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Discover Chiang Mai's rich cultural heritage by joining Culture Trip's epic 10-day Northern Thailand tour – led by our local insider.

Bangkok

Reasons Why You Should Visit Chiang Mai Over Bangkok

Check out our easy guide on how to make the most of 48 hours in Chiang Mai. Explore sacred temples, vibrant markets, local eateries and more.

Thailand

Chiang Mai

How to Spend 48 Hours in Chiang Mai

Hidden away in the forests of Chiang Mai, Wat Umong is an undeniably serene and peaceful place to visit.

Discover Wat Umong, Chiang Mai's Hidden Temple

Chiang Mai's museums offer something of interest to everyone! Check out our pick of the best museums in Chiang Mai for you to explore.

The Best Museums to Visit in Chiang Mai

Follow our guide to discovering the delightful village of Baan Kang Wat, an area which provides the ideal mix of modern and traditional Thai lifestyle.

A Traveller's Guide to Baan Kang Wat

Insider Travel Guides

Chiang Mai, founded in 1926 on the banks of the Ping river in northern Thailand’s mountainous region, has a rich cultural history, breath-taking surrounds and a laid-back lifestyle that have made it an irresistible stop on the backpacker circuit.

The Insider Guide to Chiang Mai

Reconnect with nature, with history and with yourself in Chiang Mai. The so-called New City’s mystical energy has drawn visitors for generations – and for good reason. Tour the temples in and around the city walls to get introspective. There are many to choose from, but don’t miss the black jade Buddha at Wat Chedi Luang, the elegant assembly hall at Wat Phra Singh, the elephant sculptures at Wat Chiang Man and the five-tiered chedi (a pogoda-like structure) at the Burmese-style Wat Chedi Liam. 

The city’s power to reawaken the spirit spreads beyond its walls and moat. Escape on an excursion through the historic Tha Phae Gate to see more Buddhist architecture at the Doi Suthep, a temple set in a granite mountain, with incredible views back towards Chiang Mai. And yes, everyone does it – because it’s incredible: you can’t leave Chiang Mai without feeling the magic of Mother Nature up close by helping out with feeding time at the Elephant Nature Park. 

Back in Chiang Mai proper, immerse yourself in Thai life by wandering the Talat Warorot, a market that’s been operating for more than a century. Alongside the souvenirs, you’ll find typical Thai household goods and plenty of surprises – this market is one of the largest in the country. 

After all that exploring and reflection, stop off for a traditional Thai massage, with options quite literally around every corner – or you could take things a step further and book yourself in for a meditation session with a Buddhist monk. 

As night falls, you’ll be ready to discover the emerging roof bar scene, with several new builds topped with decks for cocktails at dusk. Now Chiang Mai has worked its magic on you, you’ll want to bring your new-found Zen home with you. Head to the night bazaar to pick up trinkets and souvenirs to remind you of your trip.


The Main Attractions

Oran

Setif

Algeria

Luanda

Angola

Cotonou

Porto-novo

Benin

Botswana

Ouagadougou

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Tonga

Yaounde

Bamenda

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Central African Republic

Chad

Comoros

Kinshasa

Lubumbashi

Congo

Abidjan

Cote Divoire

Florentin

Dijibouti

Djibouti

Cairo

Alexandria

Sharm El-sheikh

Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Asmara

Eritrea

Addis Ababa

Lalibela

Ethiopia

Gambia

Accra

Kumasi

Cape Coast

Ghana

Guinea-bissau

Nairobi

Mombasa

Malindi

Kenya

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Antananarivo

Antsirabe

Madagascar

Blantyre

Malawi

Bamako

Timbuktu

Mali

Mauritania

Port Louis

Mauritius

Casablanca

Marrakech

Sale

Morocco

Maputo

Mozambique

Swakopmund

Windhoek

Namibia

Lagos

Abuja

Ibadan

Nigeria

Pointe-noire

Republic Of The Congo

Kigali

Musanze

Butare

Rwanda

Dakar

Touba

Senegal

Seychelles

Freetown

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Cape Town

Durban

Johannesburg

South Africa

South Sudan

Khartoum

Sudan

Mbabane

Manzini

Swaziland

Zanzibar

Arusha

Dar Es Salaam

Tanzania

Tunis

Hammamet

Tozeur

Tunisia

Kampala

Gombe

Uganda

Western Sahara

Lusaka

Zambia

Harare

Bulawayo

Zimbabwe

Africa

Antarctica

Kabul

Afghanistan

Dhaka

Bangladesh

Thimphu

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Brunei Darussalam

Siem Reap

Phnom Penh

Sihanoukville

Cambodia

Shanghai

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China

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India

Bali

Penang

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Indonesia

Israel

Tokyo

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Osaka

Japan

Almaty

Astana

Kazakhstan

Pyongyang

Korea

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Luang Prabang

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Pakse

Laos

Macau

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Ipoh

Malaysia

Maldives

Mongolia

Yangon

Mandalay

Nay Pyi Taw

Myanmar

Kathmandu

Darchula

Nepal

Hyderabad

Islamabad

Lahore

Pakistan

Manila

Philippines

Asia

Events and Activities in Chiang Mai, Thailand | Culture Trip

Bestsellers: Memorable Experiences

Discover hidden gems you can book on Culture TrIp

Outdoor Activities

Escape the city - the best outdoor places to visit

See & Do

The Top Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand

See & Do

The Best Day Trips From Chiang Mai

See & Do

The Best Cycling Tours in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Guides & Tips

10 Alternative Things To Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand

See & Do

Why the (Other) Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai is Definitely Worth Visiting

See & Do

Wat Chiang Man: Why Chiang Mai's Oldest Temple is Worth Visiting

Shopping

Fashion

Where to Buy Thai Silk in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Design

The Best Home and Design Stores in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Fashion

The Best Vintage Clothing Stores in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Guides & Tips

The Best Independent Stores in Nimmanhaemin, Chiang Mai

Art

The Best Arts and Crafts Stores in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Guides & Tips

10 Uniquely Thai Souvenirs and Where to Buy Them in Chiang Mai

Wellness

See & Do

Best Kept Secrets of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Guides & Tips

The 10 Best Spas in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Health & Wellness

A Fitness Lover's Guide to Chiang Mai

Health & Wellness

The 10 Best Yoga Studios in Chiang Mai

Iconic Buildings

Learn about historic sites and special architecture

Architecture

Holy Temples You Can Visit in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Architecture

A Tour of Chiang Mai’s Architectural Landmarks