While you’re in Chiang Mai, you might want to take part in cooking classes, visit temples, and eat some delicious street food. Then, you might want to spend some time exploring the city’s beautiful natural surroundings and unique cultures. With recent global health and safety concerns, some tourist attractions in Chiang Mai may be closed. Listed below are some of the best things to do in Chiang Mai.
Elephant Rescue Park
While in Chiang Mai, it is a must to visit the Elephant Rescue Park. While there, you can interact with the elephants one-on-one and learn about their care and daily routine. You can feed them, hand-wash them, and even shower them with mud. The park’s guides will even take you to a local river to bathe an elephant. If you’d like to combine the experience with a private tour, you can do so as well.
If you’re looking for an elephant park in Chiang Mai, there are a few places to consider. This Elephant Sanctuary is one of them, and it is a beautiful place to view retired and injured elephants. The sanctuary is only two hours from Chiang Mai and offers a vegetarian buffet lunch. Guests should wear comfortable clothes and bring along a hat and sunscreen for protection from the heat.
Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
The chedi, or Buddha statue, at Wat Chedi Luang is a highly revered symbol of Chiang Mai. Its construction began in 1391 and was complete by the fifteenth century. When it was completed, the chedi stood almost eighty meters high and forty-four meters wide. It was the tallest building in Chiang Mai at the time, but after an earthquake in 1545, the chedi was obliterated, destroying its top half and causing structural problems. Today, however, the chedi has been partially rebuilt, and it remains one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand.
The chedi is home to many Buddha images, including the famous Emerald Buddha. The chedi is surrounded by large staircases, with niches for Buddha images and stone elephants on the platforms. Until 1475, the Emerald Buddha was buried in the eastern niche of Wat Chedi Luang. Now, it is housed at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, but there is a replica of it on display at Wat Chedi Luang.
Kanta Elephant Sanctuary
If you are looking for unique things to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand, then visiting the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary is a good option. This sanctuary accepts retired entertainment elephants from the tourism and logging industry. You can feed the elephants, watch them bathe and socialize, and take photographs of the majestic animals. You can also make a donation to help the sanctuary and receive a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience.
One of the most popular things to do in Chiang Mai is visit the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary, a family-owned eco-tourism project. Here you can spend the day with the elephants and learn about their life in Thailand. You can bathe the elephants, feed them snacks, and even get their mud spas. While at the sanctuary, you can also get your feet wet and cool off in the river.
Wat Phra Singh
If you’re looking for a unique place to visit during your trip to northern Thailand, look no further than Wat Phra Singh in Chiangmai. This Buddhist temple is located on the banks of the Ping River in northern Thailand. Visitors can experience the serenity of the temple and pray for peace and prosperity. The surrounding area is home to a number of other fascinating temples. If you’re looking for a new experience, visit Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai and gain a greater appreciation for Buddhism and Thai culture.
The oldest structure in the temple complex is the viharn Lai Kham, a replica of the original Buddha statue. It dates back to 1345 and was built by King Phayu, the fifth king of the Mangrai dynasty. The fading murals on the walls depict the stories of the Buddha’s previous lives, and are well worth a look. Whether it’s the fading murals of old or modern Thai folk, they tell an interesting story.
Wat Pha Lat
The most significant building at the site is a temple, which was restored in 1935 by a wealthy Burmese businessman. The main temple is located on the opposite side of the waterfall. You can also find a waterfall near the temple. The temple also has an important role in Thai Buddhist tradition. You can walk the Monk’s Trail, which is a popular walking path on Doi Suthep Mountain, which takes you to the temple.
If you are looking for a peaceful place to meditate, you should visit the Wat Pha Lat temple in Chiang Mai. The temple is hidden in the forest and requires a short hike to reach. There are many beautiful plants, Buddha statues, butterflies, and monks living here. There is no better way to spend a relaxing day than meditating in the surrounding nature. Here, you will see the beauty of Chiang Mai from a whole new perspective.
After completing the temple, you can continue walking along the trail. Orange monastic robes mark the way. It should take approximately thirty to forty minutes to walk the loop. From the temple, you will get a good view of central Chiang Mai. The sculptures here are fascinating. You can find several of them in the temple. If you don’t have time to visit the temple in its entirety, you can always visit the surrounding area.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Visitors can climb the steep, forested mountain to visit the temple on the way to the city. Inside, ornate gold carvings and a seventeen-meter sitting Buddha statue adorn the interior of the temple. Afterward, visit the city’s countless temples and explore the city’s surrounding areas. Here, find out what makes Chiang Mai such a unique destination.
One of the most spectacular temples in Chiang Mai is Wat Phra That Doi Kha, which translates as “Temple of the Golden Mountain.” Its stupa is the tallest in all of Chiang Mai and shares many characteristics with the nearby Wat Phutthat Doi Suthep. Inside, it’s possible to see a relic of Buddha that is over seventy years old. The relic is located here because of a local legend. The Buddha gave two giants a relic of his hair to protect people.
The main wihan is on the west side of the complex. The small wihans are on the east side, whereas the main wihan is on the west. The placement of the surrounding areas reflects the mountaintop’s topography. The seated Buddha statue is the largest in the Chiang Mai area, rising 56 feet above the city. The complex is open daily from six in the morning to five in the evening.
Mae Sa Waterfall
Visit Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai for a refreshing swim. This 8-level waterfall is home to a small plunge pool. You can also enjoy a hike along the waterfall’s trail and visit the nearby food stalls. The waterfall is a must-visit for visitors to Chiang Mai. The waterfall is located in a picturesque forest and is popular with nature lovers. Alternatively, you can also opt for a tuk-tuk or bicycle ride to the top.
The Mae Sa Waterfall is a must-visit attraction in Chiang Mai. It is located in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park and is only a half-hour drive from the old city. You can choose to take a taxi or organize a tour to explore this popular destination. To get to the waterfall, follow the well-marked path and find signs indicating each tier. The water falls at Mae Sa are not high and do not flow fast. It is safe to swim and can be enjoyed by anyone.
Ploen Ruedee Night Market
If you love international and national cuisines, you will absolutely love Chiang Mai’s Ploen Ruedee Night Market. With its bustling streets and variety of food stalls, it is a gastronomic paradise. You can sample everything from Thai street food to Italian pizza. This lively market is also known for its live music, and you can also watch traditional martial art performances and enjoy ice cream or other desserts.
There is a children’s zone for kids, and the market is well-organized and clean. In addition, food vendors are required to follow strict hygiene standards. Environmental awareness is promoted through the ‘No foam, no plastic’ campaign. Live music and food stalls make the atmosphere at Ploen Ruedee even better. If you’re on a budget, consider buying souvenirs to bring home and enjoy the nightlife.
Located at the heart of Chiang Mai’s downtown area, the market is a great place to sample local food and culture. The market is packed with tourists and can take up to an hour to navigate. It’s possible to find great bargains here, and it is one of the few places in Thailand where the prices are lower than elsewhere. The open-air market is a hybrid of a farmer’s market, flea market, and creative crafts marketplace.
