Wat Samphao is a compact temple on Chiang Mai’s central Old City walking route, west of Tha Phae Gate. Its raised Lanna assembly hall, ornate stairway and chedi make it easy to include between larger sightseeing...
Chiang Mai Attractions
Chiang Mai is one of northern Thailand’s most rewarding destinations for culture, nature and outdoor experiences, with attractions ranging from centuries-old temples and lively markets to national parks, waterfalls and mountain adventures. The current Chiang Mai Travel Hub inventory is organised across major themes including temples, nature, national parks, waterfalls, museums, shopping, hot springs, elephants, adventure and general activities.
The city itself is strongest for temples, markets and cultural attractions, while the surrounding province opens up into mountains, forests and rural areas. That means visitors can easily combine Old City sightseeing with day trips to Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, Mae Rim, waterfalls, hot springs and adventure attractions.
Explore Chiang Mai Attractions
- Temples and heritage – Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and other important Lanna temples across the city and surrounding hills.
- Nature and national parks – Explore Doi Inthanon, mountain viewpoints, forest trails and protected areas throughout northern Thailand.
- Markets and shopping – Browse Sunday Walking Street, night markets, local produce markets and modern shopping areas for food, crafts and souvenirs.
- Waterfalls and hot springs – Add Sticky Waterfalls, mountain cascades and geothermal attractions to a wider Chiang Mai itinerary.
- Adventure and family activities – Choose from ziplining, trekking, rafting, wildlife experiences, water parks and other outdoor attractions beyond the city centre.
Browse the listings below to discover Chiang Mai temples, nature attractions, markets, adventure experiences and the best places to visit across northern Thailand.
Wat Samphao
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai
Wat Si Koet
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Si Koet is a small Buddhist temple on the western stretch of Ratchadamnoen Road in Chiang Mai’s Old City. Its assembly hall and principal bronze Buddha image give it more substance than its modest street...
Wat Thung Yu
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Thung Yu is a small Buddhist temple on Ratchadamnoen Road in Chiang Mai’s Old City, near Wat Phra Singh. Also spelt Wat Tung Yu, it rewards a short stop with decorative temple buildings, Buddha images and...
Chiang Mai City Pillar Shrine
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiChiang Mai City Pillar Shrine houses the Inthakhin, the city’s sacred pillar, within the grounds of Wat Chedi Luang on Phra Pokklao Road. It is a place of worship associated with the protection and wellbeing of...
Wat Jedlin
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Jedlin is a small active Buddhist temple on Prapokklao Road in Chiang Mai’s Old City. Also known as Wat Jet Lin or Wat Chet Lin, it combines a Lanna-style prayer hall and old chedi with a pond and wooden...
Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution Massage
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang MaiChiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution Massage is a vocational massage centre in the Old City, where women in custody gain practical experience as part of a supervised training programme. Also associated with...
Chiang Mai University Art Museum
Suthep, Mueang Chiang MaiChiang Mai University Art Museum is an exhibition venue at the southern end of Nimmanhaemin Road, where contemporary art meets the city’s university community. Also known as the Chiang Mai University Art and...
Ganesh Himal Museum
Yang Kram, Doi LoGanesh Himal Museum brings together images of Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu deity, in a rural setting south of Chiang Mai. Its collection ranges from small devotional objects to large sculptures, giving visitors a...
Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum
Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang MaiChiang Mai Philatelic Museum explores the city’s postal and communications history in a former post and telegraph building on Praisanee Road. The compact museum is near Warorot and Ton Lam Yai markets, making it...
Ang Kaew Reservoir
Suthep, Mueang Chiang MaiAng Kaew Reservoir is a landscaped lake within Chiang Mai University’s main campus at the foot of Doi Suthep. The water, tree-lined surroundings and mountain backdrop make it a favourite place for a walk, an easy...
