chiang mai hiking tour

Chiang Mai trekking

• Private Eco-trekkings
• Trekking in group

Trekking tours in Chiang Mai

Our private eco-trekkings

  📍 Chiang Dao 🕒 1 day

1 Day Chiang Dao: Chill & Trekking in private with hot springs

Private relaxation and hiking with hot springs in a non-touristy area

  📍 Chiang Mai 🕒 1 jour

Elephant and hiking day

The essentials in just 1 day! Discover the elephants, and enjoy a private hike with the Karens

  📍 Chiang Rai 🕒 1 day

Akha & Lahu village trekking 1 day

Discover the life of the Akha tribe and learn about their unique culture.

View all eco-trekking

Our trekking in group

  📍 🕒 1 day

Phat Lad nature trail with Doi Suthep temple

An easy Monk trail with Chiang Mai most famous temples

1 day trekking in Kew Mae Pan Doi Inthanon - group

Ascend to the highest peak of Thailand and indulge in mesmerizing sightseeing at the Pagodas.

View all trekking in group

Best trekking in Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai Northern Thailand offers trekking opportunity, it is well-known through out the world, and Chiang Mai trekking is one of the main draws for tourists to visit this region. Trek starts from 1 day trek to multiple days, most of the tours are designed for anybody reasonably fit and do not mind walking a little together with experienced and licensed tour guides. You will be discovered the mountains, tropical jungles, waterfalls, flora and fauna, a chance to stay over night at a hill tribe village. On top of that, you will have a chance to enjoy other fun activities such as elephant riding, bamboo rafting, and white water rafting.

Maybe you just want to trek through the jungle or maybe you really want to get away from the crowds we have something to suit you. It is a worthwhile experience to trek in Northern Thailand, you will be in touch with an unspoilt nature and enjoy your moments away from crowded tourists areas. Thus, trekking is the perfect solution. The areas are completely safe and well organized, with registered and experienced tour guides leading you down and up into the jungles. Come with us and discover the natural beauty of trekking Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.

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• Private trekking in group
• Who are we?
• Privacy Policy
• Treks Q & A
• How to choose a trekking?

• Eco-trekking (private)

• The Magnificent Nature Trails of Doi Inthanon
• Doi Inthanon: Mighty Waterfalls, Rural Life and Royal Chedis
• Doi Inthanon: Hiking the Nature Trails
• The Doi Pui Opium and Coffee Tour
• Chiang Mai: Trekking the Opium Trail on Doi Suthep
• Chiang Mai: Hiking the Trails of Chaesorn National Park
• Spend a day with the Karen people of Mae Wang
• The sacred Chiang Dao Cave and easy trekking
• The Hmong Experience
• Chiang Mai: Hill Tribe Culture and Photography Tour
• Meet the Tribal People of North Thailand
• Meet and greet the Akha people of Chiang Rai
• Meet the Elephants of North Thailand
• Chiang Mai: Organic Coffee Tour at Suan Lahu
• The Ultimate Doi Inthanon Adventure – Dry Season
• Waterfalls and Forests of Doi Inthanon National Park
• The Cultural Diversity of Chiang Dao
• Hilltribes, Ethical Elephants and Sticky Waterfalls
• Chiang Dao Tour: Tribes, Caves and Waterfalls
• Stay with the Palong People of Chiang Dao
• The Karen Tribe: Elephant Handlers of Thailand
• Waterfalls and Forests of Doi Inthanon National Park – two days
• Forests and Tribal Culture of Doi Inthanon – three days
• Explore the Jungles and Waterfalls of Doi Inthanon – four days
• Trek the Mountains of Huay Nam Dang – two days
• Trekking and Rafting in Huay Nam Dang National Park – three days
• Explore the Jungles and Rivers of Huai Nam Dang – four days
• The Waterfalls of Mae Wang Trekking – two days
• Trekking to the Palong People of Chiang Dao – three days
• Small group – Meet the Karen People of Mae Wang
• Small Group – Mae Wang Trekking and Cycling adventure
• All in the Family: Hill tribes and Elephants – two days
• Tribes, Rivers and Elephants Family Adventure – two days
• Family Fun with Elephants and Sticky Waterfalls – two days
• The Doi Inthanon Family Tour – two days
• The Best of Chiang Dao – three days
• Day Trek with the Family in Chiang Dao – one day
• Overnight with the Palong People – a family adventure – two days
• Doi Inthanon: Hiking the Nature Trails – one day
• Doi Inthanon: Mighty Waterfalls, Rural Life and Royal Chedis – one day
• The Ancient Caravan Trail to Chiang Rai – four days
• Into the mountains of Pai and Mae Hong Son – five days
• The Mae Sariang Loop via Doi Inthanon – six days
• The Great Doi Inthanon to Pai Adventure – seven days
• North Thailand Family Tour – eight days
• From Chiang Mai to the Golden Triangle – eight days
• The North Thailand Adventure – eight days
• The Explore North Thailand Tour – fifteen days
• Learning with the Hmong People of Baan Mae Sa Mai
• Learning with the Dara-ang people of Chiang Dao
• Community Immersion with the Karen People
• Experience Essential Chiang Mai
• Chiang Mai Educational Tour
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• The Mission Statement of Green Trails
• How to book a Green Trails Tour?
• Terms and Conditions of Green Trails
• Green Trails tours are private
• Our Green Trails Partners
• Green Trails Tour Reviews
• We work with these people
• Chiang Mai School and University Tours
• Street dogs and cats of Chiang Mai
• Chiang Mai on Three Wheels
• Akha hill tribe – History and Culture
• Hmong hill tribe – History and Culture
• Karen hill tribe – History and Culture
• Lahu hill tribe – History and Culture
• Lawa Hill Tribe – History and Culture
• Lisu hill tribe – History and Culture
• Palong hill tribe – History and Culture
• The Yao hill tribe – History and Culture
• Information on Ethnic Minorities in North Thailand
• Chiang Mai Trekking – a short history
• General information about Green Trails trekkings
• The Green Trails Village Homestays
• Our Code of Conduct for Village Visits
• Healthy food on our treks
• Bamboo Rafting – our policy
• Thailand Trekking in the early days – the 1970’s
• Chiang Rai Trekking in the old days
• The Royal Project of North Thailand
• Hill Tribes and the cultivation of opium
• The Rice fields of North Thailand
• The Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Doi Pui Hmong Village

• The Chiang Mai Opium Trail

The Maesa Elephant Conservation Park

• The Doi Inthanon National Park
• The beautiful Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail on Doi Inthanon
• Ban Mae Klang Luang on Doi Inthanon
• The magnificent Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail
• The Chiang Dao Trekking Area
• Doi Angkhang: the mysterious mountain

Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls Chiang Mai

• Chaeson National Park trekking area
• Mae Wang Trekking Area
• Huai Nam Dang National Park
• Customize your tour

GREEN TRAILS

Handcrafted authentic adventures in chiang mai, our company has two brands: green trails and chiang mai a la carte . green trails organizes private tours and trekking to national parks and hill tribe villages in chiang mai and north thailand . our tours are adventurous, interactive, and respectful of the environment and local culture. green trails also specializes in educational tours for schools and universities. chiang mai a la carte offers unique and unusual private tours throughout thailand . these trips are less active than those of green trails and focus more on culture, history, food, community-based tourism, archaeology, festivals, and more. customization is our strength. chiang mai a la carte goes the extra mile we will invite you to meet the people of thailand . join us on one of our trips for an experience of a lifetime.”, recommended experiences.

Our confirmed departures for small group tours

These are the confirmed departures for the two-day small group tour, “Meet the Karen people of Mae Wang”    2024: May 4 – 20 | June 12 -26 | July 1 – 6 – 8 – 13 – 15 – 17 – 20 – 22 – 24 – 27 – 29 – 31 |  August 3 – 5 – 7 – 10 – 12 – 14 – 17 – 31

Two Day tours

Forests and Tribal Culture of Doi Inthanon

Green Trails supports the samlors of Chiang Mai

Tours with Elephants

Family Fun with Elephants and Sticky Waterfalls

Tribes, Rivers and Elephants Family Adventure

Schools and Universities

Green Trails has an impressive track record when it comes to Educational Treks for Universities and Schools. Participants are usually between 15 and 22 years old. We try to keep the groups maximum of 20 persons to keep the community’s impact under control. These tours are always customized. Every school or university has different needs and wishes.

Tours for the whole family

Day Trek with the Family in Chiang Dao

Overnight at the Palong People: a family adventure

All in the Family: Hill tribes and Elephants

Thailand is a fantastic destination for your family. It probably is the child-friendliest country in Southeast Asia. There is a wide range of food available. Hygienic standards are very high, and many hotels have family rooms. Thailand is also still great value for money.  During the European school holidays, families have traveled to Thailand for a holiday in increasing numbers. We have been organizing hundreds of family treks over the past ten years. Our guides are used to work with kids, and they really love it. They are aware of their responsibility. Safety is a top priority.

Family Trekking

Build lasting memories in local communities..

Doi Inthanon National Park Tours

Two day tours

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Family Tours

Three Day Tours

Educational Tours

Green Trails Expeditions

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OUR PARTNERS

THE CHIANG MAI OUTDOORS STARTS WITH US

We respect nature and traditions

Green Trails organizes Chiang Mai & North Thailand tours. Our trips are active and interactive. We respect nature, local traditions, and local culture. We promote outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, rafting, and cycling. We are committed to conserve natural biodiversity and preserve local cultural traditions, and values. We love tribal culture, traditional tribal dress and work closely with several tribal communities. Contact us for Chiang Mai & North Thailand Tours!

How we work

Green Trails is a small company that focuses on details. We research our tours thoroughly and are committed to give everyone involved the best possible and meaningful experience. We strongly believe that tourism can be a force for the good. As a company we are responsible to do the good thing. Our tours demand the best preparation possible. Please contact us well ahead of your visit to make sure we can prepare the best we can for your trip.

Book your trip with confidence

Your personal safety and of other people involved is of paramount importance to us. Most of our tours are private so we can customize the trip to your requirements, if you wish.

We also offer a couple of small group trekkings. Our small group tours have fixed departure days. Departure is guaranteed from two persons up. The maximum group size is 10 persons.

Customize your own trip

EMBARK ON NEW ADVENTURES, DISCOVER CHIANG MAI WITH US

Adventures in Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand

We have been involved in organizing Chiang Mai Tours and North Thailand Tours for more than 25 years. In the early days, trekking was one of the most popular activities for tourists. It was also the only activity on offer for visitors. That has changed over the years. We still love trekking and offer tribal experiences, cycling, rafting, and other nature and culture-friendly activities. We are very much aware of our impact on the environment and communities. We monitor our activities as much as possible to make sure our footprint is as small as possible.

