Location: Chiang Mai
Top Things to do in Chiang Mai
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Things to do in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province: The Best Historic Sites
You could spend your whole Chiang Mai vacation exploring the famous Night Bazaar. Once you’ve exhausted the art of the cheerful haggle, however, there’s plenty more to explore. The National Museum and Botanic Garden are great places to soak up some local culture and to breathe in the delicate fragrance of Thai orchids. In the city’s center, the remains of ancient walls embrace over 30 temples. Limber travelers can climb 300 stairs to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, an ornate Buddhist temple in the hills.
Restaurants in Chiang Mai
1. Ban Hmong Mae Sa Mai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By J4939HJmichaelp - Chiang Rai, Thailand
Nestled in rolling green hills of Mae Rim District, an easy drive from Chiang Mai City, there are actually two Hmong villages here. Mae Sa Noi is the first village one arrives at from highway 1096 and is the location of the “Community Product[s] Center” a fantastic workshop where the locals produce clothing and accessories using traditional materials and techniques. The Hmong of Chiang Mai Province still grow hemp and painstakingly produce woven cloth from the plant's fibrous stalks. The hemp cloth is then colored using natural dyes produced from the indigo plant and other native species. The cloth is then decorated using a batik technique that uses natural bee’s wax. I was fortunate to arrive in the village as the Sunday service at Mae Sa Noi church was ending. Many of Thailand’s “Hill-People” are Christian having been converted by missionaries. Sundays are a good day to visit villages as many of the locals put on their best traditional costumes to attend the services. I was invited to eat with the congregation and gladly accepted as I never turn down a free meal and I do enjoy Hmong food; it is quite different from Thai cuisine. In return for the hospitality, I purchased a lovely wallet sort-of-thing from the community products center. After lunch and shopping, I took a stroll through Mae Sa Mai a fairly typical rural village where visitors will see some examples of traditional Hmong architecture. Hmong homes are easy to recognize; they are simple single-story dwellings built of wood (or clay) with rammed earth (dirt) floors. Completing my exploration of the villages, I drove up in the mountains above both villages, where the homestays are located, and had another wander. The people here are actually quite friendly as Hmong folks tend to be. As previously mentioned, these villages are fairly authentic, not particularly touristy and I highly recommend a visit as part of a Mae Rim District outing. Did I mention that these are Hmong villages? There are no Kayan (long-neck Karen) people or elephants living here. The reviews that suggest otherwise are simply incorrect.
2. Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,528 reviews
Reviewed By DanW440 - Portland, United States
This is an area of much activity surrounding the hype and excitement of this amazing temple. It's beautiful and has so much to see - a very large and significant temple. Even though it was crowded we still enjoyed our visit. Lots of vendors abound so one can purchase items inside the temple walls as well as at the bottom of the long, long staircase. The usual dress code for sacred temples is expected, be sure to dress appropriately and be prepared to remove your shoes. Wondering the grounds for an hour and a half was more than enough time to see everything This amount of time spent allowed for beautiful pictures in daylight and in my opinion
3. Fort of Sri-Poom
4. Hua Lin Corner
5. Pratu Chiang Mai
6. Bhubing Palace
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 677 reviews
Reviewed By CandyCin
Nice place to visit with many flowers along the way. Many kinds of roses there. The weather is pretty cool, it takes about 40m from Chiang Mai, we hired a car so could visit some other places nearby as Doi Suthep, Hmong Village. The police will check your so shouldn’t wear too short or sleeveless T-shirt
7. Fort of Ka-Tham
8. Chiang Mai Gate
9. Saen Pung Gate
10. Fort of Ku-Hueang
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
Part of the old city wall which used to border all the way alongside the moat. Unfortunately, it’s now a ruin but it’s great to walk along the moat and have a look at what used to be there. Information signs near the ruins say they provide more information when you read a barcode but the website doesn’t work.
