Chiang Mai

Things to see and do

Lanna Architecture Centre

This two-storey traditional Thai wooden house has been reinvented as an art space and architectural gallery and is worth a quick look if you're in the area. The art on display varies and prices tend to be a little inflated.
Wat Chiang Man

Located inside the moat in the northeast corner of the old city, this is the oldest wat in Chiang Mai. Built in 1296 by King Mangrai, it originally served as home to the ruler but is now inhabited by monks. The bot boasts classical Thai features, including huge ornately decorated teak columns ... read more
Wat Phra Singh

Begun under the supervision of King Pha Vu in 1345, this large wat houses the revered yet controversial Phra Singh Buddha. Experts do not agree on whether this is the 'true' image and seemingly identical statues can be found elsewhere in Thailand. Nevertheless, this impressive effigy forms the ... read more
Wat Chedi Luang

Located in the centre of town on Phra Pokklao Road, this wat contains the ruins of what must have been a huge chedi. Partially collapsed due to either earthquake or cannon fire, the chedi was once Chiang Mai's largest; the compound's remains give an indication of its impressive former scale. ... read more
Wat Ku Tao

Supposedly representing the alms bowls of the Lord Buddha, this unique chedi built in 1613 still retains its original coloured porcelain decorations.
Wat Chet Yot

This wat was purportedly based on the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India, although those who have seen the 'original' may be a little nonplussed by this interpretation. (The duplicate in Ubon Ratchathani is a finer copy.) Each of the seven spires represents one of the seven weeks that Buddha spent ... read more
Wat Suan Dok

Constructed by King Ku Nu in 1383, the bot in this compound contains a huge 500-year-old bronze Buddha image which is surrounded by well-preserved murals depicting Buddha's life. A variety of Buddhist amulets are sold around the wihaan, which was built in 1932. The whole complex was originally ... read more
Wat Ram Poeng

This is the base of the Northern Insight Meditation Centre where many westerners study vipassana. The courses are taught by resident monks with either western students or English-speaking Thais acting as interpreters.
Chiang Mai Zoo

Chiang Mai Zoo, while incomparable with the standard of western zoos, is pretty good compared to other zoos in Asia. There is a wide range of animals from all over the world. They are caged but not too restrictively and information about the animals is displayed in English. Currently there are two ... read more
Thai Boxing

If you're interested in seeing Muay Thai Boxing, you can catch regular fights every Friday night from 20:00 at Kawila Boxing Stadium, not far from Narawat Bridge. During peak season they lay on an additional night, usually on Wednesday. These are real Muay Thai fights -- not demonstrations -- and ... read more
Sunday Night Market

On Sunday nights throughout almost the entire old city, a terrific market springs up that stretches from gate to gate. Different to the more touristy night market on Changklan Road, it finds a large number of local Thais coming to spend their evening. It seems to be the social event of the week as ... read more
Thai cooking classes

Cooking classes are extremely popular in Chiang Mai and northern Thailand in general, with a plethora of places in Chiang Mai offering more or less the same thing. Most courses kick off with a trip to the market to peruse and learn about fresh ingredients. The teacher will then give a ... read more
AUA Library

The American University Alumni (AUA) has a library of books, magazines, tapes, videos, DVDs and more in a beautiful building within the old city walls. The library can be accessed by members only. To join costs 400Ba year, or 100B for students of their Thai or English language programs. Temporary ... read more
Learn Thai

The American University Alumni (AUA) has courses in both spoken and written Thai. Their first two beginner classes focus on spoken Thai, while more advanced classes introduce the writing system and develop reading skills. Classroom work is demanding and rigorous, and is recommended for those with a ... read more
Sunshine Massage School

Beginners require a minimum of ten days to learn the fundamentals of Thai massage. This gives the teacher time to provide the depth and quality of instruction and allows the student ample time to interact with the teacher. Courses are held Mon to Fri 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 16.00.
Central Kad Suan Kaew

Located just off the moat at the foot of Huay Kaew Road, the Kad Suan Kaew branch of Central shopping plaza occupies a massive red brick monstrosity that's one of Chiang Mai's biggest... things. Although it has far more of a corporate presence than Chiang Mai's street markets and night bazaars, ... read more
Wat U Mong

Set at the foot of Doi Suthep along the road leading to Wat Doi Suthep and Doi Pui village, Wat Umong is one of Chiang Mai's most unusual temples and makes a worthy addition to a day trip up the mountain. The temple dates from around the 14th century, although it was abandoned for many years before ... read more
Chiang Mai National Museum

Chiang Mai's medium-sized provincial museum sees only a trickle of visitors, but it provides an easily followed and succinct look into the area's long and fascinating history. Displays are divided into several sections that include prehistoric background, history of the Lanna kingdom, Lanna ... read more
Nerve-Touch Massage

This no-frills place teaches massage courses and also offers 90-minute massages with herbal packs. We can't vouch for the courses but the therapeutic massage is superb and very well priced. The herbal packs smell wonderful, though it's a bit disconcerting to have the therapists constantly leaving ... read more
Chiang Mai Hilltribe Handicraft Training Centre

Hill tribe shoulder bags, pouches, hats and skirts aren't hard to find in the Chiang Mai night bazaar and Sunday market, but if you want to see the artisans at work and buy straight from them, come to the Handicraft Training Centre. Established in 2007 by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the ... read more
Bamboo rafting

A relaxing way to see the river and local countryside, bamboo rafting takes you at a slow pace downriver on rafts made of bamboo poles lashed together. Between two and four passengers travel with a guide who propels the raft along with a long bamboo pole. Guides can be cheeky, splashing water on ... read more
Rock climbing

Rock climbing is becoming a very popular pastime in northern Thailand. Outside of town stunning cliffs and rock formations have become regular climbing locations. Chiang Mai Climbing Club have a small bouldering wall out the back of their office on Ratchapakhinai Rd. It costs 150 baht per day ... read more
Bua Thong Waterfall

This pretty three-tier waterfall runs over limestone and has absolutely crystal clear water -- keep an eye out for the freshwater crabs. Set 3km off Route 1001, near the 48km marker, the falls are within easy walking distance of the small information centre and the lowest of the three tiers is only ... read more
Mon Thaa Than Falls Nature Trail

This hike through some of the area's pristine natural environment begins near the national park headquarters on Doi Suthep (it's a right just after Wat Doi Suthep). Among the highlights are a huge strangler fig tree, abundant wild flowers including the rare red and yellow speckled sapria, some ... read more
Huay Tung Tao

Located around five kilometres outside of town a short way past the 700-year-old stadium, Huay Tung Tao is an artificial lake popular among Chiang Mai locals but little known by travellers. The lake affords spectacular views of Doi Suthep, with the main activity here simply setting up a mat ... read more
Wat Pansao

A small temple that sees few foreign visitors, Wat Pansao boasts an attractive Lanna-style wihaan and a crumbling brick chedi amid a pleasant garden setting. The chedi is hollow, making us reckon it to be Burmese influenced, and it looks to be a good 700 or so years old. The most interesting ... read more
Wat Lok Molee

This medium-sized wat isn't one of Chiang Mai's big draws, but it is worth a half-hour thanks as much to the temple's oddities and curios as its main features. The temple's history is obscure, but it's thought to have been built in the 14th century. A large brick chedi was added by the 16th ... read more
Dokmai Gardens

Dokmai is a privately-run botanic garden outside of Chiang Mai that makes for a worthy half-day trip if you enjoy plant life, and cold beer or cocktails. Its genial host is Swedish botanical professor, Eric, who not only runs a wonderful operation but is also fun to hang around with -- he's good ... read more