14 Unique Things To Do In Chiang Mai, Thailand (2026)
Are you wondering what fun and unique things Chiang Mai has to offer? If so, this article’s for you.
Chiang Mai is a peaceful mountain city in northern Thailand that has so much to offer, from magnificent temples to cozy cafes, and delicious cheap food. I spent two weeks in Chiang Mai, and felt like I discovered a new place every day.
This article will cover the most interesting places to visit in Chiang Mai, and a few awesome day trip opportunities. From elephant sanctuaries to lucky temples and cloud hikes, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Here are 14 unique things you won’t want to miss in Chiang Mai.
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Unique Things To Do In Chiang Mai
1. Visit The Famous Doi Suthep Temple
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the iconic golden temple that’s perched high on a hill overlooking Chiang Mai. It’s considered one of the most sacred temples, and was built around 1383!
There’s a red staircase with 300 steps to reach the complex, where you’ll see the beautiful golden stupas, shrines, and buddha statues. It’s a nice place to walk around for a half hour, and there’s a variety of food vendors by the parking lot.
If you don’t want to walk, there’s a tram that will give you a lift for only 20 baht. To get to the top of the mountain, you can hop on a red songthaew (~100 baht), or do a 20 minute drive. It’s a very windy drive, with waterfalls, and an amazing overlook of the city (Doi Pui Viewpoint) off of the side of the road.
Note: They expect you to dress modestly in the temples, and may provide you with a shawl to cover your legs/shoulders.
2. Hike The Monks Trail To The Hidden Jungle Temple
The Monks Trail is a scenic hike on the same mountain as Doi Suthep, to a hidden jungle temple (Wat Pha Lat). The entrance is at the bottom of the hill, and they charge tourists 100 baht at the beginning of the hike.
It’s very peaceful, and winds through the forest until you reach Wat Pha Lat. If you’re an early bird, you can book a guided hike at sunrise with a monk!
Note: On google maps, make sure to type in “Wat Pha Lat hike”. I initially made the mistake of driving to “Wat Pha Lat”, which is at the end of the trail, far past the temple in the jungle. For your reference, I’ve pinned the trailhead to the map at the end of this article.
Fun fact: This temple used to serve as a resting place for monks hiking up to Doi Suthep!
3. Visit The Lucky Lottery Temple (Doi Kham)
One of the most interesting temples to visit in Chiang Mai is Wat Phra That Doi Kham.
This is a 1300 year old temple complex with a large golden buddha perched on a hill, just outside of the city. It’s known as the “lucky lottery temple” by locals, and many people visit to pray, and make peace offerings to the Buddha for luck.
Inside of the temple there’s a number machine where you can pay coins to receive your lucky number, sacred stone balls to decorate with sheets of gold, and more unique attributes. Entry is 30 baht for foreigners, and there’s little food and jasmine flower vendors at the entrance.
4. Spend Quality Time With Elephants
Chiang Mai is home to one of the most ethical elephant sanctuaries in all of Thailand, the Elephant Nature Park.
This sanctuary allows rescued elephants to roam freely in their natural habitat, and they offer both day tours, and overnight stays. On their day tours, you’ll get to walk with and take photos with the elephants, prepare snacks and hand feed them, and enjoy a buffet lunch.
On their overnight stays, you can stay in a rustic hut on the property, and spend more time observing the elephants’ social dynamics! Reserve a visit on their official website.
Note: They’re located an hour north of the old city, but provide full roundtrip hotel transportation on their tours.
5. Visit The Buatong Sticky Waterfall
The Buatong Sticky Waterfall is a unique day trip, just an hour outside of Chiang Mai. This is a cascading waterfall, with limestone rocks that provide you with enough grip to climb up the waterfall barefoot.
It’s free to visit, and a very short walk from the parking lot. At the waterfall, there’s shoe racks, and stairs leading down where you can begin the climb up.
6. Hike to the Huay Keaw Waterfall
The Huay Keaw Waterfall is a cascading waterfall in the city, not far from the base of Doi Suthep. It has large rock pools at the base where you can relax or set up a picnic, and nearby hiking trails. Entry fee is 100 baht for tourists.
7. Visit The Highest Peak In Thailand (Don Inthanon)
Don Inthanon National Park is an amazing day trip opportunity if you love hiking, and want to visit the highest point in Thailand.
