Best Things to do in Chiang Mai Thailand
The second-largest city in Thailand, Chiang Mai is a city both relaxed and dynamic. It is surrounded by remarkable vegetation; whose treasures are good to discover. Overview of the inevitable of the one we nicknamed the Rose of the North. So here is list of the best things to do in Chiang Mai Thailand, include visiting some of the city’s beautiful temples and unique sites.
10 Best Things to do in Chiang Mai Thailand
1. PREPARE YOUR WATER GUN FOR SONGKRAN
The water festival is one of the highlights of the Thai calendar and it is undoubtedly in Chiang Mai that it is the busiest. It is an opportunity for working families in the rest of the country, and particularly in the southern islands, to return home to celebrate the Buddhist New Year.
On the program, a giant water bottle to purify friends and travelers, which will leave you with lasting memories.
2. PARTICIPATE IN A COOKING CLASS
Chiang Mai has very diverse gastronomy and many schools offer you to take a cooking class. Students follow the chef to a local market, which explains how to choose the various ingredients that will be used in the dishes.
You will then go to the stove to learn how to make some classic recipes, such as curry paste, pad thai or mango sticky rice. After tasting, you will leave with a small recipe book.
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3. RELAX WITH A MASSAGE
The places where you get a massage in Chiang Mai are legion, whether in the street, in small shops or luxurious spas. We Prefer to go to the women’s prison, the sum that you will pay for your masseuse will be given to her. This is one of the relaxing things to do in Chiang Mai.
4. VISIT THE TEMPLES
Chiang Mai has no less than 300 temples, much of which dates from the Lanna era. Cover your shoulders and legs and push the door of the most famous of them, like Wat Chiang Man with its stone elephants, Wat Phra Singh with its gilding, Wat Suan Dok, with its immaculate chedi, the Buddhist temple Wat Chedi.
5. WATCH THE ELEPHANTS
Forget the somewhat dubious centers where the pachyderms continue to be exploited to amuse tourists and opt instead for one of the sanctuaries where they operate in semi-freedom.
You will be able to get up close to these sensitive animals and even participate in their bath. It will be one of unforgettable things to do in Chiang Mai.
6. THE NATIONAL PARKS OF DOI SUTHEP-PUI AND DOI ITHANON
The first extends over 235 km² of wilderness and the temple perched at 1,616 meters will reveal a breathtaking view of the valley. Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand (2,635 meters), offers ideal hiking trails to cool off when the temperature becomes overwhelming.
7. TAKE A TREK IN THE FOREST TO MEET ETHNIC GROUPS
Departing from Chiang Mai, hikes are organized in the jungle to discover the many ethnic groups living in villages away from the urban bustle. Hmong, Karen, Yao or Lisu will welcome you for one night.
8. VISIT A MUSEUM
Chiang Mai is home to many museums and the one devoted to the history of the city will tell you that of the ancient Lanna kingdom. Unusual, Art in Paradise, Chiang Mai 3D Art Museum, reveals a collection of Trompe-l’oeil paintings.
The Lanna Folklife Museum is an interesting museum full of exhibitions about the lives, history, and culture of the Lanna people of northern Thailand.
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9. ATTEND THE LANTERN FESTIVAL
The lantern festival, attracts thousands of Thais and travelers every year in November. Along the Ping River, fireworks shows are organized, rafts launched on the river and lanterns launched towards the sky to pay homage to the goddess Mae Kongkha. But also to free oneself from worries of everyday life and craving luck for the harvest.
10. GO TO THE SATURDAY EVENING MARKET ON WALKING STREET
One of the best ways to visit Chiang Mai is to browse its markets. you should do some shopping and immerse yourself in Thai culture. Going to the Saturday evening market is the one of the last things to do in Chiang Mai.
Do not miss this street market in Chiang Mai, where you will stroll among the colorful stalls and find local handicrafts.