Chiang Mai blog — The super Chiang Mai travel guide for first-timers

Chiang Mai visitors guide: 10 must-try experience when visiting Chiang Mai

There are many interesting things you can do when traveling to Chiang Mai.

1. Visit Doi Suthep

Located in the northwest of the city, this gorgeous temple is often the first stop for visitors. Coming up the 300 steps to the statue of snake stretches along both sides of the ridge, you can admire the panoramic view of the city.

2. Eat Khao Soi

Crispy fried noodles with curry are often served with chicken or beef, add some other spices such as chili, pickled cabbage, chives and lemon is a great traditional dish of Chiang Mai. It can easily be found everywhere from the 5-star resorts to the sidewalk eateries.

3. Foot massage at markets

The Chiang Mai bazaar attracts many tourists by its tradition and uniqueness. Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road with jewelry stores, clothing shops, and handicrafts are favored by many people.

If you have tired after shopping, you can sit on the plastic seats placed on the sidewalk, where you’ll get foot massages for about $ 5 USD an hour.

4. Participate in the festivities

One of the most impressive festivals here is Songkran water festival, to celebrate the Thai’s New Year in April annually. Be prepared for the “water war” and do not forget to prepare buckets, pots, mini water cannons, water guns … to engage with indigenous people.

Another impressive festival in Chiang Mai is the Yi Peng Lantern Festival, a “local version” of the Loy Thakrong Lantern Festival of Thailand. But instead of floating lanterns, local people chose to release thousands of lanterns into the sky.

5. Camping under the stars

Chiang Mai has a total of 7 national parks with extremely rich ecosystems, so do not miss the opportunity to camp in one of the parks there. Ob Luang National Park, an impressive landscape of the beautiful river beside gorge, with scattered boulders. Doi Inthanon National Park is the most famous place in Thailand with waterfalls, caves and is an ideal place to stargaze at night.

Doi Inthanon National Park is the most famous place in Thailand with waterfalls, caves and is an ideal place to stargaze at night.

Read more: Doi Inthanon blog — The fullest guide for what to do in Doi Inthanon in 1 day.

6. Take a long trip

Drive yourself on the beautiful roads of Chiang Mai is one of the most amazing experiences. One of the most famous places is Mae Hong Son mountain pass, with a journey of about 600 kilometers from Chiang Mai and go in the opposite direction via Pai, Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang before returning to the starting point. You can also choose the shorter routes such as Samoeng pass, about 100 kilometers long.

7. Observe the city from a hot air balloon

The best time to have a panoramic view of Chiang Mai from the hot air balloon is in the early morning when the green rice fields and valleys are integrally stunning. Bringing some snack and a bottle of champagne to enjoy is a poor idea.

8. Bird watching at national parks

An experience that you should try when coming to Chiang Mai is visiting Doi Pha Hom Pok national park to watch the rare birds. Besides, it also has a hot spring suitable for you to relax and feel the fresh air.

9. Come to the villages of ethnic minorities

Another interesting activity you should try is bamboo rafting on the Mae Wang river, where you will be close to the lush forests here. Or swinging on the trees at Mae Kampong’s trees.

Mae Klang Luang village is a community resort, where you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, while looking at the rice terraces, before the move to new exciting discoveries.

10. Relax in Chiang Mai

It takes only 1-hour drive from the city, you will leisurely stroll on the Longtail boat and dine in a floating restaurant on Mae Ngat Lake, inside Sri Lanna National Park.

Another site that is also very close to Chiang Mai is Huay Tung Tao lake, an impressive landscape with delicious food. Situated near Doi Suthep mountain, there are a lot of natural lakes, with the huts erected adjacent to the edge, you can order food from nearby restaurants, and swim as well.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Chiang Mai you can refer to

• Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai and More
• Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai by Thai Rhythm
• Private City Transfers between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai
• Private City Transfers for Chiang Mai
• Private City Transfers between Chiang Mai and Pai by Thai Rhythm
• Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Rai
• Private City Transfers between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
• Chiang Mai City & Temples Half Day Tour by Tour East
• Chiang Rai One Day Tour from Chiang Mai
• Doi Suthep-Chiang Mai City Temple Tour
• Classic Chiang Mai Doi Suthep Half Day Tour
• Chiang Mai Custom Tour: Chiang Mai Night Safari, Doi Suthep, Elephant Sanctuary, Zipline Adventure, and More
• Private Car Charter Between Chiang Mai and Pai
• Doi Inthanon National Park Day Tour in Chiang Mai
• [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G Portable WiFi for Thailand from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)

Are you looking for more Chiang Mai travel guide and top things to do in Chiang Mai? Let’s read: Chiang Mai travel blog — The fullest Chiang Mai travel guide for a great trip to the “Rose of the North” of Thailand.