisans crafting! Learn a bit about the history of paper! Take incredible pictures! Visit our Adobe Cafe and grab a pile of souvenirs at the POO-tique Gift Shop - full of incredible products made from elephant poop! See more..
4.5 Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (604 reviews)
- Lovely - definitely worth a visit
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gardens • Waterfalls

The Queen Sirkit Botanic Garden is one of the most renowned gardens in Thailand and a major hub for scientific research. Visitors can view beautiful Thai orchids and palms while walking around the expansive grounds. See more..
4.5 Wat Lok Molee (571 reviews)
- Beautiful
Religious Sites

Came across this temple earlier in the day, and the old stupa caught our eyes. Made the visit at night and it was truly worth the visit, although it appears people usually come here to pray during the day. But then again, it was peaceful visit for us. The temple was beautifully lit at night - such as nice sight for photo like most temples in old town area. There's also some great street food within walking distance - just by the entrance to Chang Phuak Gate. Great location to stop by before dinner around there. Overall, a beautiful graceful temple to stop by when in Chiang Mai. See more..
4.5 Wat Pha Lat (547 reviews)
- Beautiful place on the top of hill.neat and clean.all systematically even if no one to tell u in English. Amazing place
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

The journey from chiang mai to this temple it takes about 40 minutes from city.the tuktuk or whatever u call charge about 500 baht for taking you and bringing back.he will wait for you for whatever time u take.flowers and candles are free if u wish u can donate.the city view from the hill is fantastic. The local shops are selling everything there. The other way to climb is Rodeway lift takes 3 minutes and charge 100 baht for both way See more..