A trip to Chiang Mai is certain to make you fall in love with Thailand and is a great alternative to the bustling streets of Bangkok. In this guide, we will tell you what to do in Chiang Mai in 3 days, and also explain the best time to visit, how you can get there and give you inspiration for your itinerary.
Nestled in the lush mountains of northern Thailand lies the captivating city of Chiang Mai. This vibrant city is a treasure trove of cultural wonders, offering a harmonious blend of ancient traditions and modern marvels.
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The region of Chiang Mai has over 300 temples as it was once a major religious centre in Thailand. Many of these temples are situated within the city, meaning you can spend your first day exploring as many as you’d like.
A great place to start is Wat Phra Singh, which is a striking temple in the heart of Chiang Mai’s Old Town. The temple houses exquisite wood carvings as well as the Phra Phuttha Sihing, one of the most sacred depictions of Buddha in Thailand. The temple is free to enter and is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai if you enjoy religious buildings.
From Wat Phra Singh, you can take a quick walk or jump into a tuk-tuk to get to Wat Chedi Luang. This is another temple that is equally as important. It is one of the easiest temples to find and features the largest chedi in Chiang Mai at 86m high. Entry to this temple will cost about 40 baht (£1) and it is worth it for the incredible Lanna architecture that can be seen here.
After you’ve spent the day getting to know the city, you should head to the night bazaar in the evening. This is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai at night, as stalls and markets pop up all over the city, turning Chiang Mai into a hub of handicrafts and food vendors.
This is a great place to pick up dinner. There will be plenty of stalls serving authentic Thai street food at very low prices. Try northern specialities like mango sticky rice and crunchy spring rolls.
A great way to experience the market is to go on a guided food tour. Your guide will be able to help you traverse the market, sample the best dishes on offer and will even be able to help you haggle for souvenirs.
For your second day in Chiang Mai, it’s time to head out of the city and see the natural wonders of the mountains, starting with Doi Suthep National Park. The park is just a few kilometres northwest of the city and is named after the two mountains found here, Doi Suthep and Doi Pui.
Doi Suthep National Park is one of the best parks in Thailand for hiking and cycling, as the routes and trails are practically endless, meaning you can spend plenty of time exploring. You may wish to hire a local guide when you visit, as many of the trails are unmarked and you could get lost very easily.
The park also has some beautiful temples which are free to enter and offer unrivalled natural views. As you trek through the park, keep your eyes peeled for the native wildlife. Alongside wild boars and monkeys, the trees will be filled with over 350 distinct bird species. It’s a great place for bird watchers and animal enthusiasts.
Another stunning element of Doi Suthep is the many waterfalls that can be found in the park. The 9-tiered Mon Tha Than waterfall is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to its striking beauty and proximity to the visitor centre. There is a small visitor fee of 100 baht (£2.25) and the natural wonder you’ll experience is certainly worth the small price.
Once you’ve spent time exploring the national park, you should spend some time with Thailand’s symbolic animal, Asian elephants. The topic of elephant sanctuaries in Thailand is quite controversial. At many tourist traps, the elephants are poorly treated and are forced to carry visitors on their backs. Please be aware that riding elephants is extremely unethical and is very bad for the health of the animals.
Fortunately, there are organisations that are working to increase awareness and help captured elephants return to the wild, Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary is one such place. You can spend half a day with the elephants, learning how they are taken care of and get a chance to watch them have their mud baths. If you’ve ever wanted to get up close with these amazing animals this is a responsible way to do it.
Just 15 minutes from the centre of Chiang Mai by car is Huay Tung Tao Lake. This is a reservoir that is a very popular tourist destination since it is one of the best places to go swimming in the area. The lake has plenty of activities such as paddleboats and fishing, and more adventurous travellers might want to try their hand at paragliding.
There are plenty of places to eat by the lake, where you can try fresh fish dishes from local eateries. Huay Tung Tao does have a campsite if you want to stay overnight, but it is still perfectly suitable as an afternoon excursion.
For your last day in Chiang Mai, you should take some time to relax with some slower-paced activities. To start your day, try a cooking class led by an expert instructor. You will be taken to a market to buy your own ingredients and then be shown how to prepare a variety of Thai dishes for a delicious lunch. What is more, you can then impress your friends back home with your new culinary skills.
Chiang Mai has plenty of museums that will give you insight into the marvellous history and culture of the region. You should start with Chiang Mai National Museum just outside the city centre. This is the best place to learn about the history of the kingdom of Lanna and includes exhibits about prehistoric times as well.
