Itineraries for Your Trip to Chiang Mai
2 Days in Chiang Mai for First Timers
As soon as I stepped off the night train from Bangkok I could see why Chiang Mai is nicknamed the “Rose of the North.” A cool breeze blew down from the lush green mountains that surround it, and golden stupas glittered in the sun. As I rode a fire-engine-red songthaew (public taxi) into the old city, I could smell the spicy scent of khao soi, the city’s signature noodle dish.
I spent a wonderful month here, working in quaint tea houses, visiting elephant sanctuaries, hiking to hill tribe villages, and—of course—feasting on Northern Thailand’s distinctive cuisine. If you have two days to explore Chiang Mai, here’s how to spend them.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a street food tour; Northern Thailand's cuisine is strikingly different from the food in the rest of the country.
During the wet season (May–October), Chiang Mai is hot and humid and prone to thunderstorms; it’s best to visit in other seasons.
Dedicate your first morning to the historic center of Chiang Mai, home to the spectacular Wat Phra Singh Waramahawihan and Wat Suan Dok temples, both famous for their golden spires. Explore with a local host on a private walking tour, and you can get tailored recommendations for the rest of your trip and visit hidden gems visitors don’t usually see.
In the afternoon, give your legs a break but continue exploring the Old Town by using Thailand’s most traditional mode of transport on a tuk-tuk tour. Visit the 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang, once home to a jade replica of the Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok’s Grand Palace, and the Three Kings Monument (Anusawari Sam Kasat), a landmark featuring bronze and black copper.
Tonight, satisfy the appetite you’ve built up during a day of sightseeing by going on a street food tour. Visit two of the atmospheric night markets that Chiang Mai is famous for—such as Chiang Mai’s night bazaar—and sample classics such as stewed pork, coconut dumplings, and mango sticky rice. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also zip between food hot spots on a motorbike.
While last night was all about sampling the dishes of Chiang Mai, this morning is about learning to make them. Head out to an organic farm and learn to make classic dishes such as tom kha kai (chicken in coconut milk soup), spring rolls, and pad thai, all using herbs and vegetables grown right on site.
This afternoon, head to an elephant sanctuary in the countryside to meet animals rescued from terrible conditions. Talk to mahouts (elephant keepers) about how they care for their charges and watch the animals feeding and bathing in mud. Then, enjoy a sumptuous buffet meal before heading back to the city.
End your time in Chiang Mai with a bang. First, head up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a golden temple near the summit of Thailand’s highest mountain to admire panoramic views of Chiang Mai’s twinkling lights. Then, cap off your trip with Thailand's best-known sport by attending a muay Thai boxing match in Chiang Mai’s atmospheric sports stadium.
