If you’ve already explored the vibrant streets of Bangkok and the bustling beaches of Phuket, Living Nomads invites you to travel to Northern Thailand to experience a completely different “vibe”! Let’s check out our suggested Chiang Mai itinerary 6 days: How to spend 6 days in Chiang Mai, Lampang & Lamphun!
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Northern Thailand is very different from the familiar image of a lively, vibrant, and constantly moving Thailand. Here, the pace of life is slower, people speak more softly, the temples are unpretentious and serene, and Lanna culture is still present in every meal, house, and daily routine. Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Lamphun are for those who want to understand Thailand from the inside out, through its history, beliefs, and local life that hasn’t been overly commercialized by tourism.
Northern Thailand isn’t noisy to impress immediately, but the longer you stay, the more you’ll fall in love with it without even realizing it. And if you’re also looking for such a journey, join our suggested 6-day, 5-night trip to explore Lanna culture, nature, and life in Northern Thailand in a slower, more refined way.
Chiang Mai itinerary 6 days — Day 1: Arrive in Chiang Mai and Get Acquainted with the Rhythm of Northern Thai Life
Fly to Chiang Mai – Check into Your Hotel
From Vietnam, you can fly directly to Chiang Mai International Airport or transit through Bangkok. Direct flights usually depart from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, with a flight time of about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, and common prices ranging from 2.5 to 4 million VND one way if booked early.
If transiting through Bangkok, the total travel time will be about 5 to 7 hours, but in return, you have more flexible flight time options. Chiang Mai Airport is very compact. From landing to exiting usually takes no more than 30 minutes. From the airport to the Old City center only takes 10 to 15 minutes by taxi, with a fixed price that is quite cheap, no need to bargain.
Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour – 3 Hrs
Regarding accommodation, on the first day, you should choose a hotel in or near the Old City. The Old City is the easiest place to get acquainted with the rhythm of Northern Thai life; everything is within walking distance. Boutique hotels or guesthouses renovated from Lanna wooden houses are ideal choices, quiet and equally comfortable. If you prefer a more modern space, Nimmanhaemin is suitable for cafes and lifestyle, while the Riverside area is perfect for those who want to see Chiang Mai from a very “local” perspective.
Exploring the Old City – Visiting Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang
Chiang Mai Old City is a square surrounded by a moat and old city walls. It is the historical center of the ancient Lanna kingdom, where temples, houses, and daily life coexist. Wat Phra Singh is a suitable stop for the first day. This temple is not impressive in its grandeur, but in its sense of order and tranquility.
Not far away is Wat Chedi Luang, where the remains of an ancient pagoda, destroyed by an earthquake centuries ago, are still visible. Standing in the open space of Wat Chedi Luang, you’ll clearly feel the spirit of Northern Thailand: not striving for perfect reconstruction, but accepting the traces of time as part of history.
Chiang Mai Historic Old City Biking Tour
Visit the Night Market to Enjoy Local Cuisine and Culture
Evenings in Chiang Mai aren’t overly lively, but they’re very pleasant. Depending on the day of the week, you can find small night markets in the Old City or the familiar market near Chang Klan Road. Don’t expect the bustling atmosphere of Bangkok. Chiang Mai’s night markets are more about eating, strolling, and observing than shopping.
Northern Thai street food has a different flavor profile from Central and Southern Thailand. It’s less sweet, less spicy, and leans towards herbs and dry spices. Dishes to try on the first day include Khao Soi, sai ua (Northern Thai sausage), and simple grilled dishes sold on the street.
Chiang Mai Old City & Market Guided Tour by Bike
A little tip for you:
- If you see a restaurant with many elderly Thai people, it’s highly likely that the restaurant cooks according to local tastes and doesn’t cater to customers.
- Avoid stalls with overly large English menus and flashy pictures; the quality is usually only mediocre.
- Don’t overeat. On the first day, keep the pace light to allow your body and taste buds to adapt to the climate and cuisine of Northern Thailand.