Huay Kaew Arboretum
Suthep, Mueang Chiang MaiHuay Kaew Arboretum is a compact wooded public garden on Huay Kaew Road near Chiang Mai University and the foot of Doi Suthep. Shaded paths, labelled trees and simple exercise areas make it a useful place for a gentle...
Rama IX Lanna Park
Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang MaiRama IX Lanna Park is a public green space in the Chang Phueak area north of Chiang Mai’s Old City. Trees, lawns and paths make it a useful place for an unhurried walk or some outdoor exercise away from a day of...
Op Luang Gorge
Hang Dong, HotOp Luang Gorge is the dramatic river passage at the heart of Op Luang National Park, also commonly written as Ob Luang. West of Hot, the river is squeezed between steep rock walls, making the sound and force of the...
Ruamchok Mall
Fa Ham, Mueang Chiang MaiRuamchok Mall is a neighbourhood shopping and dining centre in Fa Ham, northeast of Chiang Mai’s Old City. It is useful for supermarket shopping, a meal and everyday services while staying in the surrounding...
Ton Payom
Suthep, Mueang Chiang MaiTon Payom is a local food market in Chiang Mai’s Suthep area, near the university side of the city. It combines fresh ingredients, prepared food and northern Thai specialities, making it useful for breakfast, self...
Pavilion Night Bazaar
Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang MaiPavilion Night Bazaar is a covered shopping and food stop on Chang Khlan Road, within Chiang Mai’s wider Night Bazaar area. It suits an evening when you want to browse a few souvenir stalls, sit down for something...
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir Temple
Chang Klan, Mueang Chiang MaiThe Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir Temple is a Russian Orthodox church in Chiang Mai’s Chang Khlan neighbourhood. Often called St. Vladimir’s Church, it serves a parish community at 4...
Wat Ket Karam
Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Ket Karam, also written Wat Gate Karam, is a Buddhist temple on Charoen Rat Road on the eastern side of Chiang Mai’s Ping River. Its layered assembly-hall roof, white chedi and connection with the historic Wat...
Wat Intharawat
Nong Kwai, Hang DongWat Intharawat, better known locally as Wat Ton Kwen, is a Lanna temple in Nong Kwai, Hang Dong, southwest of central Chiang Mai. Its low timber hall, open galleries and distinctive four-gabled pavilion form a compact...
Wat Pan Sao
Suthep, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Pan Sao is a Buddhist temple just outside the western moat of Chiang Mai’s Old City, south of Chiang Mai Ram Hospital. Its weathered brick chedi and newer worship spaces make it an interesting contrast with...
Wat Muen San
Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Muen San is a temple in Chiang Mai’s Wua Lai silversmith neighbourhood, south of the Old City. Its embossed metalwork, small museum and wartime memorial bring together three parts of the area’s story:...
Wat Si Rong Muang
Sop Tui, Mueang LampangWat Si Rong Muang is a teak temple in western Lampang, south of the Wang River. Its richly decorated wooden worship hall, layered roof and coloured glass ornament show the influence of the Burmese and Shan communities...
Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao Suchadaram
Wiang Nuea, Mueang LampangWat Phra Kaew Don Tao Suchadaram is one of Lampang’s most rewarding temple complexes, with a large golden chedi, a richly decorated Burmese-style pavilion and buildings reflecting northern Thailand’s...
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan
Nai Mueang, Mueang LamphunWat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan is a major Buddhist temple in central Lamphun, south of Chiang Mai. Its golden relic chedi, richly decorated worship hall and imposing lion-guarded entrance make it the...
Wat Phraphutthabat Tak Pha
Makok, Pa SangWat Phraphutthabat Tak Pha is a pilgrimage temple in Pa Sang district, Lamphun, with sacred features in the lower compound and a hilltop stupa reached by a long naga staircase. The change in setting is part of its...
Wat Nam Hu
Wiang Tai, PaiWat Nam Hoo is a key temple in Pai, and it attracts both devout locals and tourists. Home to the sacred Buddha image, this is a must-visit temple.
