Is Thailand on your list soon? Let me show you some places you might want to add on your list if going to Chiang Mai, a city in the northern part of Thailand, which I really enjoyed. It’s a quieter and smaller city compared to the busy Bangkok, but a great place for seeing some super beautiful temples and learning more about the history and culture of Thailand.
My trip to Thailand included Bangkok in the itinerary before Chiang Mai so I had to find a way between the two cities. Looking out at different flights and companies, I decided to book a flight with AirAsia, for which I paid 40$ one way Bangkok-Chiang Mai, with a 20kg checked baggage included. (November 2022)
Accommodation
Chiang Mai is home to many hotels and accommodation options for tourists so I wouldn’t worry you find a place that satisfies all your needs. During my trip, I stayed at The Opium Chiang Mai and I honestly had an amazing experience. The room looked great, they had a gym, pool, an amazing breakfast included, and they even picked us up from the airport to the accommodation for free.
Places
Let’s dive deep into the places I recommend for your trip to Chiang Mai, which I mostly covered by walking in one day (except for one temple), as many of them are close to each other and it’s enjoyable and nice to walk around the city. I won’t detail too much into the history of the places, I want to give you an overview of them and some key information in a shorter format.
Also, keep in mind the general rules for visiting the temples, your clothes need to be respectable (modest), while shoulders and knees should be covered (sometimes long pants are needed). There are temples where you can also find covers (like scarfs) to use for covering your body.
Wat Lok Molee
This is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai, with gorgeous architecture and a lot of history behind. The large chedi pagoda is the part I loved the most, built in a style called Prasat.
Entrance – FREE
Wat Rajamontean
Located right across the canal to Wat Lok Molee, this place is also nicknamed the “Red temple” because of the decorations around. The temple highlights some amazing details and it’s easily recognizable because of the Big Buddha.
Entrance – FREE
Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan
Another temple with lots of history in the pocket, which got the name many hundreds of years ago by becoming the home of a Buddha image called the Phra Sihingh, which is the second most important Buddha image in Thailand (the most important one is located in Bangkok – The Emerald Buddha). One thing I really liked here is the many inspirational quotes, written on the different corners of the temple’s courtyard.
Entrance – FREE
Wat Chedi Luang
This place was my favorite temple in Chang Mai. In the northern dialect, “Luang” means “large” and that’s because the temple is home for the largest chedi in Chiang Mai, you really can’t miss it and it’s beautiful!
One of the things I enjoyed the most at this temple was the “Chat with a monk” program. This temple is home for a monk school as well, where one of the teachers introduced this program for his students for a while already: it helps young monks learn English and gives the visitors the chance to talk to monks, find out more about their life and discuss any topic you’d like. I spent more than one hour in a super interesting discussion, without realizing how time flight. Must do experience!
Entrance – FREE
Wat Sri Suphan
Also known as the “Silver Temple” because of the silver decoration that makes the temple be one of the main attractions of the city.
One important detail for this temple, is that inside the main building, women can’t enter.
Entrance – 50THB
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
This is by far one of the most popular places in Chiang Mai for sure. Talking to different locals and people who’ve been to the city, I heard many times “you have to go to Doi Suthep”. The most iconic part is the 306-step stairs you need to climb to the temple (also a great place for some pictures).
The bad part is that this temple is not in the Chiang Mai center like the other ones I mentioned and it’s a bit pricier to visit it. There are many options for the transport / private tours, but the cheapest one from the city center is using the red songthaew you can find near Chang Phuak gate. This is something I would describe as a shared minivan taxi, which leaves once at least 8 people are ready to go. The price is about 60 THB/pers one way and the journey takes around 40-45 minutes if you’re going to this main temple only. You also have the option to negotiate with the drivers to start the journey with a smaller group if you don’t want to wait, but pay a little bit more. The most flexible option would be to hire a private taxi for half a day and explore the full area, as the temple is not the only thing you can see in Doi Suthep.
Entrance – 50THB
Sunday Market
The most popular market in Chiang Mai, taking place every Sunday from afternoon to night, also known as Tha Phae Walking Street. It’s the perfect place for a mix of things you can buy, from delicious food to clothes, souvenirs, house decorations and many many other things. The street food was amazing, super cheap (~40-50THB for the different snacks), you definitely need to experience a market while going to Chiang Mai.
Besides the Sunday Market, there are also many other ones happening daily, most of them much smaller, but still great to try out the local food. My favorite one was Chang Puak Gate Night Market.
Restaurants / café
Mac café
This is a super nice coffee place I randomly discovered while walking around the city. The building is at the same time an Apple museum, a coffee place and a service for Apple products. Basically, a dream for an Apple fans, with super good coffee!
Khao Soy Maesai
My favorite restaurant in Chiang Mai and the place where I had one of the best meals in Thailand for sure, with a more than fair price (less than 200THB for food and drink). Prepare to wait for 10-15 minutes, you know the place is good when many people wait at the entrance, but trust me, it’s totally worth it, amazing food.
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This article does not contain any paid promotion on hotels / rental car companies / restaurants etc., everything is documented based on my experience.