It’s a 1.5-2 hour drive from Chiang Mai, and has hiking trails, waterfalls, pagodas, and scenic mountain overlooks. You can drive all the way to the highest point in Thailand, and watch the sunset above the clouds!
I visited this national park on a whim, and wish I did more planning because I missed out on the waterfalls. I hiked the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail which winds through the forest, along a mountain ridge, and my guide brought me to a beautiful viewpoint of the twin pagodas.
Most hikes in the national park require you to go with a guide for a small additional fee, so I highly recommend bringing cash to tip them.
8. Take A Thai Cooking Class
Learn how to make your favorite Thai dishes by taking a cooking class led by a local. This class takes place at an organic farm, where you’ll get to learn how to make everything from coconut soup to spring rolls, and curry.
9. Indulge In Street Foods At A Market
No trip to Chiang Mai would be complete without trying street food and shopping for souvenirs at a market. Here are some of the best markets to check out in the city:
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: Daily night market with produce, street food, and souvenirs
- Chiang Mai Gate Market: Lively night market outside of Chiang Mai gate with produce and street food
- Warorot Market: Multi-story local market with produce, crafts, and street food
- Wua Lai Walking Street Market: Sunday only craft market with live music, art, and street food
- Jing Jai Market: Weekend only morning market with handmade souvenirs and art
10. Relax At A Cat Cafe
Chiang Mai has such an incredible cafe culture, with everything from cat cafes to rainforest themed cafes, and coworking spaces.
If you love cats, stop by Mali Cafe & Bar to relax, and hang out with dozens of cats for an hour! They charge an entry fee of 250 baht/person for a one hour session that includes a drink.
11. Do A Street Food Tour
If you’re a foodie, go on a street food tour with a local. You’ll get to try a variety of unique Northern Thai dishes and desserts, and learn all about Thai food and culture.
This tour includes at least 8 dishes, and covers transportation to the different markets.
12. Go On A Day Trip To Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is the northernmost city of Thailand that’s a 3.5 hour drive from Chiang Mai. It’s nestled in the countryside, and known for its stunning white and blue temples, tea plantations, and the nearby Golden Triangle (junction of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos).
If you want to see the popular temples and museums in a day, you can book a full day tour from Chiang Mai. But if you want to visit the Golden Triangle, it’s worth spending a night or two in Chiang Rai.
I spent a night in Chiang Rai and it was much smaller than I expected, but super peaceful, and surrounded by the countryside. I rented a car from Chiang Mai Wheels (highly recommend) for 2 days, and it was a beautiful scenic 3.5 hour drive to get there.
I stayed at the Saikaew Resort in Chiang Rai, a very budget-friendly hotel (~30 USD) next to a pond with comfortable, clean spacious rooms.
13. Visit Huay Tueng Thao Sculpture Park
The Huay Tueng Thao Sculpture Park is a large park with interesting gorilla, elephant, and animal sculptures.
It’s beside a lake, and has lots of space to walk around, or have a picnic away from crowds. Entry fee is 50 baht for tourists, and it’s only a 30 minute drive outside of the old city.
14. Drive The Mae Hong Son Loop
If you’re up for an adventure, drive the Mae Hong Son Loop. This is a scenic 370-410 mile drive that winds past little villages, waterfalls, temples, hot springs, rice paddies and more.
The road has 1,864 curves, and most people rent a motorbike to best enjoy the scenery. This route is extremely popular, but keep in mind it requires a bit of planning. It takes a minimum of 3-4 days, and will have you staying in different little towns.
Chiang Mai Attractions Map
Summary
Chiang Mai is a charming mountainside city with so many unique things to offer. Whether you’re into temple-hopping, chasing waterfalls, or learning about new cultures, you won’t struggle finding something to do.
I spent over two weeks in Chiang Mai, and discovered something new everyday. If you have limited time, I recommend checking out the two most popular temples (Doi Suthep, Doi Kham), visiting the sticky waterfall, and taking a Thai cooking class.
And if you have more time, it’s worth going on a day trip to either Chiang Rai, or Doi Inthanon National Park.
Related articles you may be interested in:
- 15 Best Things To Do In Krabi Thailand
- Awesome day trips from Chiang Mai