Chiang Mai National Parks Adventures

Northern Thailand is a stunningly beautiful area. There are many national parks with beautiful forests, sparkling rivers, and thundering waterfalls. We have developed several active tours in these national parks. We offer many different tours to Doi Inthanon National Park, but other, less-known parks are worth visiting. We will do everything possible to minimize our footprint in these lovely, protected areas.

Chiang Mai Tribal Experiences

A variety of ethnic minority groups inhabit the mountains of Northern Thailand. They are often called “hill tribes.” Each of these groups has its own interesting customs, traditions, and dress. Most groups have their own language. Although development has eroded this heritage, they still keep their own customs and traditions. We offer several tours that focus on these minority groups. We will show you this heritage. By doing this, we hope to contribute to the preservation of these invaluable cultures.

News from our blog

The best time to visit North Thailand

Privacy Overview

Customize your northern thailand adventure.

Green Trails is always looking for the unique places, lesser-visited areas, hidden trails and special events that will make your visit out of the ordinary. We will make sure you will meet people, learn about daily life, customs and traditions, history, religion and culture and makes an extra effort to make your experience unforgettable.

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THE 10 BEST Chiang Mai Hiking & Camping Tours

Hiking & camping tours in chiang mai.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
• Chiang Mai Mountain Biking & Kayaks
• Go With Joe
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Doi Inthanon Private Tour with Trek & Lunch from Chiang Mai

2. 6-Hour Hike and Bike in Doi Suthep Pui National Park Combo from Chiang Mai

3. Chiangmai 1 day package tour- Trekking, Waterfall & Tubing

4. Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Royal Project Day Tour From Chiang Mai

5. 3D2NTrek Adventure at Chiang Mai Mea Wang Including Overnight at Karen Hilltribe

6. Inthanon Heaven Trail(Living Green Elephant Sanctuary)

7. 1 Day Trekking in Chiang Mai

8. Chiang Mai: Sticky Waterfall (Bua Tong Waterfalls) Adventure

9. Chiang Mai Coffee Tour: Trekking to Farm, Roast and Brew Workshop

10. Chiang Mai Tour in Doi Suthep Temple with Wat Pha Lat Hike

11. Mount Doi Inthanon Hiking & Bird Watching

12. Doi Suthep National Park. Leisure Hike & Bike Above Chiang Mai

13. The 2 Day Karen Homestay Experience

14. Private Tour in Chiang Mai Village Experience Nature

15. 6-Hour Doi Pui Summit Hike in Doi Suthep National Park from Chiang Mai

16. 2-Day Guided Tour in Lanna Thailand

17. Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail & Doi Inthanon National Park From Chiang Mai

18. Hiking and Zipline Private Tour from Chiang with Karen Village

19. 2 Days 1 Night Eco Trekking to the White Pakayaw Village

20. Small Group : Trekking Trip in Chiang Mai (Doi Suthep Area) with Market Tour

21. Hike to the Highest Spot + Waterfall in Chiang Mai

22. 3-Hour Hike round trip Monk Trail to Wat Doi Suthep from Chiang Mai

23. Chaesorn National Park trekking

24. High Mountain Day Trek

25. Waterfall Wanderer Doi Inthanon Hiking Tour

26. Doi Suthep Tour: Trekking at Doi Inthanon National Park with Lunch

27. 1 Day green Chiang Mai City Hike, Bike and Kayak Passage

28. Mon Long Peak Climb and Downhill Bike Ride in Small Group

29. Doi Inthanon National park and 2 hours hiking with private tour

30. Doi Inthanon at afternoon and Hiking

What travelers are saying.

• Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Royal Project Day Tour From Chiang Mai
• 6-Hour Hike and Bike in Doi Suthep Pui National Park Combo from Chiang Mai
• Doi Inthanon Private Tour with Trek & Lunch from Chiang Mai
• Chiangmai 1 day package tour- Trekking, Waterfall & Tubing
• Inthanon Heaven Trail(Living Green Elephant Sanctuary)
• Udomporn Tours
• Trippest Travel
• Evolution Tour
• Malloo holiday
• Mike's Authentic Trekking
• Khampan Rafting
• Amazing Trekking Tour
• Next Step Thailand Ecotourism
• Chiangmai Trekking with Piroon
• 8Adventures
• Thailand Mountain Trail

Trekking Tours Around Chiang Mai

Excellent trekking a breath-taking encounter.

Explore the Northern Thai jungles for a memorable experience as you delve into some of mother nature’s finest works of art. Hike through the thick, dense forest distant from any paved roads, allowing the wonderful environment to affect all of your senses.

Discover some of mother nature’s most beautiful creations as you explore the jungles of Northern Thailand. Allow the magnificent surroundings to touch all of your senses as you hike through the dark, dense forest far from any concrete roads.

Our trekking programs

1 Day Trekking Program

Discover the stunning natural scenery and unusual creatures in Mae Wang, Thailand.

2 Days / 1 Night Trekking Program

On this two-day excursion, discover the rare animals and flora that may be found deep within the Mae Wang jungles in Thailand.

Collect your experiences

Take part in lovely hiking excursions near Mae Wang Waterfall. The region is renowned for its lush rolling hills, waterfalls, rice farms, and tribal communities of the Karen people.

During the excursions, we will visit a local village, where You get in contact with the locals living here. You will experience the Karen hill-tribe community at first sight.

Hiking through the wild jungle, to discover hidden waterfalls and have picnic lunch will be a part of the 1-day program and the 2-days program.

On both trekking programs you will visit a Karen Elephant Project ( Kerchor ECO Elephant Camp ) on this interesting journey, where you will feed elephants and take a bath with them.

While the 1-day program ends with rafting on a bamboo raft on the Mae Wong River, the 2-day continues to travel where we will spend the night at the accommodation.

The morning starts with breakfast and we begin our exploration of the woods surrounding Mae Wang Waterfall in Southern Chiang Mai Province. We also use a bamboo raft to raft down the Mae Wang River. You will experience all that Chiang Mai has to offer during this thrilling forest trek!

Chiangmai Trekking with Piroon

Trekking tour or sightseeing tour.

Where do you want to go today?

We are SHA Plus certified

SHA Plus is a certificate awarded to entrepreneurs in the tourism industry who, through appropriately trained staff, offer the highest possible level of safety and the strictest hygiene regulations to protect visitors from infection. In addition, in order to receive the SHA Plus certificate, at least 70% of the staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and it must be ensured that unvaccinated staff are not allowed to have close contact with guests.

Link to the official SHA website Link to your entry in the official SHA listing (Trekking) Link to your entry in the official SHA listing (Baan Nantaya)

Fall in love with Chiang Mai

There is so much to see

Do you want to get in touch with the amazing and stunning nature of Northern Thailand or are you rather in the mood for some sightseeing around Chiang Mai? Come on a trekking with Chiang Mai Trekking and explore the beautiful nature or let us show you the top sights in and around Chiang Mai. Fall in love with Chiang Mai - we will show you how.

Trekking Tours

Experience our unique trekking tours

You are looking for an unforgettable trekking adventure in Northern Thailand that is truly unique and authentic and no mass event that any given tour company is offering? You have found it! Chiang Mai Trekking is offering the best trekking in Chiang Mai - with the knowledge of more than 30 years as a trekking and tour guide. Start an absolutely amazing trekking adventure and delve into some of mother natures finest art with us. Learn more abour our trekking tours .

• Read more...

Amazing trekking

You will love it

Delve into the lush green jungle and escape the bustling city life into one of the most beautiful parts of Thailand that will astonish you more than once along the way. Visit hill tribes and spend the nights in their villages in the middle of the jungle and far away from any sealed roads. Get to know a small elephant family living in the jungle with the Lahu tribe and float on the Mae Tang river on a bamboo raft. Our trekking tours are suitable for almost anyone. Families with children enjoy our tours not less than adults (even at higher age). Are you ready for one of the best times of your trip to Thailand?

Sightseeing Tours

Enjoy phenomenal sightseeing tours

You want to see all these marvelous sights around Chiang Mai and you would like to learn more about the backgrounds of temples, their history and their meaning in Thai life? We will show them all to you! We offer many private sightseeing tours around Chiang Mai that differ a lot from the common tours where you will be carried around in packed Songthaews and rush from one spot to the next. We want you to enjoy your tour and get to know this beautiful country better.

Experience Northern Thailand

A lot to see around Chiang Mai

Come visit Doi Suthep with us and hear about its history, its meaning and a lot more. Or set foot on the highest peak of Thailand with us at 2,565 meters above sea level, visit the Twin Chedis and several waterfalls with Mae Ya being one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Thailand. How about Chiang Rai with Wat Rong Khun (White Tempel)? If you love flora & fauna, we should visit Mae Fah Luang Garden and the Doi Tung Villa. Or a day trip to The Golden Triangle - maybe with a side trip to Mae Sai right at the border to Myanmar and for a short break with a coffee or tea in Tachileik. There is so much to see - we will bring you there and share our knowledage with you!

Chiang Mai Trekking - what makes us so special

The best promotion: what our guests say about us

2023-08-07, 12:18 PM Two-Day Trekking Tour Andrea, Germany We had a wonderful two-day trekking tour with our guide Mr. A who had a lot of experience and always found the right balance between being approachable for any questions and letting us enjoy the nature as a family. The hiking was just about right in difficulty even for our eight year old son and the ... [ More... ]

2023-04-22, 6:16 AM Amazing experience Cece and Assib, Germany We took a 2 days/1 night private trekking tour with Date and it was an amazing experience. We were picked up at our guesthouse, could leave our backpacks at their office and take only our daypacks on the trip itself. Date did a great job caring for us. On the way to the village, he explained all kinds ... [ More... ]

2023-04-07, 5:31 PM Tolles Guesthouse und tolle Trekkingtour Angela, Germany Wir haben eine Woche in dem Guesthouse gewohnt. Die Zimmer sind sehr schön, das Frühstück großartig und Piroon und Baan super hilfsbereit. Die Trekkingtour mit unseren Guide Buca war ein tolles Erlebnis. Er hat genau gesehen, wann uns eine Pause gut tut, uns viel erklärt und abends mit ... [ More... ]

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More information

Reviews and recommendations

You can find us on TripAdvisor and see how many, many other guests have rated their jungle adventure with Chiang Mai Trekking.

If you are German speaking you can also find many reports of participants of my tours on the website of Stefan Loose (publisher of a very popular German travel guide for Thailand).