Day 2: Chiang Mai – Lanna Culture & Local Life
Visiting Local Temples
If the first day was to get acquainted with the pace of life in Northern Thailand, the second day is to delve deeper into the “life” of Chiang Mai. Instead of the large, familiar temples, spend the morning at the smaller temples scattered throughout the old town, where religious activities still take place regularly as part of daily life.
Wat Phan Tao is one of the rare remaining wooden temples. It’s small, without high fences, and not isolated from the surrounding residential area. In the morning, you might see locals stopping by to light incense before going to work, young monks sweeping leaves in the courtyard – everything happens very naturally.
Nearby is Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang, the sacred pillar of Chiang Mai. This isn’t a photo-worthy tourist spot; it’s a place where locals come to pray for peace, rain, and a good harvest. The atmosphere here is tranquil, profound, and imbued with more Lanna beliefs than pure Buddhism.
Experiencing Lanna-Style Galleries and Cafes
After a morning at the temple, Chiang Mai opens up to a very different space, gentle and imbued with the spirit of Lanna. In the old town, there are many small galleries renovated from old wooden houses, displaying paintings and handicrafts, and also serving as places for locals to sit, have coffee, chat, or work. These spaces are not noisy, not ostentatious, have natural light, and always give the feeling of stepping into someone’s home rather than a tourist attraction.
Lanna-style cafes in Chiang Mai also follow this spirit. They feature rustic wooden interiors, low tables and chairs, plenty of greenery, quiet music, and no pressure to leave quickly. The coffee is brewed just right, delicious enough to savor slowly. This isn’t a place to check in, but a place to sit, relax, and reset your mind, in keeping with the pace of life in Northern Thailand.
- Graph Café is small, minimalist, and focuses entirely on coffee quality, making it very popular with locals.
- Akha Ama Coffee is connected to the Akha community, offering a rustic space and coffee with a story behind it.
- Ristr8to Coffee is famous for its latte art but still maintains a pleasant atmosphere, not overly touristy.
- Brewginning Coffee is quiet, with many comfortable seating areas, perfect for a midday break.
Participate in Local Cooking/Crafting Classes
Afternoon is the ideal time to participate in an experience that reflects daily life. Northern Thai cooking classes or craft workshops in Chiang Mai are usually small-scale, focusing on the experience rather than the demonstration.
Northern Thai cooking classes often begin with a visit to the local market, learning about ingredients, herbs, and spices. This is when you realize that Northern Thai cuisine isn’t overly spicy or sugary, but rather emphasizes aroma, subtle richness, and balance.
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour
If you don’t enjoy cooking, Lanna craft workshops like handmade papermaking, weaving, and wood carving are also great options. The instructors are usually local artisans, who are quiet, work slowly, and are very patient.
Day 3: Chiang Mai – Mountains & Nature
Morning Trip to Doi Suthep or Doi Inthanon
After two days in the bustling old town, the morning of the third day is the perfect time to leave the city and head to the mountains. For locals, mountains are not just places for sightseeing, but also spiritual spaces and nature closely intertwined with Northern Thai life.
Doi Suthep is a suitable destination if you want a half-day trip. The temple on the mountain is a familiar pilgrimage site for Chiang Mai residents. Going early in the morning, when the mist is still lingering and the city below is not yet fully awake, you will experience a very characteristic tranquility.
Doi Suthep and Wat Umong Night Tour
If you want to dedicate the entire morning to nature, Doi Inthanon is a more suitable choice. This is Thailand’s highest mountain, with a cool climate year-round, dense forests, waterfalls, and short hiking trails. The atmosphere at Doi Inthanon feels very different from Doi Suthep; it’s less spiritual and more pristine nature.
Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep, Mae Kampong and more Car Rental
Lunch at a Local Restaurant on the Mountain
Doi Suthep and Hmong Village Half Day Tour
On the way down the mountain or within the national park area, there are many small eateries serving locals and pilgrims. These restaurants are usually very simple, with wooden tables and chairs, short menus, and no elaborate decorations.
