The Best Day Trips From Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s allure is not only confined to the city’s charms but extends out into the beautiful surrounding countryside. Looking for a mini city escape? Check out a few of our favourite day trips from Chiang Mai to experience what wonders are nearby.

Samoeng Loop

The Samoeng Loop is a roughly 100-kilometre (62-mile) circuit that starts and ends in Chiang Mai. Rent a decent motorbike and head into the hills for a memorable adventure-filled day out. Why not start your journey at Rider’s Corner at the northeast inside corner of the moat? This guest house, bar, restaurant and motorcycling community is run by Phillip, who is both knowledgeable and extremely helpful; the Golden Triangle Rider‘s Mae Sa Valley-Samoeng Loop map is also available for THB฿180 ($5) here.
Riding the Samoeng Loop will take visitors up breathtaking mountains, along quaint valleys and through authentic local villages. Stop along the way at a local restaurant or explore some of the numerous attractions en route like the Mae Rim Orchid Farm, Ban Toeng hilltribe village, Mae Sa Waterfalls or the Pong Kwao Hot Springs.

Chiang Dao

1. Huay Tung Tao Lake

Only a 20-minute drive by songteaw (motorbike) from downtown Chiang Mai is Huay Tung Tao Lake – the perfect day out. Hang out like a local and relax in one of the bamboo huts overlooking the lake the majestic Doi Pui mountains in the backdrop. This tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle from Chiang Mai is a favourite for locals, expats and travellers alike. Read a book, dangle feet in the water, swim in the lake, try some delicious local food or order some refreshing beverages – all at a private bamboo hut. Entrance to Huay Tung Tao costs THB฿50 ($1.50), and bamboo huts are free as long as refreshments are ordered.
Huay Tung Tao Lake, Don Kaeo, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Bamboo huts at Huay Tung Tao Lake | © Stefan Fussan / Flickr

Mae Ngat Dam

Serene and beautiful Mae Ngat Dam in Si Lanna National Park is roughly 60 kilometres (37.2 miles) north of Chiang Mai. The surrounding jungles are home to exotic wildlife including wild boars, gibbons, fishing cats and Asian black bears. Hike the area, or hop on a speedboat to visit one of the floating house boats in the area. At both longtime favourite Eakachai and newer, more upmarket Mountain Float, guests can enjoy delicious food, swim in the lake, kayak or simply lounge on the veranda. For the optimal Mae Ngat Dam experience, stay overnight in the floating camping (or ‘glamping‘?) abode.

Tambon Ban Pong, Amphoe Phrao, Si Lanna National Park

2. Mon Cham

Mon Cham, roughly 40 minutes out of Chiang Mai, is a farming community on a hill ridge in the area of Mong Nong Hoi village, Mae Rim. Previously an opium farm, this area now hosts the flourishing Nong Hoi Royal Project, where visitors can see vegetable beds established for researching artichokes, lemon, thyme, mint, chamomile, rosemary and more. Mon Cham has magnificent views, plenty of options for exploring, local coffee shops and restaurants – everything for a fun-filled day trip out of the city.
Mon Cham, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand, +66 81 806 3993

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

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