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Thailand
Chiang Mai
Golden temples in and around the moated Old City, Doi Suthep above town, khao soi and night markets, elephant sanctuaries and Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak.
Best time to go: Feb–MarMonth by monthPick your route
Full day-by-day plans from real creators. Swipe to compare.
Backpacker3 days
Chiang Mai in 3 days: temples, Doi Inthanon and elephants
by Bucketlistly
$228
est. per person · 14 items unpriced
- Stays 50%
- Experiences 50%
- Food 0%
See the full plan
Budget3 days
3 days in Chiang Mai on a budget
by The Broke Backpacker
$125
est. per person · 2 items unpriced
- Experiences 100%
- Stays 0%
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Budget2 days
Mark Wiens' best restaurants in Chiang Mai
by Mark Wiens
Creator didn't list prices
See the full plan
Luxury3 days
A stylish 3 days in Chiang Mai
by Fora Travel
$582
est. per person · 6 items unpriced
- Stays 100%
- Experiences 0%
- Food 0%
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What creators agree on
Every spot the creators recommend, most agreed-on first. Tap + to add one to your trip cart. Top picks, ranked
- Experiences
- Food
- Stays
- In your cart
Pins are approximate. Tap one for the exact spot in Google Maps.
Old City · Experiences3/4 creators
from $1Major Lanna-style temple housing the Phra Buddha Sihing image.
Mae Taeng · Experiences2/4 creators
from $104Elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre north of Chiang Mai.
Chang Phueak Gate · Food2/4 creators
Evening sukiyaki stall beside Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak.
Old City · Experiences2/4 creators
from $1Temple centred on a massive partially ruined chedi.
Old City (north) · Experiences2/4 creators
Temple just north of the old city wall with a large brick chedi.
Old City · Experiences2/4 creators
FreeTeak-wood temple hall beside Wat Chedi Luang.
Doi Suthep · Experiences2/4 creators
from $0.89Mountaintop temple reached by a naga staircase, overlooking the city.
Cover shoulders and knees. Take the 306 steps or the funicular.
Suthep (forest) · Experiences2/4 creators
FreeForest temple with ancient meditation tunnels.
Stays1/4 creators
Airbnb home rental.
Doi Suthep · Experiences1/4 creators
from $2Royal winter palace with gardens on Doi Suthep.
Mae Taeng · Experiences1/4 creators
Limestone waterfall you can climb thanks to grippy mineral deposits.
12Chang Phueak Gate Night Market
Chang Phueak Gate · Food1/4 creators
Evening street-food market at the old city's north gate.
13Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre
Old City · Experiences1/4 creators
from $3Museum of Chiang Mai history in a former provincial hall.
Experiences1/4 creators
from $3Museum of Lanna history and culture.
Chang Khlan · Experiences1/4 creators
FreeNightly market for souvenirs and street food.
Chiang Mai Women's Correctional Institution Massage
Old City · Experiences1/4 creators
Massage centre run by trained inmates and ex-inmates.
Doi Inthanon National Park · Experiences1/4 creators
from $8.92Thailand's highest point, with the Ang Ka Nature Trail.
Experiences1/4 creators
Elephant experience operator offering half-day visits.
Doi Inthanon National Park · Experiences1/4 creators
Ridge trail popular for sunrise; guided walk only.
Chang Phueak Gate · Food1/4 creators
Evening stall famous for braised pork leg on rice.
Night Bazaar area · Food1/4 creators
Halal restaurant serving khao soi and biryani.
Old City (north) · Food1/4 creators
Small open-air khao soi shop.
Food1/4 creators
Khao soi noodle shop.
Old City · Food1/4 creators
Khao man gai shop also known for pork satay.
Old City · Experiences1/4 creators
from $3Museum of northern Thai daily life and crafts.
Riverside · Experiences1/4 creators
from $7River through Chiang Mai lined with restaurants and boat trips.
Doi Inthanon National Park · Experiences1/4 creators
Tall tiered waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park.
Chang Phueak Gate · Experiences1/4 creators
Small bar with nightly live jazz.
Mae Wang / Doi Inthanon area · Experiences1/4 creators
Canyon of eroded sandstone cliffs.
Mae Ping riverside (north) · Stays1/4 creators
from $291/nightRiverside resort with Lanna-inspired design.
San Kamphaeng Road handicraft villages
San Kamphaeng · Experiences1/4 creators
FreeRoad lined with handicraft workshops and factories.
Riverside / Wat Ket · Experiences1/4 creators
FreeGarden café filled with terracotta sculptures.
Stays1/4 creators
from $57/nightMid-range boutique hotel.
Nimmanhaemin · Food1/4 creators
Northern Thai restaurant.
Doi Inthanon National Park · Experiences1/4 creators
Pair of royal chedis with mountain views.
Doi Inthanon National Park · Experiences1/4 creators
Powerful roadside waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park.
Old City · Experiences1/4 creators
Chiang Mai's oldest temple, founded in 1296, with the elephant-buttressed Chang Lom chedi.
Doi Suthep · Experiences1/4 creators
Quiet jungle temple on the trail up Doi Suthep.
Suthep Road · Experiences1/4 creators
Temple known for its cluster of white royal chedis.
Chiang Mai questions travellers ask
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?+
The 4 creator itineraries we compare for Chiang Mai run from 2 to 3 days. The most common length is 3 days.
How much does a trip to Chiang Mai cost?+
Typical spend per person per day, including half a double room: backpacker about $25, mid-range about $67, luxury about $196 (checked October 2026).
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?+
The best months for Chiang Mai are Feb–Mar, based on rainfall, temperature and crowds month by month.
What are the top things to do in Chiang Mai?+
The things creators recommend most in Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh (3 of 4 creators), Elephant Nature Park (2 of 4 creators), Wat Chedi Luang (2 of 4 creators), Wat Lok Moli (2 of 4 creators) and Wat Phan Tao (2 of 4 creators).
Where should you eat in Chiang Mai?+
The food spots creators recommend most: Suki Koka in Chang Phueak Gate, Chang Phueak Gate Night Market in Chang Phueak Gate, Huen Phen in Old City and Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak in Chang Phueak Gate.
Where should you stay in Chiang Mai?+
Creators' hotel picks include Beautiful Thai Home, Raya Heritage and The Wing Boutique.
Which eSIM should you get for Thailand?+
We compare 39 Thailand eSIM plans from 12 providers. The cheapest is Saily Thailand 1GB at $2.99 for 7 days. Pick by how much data you use and how long you stay.