Buzz
Traveling to Chiang Mai is always the top choice for travelers visiting the Land of Golden Temples. This city currently boasts numerous attractive tourist destinations. That's why VNTRIP.VN has compiled some of the most appealing and outstanding tourist spots here. Now let's explore what these destinations have to offer!
Traveling to Chiang Mai – 20 Beautiful Destinations to 'Forget the Way Home'
Chedi Luang Temple (Wat Chedi Luang)
- Address: Prapokklao St, Chiang Mai.
- Opening hours: From 8am – 5pm
In 1401, under the reign of King Saeng Muang Ma, Chedi Luang temple was commenced construction. With its vast and grand scale, the temple is not only a place of worship and faith for the people but also regarded as a prominent symbol of the city. Retaining the distinctive architectural features of Lanna, all decorative motifs on the structures here are meticulously crafted, showcasing the rich architectural style of the ancient Maya people.
Chedi Luang Temple (Wat Chedi Luang) (Photo: ST)
Phra Singh Temple (Wat Phra Singh)
- Address: Intersection of Rajdamnern and Singharaj, Mueang Chiang Mai District
- Ticket price: 20 baht/person (for foreign visitors)
Traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand, you definitely cannot miss this famous ancient temple. It has a history of over 700 years. But this place not only attracts tourists with its solemn ancient features but also possesses many unique landscapes such as: scripture repository, Phrachaotongtip Buddha statue, numerous large paintings with Lanna influence all adorned with sparkling gold... The most outstanding and notable feature is the scripture repository made from thick and heavy stone slabs. Inside the repository are many handwritten scripture scrolls.
Wat Phra Singh Temple (Photo: ST)
Wat Ku Tao
- Address: Tambon Sri Phum near Chiang Mai Stadium.
- Opening hours: From 8am – 5pm
Locals here are accustomed to calling this temple Wat Ku Tao, but in the past, the temple was named Wat Veru Vanaram. The old name of the temple means “watermelon” because the temple was built in a shape resembling a watermelon. The uniqueness in the architecture of this structure lies in the fact that its outer surface is adorned with many pieces of pottery in various colors, very eye-catching.
Wat Ku Tao, a tourist destination in Chiang Mai (Photo: ST)
Chiang Man Temple (Wat Chiang Man)
Dating back even further than Phra Singh Temple is Chiang Man Temple. This architectural complex was constructed from the year 1292. Similar to other temples built around this time, Chiang Mai Temple still embodies the distinctive Lanna architecture. The intricate carvings on the structures here are exquisitely detailed. Additionally, the temple houses 2 ancient Buddha statues, notably the Rain God Pra Seh-Taang Kamaneeee statue entirely crafted from glass, a renowned masterpiece of the temple's artistry. Visiting here, you'll undoubtedly enjoy moments of tranquility and serenity amidst the temple's ambiance.
Chiang Mai Temple Thailand (Photo: ST)
Walking Street
- Address: Chang Khlan Road, Mueang District
- Opening hours: From 5pm – 10pm
Similar to the pedestrian streets at Hoan Kiem Lake or Nguyen Hue Street in Saigon, this street is opened on weekends. Here, you'll find plenty of souvenir shops, jewelry stores, or exquisitely crafted handicrafts... Despite the wide range of items, most of them carry distinctive characteristics of the local culture. Additionally, when you visit here, you'll enjoy captivating and lively performances by street artists.
Pedestrian street in Chiang Mai (Photo: ST)
Chiang Mai Zoo – Aquarium
- Address: 100 Huay Kaew Road.
- Opening hours: From 9am to 5:30pm.
- Ticket price: 100 baht/person.
As one of the renowned tourist spots in Chiang Mai, this place is currently nurturing and conserving many rare animal species. Here, you'll marvel at the large two-horned rhinoceroses, or the chubby, adorable pandas. After exploring the entire zoo, you'll move on to the aquatic park where you can observe numerous aquatic species living in rivers and lakes.
Zoo - Aquarium Park in Chiang Mai (Photo: ST)
Summer Palace - Phu Ping Palace
- Address: Phu Ping Palace, Doi Buak Ha, Suthep.
- Ticket price: 50 baht/adult, 10 baht/child.
Perched on a high mountain in the Doi Buak Ha area, the climate here is always fresh and pleasant, much like the climate in Sapa or Dalat of Vietnam. Upon arrival, you'll be dazzled by a scene filled with blooming flowers planted along the entrance. From afar, the palace appears to be enveloped by a beautiful garden of vibrant flowers. In the distance, lush green forests surround the area, serving as the habitat for many rare animal species.
Summer Palace - Phu Ping Palace, one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Chiang Mai (Photo: ST)
Umong Temple
Known as one of the oldest surviving structures in the Land of the Golden Pagoda, Umong Temple has a history of over 700 years. Surrounding this complex is a garden filled with lush greenery. Therefore, upon arrival, you'll experience a very fresh and cool atmosphere. The most remarkable highlight of this temple is perhaps the ancient tunnel. Walking through this tunnel will lead you to the airport under Doi Suthep Mountain. Quite impressive, isn't it?
Umong Temple in Thailand (Photo: ST)
Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep)
With over 600 years of existence, Phrathat Temple is built on Doi Suthep Hill, where locals believe their deceased loved ones will return. Therefore, this temple is always considered very sacred. From the foot of the hill, there is a three-tiered staircase leading up to the temple, consisting of 309 stone steps, with two dragon heads carved at the ends, symbolizing strength and grandeur. The highlight of this temple is perhaps the intricately built tower, adorned with sparkling gold on the outside.
Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep) (Photo: ST)
Chiang Mai Zoo (Chiang Mai Night Safari)
Opening Hours:
- Daytime: Mon-Fri: 1pm – 4pm; Sat-Sun: 10am – 4pm
- Nighttime: 6pm – 11:30pm
Within Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, a part of the area has been dedicated to building Chiang Mai Zoo. A unique aspect of visiting this zoo is that you will be transported by electric tram to observe the animals here, ensuring both safety and easy access to different areas. The zoo is open both day and night, making it ideal for animal enthusiasts and researchers to visit from 6pm to 11:30pm. If you're traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand, don't miss the opportunity to explore this place as it offers many fascinating experiences.
Chiang Mai Zoo (Photo by ST)
Mae Sa Elephant Camp
Just about 30 km from the center of Chiang Mai city, Mae Sa Elephant Camp nestles in a beautiful valley under lush green trees. It's considered a second home to over 70 large elephants. Here, the elephants are well-fed, bathed, and cared for by humans. Not only that, they are trained to play football, paint pictures, which is very interesting. Additionally, you can ride these magnificent elephants to explore the camp area. This will surely be a memorable experience for you when visiting this place.
Elephants playing football at the elephant camp (Photo by ST)
Ton Kwen Temple
Chiang Mai region boasts numerous unique architectural structures, especially temples. Among them, Ton Kwen Temple stands out as an ancient and sacred temple that has witnessed the ups and downs of the region's history. Over time, the temple has become an irresistible attraction for visitors to the Chiang Mai region.
Ton Kwen Temple in Chiang Mai (Photo by ST)
Grand Canyon
- Ticket Price: 50 baht per person
One of the magnificent natural beauties not to be missed when in Chiang Mai is the Grand Canyon. This place exudes a wild and romantic beauty that never fails to enchant visitors. Moreover, here you can enjoy swimming in the cool blue waters or admire the sunset gradually fading every evening. Surely, the exciting experiences here will leave you with unforgettable memories in your Chiang Mai travel journey.
Famous tourist destination Grand Canyon (Photo by ST)
Karen Long Neck Village
Apart from exploring the famous landmarks and architectural wonders in Chiang Mai, when you come here, you can also delve into the unique cultures of the local people. Of particular interest is the village of the long-necked tribe. It is so named because the women here, from a young age, wear many rings around their necks made of silver or brass, which over time elongate their necks more than usual due to the support of the rings. Additionally, visiting here allows you to learn more about the daily customs and traditions of the villagers.
Visit the long-necked tribe during your trip to Chiang Mai (Photo by ST)
Botanic Garden
- Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM every day of the week.
Surely, you might be wondering, what's so special about the cactus nursery? Well, if it were just a nursery for ordinary cacti, there wouldn't be anything remarkable. But this nursery boasts thousands of cactus species, of various sizes and shapes, grown in greenhouses. If you're lucky, you'll get to admire the vibrant blossoms of the cacti.
Cactus nursery (Botanic Garden) (Photo by ST)
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
- Opening hours: From 6 PM to 12 AM, every day of the week.
Bazaar Night Market is always one of the most appealing destinations for tourists when visiting Chiang Mai because what makes this market special is that all the products sold here are handmade by local craftsmen. Despite the large number of people coming and going, there is no chaos, and all the stalls are neatly arranged. Here, you can choose from a wide variety of unique handmade items to give to your loved ones.
Bazaar Night Market Chiang Mai (Photo by ST)
Baan Kang Wat
According to some Thailand Chiang Mai travel experiences, Baan Kang Wat village is always a favorite destination for many young people because this charming village is a collection of many interesting things. Here, you'll find plenty of eateries like cafes, restaurants, ice cream shops, and many handmade craft stalls. Not only can you explore, but you can also try your hand at making unique handmade items for yourself.
Famous Baan Kang Wat village (Photo by ST)
Studio Naenna
A fascinating attraction located at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain, Studio Naenna is renowned for producing unique textiles and fashion items. Moreover, visiting here allows you to witness the process of making textiles guided by skilled artisans. With over 30 years of operation, Naenna continues to evolve to attract more visitors to this place.
Studio Naenna producing unique quality fabrics (Photo by ST)
Kao Mai Lanna Resort
Finding modern, luxurious resorts in Chiang Mai is not difficult. However, finding resorts with a unique style like Kao Mai Lanna is not easy. Unlike attracting tourists with glamorous, eye-catching beauty, this place captivates visitors with lush greenery, with climbing plants adorning the houses. With room rates ranging from 1 to 4 million baht, this resort will be an ideal destination for you to escape the scorching summer weather.
Travel to Kao Mai Lanna Resort in Chiang Mai (Photo by ST)
InClay Studio
Located on Suthep Road in the city of Chiang Mai. Similar to Studio Naenna, but unlike Inclay is a pottery workshop. Therefore, there is nothing 'special' here other than pottery. The pottery products here are all handmade and crafted very delicately. Additionally, you can learn the pottery-making process and create whimsical items from clay. Surely, this will be an interesting experience for you on your journey to Chiang Mai.
InClay Studio where handmade pottery products are created (Photo by ST)
The land of Chiang Mai possesses many beautiful landscapes, ancient and unique structures. It's difficult to list all those landmarks. Above are just some famous Chiang Mai travel destinations that you can consider adding to your Thailand travel notebook.
