Thailand · City guide
What to do in Chiang Mai
The 62 places that 9 YouTube travel vloggers actually went to in Chiang Mai, ranked by how often they come up. Press the play button on any place to watch that exact moment.
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- 9vlogs
- 91moments
- 3.5 hof video
62 places · most mentioned first
Wat Chedi Luang
Temple · Old City
A temple with a 14th-century royal stupa partly destroyed by an earthquake, among the most important historic sites in Chiang Mai's Old City and a must-visit.
20:23· Riri Travelsin 4 vlogsChiang Mai Sunday Walking Street
Market · Old City
A Sunday-only night market that closes several Old Town streets for stalls of street food, crafts and souvenirs. Often called Chiang Mai's most popular market.
8:40· Riri Travelsin 4 vlogsWat Phra That Doi Suthep
Temple · Doi Suthep-Pui
A golden mountaintop temple and pilgrimage site whose stupa is said to enshrine a shoulder bone of the Buddha, reached by a 306-step Naga staircase.
11:04· Riri Travelsin 4 vlogsNimman
Neighborhood · Nimmanhaemin
A modern, trendy neighbourhood around Nimman Road packed with stylish cafés, bars, boutiques and co-working spaces.
6:36· Dane and Staceyin 4 vlogsBaan Kang Wat
Shopping · Suthep
A leafy artist village of wood and stone houses with independent craft shops, rustic cafes and home-cooked food stalls, plus craft workshops.
3:00· Riri Travelsin 3 vlogsOne Nimman
Shopping · Nimmanhaemin
A partially open-air shopping complex on Nimman Road with a large plaza, local craft shops, cafes and a food court with daily live music.
17:14· Riri Travelsin 3 vlogsTha Phae Gate
Historic site · Old City
A gate in the old city wall that once guarded Chiang Mai against Burmese invaders, now one of the Old City's most-visited landmarks.
0:24· 金魚腦Goldfish Brainin 3 vlogsOld City
Neighborhood · Old City
The walled historic core of Chiang Mai, relaxed to wander for its side alleys, temples, cafés and restaurants.
0:28· 金魚腦Goldfish Brainin 3 vlogsWat Phra Singh
Temple · Old City
A temple in the Old City, often described as Chiang Mai's most revered and one of its most important and beautiful.
17:49· Mark Wiensin 2 vlogsWat Pha Lat
Temple · Suthep
A hidden jungle temple beside a waterfall, halfway down Doi Suthep. It has a reclining Buddha, a small Naga staircase and moss-covered grounds.
12:45· Riri Travelsin 2 vlogsAng Kaew Reservoir
Park · Suthep
A reservoir on the Chiang Mai University campus that is open to the public. It is a pleasant spot for a walk or jog and has a lakeside cafe.
26:13· Riri Travelsin 2 vlogsJing Jai Market
Market · Pa Tan
An artisan and farmers' market ideal for a leisurely morning. It offers locally roasted hill-tribe coffee, farm-stall lunches and crafts from local artists.
24:29· 金魚腦Goldfish Brainin 2 vlogsChang Phueak Gate Market
Street food · Chang Phueak
A busy night food market by Chang Phueak Gate, the North Gate, open every day of the week.
21:20· 金魚腦Goldfish Brainin 2 vlogsSamoeng Loop
Activity · Mae Rim
An easy 100 km scooter loop through the Mae Sa Valley and Samoeng forest, with spectacular views, waterfalls and mountain villages.
4:24· Dane and Staceyin 2 vlogsNong Buak Haad Public Park
Park · Old City
A public park in the southwest corner of the Old City with small bridges and waterways, where locals play soccer and hang out after work.
6:21· Dane and Staceyin 2 vlogsDoi Inthanon National Park
Day trip · Chom Thong
A national park home to Thailand's highest mountain, about 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai, with waterfalls, hiking trails, viewpoints and twin pagodas near the summit.
5:02· Withlocalsin 2 vlogsWua Lai Saturday Walking Street
Market · Wua Lai
A Saturday night market selling handicrafts, art and food, with buskers and street artists. An alternative for visitors not in town on a Sunday.
2:12· Withlocalsin 2 vlogs
Mentioned once
45 more picks, each from a single vlog, so not ranked.
Khao Soi Mae Manee
Restaurant · Mueang Chiang Mai
A khao soi shop recommended as a great starting point for northern Thai food. Its beef khao soi comes with thick, handmade-style egg noodles.
1:33· Mark Wiens1 vlogKhao Soi Lung Suren
Restaurant · Doi Pui
A friendly khao soi spot in the cool mountains of Doi Pui, serving a very meaty, rich bowl topped with red chili oil. Described as worth the trip.
2:01· Mark Wiens1 vlogDoi Pui Hmong Village
Day trip · Doi Suthep-Pui
A Hmong community on top of Doi Pui with shops, beautiful gardens and cool mountain weather, good for a stroll.