Google Reviews

See all our reviews at google.com

Free walking tour near Chiang Mai

Others cities to visit after chiang mai, find other guruwalks in chiang mai, where are you traveling to.

Thailand ‎ >  Chiang Mai  >  Free Chiang Mai Walking Tour Map

Top 10 Chiang Mai Tips  |  Suggested Itineraries For Chiang Mai

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Old Town Walking Tour
• Tiger Kingdom
• Elephant Camps
• Cooking Classes
• Other Sights
• Best Day Trips
• Helpful Visitor Tips
• Suggested Itineraries For Chiang Mai
• Getting Around Chiang Mai

Free Chiang Mai Walking Tour:

Location :  Old Town Chiang Mai Start :  3 Kings Monument End : Tha Pae City Wall Gate Walking Distance :  2.9 Miles Walking (+ 0.75 mile TukTuk ride ) Time Required :  90 Minutes of Walking ( 5 Hours with sights ) Fun Scale :  9 out of 10

Overview Of Old Town:

In stark contrast with the skyscrapers of urban Bangkok, historic Old Town Chiang Mai will give you a feel for the real Thailand.  Founded in 1296 as the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom ( after Chiang Rai ), Old Town is gritty, rough around the edges, enchanting, and is absolutely beautiful.  Inside just one square mile, Chiang Mai ‘s Medieval wall lays the boarders for Old Town which is packed full of amazing sites.  On this Chiang Mai walking tour, you will encounter ancient temples, great food, and tons of Buddhist monks.  If you wish you can even join a  monk chat  roundtable with the younger monks ( learn more ).  Hope you enjoy our free Old Town Chiang Mai walking tour!

Prioritizing Your Time:

There are over 120 different Temples ( Wats ) in Chiang Mia, so narrowing down what to see can be difficult. In our Chiang Mai walking tour we have narrowed it down to the best stops, but remember that the Giving of Alms happened only early morning ( sometimes at Noon ) and the best markets are only in the evening.  Seeing everything in Old Town within a day is doable and you can see our Suggested Itineraries For Chiang Mai .  We hope you enjoy our Old Town Chiang Mai free walking tour!

Old Town Chiang Mai Walking Tour:

1. three kings monument ( anusawari sam kasat ):.

About The Three Kings Monument :  Sitting in the middle of a large courtyard, the Three Kings Monument has a large bronze statue of  King Mengrai ( the founder of Chiang Mai )  and his two friends, King Ramkamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Payao. The three of them worked together in the late 1200’s to design and build Chiang Mai. Residents treat the Monument as a shrine for the three men and replicas of it can be found throughout the city.  You’ll often see locals giving flowers, incense and candles at the Statue as offering to get blessing from these three revered men.  As the tourist the main reason to visit the Monument is to give early morning Alms to the Monks described below.

The large white building behind the statue is the  Old Provincial Hall , built in 1924, which today holds the City Art and Culture Center.   If you decide to check it out they have you sit through a short video on the history of Chiang Mai before cutting you loose.  The 1st floor has a number of displays going over the religion and culture of Northern Thailand while the 2nd floor has rooms that have been converted into an early Lanna village, a Thai temple, and even a train car.

On the South side of the Monument’s courtyard is Wat Sadeau Muang, a small, but beautiful dark teak wood temple with gold accents.  Wat Sadeau Muang or Temple of the Navel of the City, is the former site of the  City Pillar ( Inthakin )  and the site of why King Mengrai chose this area of the center of the city.  It’s said that while hunting in the area the King witnessed two white deer fend off an entire pack of hunting dogs fearlessly which was an ominous sign.

2. Morning Alms For Monks :

About Morning Alms :  The courtyard around the 3 Kings Monument is the best place to give early morning Alms to the Monks in Central Chiang Mai.  Although Alms are a daily commonplace in Buddhist life, for a tourist it can be a life-changing experience.  The young monks, mainly 8-20 years old, walk through with brass bowls  collecting Alms as Merits  that range from money, to fruits, and many other goods.  Collecting the Alms as Merits is believed to lead to a better next life or to lessen the number of times the Monks must be reincarnated before reaching lightened nirvana.

Giving of Alms happens daily anywhere between Dawn and 8am when the Monks go back to either school or mediation.  Because it’s so early we suggest buying your Alms the night before, which can be anything from money, to fruit, to stick rice, to toothpaste & toiletries.   Anything is welcome  and some shops even have pre-bundled packages for you which are easy but often overpriced.  We suggest giving fruit or prepackaged snacks and recommend asking your hotel for tips for preparing the night before.  Your hotel can also give you guidance on what time to head over for Alms.

Keep in mind that this chore of gaining Merits is part of the Monks spiritual journey and you really should be respectful.  Many tourists are too focused on getting the right photo and pushing in front of blasting their camera flash in the Monks faces; don’t be that guy.  Take your photos and videos for sure, but you’ll enjoy the experience much more and take it in better if you act like a local.

If you miss the morning public Alms giving, the monks at many temples also take  Noon Alms  but you must go to the temple to give.  Don’t use Noon Alms as an excuse to miss the morning ones though.  If you have gone through all the trouble of traveling to Chiang Mai, surely you get out of bed early one day to witness this magical event.

3. Chiang Mai City Museum :

About The City Museum :  Chiang Mai doesn’t have a lot of traditional museums since the city itself is a living time capsule, but there are a couple decent ones.  The best if the City Museum grouped into three buildings around the Three Kings Statue including the Cultural Center inside the Old Provincial Hall, then the Historical Center behind the hall to the East, and the Lanna Folklife Museum across the road to the East.

The Culture Center is geared mainly toward locals to help make sure traditional culture is preserved through education.  The History Center covers architecture, language, food, dress through Lanna, Burmese, and Thai control over 700 years of Chiang Mai’s History.  Archaeological excavations on display inside show two ancient walls from a temple or royal palace that sat here before the Provincial Hall was built on the grounds in 1924.  The Lanna Folklife Museum was the most interesting of the three for us as it covers Buddhist art, rituals, paintings, and sculptures which together helped us better understand local ceremonies.  If you are in Chiang Mai for a few days it is for a stop, otherwise, you can skip the Museums.

City Museum Website :   HERE .   City Museum Hours :  8:30am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday; Closed Mondays and during the Songkran Festival.   City Museum Cost :  One ticket for all three buildings with Adult 90 Baht; Child 40 Baht.

4. Temple of the Fortified City ( Wat Chiang Man ):

About The Temple of the Fortified City :  This temple is the  oldest in Chiang Mai  and was built shortly after the city’s founding in 1296 when the capital was moved here from Chiang Rai.  Although not very photogenic, the Temple has a rich history as it was built on the same spot King Mengrai built his palace after moving the capital from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai.  Wat Chiang Man also houses two very important Buddha images the  marble Phra Sila and the crystal Phra Satang Man  both said to be 2,000 years old.

The entire complex is a great example of Lanna architecture, which is the Kingdom that Chiang Mai served as the capital of.  The oldest building in the complex is the Sri Lankan style Chedi called  Chang Lom Chedi  which literally translates to tower “Surrounded by Elephants”.  This Pagan inspired tower is supported by 15 elephant statue which represents a sea of unformed matter and the Chedi floating on top represents the cosmos.  Although the elephant statues could definitely use a whitewashing, they are still really cool.

The Buddha statue inside the Temple’s Ordination Hall is said to be the  oldest intact Buddha in Chiang Mai  dating back to 1465.  Even cooler than the Buddha statue are the beautiful red and gold murals depicting the life of Buddha inside the Hall.  The outside shutters of Hall’s side windows are painted in a similar red and gold fashion to the murals.  The large garden-like ground surround the Hall make for a beautiful backdrop.  If you are more interested in the early days of Chiang Mai, feel free to take a detour to nearby  Wat Lam Chang  meaning “shackled elephants”.  During the building of Chiang, Mai King Mengrai stored his white elephants in the wooden area here.

5. Wat Hua Kuang :

About Wat Hua Kuang :  As you walk through the red gate leading to Wat Hua Kuang Temple ( also known as Wat Saen Muang Ma Luang ) you’ll find you are in for a surprise.  The complex seems small at first but then keeps going back further and further.  The first two structures have multi-tiered rooflines with white lions guarding the building on the left and snakes ( naga ) guarding the Ordination Hall on the right.  The Ordination Hall has a golden lattice facade and a grey elephant statue instead of the royal white elephants normally on display at other temples in on this Chiang Mai walking tour.

As you follow the walkway between the two initial buildings, notice the beautiful red and white architectural details on the side of the main building.  These details gain accents of gold paint as you reach the rear courtyard need a large stone chedi mound.  While Wat Hua Kuang is skippable for some visitors we love stopping by to take photos of the details of the temple.

360 Degree Photo :  ( HERE ).

6. White Elephant Gate ( Chang Phuak ):

About The White Elephant Gate :  Welcome to the North Gate, called the White Elephant Gate, and your first glimpse at Chiang Mai’s Medieval wall.  As King Mangrai founded the city to be the new capital of the Lanna Empire in 1296 ( previously was in Chiang Rai ), the original wall was built to protect the 1 square mile town.  Over the years the wall was further fortified, gated and moated for added protection.  At only 15-feet-tall the moated wall did a great job of protecting the city for over 600 years.

This Northern Gate was originally called Head Fortified Gate ( Hua Vieng ) as it was believed that this area was the head of a living city.  Around 1400 the name of the gate was changed to the White Elephant Gate ( Chang Puak ) after the white elephant monument was erected nearby.  It’s said that King Geu-Na ( 8th Lanna King In Chiang Mai ) had a piece of Buddha’s shoulder bone and let a sacred white elephant free out of this gate to find a spot to build a shrine for the relic which hilltop Doi Suthep Temple outside of the city.  King Geu-Na was also famous for introducing Buddhism to the kingdom and his gate used for coronations of future Lanna Kings until the Burmese controlled the area from 1578-1774.

During the Japanese occupation of Chiang Mai in WW2, most of the city wall was torn down so the bricks could be re-purposed.  Thankfully from 1996-69, the city decided to rebuild 5 of the original city gates plus all four corners of the square-shaped wall.  To add authenticity, the Chiang Mai rebuilt the brick wall sections exactly how they appeared based on a series of photos from 1899 and they did a great job.

7. Golden Horse Temple ( Wat Kun Kha Ma ):

About The Golden Horse Temple : It is impossible to miss the odd wall surrounded by  golden horse statues  surrounding Wat Kun Kha Ma.  About 50 Statues in all run the entire length of the fence and vary quite a bit in size.  On the inside of the wall are statues of different animals for the Symbols of Everybody which are similar to the symbols for each year in the Chinese calendar such as the rat, co, and snake to name a few.  This Temple is not to be confused with the Golden Horse Monastery near Chiang Rai which houses Monks that study Muay Thai for defense.

