Best of Chiang Mai – Thailand Bucket List
I was looking back at my photos from Chiang Mai and it made me fall back in love with this trip all over again! During our Thailand trip last year, we visited Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Yao Yai, and Bangkok. If you’re looking for the quintessential Thailand experience, Chiang Mai is the city to visit. It offers experiences that are uniquely Thai blending modern conveniences with rich cultural immersions.
Day 1 – Khao Soi and Massage
We landed in the afternoon after a long day of flying (YVR -> Taipei -> Chiang Mai). Even though the trip was in November, the afternoon heat was still hot! We retreated to a spa for a much needed massage. During our two weeks in Thailand, we only managed to get a massage on the first and last day, but I definitely recommend that you try to schedule more to take advantage of this affordable luxury.
Feel free to Google Search any spot 4.7 or higher on Google Maps, there are so many options! We went to Relax Express @ Chiang Mai Gate and I’d fully recommend.
Once the weather cooled down, we went for our first bowl of Khao Soi at Mum a Roi. We thought Khao Soi would be popular all throughout Thailand but it was surprisingly ahrd to find in Bangkok so make sure to enjoy it in Chiang Mai!
Day 2 – Temples and Nimman
Chiang Mai is known for temples, with over 300 in the city! Luckily, many in Old Town are within walking distance of each other and we visited three temples in one morning. The temples in Chiang Mai are also mostly free to enter (unlike the temples in Bangkok which had hefty entrance fees!)
A few that I really liked are pictured below: Wat Rajamontean, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra Singh.
There is also Chiang Man which is the oldest temple built in 1296! I really loved the elephant engravings and the elegant colors at this site.
After lunch (see my list of restaurants at the end) and cooling off, we visited Nimman which is the modern neighbourhood just outside of Old Town. It’s easy to call an Uber/Grab for an affordable ride! A few of the landmark places to visit are MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, One Nimman, and Think Park Night Market.
We really enjoyed walking along the small streets just south of One Nimman. There are plenty of trendy coffee shops (Charlie Thai Tea, Juliet.cnx, Roast8ry) and clothing boutiques! But the streets are not fully developed so it’s a bit of a treasure hunt. For first timers to Chiang Mai, Old Town is the best place to stay. But if I am back in Chiang Mai, I’d stay in Nimman.
Day 3 – Elephant Sanctuary
It’s finally time to go on a day trip to visit the elephants! If you’re visiting Thailand, this is probably high on your bucket list. We specifically planned it on day 3 so we had some time to adjust to jetlag and settle in. We did the half day tour with Joy Sanctuary and it was a blast! You need to read the full recount of the day with my blog post!
Isn’t this amazing? I loved taking a walk with the elephants on the tour and they can roam freely in the vegetation.
Day 4 – Cooking Class + Night Markets
Another Thailand bucket list activity is attending a cooking class! We often make Thai curry at home but it’s from a pre-made paste and I’ve always wanted to learn to make pad thai. There are plenty of cooking classes to choose from and we found an affordable tour (Smile Organic Farm) with incredible value! We made 4 courses: pad thai, spring roll, tom yum soup, and curry!
During your 4 days in Chiang Mai, you definitely need to hit up a night market or two! The most popular night market is the Sunday Night Market all along Walking street. We had the most delicious papaya salad by following line ups of locals. There’s plenty of food choices and we also tried Sai Ua sausages, holy basil stir fry, and lots of mango smoothies!
We also visited a few other night markets including Ploen Ruedee and Kalare Night Bazaar. Ploen Ruedee is more upscale with a nice atmosphere but more expensive goods and food. Kalare Night Bazaar has a large indoor eating area with many vendors. I thought the Tha Phae road area was a bit grimy (still safe though), so if you have limited time, the Sunday Night Market would be my pick. It doesn’t matter which night marketing you visit, but please don’t leave Thailand without eating a Roti!! It is so delicious!
Best Restaurants in Chiang Mai
I can write a whole dedicated post about this as the food is so cheap and delicious, but here are some of my top picks:
Where to eat in old town
where to eat in nimman
The two things you must try are Khao Soi and Mango Sticky Rice!
3sis Chiang Mai Hotel Review
Lastly, you need a good place to stay in Chiang Mai! After hours of research, we landed on staying at the 3sis hotel! The location was unbeatable as we were steps from the main Rachadamnoen Road. But honestly, all of old town is pretty walkable so just check for a few good restaurants around your hotel and you’re golden!
I really liked the 3sis hotel due to it’s blend of modern decor, location, and value. This east meets west design really spoke to me. The hotel is rated 9.1 on booking.com and you can easily book it with no prepayment!
Continue the Thailand Journey
Read more of my Thailand posts like 5 days in Bangkok full of shopping, cafes, and slow travel!
