City: Chiang Mai Province
Top Things to do in Chiang Mai Province
Countries
The 6 Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Chiang Mai (Thai: เชียงใหม่, pronounced [t͡ɕʰīaŋ.màj] ( listen); Lanna: ᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩉᩲ᩠ᨾ᩵, pronounced [tɕiaŋ.màj]) is the second-largest province (changwat) of Thailand. It is in the country's north. It is bordered by Chiang Rai to the northeast, Lampang and Lamphun to the south, Tak to the southwest, Mae Hong Son to the west, and Shan State of Burma to the north. The capital, Chiang Mai, is 685 km north of Bangkok.
Restaurants in Chiang Mai Province
1. Maeklang Elephant Conservation Community
Overall Ratings
5 based on 148 reviews
Maeklang Elephant Conservation Community is a new project in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Our simple aim is to provide safe home for rescued elephants in a way that involves the local community and to promote pesticide free farming. Thanks for supporting us♥
Reviewed By Vivien G
I booked the half day tour to the Maeklang elephant sanctuary after it was recommended from my hostel and didn’t regret it for a minute! First you will get some information about the elephant’s history and change into traditional clothes provided by them (very convenient since elephants love dirt).
You will have plenty of time to meet and feed the elephants, get to know their spirit and take awesome pictures of course ;) Afterwards you will join them for a very muddy bath to clean them and play with them which was a very unique and amazing experience for me and the whole group!
Also big thanks to our tour guide Tua, you did a great job! Loved it ❤️
2. Fresh Start Fitness Holiday Bootcamp
Overall Ratings
5 based on 154 reviews
Fresh Start is fitness boot camp based in Chiang Mai Northern Thailand.We provide fitness boot camp holidays and one day activity days. Our team is here for YOU and we will motivate and encourage you every step of the way. We have a fantastic varied program and you will also experience Thai culture as we go out and about. The resort is set in a quaint rural Thai village and is surrounded by rolling hills and rice paddy fields. Chiang Mai has the mildest year round temperatures and breath taking unspoiled landscapes. There are two fresh water swimming pools,far saunas, herbal steam room, tea house, spa and massage facilities, exercise track, tennis court and a 18 meter exercise sala which is surrounded by the spa's organic farm. An idyllic and breath taking location. The perfect place to re-charge your batteries, kick start your fitness and feel closer to nature. So if you are looking for boot camp holidays in the sun or boot camp holidays abroad then we would love to have you.
Reviewed By Disha D
Wow...what can I say? I just had to come back here...it was like coming home in a way. The familiar beauty of Chiang Mai, the peaceful setting of the Pavana Resort, the excellent food at Radiance restaurant and the perfect spa & infrared sauna treatments - and of course, the Fresh Start Bootcamp fitness program and the passionate people behind it that make it the success it is.
I was excited to come back for the week from 18th-25th August, because I knew how just 1 week with Fresh Start could transform me. I lost 2.2kg, 2.7% body fat and an incredible 8cm from my waist in just one week. I couldn't believe the 8cm number so I had myself measured a couple of times to be sure haha!
I have to say a very big thank you to Anton for being such an amazing Instructor. Anton was very intuitive and motivated each and every person in the group to take their fitness to the next level. In my case, this meant extra long rounds of Muay Thai sessions, push-ups, pull-ups, sprinting, one-legged squats, uphill cycling and so much more. Anton even did an extra Muay Thai surprise session for us on the last day after bootcamp finished!! Really going above and beyond, so thank you Anton! By the way, Anton also has some cool ideas for fitness on the go - for example, burpees at the airport anyone? :D
I had few goals in mind from the last time I went to Bootcamp. First time around, I didn't complete the cycling day i.e. I didn't cycle the last 5-6 kms back to camp. This time I was determined to cycle all of the 30 kms we did that day and guess what - I did! Slowly but steadily with the superb motivation of Anton & Lek :) Anton even challenged us with a super steep slope and when we got to the top drenched in sweat (yes, you feel like you are under a shower the whole time!), the whole group was so happy to have worked together supporting and encouraging each other all the way. Furthermore, last time I really struggled to get to Level 10 of the Waterfall taking an hour or so easily and this time I took about 30 minutes (and running downhill on the way back!!) :D
Another thing to mention is that Anton was very creative and ensured that people who had been at bootcamp for over 1 week did not get bored doing the same activities. We went on different hiking trips to national parks not visited before, we swam in the 'Grand Canyon', we played team games (which were surprising super calorie burning) and canoed in the massive swimming pool at Prem School and also had Aqua sessions at Pavana.