Just past the horse temple on the left is a shack of a restaurant under a small pavilion called Grandma’s Restaurant ( Khao Soi Khun Yai ) popular with locals for its northern-style noodles.

8. Dragon Temple ( Wat Rajamontean ):

About Wat Ratcha Montien :  The Dragon Temple ( Wat Ratchamonthian, Ratcha Montien ) has the best curbside appeal out of all the temples on this free Chiang Mai walking tour.  The temple dates back to the 1400s and you are drawn in by the massive maroon and gold spires as you approach Wat Ratchamontian’s steps.  Two  playful dragon statues guard the entrance to the North-facing steps along with some help from chubby black foreigner ( farang ) figures.

As you climb toward the maroon doors of the Dragon Temple, you’re struck by the huge seated Buddha statue on a raised platform to your left in what is called the Earth Witness pose.  This massive white Buddha in a golden robe is very inspiring and the platform is a great place to take photos.  The inside of the main temple’s upper level resembles a grand hall of a palace with open spaces, large red pillars, and an imposing Buddha statue with ornamented clothes and headdress.

9. Wat Lok Moli ( Wat Lok Molee ):

About Wat Lok Moli :  Built in the mid-1300s, Wat Lok Moli ( or Molee ) is one of our favorite Temples in Chiang Mai.  The grounds were originally used as a  Royal Palace until 1397  when King Guna turned it into a place to house 10 visiting Monks from Burma he brought in to further spread the word of Buddhism.  The grounds remained largely untouched 1527 when King Phra Muang Kaew started erecting the temple’s current buildings.  First came the  giant three-tiered brick Chedi  and was followed by the large Ordination Hall ( ubosot ).

When the King was assassinated in 1545 his ashes were buried here and his wife Queen Wissuthidhevee took over the rule of Chiang Mai.  Sadly just 11 years later the Burmese overtook Chiang Mai on the start of a 224-year occupation, but they left the grounds largely untouched and even buried the Queen here with a large ceremony when she died in 1578.

10. The House Of Success ( Janghuarinnakorn ):

About The House Of Success :  As you approach the Northwest corner of the old city, the 3-story European-style mansion on your left it truly stunning.  It is rare to see an actual house in Old Town, especially one so big and opulent.

Now part of a luxury hotel, originally this mansion was called the Janghuarinnakorn House when it was built in 1993.  This roadside estate was quickly nicknamed the White Lion House  for its statues and then bare white exterior.  The mansion was part of a three-house complex built by ‘Tycoon Jack’ Chaipanich to help his real estate company close condo sale deals around Northern Thailand.  The real gem of the property is the even more impressive  giant ornate mansion  further up the driveway known as the House of Success.

Wow!  The House of Success with its huge marble columns, multi-colored stone accents, and sprawling fountain belongs more on the grounds of an Italian palace than a Chiang Mai side alley.  This otherworldly mansion may be the most beautiful building in Chiang Mai.

It wasn’t always rosy for the grouping of mansions as this corner of town has long been called cursed and the bad feng shui in the building design is said to have brought them bad luck.  Just three years after they show homes were built the booming Thai real estate market crashed and they were left partial unfinished and abandoned.  Local folklore also says that family in the White Lion House went mad from the locations bad juju and the dad hacked up his family before killing himself .  That seems a little far-fetched, but ‘Tycoon Jack’ did get taken to court in 2003 on forgery charges over the will of the Kitprayoon family who were shot to death.

After sitting vacant ( outside of squatters ) for 20 years, the collection of mansions opened up as the Pingdoi Hualin Boutique Hotel in 2017.  The renovations and construction the group has done is such an impressive difference from when we visited the empty homes in past years.  Inside and out, the hotel looks custom built for an editorial magazine, it’s simply beautiful.

Hotel Website :   Here .

11. Hua-Lin Corner Wall Section :

About Hua-Lin Corner : The recreated section of Chiang Mai’s Medieval wall near Hua-Lin Corner is very cool.  It is the perfect place to  walk on top of the wall  and inspect its worn appearance which makes it look much older than it is.  The original wall was started in the after Chaing Mai became the capital in of the Lanna Empire in 1296 AD before being fortified and moated over the years.

During a Japanese occupation in WWII, the wall was taken down to re-purposed purpose the bricks.  From 1966-1969 the wall was reconstructed by the City based on how it appeared in a series of photos from 1899. When you get to the corner of the wall you’ll notice an interesting curved outcrop where a watch tower once stood known as Hua-Lin Fort.

12. Take A TukTuk Ride :

About Riding In A Tuk Tuk : If you have yet to take a ride in a Tuk Tuk, this is the perfect time to do so and it’ll save you almost a mile ( 0.7 ) long walk to the next stop.  Tuk Tuks taxis are all over the in Chiang Mai’s old town so flagging one down is usually very easy.  These 3-wheeled mini-taxis are a quick, cheap, and especially in Chiang Mai are a really safe way to get around.  Tuk Tuks can be intimidating since they don’t have seat belts and they often drive a little crazy, but in Chiang Mai you going to be on streets that way smaller and less congested than cities like Bangkok.  When in Rome, ride a TukTuk.

You’ll be able to easily fit 2-3 people on any TukTuk and some will have a makeshift seat for a 4th person up front.  We’ve seen 6 people stacked in the back which probably wouldn’t be fun, but it’s Thailand where sometimes you’ll see 6 people on one moped.

If you aren’t seeing any Tuk Tuks, or don’t yet feel comfortable with them, you can flag down a Red Truck Taxi .   These small red trucks have benches in their beds covered by a topper.  Alternatively,  you can always walk the 0.7 miles to the next stop along the moat of Chiang Mai’s city wall which takes around 12 minutes.  You can break up the long walk by stopping at the peaceful Wat Pansao which has a large stone chedi and almost no tourists.  The Western facing Flower Garden Gate ( Suan Dok ) is also very easy to see while walking.

Tuk Tuk Cost : Expect to pay 50-80 Baht ( $1.50 ) ride from Hua-Lin Corner to Wat Phra Singh.

13. Temple of the Lion Buddha ( Wat Phra Singh ):

About Wat Phra Sing :  The Wat Phra Sing complex is one of the most popular in Chiang Mai and is home to over 600 active Buddhist monks.  As you approach the temple, you first come to the main Wihan Luang Sermon Hall ( Viharn ) which is the largest building in the complex dating back to the 1300s ( rebuilt in 1925 ).  Inside the hall is a  massive Subdued Buddha Statue  which was cast in 1477.   Many visitors often incorrectly think this is the Lion Buddha because of the golden fan haloing its head.

Exiting the Main Hall, the neighboring Scripture Library ( Ho Trai ) to the North has our favorite exterior in the complex.  Built in the late-1400s, the elevated library displays classic Lanna-style architecture with its elaborate red roof.  The library is small but is full of Buddhist scriptures which are protected from flooding thanks to the building’s raised white platform.

Working your way back around the Southside of the Main Hall you are able to see the most famous viewpoint at Wat Phra Sing.  You will have the timeless Golden Pagoda ( Chedi ) framed with the Ordination Hall ( Ubosot ) on the right and the Gilded Sermon Hall ( Lai Kham Viharn ) on the left.  The central stone chedi ( now covered in gold leaf ) was the start of the temple when it was  built in 1345  by King Phayu to house the ashes of his father King Kham Fu ( 4th Lanna King In Chiang Mai ).

Inside the Lai Kham Sermon Hall to the left of the Chedi is home to the famous Lion Buddha Statue brought here in 1367.  This statue said to be the  holiest icon in Chiang Mai  as it came from the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India where Buddha gained enlightenment.  Don’t let the phrase lion-style get you too pumped up, as to us this historic statue looks pretty much like a standard golden Buddha.  The head of the Lion Buddha was stolen in 1922 which has since been placed by a replica.  During the Songkran Festival each April, this holy statue is paraded through the streets and sprinkled with water by locals.

The interior of the Lai Kham Sermon Hall is awesome with massive columns framing the Lion Buddha Statue in front of a gold & maroon back wall and side murals from the 1820s.  The murals on the left wall show the history of  Songthong  and on the right wall the history of  Suwanna Hongse .

To the Right of the Chedi is an Ordination Hall ( Ubosot ) from 1806 where monks get ordained.  There is also a replica of the famous Emerald Buddha here which was once kept in Chiang Mai and now sits at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. A nearby outbuilding houses a long reclining Golden Buddha Statue .  The image of the reclining Buddha represents the Buddha just before his death and his passage into nirvana.

As you leave the Temple grounds you’re bound to see a couple  crazy ladies with birds in woven nets trying to get you to “donate” to release one for good luck.  It seems like everyone is always trying to get you to do something for good luck in Thailand, but don’t give these ladies any money or you’ll just be encouraging them to catch more birds.

Hours : 6am-8pm.  Cost : Grounds are free, but the Main Sermon Hall is 50 Baht.

14. Wat Tung Yu :

About Wat Tung Yu :  As you approach Wat Tung Yu you’ll run into a pavilion with a bunch of life-sized wax Monk figures  holding bowls you can make offerings to which seems a little strange.  As part of giving an offering, the Temple usually lets you add your name to one of the wooden shingles the temple makes to uses to re-shingle surrounding temples.  If you look closely at the main Wihan behind you can see what the lacquered shingles look like after fit together.  The Wihan itself has fairly beautiful snake ( naga ) guardians and golden doors that can be closely inspected as there are most likely no other tourists to get in your way.

Just passed the main Wihan is a pretty cool statue grouping with a golden parasol in the middle flanked by a golden monk to the left and silver monk to the right.  We’re not quite sure what the pairing represents but it is pretty cool and unique.  The grouping is cool enough that you almost don’t even notice the beautiful meditating Buddha statue next to it.  Behind the statues is a smaller golden Wihan building guarded by snakes ( nagas ) with a beautiful red and gold door featuring heavenly dancers on it.

15. Fallen Child Statue :

About The Fallen Child Statue :  Sitting in front of Chiang Mai’s police station, the mustard-color statue was added in 1972.  It depicts a policeman holding a fallen child and another naked child pulling on his coattails.   The Fallen Child Statue is a symbol of service and you’ll see it on bumper stickers all around Chiang Mai.

On the block past the Police Station, the Buddha image at Wat Chaiprakiat is a favorite among locals and is called Chai Phra Kiat.  To us, this temple is pretty run-of-the-mill, but it has an interesting set of images and  trilingual inscriptions  in Burmese, Mon, and Thai speaking of the “Golden Age of the Lanna Kingdom”.  You won’t feel like you missed anything if you only look at the temple from the road as you pass by.