3:52· Mark Wiens1 vlogHuen Jai Yong
Restaurant · San Kamphaeng
A northern Thai restaurant set in a wooden Lanna house with a relaxing atmosphere. It is known for its tart, gingery gaeng hung lay pork curry and also for herbal steamed chicken.
4:16· Mark Wiens1 vlogKiti Panit
Restaurant · Tha Phae
A Thai restaurant and museum in an 1888 teakwood mansion, once Chiang Mai's first general store, known for gaeng hung lay and banana-leaf grilled fish.
4:57· Mark Wiens1 vlogKhanom Jeen San Pa Khoi
Street food · San Pa Khoi
A noodle stall at the back of a market, called one of Chiang Mai's best for khanom jeen nam ngiao, a porky, tomatoey stew over rice noodles.
6:02· Mark Wiens1 vlogNam Ngiao Lung Pong
Street food · Old City
A very friendly street food stall inside the old city square run by a welcoming uncle. It serves tart, porky nam ngiao with soft rice noodles.
7:10· Mark Wiens1 vlogTon Payom Market
Market · Suthep
A great local market full of snacks, nam prik num chili dip and sai ua sausage. It specializes in kab moo (crispy fried pork skin).
9:29· Mark Wiens1 vlogMae Hia Market
Market · Mae Hia
A local market south of the city selling extra-spicy nam prik num, pounded jackfruit, aep pig brains in banana leaf and lemongrass-heavy sai ua sausage.
11:02· Mark Wiens1 vlogWat Phra That Doi Kham
Temple · Mae Hia
A temple more than 1,300 years old on top of a forested hill, known for its 17-metre-tall Buddha statue. It has panoramic views over the city.
0:58· Riri Travels1 vlogKad Na Mor Market
Market · Suthep
A relaxed university market with a younger vibe and trendier clothing stalls, about an 8-minute walk from Ang Kaew Reservoir.
27:27· Riri Travels1 vlogThe Volcano Cheese
Street food · Nimmanhaemin
A cheese-stuffed toast shop with a cow statue at the entrance. Its toast is famous for dramatically stretchy melted cheese, and there are options with extra cheese.
9:00· 金魚腦Goldfish Brain1 vlogNorth Gate Jazz Co-Op
Bar · Chang Phueak
A lively jazz bar by the old city's North Gate where crowds stand outside with beers. Foreign musicians play live inside, and the audience often ends up dancing on both floors.
9:58· 金魚腦Goldfish Brain1 vlogElephant Jungle Sanctuary
Activity · Mae Taeng
A sanctuary for retired working elephants, funded entirely by visitors, who make vitamin balls, feed the elephants, walk with them and give them a mud bath in the river.
12:58· 金魚腦Goldfish Brain1 vlogKhao Kha Moo Chang Phueak (Cowboy Hat Lady)
Street food · Chang Phueak
A famous pork knuckle rice stall at Chang Phueak Gate run by a glamorous hat-wearing owner. It is praised for tender meat, chewy collagen-rich skin and well-balanced seasoning.
21:47· 金魚腦Goldfish Brain1 vlogFlight of the Gibbon
Activity · Mae On
A full-day jungle zipline tour with over 20 zips, including one of the longest lines, plus rope bridges, abseiling and gibbons in the trees along the route.
1:49· Dane and Stacey1 vlogThai Secret Cooking School
Activity · Mueang Chiang Mai
A small, personal cooking school that starts with a local market tour, then moves to the rice paddies to cook five dishes from scratch.
2:46· Dane and Stacey1 vlogKhao Soi Mae Sai
Restaurant · Santitham
A popular khao soi spot, often called the best in Chiang Mai for Northern Thailand's signature curry noodle soup. Cheap, tasty, fast and consistent.
5:07· Dane and Stacey1 vlogMaya Lifestyle Shopping Center
Shopping · Nimmanhaemin
A large, modern air-conditioned mall in Nimman, said to rival any Western mall, with phone stores, a gym and a downstairs grocery store.
9:14· Dane and Stacey1 vlogCentral Chiang Mai Airport
Shopping · Hai Ya
A major shopping mall, also known as Central Plaza, with international fashion brands and department stores.
9:27· Dane and Stacey1 vlogCentral Festival Chiang Mai
Shopping · Fa Ham
A large mall housing international brands like Topshop, H&M, Zara and Levi's.
9:27· Dane and Stacey1 vlogMon Cham
Day trip · Mae Rim
A mountain area reached by a fun drive, with great views, local stalls selling strawberry wine and jams, and cliffside places to camp or stay overnight.
9:43· Dane and Stacey1 vlogGrand Canyon Chiang Mai
Activity · Hang Dong
A former quarry turned into swimming holes, with an inflatable water park on one side and cliff jumping on the other; life jackets are required at first.