We had a wonderful group of people from Qatar, UK, Canada, Bermuda & India - it was such a fun group and everyone was inspired & inspiring :) Some people stayed on for 2-3 weeks, some for 4 and one even for 7 weeks. That says a lot about the kind of place that Fresh Start is.
My favourite part about the bootcamp were the circuit sessions, HIIT training, cardio tennis, the Muay Thai sessions and of course the cycling day. The days were hard work but there was a great sense of accomplishment come 6pm each evening.
You know how sometimes we eat while being distracted by the TV or mobile phone and can't remember whether we ate or not or what it is that we ate? Eating food at Fresh Start was like meditation and we all ended up savoring and relishing each and every bite. Never in our lives had any of us given so much attention to the food we were eating - the taste, texture, aroma etc. I was amazed when I had black coffee once during bootcamp and could only think of its taste for the next 10 minutes - bootcamp really helped bring me in tune with food and connect with what I eat instead of being distracted and wolfing everything down.
To conclude, I recommend Fresh Start to anyone looking to do just that. I myself hope to return later this year for my 3rd time and take my fitness to the next level.
3. Elephant Care & Grand Canyon Jumping
Overall Ratings
5 based on 99 reviews
One day Hill tribe elephant care village & Grand Canyon Jumping! NO RIDING, NO BEATING . Meet the elephants. Feed,interact, and play with the elephants in their natural home as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants. Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Bathe and brush the elephants in the river. Leave the village say goodbye to the elephants. The Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai in an experience you will not want to miss if you love adventure, especially cliff jumping! Pump up your adrenaline by jumping off 10m or 20m cliff into blue / green water or enjoy a relaxed swim with friends.
Reviewed By Hugo F
A real company, no lies and an amazing day! We spend a day with elephants and it’s was just fabulous! Feed them, walk with them, bath them ! We spend an amazing day! For me it’s the best company! Don’t hesitate to do with Elephant...MoreThank you very much for your nice review and support our program. Hopefully to see you again. Best regards
4. Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5 based on 522 reviews
Maerim Elephant Sanctuary - "Where elephants are loved and respected."
Reviewed By bjornevalen - Sliema, Malta
Maerim Elephant Sanctuary is highly recommended. Friendly staff, great food, magnificent elephants, and all in all a great experience. And best of all is knowing that the money you spend there goes to the preservation of these vulnerable creatures. They are all the time acquiring new elephants from living in captivity in riding or logging camps, and making sure that these wonderful animals get the love and compassion they deserve.
5. Wat Pha Lat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
Reviewed By Sensati0n - Sofia, Bulgaria
From the whole trip in Chiang Rai, this was my favorite place. You have the feeling as if you are in a movie. The place is very authentic and if you go in the afternoon there probably won't be any people.
If you are coming with car, you can park it next to the entrance or close to the road in the beginning, but keep in mind that the parking is not very big.
There is also a coffee shop.
Keep in mind that it may be chilly and it is good to have something to put on.
6. Thai Elephant Home
Overall Ratings
5 based on 834 reviews
Reviewed By Amanda H - Jacksonville, Florida
My husband and I did the "two hour elephant nursery" and would highly recommend this experience to any visitors to the Chiang Mai area. We enjoyed being able to interact with the elephants while they went about their usual routine; nothing about this experience felt staged or like they were putting on a show for us. The drive to the elephant home is stunning but some of the roads are winding and then turn into a dirt path closer to the camp so be sure to pre-medicate as needed if you get car sickness.
Your guide will also take lots of candid pictures of you interacting with the elephants, which is a great way to remember such a wonderful afternoon.