16. The Monastery of a Thousand Kilns ( Wat Pan Tao ):

About Wat Pan Tao :  If there was ever a temple in Chiang Mai that made you feel like you were stepping into the past it’s Wat Pan Tao.  The temple was built in the 1300s as one of four temples in the Royal Stupa Complex next door.

Stepping through an intricately carved red sandstone archway, a dirt pathway leads past a large wooden Sermon hall, small huts, tung banner flags, a tulip pond, all the way to the Monk’s outdoor laundry mat.  Don’t be surprised if you see chickens or other animals roaming the grounds of the as you take in the sounds of both chanting and bells.  The temple is called The Monastery of a Thousand Kilns because it was  once used as a factory of sorts  where monks would produce handmade Buddha Statues for other temples.

The large  teak wood Sermon Hall  is the main attraction and was moved here 1875 by King Inthawichayanon.  The building, which is one of the only remaining all wood temple buildings in Chiang Mai, had been part of the Royal Residence of the King prior to King Inthawichayanon.  In Lanna tradition, each new King would build a new palace and re-purposed the one of the prior King.

The dark teak is beautiful and really helps the golden peacock embellishment above the front door stand out, which is a symbol for the King.  Inside of the Sermon Hall is a beautiful Dhamma Casket which holds ancient Buddhist scriptures written on dried palm leaves.  Before the printing press, this was a common way of writing down and copying books in Asia.

Hours :  From Dawn to Dusk, but is pretty empty during early morning Alms and the Sermon Hall is closed during mid-morning mediation.   360 Degree Photos :  ( Inside Main Wihan ).    Loy Krathong Festival :  During the Loy Krathong Festival which takes place each year on the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai Lunar Calendar ( typically November ), Monks at the temple light and release floating balloons made of paper at night.

17. City Pillar Shrine ( Intakhin ):

About The City Pillar :  The incredible Wat Chedi Luang Temple complex is one of the best in town and we like to break it into a few segments.  Entering the complex you first come across the large triangle facade of Sermon Hall covered in gold gilding with blue and green, peacock-like ascents.  The interior of the Sermon Hall is supported by large black columns covered in gold patterns that lead you to a huge standing Buddha statue called Phra Chao Attarot.  The size of the middle Buddha figure looking down on you with a blessing pose may make it easy to overlook the dozens of smaller Buddha statues gathered around the altar.

Heading back outside make sure to check out the gigantic  Gum Tree  to in the Southeast corner of the complex.  The Gum Tree seems to stand 4 times taller than any surrounding buildings and it’s said as long as the gum tree stands the city will have good fortune.

The small White Chapel near the base of the Gum Tree houses a log from the original  Chiang Mai City Pillar ( Sao Inthakin )  which is believed to protect the city and is home the Inthakin Festival in May.  The walls of the compact interior are filled with a beautiful collection of colorful murals that may be the best art on this Chiang Mai walking tour . The golden shrine in the center encases a piece of the City Pillar which was originally erected in the center of Chiang Mai by King Mengrai who founded Chiang Mai in 1296.  The Pillar was originally dedicated to the spirit of the city and is said to protect Chiang Mai from evil and disaster.  If you came in the main entrance to the temple, make sure to see the green guardian statues on the outside of the gate next to the city pillar before moving on.

18. Temple of the Great Stupa ( Wat Chedi Luang ):

About Wat Chedi Luang :  Continuing on to the center of the Wat Chedi Luang Temple it’s time for the main attraction, the huge brick pagoda known as the  Great Stupa .  When the pyramid-like Stupa was first built in 1391 it was King Saen Muang Ma built it to house the ashes of is father Ku Na.  Over the next 84 years, other Thai Kings added onto the Stupa including surrounding it with 3 silver plated walls and topping it with a large spire to house the famed  Emerald Buddha Statue  which was moved here from Lampang in 1468.  At its peak form, the Stupa was 275 feet tall, 184 feet wide and was covered in both bronze plates and gold leaf.  It must have bee quite a sight indeed in all its glory.

Unfortunately, as the Stupa was at its highest point it was rocked by the Earthquake of 1545 which brought down the huge Spire and part of the Stupa’s side making it unstable.  The Stupa was reduced to its current 197 feet, which is still huge, and the Emerald Buddha only remained in Chiang Mai another 7 years before being moved to Laos in 1556 to avoid Burmese invader that ended up overtaking control of the city from 1578-1774.  Today the Emerald Buddha Statue can be seen at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

With the Stupa unusable, not much was done with it until renovations in the 1990s.  During the renovations, the current steps were added and Buddha statues were placed in the four niches on each side of the Pagoda.  In the niche on the far eastern side of the Stupa is a black jade oversized replica of the Emerald Buddha.

The Southeastern corner has the best viewing as you can really see the part that broke off in the earthquake, a great row of elephants statues are on display halfway up, and the light is usually excellent for photos.  To this day the partially renovated Stupa remains the tallest structure in Chiang Mai’s Old City and is by far the main attraction.  Knowing more about the Stupa before your visit will also help you notice it as the top occasionally peaks out above the buildings as you walking around old town.

Hours :  Dawn to Dusk.

19. Monk Chat :

About The Monk Chats :  On the North side of the temple complex is a great way to interact with young Monks looking to practice English with the Monk Chat program.  Monk Chats are informal discussions where you sit at a round table and talk with prep school aged monks who are usually accompanied by their teacher.

Location :  Outdoor tables on the Northside of Wat Chedi Luang.   Hours :  Available Daily 9am-6pm, most abundant on Saturday & Sunday Mornings.   Cost :  Free, but we suggest leaving a donation.

Read More :   How To Join A Monk Chat .

20. Food Court & Sunday Walking Street :

About The Food Court :  You have to eat sometime and the outdoor Kad Klang Wiang Food Court has a number of great options for a sit-down lunch or dinner.  There is a great Thai place, an Italian place, and the most picturesque eatery is the Chinese restaurant call Hot Chilli.  The atmosphere of Hot Chilli is great with hanging draperies on the ceiling, lots of paper lanterns, flowers every, and many of the table have suspended bamboo swings as their seating.  There isn’t much grab-and-go food and most places are going to be seat down.  If you are looking for American-style fast food, you’ll have to wait until you get near stop 23 as there really aren’t any chains in Old Town.

This stretch of Rachadamnoen Road is the center of the Sunday Walking Street , a weekly outdoor street market that runs from 4pm-Midnight.  The road goes pedestrian only during the market and the nightly Chiang Mai Bazaar which is main knock-off designer products, the walking street is filled with the craftsmen and street food vendors from all over Northern Thailand.  If you can’t make it on a Sunday, the same craftsmen do a weekly Saturday Night Walking Street on Wualai Road near the Silver Pavillion.

21. Harbor of Floating Houses Gate ( Tha Pae Pratū ):

About The Tha Pae Gate :  In the heyday of Lanna Kingdom, the Tha Pae Gate was the main entrance into the city as it faced the Mae Ping River and therefore the trade routes.  It was originally called the “Chiang Ruak Gate”, after the neighborhood outside the wall, but when the river embankment was removed in the 1800s to expanded the harbor they changed the Gate’s name to Tha Pae meaning “Harbor of the Floating House”.  The floating house was very common among river traders and fisherman and can still be found throughout SE Asia.

Like the rest of the wall, this section was torn down by the Japanese in WWII then rebuilt in the 1970’s based on 1899 photos.  The City wasn’t quite happy with how this gate turned out and decided to fix it up even more in 1985.  The end result looks almost a little too new, but it is still tons of fun to climb up.  On either side of the Gate’s opening, you’ll find a set of steps that let you climb to the top of the wall and look out onto the moat below.  Although quite safe, there is no handrail so be careful.

As you exit the city wall and cross the moat, there are four small temple complexes which are worth your time if you are into photography .  These four temples along with Wat Phan On just inside the city walls, are marked on our Chiang Mai walking tour map with some details, but didn’t quite make the cut to deserve a dedicated stop for non-photographers.

Other Sights Near Old Town:

22. outdoor night market & indoor bazaar ( ploen ruedee ):.

About The Chiang Mai Night Market :  You really can’t come to Chiang Mai without hitting up their Night Market & Bazaar.  Night markets are a big part of the modern culture in most Thai cities and in Chiang Mai it’s really huge.   The Outdoor Market and Covered Bazaar running  Chang Klan Road is one of the largest in Thailand.

The first section of the night market is the huge Ploen Ruedee Open Air Market sitting on the northern end of Chang Klan Road.   The goods here cover a lot wider range of items from clothes, to knickknacks, great souvenirs, bamboo dishes, and of course counterfeit DVD’s, shoes, designer purses, backpacks, headphones, and electronics.  The deals here are awesome and it’s a great time to work on your negotiating skills.  Typically we’ve been able to get stuff 30-50% off especially when buying multiple items.  Keep in the back of your mind that anything you like is going to have at least 5 more stands selling the exact same thing so if you don’t get a good deal right away shop around a little.

Neighboring the outdoor marketing is the Covered Night Bazaar which is a labyrinth of store stalls, a central makeshift food court, and even a second-floor blues bar.  The deals in the Covered Market are great, but because rent is slightly higher here than the open air stalls the product quality also seems to be a little better.  They have souvenirs of course but have more housewares and nicer clothes than other local markets.

On the Southside of Chang Klan Road is the  Anusarn Market  which is a mix of covered and open areas that opens daily at 11:30am.  The overall experience here isn’t as good, but if you can’t make the night market, it is still a good backup place to buy cheap souvenirs.

Ploen Ruedee Outdoor Night Market Hours : 6pm-Midnight Tuesday-Sunday; Closed Mondays.  Indoor Night Bazaar Hours : Daily 6pm-Midnight.   Anusarn Covered Market Hours : Daily 11:30am-Midnight.

23. Silver Pavilion ( Wat Sri Suphan ):

About The Silver Pavilion :  The small, but growing, Wat Sri Suphan Temple sits right in the middle of a part of town loaded with Silversmiths which has lead to the Temple’s Ordination Hall being covered in silver metal.  The shiny silver exterior and interior mainly comes from aluminum and nickel with a little bit of silver which is quite unique in a culture that mainly uses gold on their Temples.  It seems that every nook and cranny is fully filled and covered with silver covered metal.  The interior of the Ordination Hall is just as impressive as the outside, but keep in mind that women are not allowed inside.

