Mae Ping River Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Mae Ping River. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Chiang Mai Countryside Guided Bike Tour
• A Magical Evening in Chiang Mai: Private City Tour
• Chiang Mai Farming and Khao Soy
• No.1 Chiang Mai: Leisure Night Kayaking Ping River to City Center
• Chiang Mai Active E-bike Countryside Ride

There are several ways to experience the Mae Ping River, all of which fit different budgets. Tours from Chiang Mai start at around US$15 for just a shared river tour, while other activities—think dinner cruises, bike rides, visits to local farms, and more—range from around US$50 to US$100 for a full-day tours that include more temples and local attractions.

Yes, visitors can take a riverboat tour of the Mae Ping River. A river cruise allows travelers to admire the green river banks, traditional teak houses, and quieter local life away from the bustling center of Chiang Mai. Some boat tours include a stop at a local home, where visitors can enjoy local food and learn about rural life.

Kayaking is a popular way for visitors to explore the Mae Ping River in Chiang Mai. Day or night, visitors can paddle along the river to see local scenery and explore the countryside surrounding the city. Kayak tours are designed to teach beginners how to handle their kayak, but there are also rental places near Wat Chai Mongkhon where you can get the equipment and head off on your own.

There aren’t too many attractions or landmarks along the Mae Ping River in Chiang Mai. The Khua Lek Bridge, or Iron Bridge, is popular for river views and photography. Wat Chai Mongkhon is another attraction close to the water and is a pretty Buddhist temple with a golden stupa.

Even if you see local children swimming in the Mae Ping River, visitors are not recommended to do the same. The water quality of the Mae Ping River around Chiang Mai is generally perceived to be muddy and relatively poor, with a high likelihood of pollution and sewage.

No, you won’t find dedicated bicycle paths or walking trails in Chiang Mai that follow the edge of the Mae Ping River. Some roads run parallel to the river and have sidewalks along its banks, such as Wichayanon Road, but that’s mostly not the case. Most cycling tours from Chiang Mai head south to Lamphun, as there are riverside paths that you can ride along.

Yes, there are plenty of riverside restaurants and cafés in Chiang Mai that offer views of the Mae Ping River while you eat and drink. It’s best to look north of the Nawarat Bridge, where many riverside restaurants and bars are found.