13 Great Day Trips From Chiang Mai City (2025)
The northern city of Chiang Mai is one of the best places to visit in Thailand if you’re interested in exploring Thai culture, history and...
CHIANG MAI
THAILAND
Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand
From its walled old city and ancient temples, to lush jungles and misty mountains, Chiang Mai is a must visit for anyone interested in Thai history, culture, and nature.
This charming city and province in northern Thailand was part of the Lanna Kingdom, so it offers a distinctly different experience and a slower pace of life than the capital, Bangkok, and is well worth exploring.
Stay in a heritage hotel in the old town and explore the beautiful temples, indulge in northern Thai cuisine and shop for handicrafts at the lively night markets. Then head just outside the city to marvel at the golden stupas and breathtaking views from Doi Suthep, visit ethical elephant sanctuaries and discover unique waterfalls.
There’s so much to see and do in Chiang Mai, and it also makes a great base for exploring more of northern Thailand, from the misty peaks of Doi Inthanon National Park and the laid back vibes of beautiful Pai, to the unique temples in nearby Chiang Rai – exploring northern Thailand is bound to be a highlight of your trip. The hard part is fitting it all in!
Chiang Mai is one of my favorite places in Thailand and I’ve spent a lot of time here so I have plenty of tips to share. My Chiang Mai travel blogs and guides will help you decide what to do, where to stay, and how to plan your itinerary to make the most of your time in Thailand’s northern gem!
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Written by Anna
Chiang Mai, Thailand’s 2nd city and the ‘Rose of the North’, is a charming, cultured, and historic city with so much to explore.
From the enchanting temples and buzzing night markets in the old town, to the elephant sanctuaries and lush mountains surrounding the city, you’ll need to plan your trip well so you don’t miss out on anything.
I recommend spending 3 – 5 days in Chiang Mai so that you can see both the highlights of the city itself and take day trips to explore more of northern Thailand.
I’ve put together the perfect Chiang Mai itinerary and travel guide to help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in this beautiful part of Thailand.
Chiang Mai and North Thailand Travel Guides
Where to go, where to stay, the best hotels, day trips, activities, cultural experiences, travel itineraries and more.