Make sure to take some time to visit the stalls with Silversmiths and Monks overlaying metal on very detailed carvings and statues before they are added to the Temple.  We really love the carved ornate door and Hindu Ewan Elephant Statue.  If you are hitting up the Saturday Walking Street Market  on the neighboring Wualai Road, the Silver Temple turns it into a great two for one stop.

24. Riverside Restaurants :

About The Riverside Restaurants :  Nestled long the banks of the Ping River are some of the best restaurants in Chiang Mai.  Most of them have great views, patios, and live music.  Our four favorite ones are from South to North are the River Market ( website ), The Duke’s ( website ), The Riverside ( website ), The Good View ( website ).

The park on the Eastside of the Ping river next to Nawarat Bridge and near the restaurants is the best place to hang out at night during Chiang Mai’s floating lantern festival.

25. Mae Ping River Cruise :

About Mae Ping River Cruises :  With 75-90 minutes rides with a farmer village stop, a dinner cruise, and cooking class options, it is easy to get out on the water with Mae Ping River Cruises.  Their fleet of small ships ranges from traditional Thai wooden boats and antique barges.

Cruise Boat Website : Here .

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Chiang Mai Tours & Trips

Chiang Mai, a city located in the mountains of Northern Thailand , is a popular stop among travellers on their way to touring Southeast Asia . It is a city of contrasts, where the old town is filled with Buddhist temples, while the modern part of the city boats countless restaurants, cafes and shops. Chiang Mai is also a great starting point for exploring trekking routes going into the nearby mountains that will reveal tribal villages and ancient temples.

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Ronnie is amazing! Absolutely the best host and lead you could ask for. Funny, fun and enjoys what he does. Very knowledgeable and just all around amazing. Wish I could give me stars!!

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I am so glad we had Sunni as our tour guide. He was amazing and organised the additional activities best suited for the group. He was very informative, friendly and passionate about his country. I think he had a good balance with the amount of time he spent with us and then giving us space as a group. He was always available to us (day and night). I had a fabulous time and the best group - thank you GAdventures!

Explore Northern Thailand

Overall, I really loved this tour. I loved Sukhothai and the temples that we visited. We stayed at this super cute resort that was absolutely amazing! From there we went to the homestay - that was so much fun, even the part about sleeping on the floor. The two days we spent in Chiang Mai were awesome. Our hotel was right near the night markets and lots of pubs and restaurants. I opted to do the 1/2 day at Jungle Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai and that for me was the best part of the entire trip. There are only 2 things that prevent me from giving this tour 5 stars. 1) One thing that I didn't really enjoy was all of the travel time - I know that the point of the tour is to travel as authentically as possible, but being someone who is quite tall, it was not overly fun to be stuck in a bus for 6 hours with no leg room. I know that it was a part of the itinerary, but I didn't think it would be as bad as that. In addition, our bus had to keep making unscheduled stops to fix the air-conditioning that kept breaking - so it ended up being longer than 6 hours and with no a/c part of the time. So... the travel time between one sight to another was a lot more than I was picturing in my head. 2) The second thing that kind of ruined my trip was the leader. Although she was very knowledgeable, she just didn't seem to be too excited to be with us. She got grumpy when we wouldn't immediately stop talking when she wanted to say something to us; she treated us a bit like we were naughty school children. In addition, at one point she was having a disagreement with one of the other travellers and chose to do that in front of the entire group instead of pulling her aside and doing it privately. She didn't seem too excited to be our guide... it was kind of sad because overall I have heard nothing but good things about the guides with Intrepid. 4/5 stars - it was a great trip, with amazing sights and activities.

• Coach / Bus

5 DAYS EXPLORE THAILAND

Boat trip on ha long bay was fantastic - food amazing and lots of activities. Our hotel on first night was changed and was disappointing but hotel on return was better

Fantastic Circle of Thailand Tour - 10 Days

My partner and I have just returned from this truly wonderful tour of Thailand and overall our experience was overwhelmingly positive, however at one point I felt the entire trip was going to be soured by an awful experience we had at the elephant camp Chiang Mai. To anyone considering this tour with Legend Travel: enquire about the elephant sanctuary BEFORE you book. In Dec 2022 when we booked our tour, the itinerary listed the elephant sanctuary as what is listed now - a visit to “a small riverside elephant camp” with no ride and “a trip to the river where you will get to help the elephants take their morning bath”. This was going to be the highlight of our trip and an amazing experience to get up close with these wonderful and friendly animals. We had chosen this tour because we wanted to support ethical and responsible sanctuaries where the well-being and treatment of the elephants were the top priority. What we visited in Chiang Mai was so far from this. We witnessed the mistreatment of about 20 elephants, who were chained, subjected to the use of bullhooks to inflict pain and control them, elephants with open cuts from being hit by their handlers during the endless tourist rides, and elephants performing tricks for a hoard of tourists (football, painting, lifting tourists by their trunks). At one point, an elephant became too excited by the number of treats being fed to her by the tourists and stepped over a barrier log separating the viewing area and the showground resulting in her handler digging into her ear with his bullhook, causing her to shriek out in pain. I have attached photos. It was so far from the sanctuary we had been expecting to visit as per the itinerary. As soon as we returned to our bus, I immediately wrote to Legend Travel to explain what we had just visited and how it was so far from what was described. I was so appalled that our money had been used to benefit such an awful place. After a series of exchanges with Danny, I was brushed off and informed that the camp we visited was in line with the itinerary from our original booking in December 2022, which had since been updated in early 2023. No way! We had specifically booked this tour for the sanctuary visit and in any event, a review from January 2023 showcased a completely different camp, raising doubts about whether we were mistakenly directed to the wrong location or if our local guide had altered the plans without Legend Travel's knowledge. Initially I was thanked for my feedback and Legend Travel apologised for the “discrepancies and any confusion”. Following this my aim was to raise awareness among potential travellers regarding this distressing experience in Chiang Mai, hoping to spare others from the misleading impression that they would be visiting a rescue sanctuary, only to encounter conditions reminiscent of the camps the sanctuary elephants are rescued from. After a few days of back and forth, Legend Travel proposed a resolution: a small cash refund or a visit whilst in Phuket to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary to “re-do” the experience. Given that this part of the itinerary was a key factor in our decision to book the tour, we opted to take the re-do and Legend Travel organised our visit to a lovely sanctuary in Phuket, where we fed the free-roaming elephants watermelon for breakfast, treated them to a mud bath and washed them off in the river afterwards. It was such an amazing experience - exactly what we had expected the visit in Chiang Mai to be and I am so grateful we got to experience this during our tour. I understand that mistakes can occur and sometimes when you trust local guides things can go wrong, however the harrowing experience at the first elephant camp was so awful I was shocked by the explanation that this could have potentially even formed part of an original itinerary. The resolution offered by Legend Travel was entirely appropriate and and our visit to the sanctuary in Phuket was handled very well. What could have left a sour taste in an otherwise fantastic tour of Thailand was rectified, and for that, we are appreciative. With regards to the other elements of our trip: 
- We found the hotels good (they were not the hotels listed on the current itinerary as we were booked to stay in the hotels as per our original 2022 itinerary) 
- Our guide in Bangkok, Ning, was lovely. She went out of her way to show us the authentic Thailand. She bought us local fruits to try, we visited a flower market and she taught us how to fold a lotus flower for the temple offerings, and she took us via train to the train market before visiting the Damnoensaduak floating market, which was such a fantastic experience. The train ran through the centre of the market!! 
- Our guide in Chiang Mai, Dare, was very knowledgeable and was more than happy to amend our itinerary so that we visited the Doi Inthanon National Park rather than Chiang Rai and the Golden Circle which would have involved too much driving (8+ hours)
- Both our drivers in Bangkok and Chiang Mai were extremely safe and kept the bus clean, tidy, and topped with ice water for our return after a full day of sightseeing 
- In Phuket we were left mainly to ourselves but the Phi Phi Island tour ran well, although hindered by rainy weather and choppy seas - which didn’t help with that morning’s breakfast…
- The timings of the internal flights were convenient (10:20am from Bangkok and 10:15am from Chiang Mai) so we didn’t waste the whole day travelling and sitting around at the airport 

In summary, I would highly recommend this tour to other prospective travellers who have made it to this far in my review! However, I strongly advise you to check with Legend Travel regarding the elephant sanctuary component before finalising your plans. Additionally, we took the advice of another reviewer and flew home from Phuket International rather than return to Bangkok and fly from there. We were able to get outbound flights from LHR to Singapore and then onto Bangkok. If we were to have returned via Bangkok we would have backtracked through Bangkok and this saved us a lot of time during what is already a long travel day.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.
• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Amazing Thailand In 10 Days - Private Tour

A great experience on just a few weeks notice during holiday season. Long Pham was super responsive throughout the planning stage - answering questions, shaping options, and nailing down details. She was proactive during the trip, checking in regularly to make sure we had everything we needed at each stop. Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Phuket was a perfect survey tour, and we appreciated the foundation of programming in Bangkok and Chiang Mai with just the right amount of free time in each location for us to improvise with our own opportunistic programming, wandering, or just chilling out, Hotels were comfy and convenient, if somewhat varied in amenities. Long Pham offered alternatives in each location, and advance online research permitted some specificity. We loved the outsized breakfast spreads that were included at each hotel. Guides were enthusiastic, courteous, knowledgeable, and personable - all while being perceptive to when we needed time and space to ourselves. Bottom line: a great experience, and we’d come back to Realistic Asia again for any travel in the region.

Thailand Highlights 10-Day Package

Well organised the whole trip. Very enjoyable

Bangkok and Golden Triangle, Small Group Tour

Great tour but the Bangkok to Chiang Mai journey could have been planned much better. You are told to take an early flight so we had to leave the hotel at 5am. They they collect you and transfer you to the hotel by around 10.30am. You can't check in until 3pm and the tour doesn't begin again until 1.30pm so you just have to wait in the lobby for 3 hours. We were going to book a flight that arrives at 11.15am but was told that it was too late; why? Luckily our tour guide and driver brought the afternoon tour forward to 12.40pm. It would have been better to charge slightly more and include the flight and have everyone arrive at around 12 Noon. Drop off the bags at the hotel and then go on the afternoon tour. Alternatively, allow the people to arrive on the 11.15 flight. That is still two hours prior to the afternoon activities.

• Sightseeing

Thailand & Laos Adventure (6 destinations)

North Thailand Highlights, Small Group Tour (English Only)

Great tour to explore Northern Thailand, taking in many of the sites. The White Temple was a highlight.

