Among the places most worth visiting in Chiang Mai are its centuries-old wats (Buddhist temples), many of them in the city area. As the city is of a moderate-size, touring around town to visit these temples by bicycle is very popular.

Bhubing Palace

• Bhubing Palace Bhubing Palace
• Doi Ang Khang Doi Ang Khang
• Huai Kaeo Falls Huai Kaeo Falls
• Ob Luang National Park Ob Luang National Park
• San Kamphaeng Hot Springs San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
• Wat Chedi Luang Wat Chedi Luang
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Chiang Mai is...the land of beauty, warm hospitality and good manners ...the land of fascinating, mist-shrouded mountains and fertile valleys ...the land of religion with over 1,100 Buddhist temples...and the land of Thai arts and handicrafts. An old city of over 700 years, Chiang Mai has rooted its culture so deeply that it has its own dialect, its own architecture, its own costume, its own dances and its own cuisine. Though modernization has crept into this faraway region for decades, Chiang Mai still retains its natural charm and old culture. If you have a chance to visit this tourist paradise, you will understand why people call it "The Rose of the North".

There are three sections of Chiang Mai Attractions as follows:

1. Tour Routes

The numerous places of interest in Chiang Mai can be conveniently grouped into the following routes, each easily accessible by car and mostly covered within one day.

• City Tour
• Doi Suthep Route
• Mae Rim - Samoeng Route
• Chiang Mai - Chom Thong - Hot Route (to Doi Inthanon National Park)
• Bo Sang - San Kamphaeng Route
• Mae Taeng - Chiang Dao - Fang Route

2. Trekking in Chiang Mai & Northern Thailand

3. Activities / Sports

If you want to find some specific places, see the lists below: (All are in Tour Routes Section. The names of some attractions may appear in more than one section but with the same data.)

Natural Charms

Doi

Doi Ang Khang
Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Suthep & Doi Pui National Park
Doi Tao Lake
Doi Pha Hom Pok
Huai Nam Dang National Park
Mount Doi Chiang Dao

Hot Springs

Fang Hot Springs
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs  

Waterfalls

Huai Kaeo Falls
Mae Klang Waterfall
Mae Sa Waterfall
Mae Ya Waterfall
Siriphum Waterfall
Wachirathan Waterfall  

Other Natural Charms

Chiang Dao Cave
Kok River Trip to Chiang Rai
Ob Luang Gorge
Resorts    

Hilltribe Villages

Doi Ang Khang
Doi Pui Tribal Village
Mae Sa Meo Village
Hmong Market    

Museums

Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre
Chiang Mai National Museum
Hilltribe Museum  

Shopping Areas

Night Bazaar
Muang Kung Earthenware Village
Ban Thawai Woodcarving Village
Ban Rai Phai Ngam Cotton Weaving Village
Bo Sang Umbrella Village
San Kamphaeng Cotton & Silk Weaving Village
Warorot Market
Wualai Walking Street
Tha Pae Walking Street    

Wats (Buddhist Temples)

Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chet Yot (Wat Photharam)
Wat Chiang Man
Wat Ku Tao
Wat Lok Moli
Wat Phra Sing
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong
Wat Suan Dok
Wat Tha Ton
Wat U-Mong    

Other Attractions

Bhubing Palace
Chiang Mai Arboretum
Chiang Mai Zoo
Chiang Mai Night Safari
Elephant Camps
Khruba Siwichai Monument
Orchid & Butterfly Farms
Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden
Ratchaphruek Garden
Taeng Dao Elephant Camp
Tha Ton
Twin Royal Pagodas
Wiang Kum Kam
Wiang Tha Kan  

For your personal safety and protection by law, please use the services of travel agencies holding a TAT license only.

Trekking

Chiang Mai is a centre for treks into the mountainous northern areas which are home to hilltribes. The verdant hills and forests provide the natural setting for trekking by foot or on elephant back as well as for watching birds and wildlife. The most popular trails are in Doi Inthanon National Park where over 300 bird species and a wide variety of orchids and other flowers can be seen.

Many tour agents offer choices of hilltribe treks consisting of trekking on foot, on elephant back, mountain biking, bamboo rafting and kayaking. Some programmes include overnight stays at hilltribe villages.

See more information in Trekking in Chiang Mai & Northern Thailand section.

Elephant Riding

Apart from elephant shows, most elephant camps in Chiang Mai offer elephant-back rides around the camp and to the nearby forest. Contact your travel agent for more details about this activity.

Rafting

With a lot of rivers and streams flowing throughout the province, Chiang Mai provides a good opportunity for rafting, both bamboo and rubber rafts. Some interesting routes include Mae Kok, Mae Chaem, and Mae Tuen rivers, all of which flowing through virgin forests and hilltribe settlements. Rafting trips are also organized by most tour agents.

Cruising

For those who come and visit Chiang Mai, cruising along the Ping River by the scorpion-tail vessel is another interesting activity. The trip is guided by experts in Chiang Mai historical events who will take you to trace back to the remote antiquity of Chiang Mai.

During the cruise, the vessel passes through the Chiang Mai's biggest wholesale market before approaching the peaceful scenic beauty of Chiang Mai's outskirts. The boat stops at the important historical landmarks. First stop is at the Wat Gate area, Chiang Mai's oldest trading and commercial center.

Visit Wat Gate and its historical museum and see several old buildings on Charoenrat road.

Boat information: there are 3 different boat sizes for 15, 30 and 50 passengers. Life vests are provided.

Private tour is also available at anytime between 08.00-17.00 / Join tour (minimum 2 persons) at 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00 and 17.00 hrs.
Landing at: Sri Khong Port Tel: +66 (0) 5326 0299
Contact: Tel. +66 (0) 1960 9398, +66 (0) 1951 0791
Fax. +66 (0) 5324 5888

Bungee Jumping

Amid a naturally beautiful location in a mountainous area of Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, you can enjoy such extreme sport as bungee jumping. The bungee jump here is operated by the owner who has been involved in bungee since its earliest days as a commercial industry in New Zealand.

Having been closely involved in its development into a mature and safe sport with a well-conceived code of practice, this bungee jumping site is equipped with all those required to safely develop and operate bungee jumping including expertise in tower structures, bungee cord fabrication, safety management and staff training.

Conquer your fear by jumping 165 feet (50 metres) above a jungle lagoon. A purpose-built electronic lift rated for 750 kg. will take you to your jump height with comfort and safety.

Mountain Biking

The mountainous terrain of this province is really suitable for mountain biking. Many tour companies offer biking tour programmes that include guides, food and overnight equipment.

Golfing

Chiang Mai boasts a large number of golf courses, most of which surrounded by scenic green hills, valleys and forests.

Tennis, Swimming, and Others

There are also a good number of tennis courts, squash courts, swimming pools, casinos and sports clubs in Chaing Mai to meet the requirements of sports enthusiasts.