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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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
Wat Chedi Luang
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.
Talked about in 4 of 9 Chiang Mai vlogs
4 moments in vlogs
Best one first. Each time opens YouTube at that second.
Visitors can press gold leaf onto statues as an offering.
8:47–9:09
Mark WiensThailand Street Food - INSANE WHOLE HERBAL CHICKEN + 11 Best Foods to Try in Chiang Mai!!
More in Old City
- Chiang Mai Sunday Walking StreetMarket · Old City4 vlogs
- Tha Phae GateHistoric site · Old City3 vlogs
- Old CityNeighborhood · Old City3 vlogs
- Wat Phra SinghTemple · Old City2 vlogs
- Nong Buak Haad Public ParkPark · Old City2 vlogs
- Nam Ngiao Lung PongStreet food · Old City1 vlog
More temples in Chiang Mai
- Wat Phra That Doi SuthepTemple · Doi Suthep-Pui4 vlogs
- Wat Pha LatTemple · Suthep2 vlogs
- Wat Phra That Doi KhamTemple · Mae Hia1 vlog
- Wat Tham Chiang DaoTemple · Chiang Dao1 vlog