10:33· Dane and Stacey1 vlogRoti Paday
Street food · Old City
A Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed roti stall that opens at 6 pm and fries its roti in coconut oil; queues often reach 40 minutes.
6:39· Doobydobap1 vlogKhao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom
Restaurant · Wat Ket
A local khao soi institution on the Michelin list, serving a thick, heavily spiced beef khao soi topped with crispy noodles.
23:07· Doobydobap1 vlogNong Bee's Burmese Restaurant
Restaurant · Nimmanhaemin
A Burmese and Thai restaurant serving dishes rarely found elsewhere in Thailand, such as Shan-style seasoned rice and fermented tea leaf salad.
27:57· Doobydobap1 vlogBan Haw Friday Yunnanese Market
Market · Chang Khlan
A Friday-morning market (6–11 am) near the Chinese Muslim village, selling fresh Yunnanese snacks like jianbing plus halal samosas, goat masala and chai.
35:12· Doobydobap1 vlogNong Earth Jar Roast Pork
Restaurant · Mueang Chiang Mai
A local and tourist favourite that roasts meat low and slow in giant charcoal-fired clay jars, for crackling-skinned pork belly and juicy whole chicken.
42:17· Doobydobap1 vlogSantitham
Neighborhood · Santitham
A quieter, more local neighbourhood near downtown with street food stalls, family cafés, fruit markets and local restaurants, much cheaper than Nimman or the Old City.
3:45· Nomad Nest1 vlogChet Yot
Neighborhood · Chet Yot
A local-feeling area that most tourists overlook. It is a short walk or scooter ride from downtown and is surrounded by street food and local eateries at lower prices.
3:45· Nomad Nest1 vlogSuthep
Neighborhood · Suthep
A quiet, authentic neighbourhood near downtown, with street food stalls, family cafés and fruit markets. It is a cheaper alternative to the trendy areas.
3:45· Nomad Nest1 vlogWat Fa Ham Kayaking
Activity · Fa Ham
Kayak rental run by the monks of Wat Fa Ham for 50 THB per day, for paddling the Ping River within the city. No reservation is needed.
11:51· Nomad Nest1 vlogElephant Nature Park
Activity · Mae Taeng
An ethical sanctuary run by the Save Elephant Foundation that rescues and rehabilitates elephants abused by the tourism industry. Visitors watch them roam and help with feeding.
2:52· World Wild Hearts1 vlogPing River
Activity · Mueang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's main river, offering a quick escape from the city by rented kayak or on a two-hour boat tour past traditional teak houses and rural greenery.
4:48· World Wild Hearts1 vlogWarorot Market
Market · Chang Moi
A historic market that opened in the early 20th century and is popular with locals. It sells clothes, souvenirs, local food and spices, and is open daily from 6am to 7pm.
6:37· World Wild Hearts1 vlogMae Sa Waterfall
Park · Mae Rim
A waterfall recommended as a stop along the Samoeng Loop scooter route.
8:19· World Wild Hearts1 vlogThanin Market
Market · Chang Phueak
A local fresh market about 20 minutes' walk from the Old City. It is a good place to try papaya salad and Thai desserts such as khanom krok.
3:53· Withlocals1 vlogBua Thong Sticky Waterfall
Park · Mae Taeng
Limestone waterfalls whose grippy rock lets visitors climb up through the flowing water.
5:42· Withlocals1 vlogCoconut Market
Market · Hang Dong
A morning market in Hang Dong where locals shop for fresh produce.
1:02· Lais1 vlogChang Tong Heritage Park
Landmark · Hang Dong
A heritage park in Hang Dong, about 10 minutes from Coconut Market.
3:01· Lais1 vlogBlue Noodle
Restaurant · Old City
A noodle restaurant in the Old City known for its beef noodle specialties.
9:45· Lais1 vlogKhao Soi Nimman
Restaurant · Nimmanhaemin
A khao soi restaurant in the Nimman area serving Northern Thailand's signature curry noodle soup.
13:51· Lais1 vlogDantewada
Landmark · Mae Rim
A quiet, almost otherworldly retreat surrounded by nature, also called the Land of Angels. It lies on the road from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao.
16:13· Lais1 vlogAtmosphere Cafe
Cafe · Chiang Dao
A cafe in Chiang Dao suited to a slow coffee break while the sun sets behind the mountains.
18:07· Lais1 vlog
North Gate Jazz Co-Op
A lively jazz bar by the old city's North Gate where crowds stand outside with beers. Foreign musicians play live inside, and the audience often ends up dancing on both floors.
Talked about in 1 of 9 Chiang Mai vlogs
The moment in the vlog
Best one first. Each time opens YouTube at that second.
9:58–12:39
金魚腦Goldfish BrainThailand’s Most Livable & Affordable City—Chiang Mai! 🇹🇭 Digital Nomad Hub, Retirement Paradise
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