After you’ve taken in the cultural offering of the National Museum, head to the nearby Highland People Discovery Museum. This institute explores the lifestyle of the hill tribes who have inhabited the area for centuries.
The museum features 2 indoor sections which honour the King and his development of the highlands and detail the history of the 10 tribes. Outside you will find replicas of the hill tribe houses as well as tools, which allows for an intimate understanding of the lives of the tribes.
One of the best cultural experiences you can have in Chiang Mai is getting a traditional Thai massage. It has been practised in Thailand for centuries and is rather different from your usual deep tissue treatments.
You will be stretched into all manner of shapes and the massage can be very intense if you’ve never had one before. But after your massage, you will feel all the tension and knots from 3 days of exploring melt away.
A great place to go for a Thai massage is Fah Lanna Spa, where you can choose from a unique selection of treatments that will refresh your body and your mind. It’s the perfect way to round out your itinerary and leave you relaxed for your departure.
Chiang Mai is a large city, so there are plenty of accommodation options. You will find facilities that cater to all travellers, whether you’re on a budget or enjoying a luxury holiday. As mentioned previously, you should book early if you are visiting Chiang Mai in the high season, as many hotels and hostels fill up.
If you’re backpacking around Southeast Asia or need a cheaper place to stay, Hidden Garden Hostel is a great option. The hostel is centrally located and close to attractions like Wat Phra Singh and the Night Bazaar, making sightseeing very easy.
A great place to stay that won’t stretch your wallet is Anumat Premium Budget Hotel. It is just a short 15-minute drive from Chiang Mai Airport so you can jump straight into your itinerary when you arrive.
Travellers who want a lavish getaway should opt for Pingviman Hotel. With an outdoor pool, tour desk and on-site restaurant, you will feel truly pampered throughout your stay. It is also very close to the markets and temples in town.
Chiang Mai enjoys gorgeous tropical weather throughout the entire year. The best time to visit Chiang Mai is between November and February, when average temperatures hover around 30°C, with lows of 15°C. This is also the dry season in Thailand, so the weather in Chiang Mai will be sunny and clear.
However, this is peak tourist season in Thailand, so attractions and day trips will be very busy no matter where you go. You can visit in the wet season from April to October, but monsoons and wet days could impact your travel plans. Be sure to pack a rain jacket and try to see sights in the mornings as the weather tends to be clearer.
It is also worth noting that Chiang Mai should not be visited around March. This is because farmers burn last season’s crops which sends smoke into the air and covers the area in smog. It will make your visit very unpleasant, so avoid planning a trip around this time.
As Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most popular cities, you won’t have much trouble getting there. The city is very well connected and can be reached by plane, bus, train or even a moped if you’re taking a road trip.
If you’re already in the north of Thailand you can get a cheap bus from Chiang Rai. The journey will take around 3 hours and we recommend opting for a slightly higher price since you will want air con for the journey.
From Bangkok, the journey could take up to 13 hours, so getting a sleeper bus is highly recommended. The trip will cost about 1033 Baht (£23.50), which is still a great price. You should book in advance if you are planning to travel in the peak tourist season, as you may find that there aren’t any available seats.
If you’re flying from abroad you will likely need to transfer at Bangkok Airport to get to Chiang Mai. The good news is that flights are extremely regular and very cheap.
You can find fares for as low as 600 baht (£14), especially in the off-season. The flight will take just over 1 hour and is the quickest way to reach Chiang Mai.
Getting to Chiang Mai is a great option if you want a more relaxed travel experience. Most trains will include facilities to sleep in. The journey takes about 10 hours, so getting an overnight train can help you make the most of your visit and spend less time travelling.
The price ranges from 1000 to 1400 baht (£23 -£32), so it’s not much more expensive than a bus ticket. You also get to enjoy the stunning countryside scenery as you travel into the mountains.
Overall, 3 days is a perfect amount of time to spend in Chiang Mai. The city is filled with things to do from tranquil temples to fragrant street food markets. It’s one of the best ways to experience Thailand and truly captures the essence of ‘The Land of Smiles’. No matter how you choose to spend your trip to Chiang Mai, it will no doubt leave an indelible impression.
Whether you’ve already been or are considering visiting Chiang Mai, we hope our 3-day itinerary has inspired you to embark on your own adventure and discover the wonders this enchanting city has to offer. Check out our Thailand and Asia travel guides for more tips on how to spend your time away.
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