Highland People Discovery Museum
Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang MaiHighland People Discovery Museum introduces the cultures and histories of northern Thailand’s highland communities through clothing, objects and displays about everyday life. Often referred to by its earlier...
Ton Lam Yai Market
Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang MaiTon Lam Yai Market sits beside Warorot Market in Chiang Mai’s Chang Moi shopping district, close to the Ping River. Its covered market and the flower stalls along the riverside streets are often discussed...
Thapae Boxing Stadium offers an evening of Muay Thai close to Chiang Mai’s Tha Phae Gate. The small arena puts spectators near the ring, where rounds of punches, kicks, knees and clinch work unfold to the sound of...
Kalare Boxing Stadium
Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang MaiKalare Boxing Stadium is a Muay Thai venue in Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar area, convenient for combining dinner and shopping with a fight night. The attraction is the live contest: kicks, punches, knees, elbows and...
Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium brings Muay Thai into an evening in central Chiang Mai, with a ring close to the bars and restaurants of Loi Kroh Road. A fight night gives visitors a chance to watch the sport’s technique...
Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang MaiChiang Mai Boxing Stadium offers an evening of Muay Thai in the Chang Phuak area north of the Old City. Spectators sit around a boxing ring to watch a card of bouts, with the atmosphere building through the music...
Wat Ket Karam Museum
Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Ket Karam Museum brings Chiang Mai’s riverside past into focus through old photographs, household objects and religious artefacts gathered in a former monk’s residence. The small museum stands within Wat...
Pha Daeng National Park
Mueang Na, Chiang DaoPha Daeng National Park, formerly called Chiang Dao National Park, protects a large mountain and forest area in northern Chiang Mai Province. For a manageable first visit, Sri Sangwan Waterfall and Pong Ang Hot Spring...
Chiang Dao Cave
Chiang Dao, Chiang DaoChiang Dao Cave, or Tham Chiang Dao, brings limestone caverns and Buddhist shrines together at the foot of Doi Luang Chiang Dao, north of Chiang Mai. The visit begins at Wat Tham Chiang Dao and continues underground...
Kok River
Wiang, Mueang Chiang RaiThe Kok River flows from Myanmar through northern Thailand, passing Tha Ton and Chiang Rai before joining the Mekong. In Chiang Rai, it forms a broad waterside setting north of the city centre, with bridges, riverbank...
Pai Piranha Fishing Park
Mae Na Toeng, PaiPai Piranha Fishing Park is a pond-fishing venue in the rural Mae Na Toeng area outside Pai, in Mae Hong Son province. Its appeal is a slow session beside the water in the surrounding countryside, with fishing equipment...
Pam Bok Waterfall
Thung Yao, PaiPam Bok Waterfall, also written Pambok or Pham Bok, is a compact waterfall in a narrow rocky setting south-west of Pai. The short approach from the parking area leads towards a shaded pool and cliff-lined channel...
Chiang Mai Massage
Various locations, Mueang Chiang MaiUp To 50% Off Selected Chiang Mai Spa Treatments
A Chiang Mai massage can be a welcome pause between temple walks, shopping and time on the road. The city offers everything from straightforward neighbourhood shops to spas with private treatment rooms and longer...
Yoga
Many Yoga Classes Available, All Over Chiang MaiYoga Chiang Mai is an attraction whose popularity has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, thanks to increased awareness on the benefits of yoga.
What are the top attractions in Chiang Mai?
Popular attractions include Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai Old City, Doi Inthanon National Park and the city's famous walking streets and night markets.
What is Chiang Mai best known for?
Chiang Mai is best known for its historic temples, Lanna culture, mountain scenery, markets, northern Thai food and easy access to nature and adventure experiences.
What can you do for free in Chiang Mai?
Popular free options include Tha Phae Gate, One Nimman, Sunday Walking Street and several temples and natural attractions, although donation or parking charges may apply at some locations.
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
Three to five days gives most visitors enough time to explore the Old City, major temples, markets and at least one or two day trips into the surrounding mountains or countryside.