A 5 Day Tuk Tuk Adventure in beautiful Chiang Mai

My Daughter and I had an excellent time. Driving the Tuk Tuks was a highlight and a wonderfully novel way to travel through the beautiful countryside. Our guides, Ken and Jaya were knowledgeable and thoughtful and ensured we had a great vacation.

• Volunteering

Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand: Environmental Conservation, Education, and Elephant Trekking

I have nothing but the nicest things to say about GIVE, I loved that every single day was planned out and it was full of intentionality and learning experiences for the volunteers to engage in a fun way. The staff is very open to sharing and listening to ideas or what we have to share. The "Good vibes" nights were the most genuine form of love I have ever experienced, the culture and culture respect GIVE embraces is something to keep on even back in our countries.

PRIVATE TOUR: 5 DAYS EXPLORE THAILAND

Exotic Thailand

The trip itself was absolutely fabulous, everything I had hoped for!! Both Lana and Jack were excellent tour guides who were both friendly and very knowledgeable! The only downside was not being able to find the airport shuttle when I returned to Bangkok. I asked 2 different security guards where I might find it and neither one knew. I asked the AOT shuttle information desk, they didn't know and told me to take a taxi. I would definitely recommend to my friends and co-workers whom I'm sure are anxious for me to STOP talking about this trip!! ????

11 Day Tuk Tuk Adventure in Thailand - with driver!

Words cannot describe this Tuk Tuk tour. It was excellent every minute of every day! Our drivers and tour guides were second to none! Thank you Bigg and Nahm for showing us the real Thailand. I would not hesitate in recommending this tour to anyone who loves back roads travel

What people love about Chiang Mai Tours

Fantastic trip ! I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Our guide spoke excellent English and was always explaining things to us, sharing information about plants or food or the history of the area and people. He had a great way of keeping the motivation and energy of the group high using laughter and fun. He’s just so good at his job. The local guides worked so hard for us as well carrying water and supplies and stepping stones if necessary. The host families were amazing preparing delicious foods and sharing their culture and customs. This is a really unique and challenging trip to take (from the perspective of opening your mind to a very different lifestyle). A few things to be aware of: you absolutely need proper water shoes or sandals as there’s a lot of river crossing and flip flops are too unstable, facilities in some places may be limited such as electricity, indoor plumbing or showers. Water may be boiled. The children in the villages are the best as they seem to really enjoy interacting with the tourists! Along with the introduction to traditional Thai cultural customs I got to make friends with a group of people of all ages who came from all over the world. So fun ! Just do it you won’t regret it !

I had an amazing time with G Adventures! The itinerary was perfect; there was a lot to do and see, but it wasn't overwhelming and there was a lot of free time provided. My guide, Prem, was one of the sweetest, loveliest people I've ever met! She is brilliant at her job, and brings so much enthusiasm to work. She is extremely knowledgeable, and was always willing to share her knowledge with the group. Miss her so much already!

Very nice balance of long travel days followed more settled sight seeing day. Loved the freetime options occasionally too, often tours are so critivall3timed, no sparetime to shop for souvenirs or just do as you wish. Arjan was a very attentive guide, going above and beyond to help some clients.

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Home » Blog3 » Hiking Trails » Asia Hiking Trails » Hiking in Thailand

Chiang Mai Hikes: Four Easy Jungle Treks with Great Views

One of the many reasons to visit Chiang Mai is its prime location near lush mountain ranges and several national parks. The area offers endless opportunities for trekking in the jungle and exploring the nearby mountains .

Many of these trails lead to spectacular temples or monasteries. Some pass by pools or hidden waterfalls where you can take a quick dip. Others lead to villages that are populated by the local hill tribes where you can buy lunch or a souvenir.

For those looking for an immersive experience deep in the jungle, it’s probably best to hire a tour guide. There are many options available from nature walks to multi-day trekking tours that typically include a homestay at a local village.

Orange ribbons mark the path for the Monk’s Trail

If you’re planning a less ambitious hike nearer the city, however, you may be able to hike without a guide .

The following Chiang Mai hikes are good ones if you’re looking for something easy that doesn’t necessarily require a guide to arrange your trip for you. I hiked all of these trails during a trip to Chiang Mai in January 2022 (although I did have a guide along on two of them).

Please note: there are a few hikes at National Parks which require you to hire a member of the local hill tribe to accompany you. Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is one of those hikes. Keep reading for more details about that experience below.

Jumping for joy at Doi Inthanon National Park

Table of Contents

How to Prepare for Hiking in Chiang Mai

While some of the Chiang Mai hikes described in this guide have facilities and restaurants nearby, not all of them do.

Be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks on your hiking trip along with insect repellent and sunscreen. Also bring clothing to cover your knees and shoulders in case you happen to visit a temple or shrine along the way.

Check the weather forecast and make sure you’re prepared for the weather conditions. The trail can become muddy and slippery during (or after) rainfall so wear shoes with good traction. Bring layers as the top of these mountains can be chilly (especially Doi Inthanon and Doi Pui).

Learn how to pee outside properly before heading out in case the urge strikes away from a bathroom. Be sure to leave no trace of your visit behind.

A vine hangs across Monk’s Trail

Hiking Gear

Here are a few of my favorite pieces of gear for day hikes. This is not a complete list, but it will get you started.

• Hiking Shoes – Sturdy hiking shoes are important. I’m a big fan of Altra Lone Peak Trail Running Shoes and pair them with Dirty Girl Gaiters to keep rocks from getting into my shoes.
• Socks – Good thick socks are key. I usually wear a pair of double-walled Wrightsock Coomesh II socks with my Altras.
• Hiking Poles  – Hiking poles reduce pressure on your joints and help maintain your balance if you trip. My current favorites are the  LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles .
• Sun Hat  – Protect your face (and scalp) with a broad sun hat.  This sun hat  is great because it has a wide brim and no back so it doesn’t bump into my backpack.
• Sun Shirt  – Protect your neck and arms from the sun with a long-sleeved sun shirt. The  Columbia Tamiami II  is highly rated and comes with built-in UPF 40 sun protection.
• Sunscreen – Apply sunscreen before hitting the trail and bring some along in case you need to reapply. I like these  Banana Boat 1-oz tubes of sunscreen  because they are super tiny and hardly take up any room in my bag.
• Camera  – I love taking photos and always bring a camera along on my hiking trips. I use the  Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III  because it is lightweight yet has many advanced features.

While you can hike year-round in Chiang Mai, there are a few distinct seasons to be aware of.

The best time to hike is typically in the dry season which typically lasts from October to March. Temperatures are coolest during this time and the trails are usually not slippery and muddy.

Be aware that air quality tends to get poorer as the dry season progresses. Things take a turn for the worse during burning season , which typically takes place in late February/early March. During this time farmers burn their fields to ready them for new crops and air quality is low.

The hot season takes place from April to June. Temperatures soar during these months so take care not to hike during the middle of the day. Some national parks close during hot season, so check before you go.

Rainy season (or monsoon season ) takes place from July to September. Some trails are too muddy and slippery to hike on during this time, but not all. Most hikers avoid monsoon season, but some prefer it because visibility is better due to improved air quality.

No matter which season you choose, the best time of day to hike is usually in the early morning or late afternoon hours. Avoid hiking during the middle of the day when the temperatures are hottest.

Chiang Mai is barely visible from Wat Pha Lat on hazy day in January 2022

Maps and Navigation

Whenever hiking a new trail, always bring along a map and know how to use it (or bring a guide).

If you plan to use your phone for navigation, download hiking routes in advance as you may not have cell reception after arrival. Be sure to bring along a portable battery charger (such as this one ) in case your phone dies on the trail.

This map shows you where to find the trailheads for each hike mentioned in the article below.

Four Easy Chiang Mai Hikes

Now that we’ve gotten all the preliminaries out of the way, it’s time for the good stuff!

Here are four easy Chiang Mai hikes that you won’t want to miss, with or without a guide!

Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat

Wat Pha Lat

Distance: 2.9 km (1.8 miles) to Wat Pha Lat Temple and back Elevation Gain: 187 m (614 feet) Highest Point of Elevation: 635 m (2084 feet) Difficulty Level:  Easy Cost: Free (donations are accepted at the temple) Trailhead: Monk’s Trail Trailhead

One of the most popular and well-known Chiang Mai hikes, the Monk’s Trail leads to a hidden jungle temple on Doi Suthep Mountain. The hike follows a stream uphill through the jungle, passing a few small waterfalls along the way.

After 1.5 km, the trail crosses over a footbridge and emerges at Wat Pha Lat Temple – a gorgeous temple nestled in the jungle along a waterfall. The temple doesn’t get many visitors and is primarily used as a meditation retreat center by the monks.

Before crossing the stream, be sure to take in the views of the temple from the other side. This is the best spot to see the temple’s Naga staircase (naga are mythical beings which look like serpents). There are also great views of Chiang Mai city from the stream.

Naga staircase at Wat Pha Lat

Then you can proceed across the waterfall and wander among the meditation retreat center. Many of these buildings are constructed in harmony with nature in such a way that it’s difficult to tell where the buildings end and the forest begins.

Pro Tip: for more of a challenge, you can extend your hike and continue up the mountain to Doi Suthep temple . Be aware that this trail is much steeper and more challenging. More details are available in my Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat hiking guide .

Monk’s Trail Map and Trailhead

How to reach the trailhead: the trailhead is located at the base of Doi Suthep Mountain a few kilometers away from Chiang Mai University. I used the Grab App to book a ride to the trailhead because I planned to hike all the way to the top of Doi Suthep and take a songthaew (shared taxi) back down again.

There is limited parking at the trailhead, so if parking is full consider parking at Basecamp Trail Café and walking to the trailhead (it’s a bit of a walk).

Doi Pui Peak Nature Trail

At the viewpoint on Doi Pui Peak Nature Trail

Distance: 2.3 km (1.5 miles) loop, plus an extra 1.2 km (.8 miles) to the viewpoint and back Elevation Gain: 182 m (597 feet) Highest Point of Elevation: 1685 m (5528 feet) Difficulty Level:  Easy Cost: Free Trailhead: Doi Pui Peak Trailhead  at the Pui Campground

Doi Pui Peak is a short but steep nature trail that loops through the evergreen and pine forests on the top of Doi Pui mountain . The trail features informative signboards at 13 stations along the way with details about the park’s flora and fauna.

The highlight of the trail is Doi Pui Peak. At 1685 meters (5528 feet), it is the tallest point on the entire mountain. There isn’t much of a view to speak of from here, however.

For the best views, continue along the trail past the Royal Pavilion for .6 km (or .4 miles) until you reach a ridge. There are plenty of spots with great views along the ridge, along with a bench and some nice places to relax and enjoy the forest.