Northern Thai mountain cuisine tends to be easy to eat, with plenty of vegetables and less oil. Such a lunch is just enough to replenish your energy without making you tired after traveling. This is also when you can clearly feel the difference between local food and restaurants catering to tourists in the city.
Evening: Relaxing Thai Massage
Fah Lanna Spa Experience at the Old Town Branch in Chiang Mai
The afternoon is the ideal time to return to the old town and spend time on a traditional Thai massage. Chiang Mai is famous for its small, reasonably priced massage parlors with excellent techniques, many of which are even run by massage training schools. After a morning down from the mountains, there’s nothing better than a full-body massage to relax, right?
Thai massage here isn’t luxurious spa-style; it focuses on stretching the body and relieving fatigue after traveling. The simple, quiet atmosphere and subtle fragrance are perfect for ending a day of activity.
Day 4: Traveling from Chiang Mai to Lampang
Traveling from Chiang Mai to Lampang by Train or Private Car
Day four is when you leave Chiang Mai to delve deeper into Northern Thailand, both literally and spiritually. The distance from Chiang Mai to Lampang is just over 100 km, but how you travel will greatly influence your experience.
The train is the most popular choice among various means of transport. The train travels slowly, passing through hills, villages, and sparsely populated fields. You’ll find that Northern Thailand is not just about temples and coffee, but also about small train stations, old wooden houses, and a way of life that has remained almost unchanged for decades. Traveling by train, while not fast, perfectly captures the spirit of this journey.
If you travel by private car, the journey takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. The advantage is flexibility in timing, and the ability to stop along the way if desired. Whichever way you choose, view this journey as part of the experience, not just a connecting point between two destinations.
Visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is the spiritual heart of Lampang and one of the oldest Lanna temples in Northern Thailand. Unlike many temples in Chiang Mai, it retains its original wooden structure, earthen courtyard, and open space.
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is one of the few temples where you can witness the traditional camera obscura phenomenon, the image of the temple’s spire reflected in a dark room. This isn’t a heavily promoted attraction, but it showcases the subtlety of ancient Lanna architectural thinking. Locals approach the temple with a very natural attitude, without ritual or creating a feeling that it’s exclusively for tourists.
Experience a Horse-Drawn Carriage and Explore Lampang’s Old Town
Lampang is one of the rare cities in Thailand that still retains horse-drawn carriages as a part of daily life, not just a tourist service. This experience is slow, very slow, and that’s what makes Lampang unique.
Riding in a horse-drawn carriage through the narrow streets, you’ll see old wooden houses, family-run shops, repair shops, and local eateries. With not many English signs, Lampang resembles Chiang Mai from a few decades ago, when everything revolved around the local community.
The old town of Lampang is perfect for walking after disembarking from the carriage. Wandering through the small alleys and visiting simple local cafes, you’ll clearly feel the difference between a city that lives for itself and one that thrives on tourism.
Day 5: From Lampang to Lamphun – Experiencing the Historical Flow of Northern Thailand
Leaving Lampang for Lamphun
After a night in Lampang, the fifth morning begins with a short journey to Lamphun. The distance is just over 60 km, taking less than 1.5 hours, but the feeling is very different from typical tourist routes. The road connecting Lampang and Lamphun passes through villages, fields, and sparsely populated areas.
Lamphun is a small, quiet, and somewhat tranquil city. But that’s precisely what makes Lamphun an important piece in the journey of understanding Lanna history.
Visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai
Chiang Mai and Lamphun Car Rental with Driver by Smart En Plus
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai is the spiritual and historical center of Lamphun. This temple is over a thousand years old, associated with the ancient Hariphunchai kingdom, the precursor to later Lanna culture.
