10 Can’t Miss Adventures In Chiang Mai
Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Charlotte
Chiang Mai has a wealth of culture, amazing food, and natural wonders all within an hour’s drive of the city. You could easily spend a month here visiting the many cafes, waterfalls, and temples, and still not see everything. Here, we share some of the things that you can’t miss on your next visit to Chiang Mai.
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Explore Some of the 300+ Temples
With over three hundred temples, you could spend more than a month exploring and still not visit every temple in Chiang Mai. Here, we list a few of our favorite temples that are worth a visit.
Doi Suthep Temple
Doi Suthep is perhaps the most iconic temple in the Chiang Mai area. Located on top of a mountain, visitors can enjoy the views out over the city, and marvel at the massive amounts of gold leaf.
Wat Pha Lat Temple
The Wat Pha Lat Temple is a short drive away from Doi Suthep, but feels a world away from the bustling crowds. At Wat Pha Lat, the temple feels more immersed in nature, with lush gardens, and even a little waterfall.
Wat Chedi Luang Temple
Wat Chedi Luang rises above the center of the Old City in Chiang Mai. The sheer size of this temple complex is impressive, with interesting statues and even a lounging golden buddha to see.
Eat Your Way Through the Chiang Mai Night Markets
Each week, Chiang Mai hosts Saturday and Sunday Walking Street Night Markets which begin around 5 PM. During these markets, the main road is closed to cars, making space for pedestrians and vendors. At the markets, you can expect a fun assortment of food (including the famous edible scorpions), souvenirs, and local crafts.
Purvey Artisanal Goods at the Jing Jai Farmer’s Market
Just a short 10 minute drive away from the Chiang Mai old town, the Jing Jai Farmer’s Market is open Saturday and Sunday mornings. This market is known for clothing and artisanal goods, but also has numerous food vendors.
Walk Up a Sticky Waterfall at Bua Tong Falls
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Climbing a Sticky Waterfall at Bua Tong Waterfalls in Chiang Mai
Defy gravity at the Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls near Chiang Mai. At this magical spot, you can walk up waterfalls with just your bare feet.
Unleash Your Inner Child at the Grand Canyon Adventure Waterpark
The Grand Canyon Adventure is a can’t miss spot for people who love all things adventure. Set in an old quarry, the Grand Canyon Adventure Waterpark has a menagerie of inflatable fun including blobs and obstacle courses, as well as ziplines, and water bikes. We spent a whole day here and had a load of fun. The on site restaurant is surprisingly tasty, and you can totally enjoy a full day here while escaping the heat of the city.
Entry tickets that include transport from the old city are available online here, or you can purchase your tickets on site in person on the day of your visit.
Volunteer With Elephants at Ethical Sanctuaries
If you love animals, visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary near Chiang Mai is a once in a lifetime experience. We suggest tours operated by Elephant Nature Park (ENP).
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Our Experience At The Elephant Highlands Project In Chiang Mai
In this blog post, we share our experience trekking with rescued elephants at the Elephant Highlands Project, an intimate and ethical sanctuary near Chiang Mai.
Indulge in a Culinary Adventure in a Local Cooking Class
Cooking classes are a great way to explore the local flavors and culture. For a full-day experience, we suggest checking out Thai Orchid Cookery School.
For shorter half day cooking classes and culinary tours, we suggest looking at tours through GetYourGuide.
Explore Themed Cafes
Chiang Mai is affectionately known as the coffee capital of Thailand, and it has grown an incredible cafe culture. You can find top notch specialty coffee and espresso on almost every street. Chiang Mai is home to a fantastic array of cafes with great coffee and an even better atmosphere that are 100% worth a visit. Here, we share a few cafes at the top of our list.
Chom Cafe and Restaurant
Popular on Instagram, Chom Cafe is characterized by its waterfalls, gardens, and tropical plants. While Chom Cafe is a bit outside the city, it might be worth a visit if you’re hoping to take that perfect rainforest aesthetic photo.
Bloomin’ Cafe
Located in the Chiang Mai Old City, Blooming’ Cafe has a peaceful garden setting, and delicious coffees, smoothies, and breakfasts. The staff here were very kind, and we enjoyed it here so much that we came back multiple times.
Explore the Chiang Dao Caves and Pong Arng Hot Springs
Located around 70 km (43 miles) north of Chiang Mai, The Chiang Dao Caves are a natural marvel featuring limestone stalactites, stalagmites, and shrines. Nearby, the Pong Arng Hot Springs provide a relaxing place to enjoy warm thermal pools in Pha Daeng National Park. If you don’t have your own transportation, several tours to the caves regularly run from Chiang Mai Old Town.
Relax After a Hard Day Adventuring at the Spa
Spas are a great place to relax and recharge after your adventure days. Luckily for you, there are massage spas on almost every street throughout the Chiang Mai Old City ranging from budget to luxury services. If you feel like splurging, high end spas like Makkah Health offer day spa massage and facial services. You can also find businesses offering saunas and ice baths.
Which of these Chiang Mai adventures are you most excited to try? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Some links in this blog post are affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase an activity linked via my site.
