What to do in Chiang Mai: temples, mountains and thai party
Chiang Mai, the city with the most temples in Thailand
Chiang Mai is located in the north of Thailand, 700km from Bangkok. It is the second largest city in Thailand after Bangkok, the city with the most temples in the whole of the country, and certainly one of the most charming cities in Asia.
Founded in 1296, the old town has preserved part of the old wall and is full of temples, all different and all with their own particular charm. Here I leave you with a guide to Chiang Mai, a list of the best places to visit and a few tips on what to do in this special place:
How do you get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
1. Trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train
The first time I went to Chiang Mai I went by train from Bangkok’s Hua Lampong train station. We took a night train and like good backpackers we bought the cheapest ticket we could find. But we were going to regret it. We spent 15 hours in a car without windows, with the lights on, and because it was raining, the car was full of mosquitoes.
With that heat, you had two options: either you covered yourself completely with the blanket and began to sweat like a chicken, or you didn’t cover yourself and the mosquitoes ate you alive. Unfortunately, before we arrived in Chiang Mai, we had to leave the train and change to a bus because the floods did not allow us to reach the city by train.
Finally, we arrived in Chiang Mai after 15 hours by train and 2 hours by bus. It was one of the most stressful and overwhelming journeys of my life. If you still want to travel by train, I recommend you to pay a bit more and find a sleeper train with private cabins for about 1200 Baht (35 euros). You can buy the tickets at the official website of the Thai Railways.
2. Bus trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
On my second visit to Chiang Mai, when I was working in Thailand teaching English, I went by bus. From Bangkok to Chiang Mai the buses leave from Bangkok’s northern station, Mo Chit:
- You can go on your own by metro or bus to Mo Chit station and buy your ticket on the same day you want to leave.
- Otherwise, you can buy the ticket for one of the many agencies on Khao San Road and get a ride to the station. However, be careful and compare a few agencies; because some of them scam a lot and can cost you 2 or 3 times more than if you go directly to the bus station on your own.
- The third option is to book your ticket online. You can buy tickets from 12go.asia.
From Mo Chit station many buses leave daily to Chiang Mai. There are different types depending on the comfort you are looking for. I advise you to travel on a VIP night bus, as it is a 10-14 hour journey and they are very comfortable buses. Also, you will save a day’s hotel.
What to see and what to do in Chiang Mai?
1. The temples of Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai, there are about 300 temples in total, so it’s impossible to see them all in just a few days. Below, I’ll explain some of the most important temples in Chiang Mai:
- Wat Chedi Luang: Located in the historical center of Chiang Mai, it is famous for its large ruined chedi, which was once the tallest in the city. This temple is also known for housing the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s most sacred images, before it was moved to Bangkok.
- Wat Phra Singh: Also located in the old town, this temple is one of the most revered in northern Thailand. Its main attraction is the Viharn Lai Kham, a chapel decorated with wood carvings and ancient murals. Inside, you’ll find the Phra Singh Buddha image, one of the most important in the country.
- Wat Suan Dok: Situated west of the city center, this temple stands out for its origins as a royal family garden. Its most notable structure is a large golden chedi, surrounded by white stupas that contain the ashes of the local royalty. It also houses a well-known Buddhist meditation center.
- Wat Umong: Located in a forest on the outskirts of the city, this temple offers a unique experience due to its natural surroundings. It’s famous for its underground tunnels, where small altars and statues can be found, as well as its tranquil atmosphere. It’s perfect for those seeking a spiritual and meditation experience away from mass tourism.
- Wat Chiang Man: The oldest temple in Chiang Mai, founded in the 13th century by King Mengrai. It houses very old Buddha images, including one made of crystal.
However, I won’t deceive you; the best experience is when you find a small, empty temple, chat with the monks, and stay there quietly for a while, enjoying the peace and serenity.
2. Rent a motorcycle and go see the Doi Suthep temple
Another must-do is renting a motorbike and visiting the most famous temple outside the city: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Located at the top of Doi Suthep Mountain, just outside Chiang Mai, it is considered the most iconic temple in the city.
Its most striking feature is the golden chedi, which shines brightly and offers spectacular panoramic views of the city. You can reach it by climbing a staircase of 306 steps decorated with nagas (mythical creatures), though it’s also possible to take a funicular.
Along the way, you can stop at some nearby waterfalls, and if you continue up the mountain, you’ll find many villages surrounded by beautiful mountains and landscapes that are less visited by tourists.
3. Trekking through the mountains
On the third day you can do a trekking in the mountains. On one of my trips with friends, we took a two day and one night tour. The tour combined: trekking, elephant ride, sleeping in a mountain village and rafting.
The trekking was quite entertaining, but we were very disappointed with the elephant ride. We were very sorry and we immediately regretted having contributed our grain of sand to such a grotesque show.
The best thing, without a doubt, was being in a lost village and spending the night in the cabin with an indigenous family observing their way of life. At night, a movie storm fell and I remember thinking that even the cabin we were in could be washed away. Going to the bathroom and finding a one-handed spider was also something to remember for sure.
Unfortunately, the next day the rafting had to be cancelled because of the strong descent of the river. Without a plan b, we returned to Chiang Mai a little disappointed with the tour in general.
4. Sunday Night Market
The Sunday Night Market in Chiang Mai, also known as Sunday Walking Street, is one of the most vibrant and anticipated events in the city. It takes place every Sunday on Ratchadamnoen Street, stretching from Tha Pae Gate to Wat Phra Singh Temple, in the heart of the historical center.
During these hours, the street is closed to traffic and transforms into a lively pedestrian walkway with hundreds of stalls offering a wide variety of products, from local crafts, clothing, and jewelry to a delicious selection of Thai street food.
Although the Sunday Night Market is exclusive to Sundays, Chiang Mai has other notable night markets held on different days of the week:
- Saturday Night Market: Held on Saturdays on Wualai Street, south of the old town. This market is known for its more relaxed atmosphere and excellent selection of handicrafts and local food.
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: Open every night on Chang Klan Road, this market is one of the largest and most popular, offering a wide range of products and entertainment.
5. Bathing in the Gran Canyon
If you still have time and a desire for more; one of the attractions that surprised me the most and that many tourists don’t usually see is The Grand Canyon of Chiang Mai. It’s about 20 minutes by bike from downtown Chiang Mai and the entrance fee varies depending on what attractions you plan to use.
The cheapest is 100 Baht (3 euros). It is a good place for both children and adults. You can swim, jump off the top of the quarry if you like adrenaline, play with inflatables, use the zip line and even wakeboard.
6. Party in Chiang Mai
You can find a lot of nightlife, partying and a great atmosphere in Chinag Mai. The most frequented bar by tourists and Thais is the Zoe In Yellow Bar and the Spicy nightclub, where everyone goes when Zoe In Yellow Bar closes. These two places are the most popular, but there are also many other bars where you can have a quiet beer.
But don’t be surprised if groups of Thai girls start shouting at you to go to the bar where they are. They usually work in the bars and earn part of their salary by convincing you to invite them for a drink or with other services. Truth be told, even if you are not looking for anything, you can have a beer with them and have a few laughs; they are usually very nice and very crazy.
Next destination: Trip from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai
I have fond memories of all the times I have been to China Mai, the second largest city in Thailand, the city with more temples and, surely, one of the most charming cities in the country. Besides, there is always something new to see.
The first time I went, from Chiang Mai, we went to visit the old Thai capital: Sukhothai. You can read my experience there if you feel like. Also, in another of my visits to this beautiful country I was in a temple learning Vipassana Meditation, which is basically characterized by not talking and just meditating all day long.
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