Unlike the familiar temples in Chiang Mai or Lampang, Wat Phra That Hariphunchai has a very unique character. The open space, clear layout, and less emphasis on decoration focus on solidity and tranquility. The golden spire in the center doesn’t serve as a focal point, but rather as a time axis, closely linked to the city’s life.
Stroll Through the Small Town and Local Museums
After visiting the temple, take some time to walk around Lamphun’s central town. This city doesn’t have many cafes or tourist shops, but it does have small museums, local galleries, and family-run businesses that have existed for generations. These are the places that best embody the spirit of Lamphun – a slow-paced community preserving its old ways of life amidst a rapidly changing Thailand.
Day 6: Return to Chiang Mai – Ending the Journey
Slow Morning Coffee in Lamphun
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Surroundings Car Rental with Driver by TTD Global
The last day shouldn’t start with a rush. Mornings in Lamphun are very peaceful, the streets are barely awake. Find a small local cafe, sit and watch people go to the market, students go to school, and feel the authentic rhythm of a city that doesn’t live for tourism.
This is a moment to reflect on the entire journey. From the vibrant yet just-right Chiang Mai, the old-world Lampang, to the tranquil Lamphun, each place has a different nuance of Northern Thailand.
Returning to Chiang Mai and Preparing to End the Trip
Doi Inthanon National Park Day Tour
The journey from Lamphun back to Chiang Mai only takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Returning to the larger city after days of slow travel, you’ll realize you see Chiang Mai differently. The initial feeling of being overwhelmed or excited is gone, replaced by a sense of familiarity and tranquility.
The afternoon is the perfect time to buy handicrafts, local products, or simply take one last walk in the old town. You don’t need to buy a lot; just choose items that hold sentimental value rather than generic souvenirs.
Estimated Cost of a 6-Day, 5-Night Trip to Northern Thailand
| Category | Estimated cost (VND) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip airfare Vietnam - Chiang Mai | 4.500.000 - 7.500.000 | Direct flights or flights via Bangkok; prices vary depending on the time of year. |
| Getting to Chiang Mai Airport | 250.000 - 400.000 | Taxi or Grab |
| 5-night hotel | 7.000.000 - 10.500.000 | Boutique hotel or guesthouse in Old City area |
| Eating and drinking for 6 days | 3.500.000 - 5.000.000 | Street food, local eateries, cafes |
| Traveling between Chiang Mai and Lampang | 150.000 - 800.000 | Trains are economical, private cars offer flexibility. |
| Travel from Lampang to Lamphun | 200.000 - 500.000 | Local bus or private car |
| Tickets for sightseeing and temples. | 600.000 - 1.000.000 | Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, Wat Hariphunchai |
| Cooking or craft workshop | 900.000 - 1.700.000 | Half a day, small group |
| Traditional Thai massage | 250.000 - 500.000 | 60 - 90 minutes |
| Inner city travel | 600.000 - 900.000 | Grab, songthaew, tuk tuk |
| Small purchases, flexible spending. | 1.000.000 - 1.500.000 | Handicrafts, local gifts |
| Total estimated cost | 18.950.000 - 30.300.000 | Depending on your spending style |
Note: This cost is for reference only. The actual cost depends entirely on your spending style. With Living Nomads, Thailand is a great country because if you want to travel on a budget, just over 10 million VND is often enough, but if you want to spend lavishly, Thailand is also ready to accommodate you!
The 6-day, 5-night journey in Northern Thailand concludes not with a dramatic climax, but with a sense of calm. You leave feeling you’ve gained a deeper understanding of the region, not just because you visited many places, but because you lived in harmony with its rhythm.
Northern Thailand isn’t for hurried trips. But if you allow yourself to slow down, this land will give you so much to take home—not just pictures, but emotions and lasting connections.
Will you visit Northern Thailand?
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 City Transfers for Chiang Mai
- Chiang Mai City & Temples Half Day Tour by Tour East
- Doi Suthep-Chiang Mai City Temple 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
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.