Pro Tip: after walking along the ridge, you can continue downhill to the Ban Khun  Chang Khian hill tribe village. That’s what I did when I hiked the trail, but I had a guide along to show me the way. We were there in January and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom throughout the village.

Dui Peak Nature Trail viewpoint

Doi Pui Peak Nature Trail Map and Trailhead

How to reach the trailhead: the trailhead is located at Doi Pui Peak campground and ranger station. There is plenty of parking here as this is a popular area inside Doi Pui Peak National Park.

The road to reach the trailhead is long and winding and only a single lane for the last few kilometers. You have to sound a horn any time you go around a corner to ensure you don’t hit another car. I don’t recommend driving it on a scooter unless you’re an experienced scooter driver.

To reach this trail without a car, I suggest hiring a private driver or tour guide (that’s what I did). You may also be able to arrange a ride from Doi Suthep temple, a popular tourist destination further down the mountain.

Doi Pui Peak Nature Trail map

Huay Tung Tao to Dtaat Mook Waterfall

Dtaat Mook Waterfall

Distance: 6.3 km (3.9 miles) there-and-back Elevation Gain: 325 m (1069 feet) Highest Point of Elevation: 614 m (2016 feet) Difficulty Level: Moderate Cost: 50 baht fee for foreigners to access the lake Trailhead: The Golden Buddha Statue at Huay Tung Tao Lake

Dtaat Mook waterfall is a lovely cascading waterfall that typically has water year-round. Reaching the waterfall requires a pleasant hike uphill through the jungle and a bamboo forest . This is the longest hike in this guide and the most difficult (although I would still only rate it as moderate).

The trailhead is located at Huay Tung Tao Lake , which is a gorgeous destination in its own right. There are many scenic bamboo huts overlooking the lake and restaurants specializing in seafood. The lake is a popular destination on the weekends for families.

There are a lot of trails above the lake and it’s easy to take the wrong one. Some of the trails are overgrown and hard to follow. Be sure to download a map (or several) to your phone before starting out.

Pro tip: for more of a challenge, consider extending your hike by completing the Huay Tung Tao Circular Hike .

Hiking the trail to Dtaat Mook waterfall

Dtaat Mook Waterfall Map and Trailhead

How to reach the trailhead: the trailhead is located near the golden buddha statue on Huay Hung Tao lake. There is plenty of parking here, or you can take a Grab car (that’s what I did).

While there is a map on AllTrails for the Dtaat Mook Waterfall hike , I don’t recommend it. That route does not follow the best path to the waterfall.

I suggest using the below map for the Huay Tung Tao Circular hike instead . This hike also goes to the Dtaat Mook Waterfall but via a better path. Simply turn around after reaching the waterfall rather than continuing on to complete the entire loop.

Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail in Doi Inthanon National Park

Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail Viewpoint

Distance: 3.4 km (2.1 miles) loop Elevation Gain: 190 m (623 feet) Highest Point of Elevation: 2311 m (7584 feet) Difficulty Level: Easy Cost: 300 baht per person entrance fee (for foreigners), plus 200 baht to hire a guide Trailhead: Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail trailhead

Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is a short ramble through the woods on Thailand’s tallest mountain , Doi Inthanon. The loop hike follows a picturesque stream before eventually breaking out of the foliage to a viewpoint.

While a bit further away from Chiang Mai than the other hikes on this list, the trail deserves a spot on your bucket list as it is undeniably one of the best Chiang Mai hikes . The views from the top are *epic*.

Hiking on Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail

On the return hike, the trail passes by a viewpoint of the Twin Pagodas before dipping back into the woods and returning to the trailhead.

Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail is somewhat unique in that hiring a local guide is mandatory . The guides are all members of the local Hmong tribe and ensure that visitors stay on the correct path. You can hire one on the spot after your arrival for 200 baht.

Note: the trail is available from November to April every year. The hike is not suitable for people who cannot handle stairs as there are quite a few.

Posing for a photo with our local guide, a member of the local Hmong tribe

At the viewpoint with Happy Bird , the tour guide who organized our day trip and all around fun guy to hang out with.

Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail Map and Trailhead

How to reach the trailhead: the trailhead is located near the top of Doi Inthanon peak in Doi Inthanon National park, a 2-hour drive southwest of Chiang Mai. It’s a long drive up a steep winding mountain road.

The best way to reach the trailhead from Chiang Mai is by driving your own car or arranging for a private driver or tour guide. That’s what we did and honestly it was worth it for us since we didn’t have to worry about any transportation details. He paid the entrance fee to the park and arranged for hiring the local Hmong tour guide.

Like this hiking guide? Pin it!

Have you been on any of these Chiang Mai hikes? If so, I’d like to hear from you! Leave a comment below.

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Hi, i'm unicorn.

I am an avid hiker, traveler, and adventurer who is on the mission to explore hiking trails around the world.  I’m also obsessed with National Parks, long-distance trails and other outdoorsy things.

I hope to share this knowledge with you and inspire you to explore new hiking trails too!

You may also like… Chiang Mai Itinerary: 4 (Or More) Amazing Days in Chiang Mai

Best Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai: Ethical Animal Encounters

9 Amazing Chiang Mai Markets, Walking Streets and Flea Markets [2022]

Hike the Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat: Chiang Mai’s Jungle Temple

Doi Inthanon NP is really great and I love your list of hiking trails in the park. I’d love to go back and do some walking.

Thanks Linda! It’s such a lovely place to hike. 😊

That’s an amazing trek ,thanks for sharing details .hope to visit soon

Great tips on where to hike! I’m always tired while I’m travelling so I tend to look for easier hikes if I do go hiking.

Thanks Krista! Me too! That’s why I’m always seeking out the easy ones lol 😂

My brother visited Chiang Mai some years ago and loved it. Naturally enough, I’m tempted to follow in his footsteps. He didn’t do any trails but your excellent guide will make my visit so much easier. The Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail looks lovely. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Hazel!

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CHIANG MAI TREKKING TOURS

★★★★★ ★★★★★

3 HR WATERFALL TREK

TREK TO A BEAUTIFUL WATERFALL

This is a 1.6 km trek through amazing jungle, to a 10 meter high water fall, This 3 hour trekking Chiang Mai trip is a fun way to see some of the jungle and nature in Thailand.

PRICE: 2,000 Baht

Transport and lunch are included!

DIFFICULTY: EASY

6 hr jungle trek.

TREK TO THE HEART OF THE JUNGLE

Trek up the mountian to a beautiful Lahu Village. This villiage is a great example of a traditional hill tribe villiage. On the way back stop at set of waterfalls to relax and cool off

PRICE: 3,500 Baht

Difficulty: moderate, 6 hr endurance trek (roundtrip), awe inspiring trek.

This amazing 14km hike has 600m of elevation gain and a 600m elevation drop. This trek is full of adventure and not for those that want a casual stroll! It’s a tough mountain trek.

DIFFICULTY: HARD

Combination trips with trekking, maximize your time in the jungle, atv 3 hr + trekking 3 hr.

Rafting 10 Km + Trekking 3 Hr

JUNGLE TREKKING CHIANG MAI

Trekking Chiang Mai – 8Adventures undoubtedly offers some of the most epic trekking tours in Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand. Our unique eco treks take you off the beaten path along little known hiking trails. They are authentic excursions through varied environments with English speaking guides. You will get a real view into the indigenous way of life in a non intrusive manner. See amazing vistas of the Mae Taeng Valley, learn about edible plant life and get away from the city.

Come and join us on an amazing day or multi-day trekking chiang mai excursion!

TOUR RESTRICTIONS

We recommend that customers bring sunscreen and bug spray.

For more details on safety and what to wear and bring check out  Our Safety Page

All participants should be in reasonable physical condition. If you have a heart condition, back, neck, broken bones or are pregnant our actives are not for you.

If you’re not sure or would like clarification please contact us.

For more details on safety and what to wear and bring check out 8Adventures.com/safety/

3 HOUR WATERFALL TREK

 round trip hike to a beautiful waterfall.

This is a 1.6 km trek outside Chaing Mai near the Mae Taeng River is the perfect way to see some of the jungle and bio diversity of Northern Thailand. We walk through scenic jungle, along a pleasant creek, to a 10 meter high water fall. The trek will take a total of 3 hours  

After the pleasant walk up to the waterfall, we take a break where you can swim and refresh. (You have the opportunity to change into your swimming attire before we leave to go on the trek and our river camp has full hot showers ready for your return)

Your trekking guide will speak English and be pointing out different flora and fauna along the way giving you some small facts to remember. When we are done with our splashing around at the bottom of the waterfall we will walk down the same path we came up. If your group is very active we can hike past the waterfall a little ways. This trip is also perfect for families it is an easy gradient up to the falls.

Trekking Chiang Mai is perfect to add onto our Whitewater Rafting or ATV adventures

Lunch, snack and water are included.

Difficulty: Easy

Difficulty: Moderate

6 HOUR JUNGLE TREK

Hike to the heart of the jungle.

After arriving at our riverside camp you will have the opportunity to change and use the restrooms and then we will head out hiking up the mountain to a beautiful Lahu Village. This village is a great example of a traditional hill tribe village in Thailand and it has amazing views. We will take a small break here and then continue on walking down a single track trail passing another small village through a peaceful jungle setting. We will arrive at a set of waterfalls where we will take another break to relax and cool off. Then we continue to the exit of the trail and arrive at the Mae tang river where a vehicle will pick us up. The whole trail is 7 km and we descend about 600 meters

6 HOUR ENDURANCE HIKE (ROUNDTRIP)

This amazing 14km hike has 600m of elevation gain and a 600m elevation drop. This trek is full of adventure and not for those that want a casual stroll! It’s a tough mountian trek.

It climbs up out of the valley at a pretty steep grade, gaining 500 meters of elevation in 2.5 km This section meanders through bamboo forest before finally reaching a 4×4 road that we use to traverse across the mountain to Baan Pha Daeng a Lahu Village hill tribe.

This section has stunning views and the road gives a nice reprieve from the steep uphill. The road section is about 2 km long before ducking back into single track for the rest of the trip. You also will pass an area where monks come to meditate in caves and where the village gets it name.

Difficulty: Hard

Best View Point in Chiang Mai

This next section of 2.5 km trail continues to traverses the mountainside between two villages. You will see hand farmed fields and hand harvested areas. There’s lots of shade from the lychee orchards, coffee farms and the middle of it has some nice old growth jungle when you cross a stream. This section ends at Huay Kukap; a great place for lunch, and a drink and amazing views!

From here we walk down on single track passing another village hill tribe, and a couple of waterfalls before finally popping out at the Mae Taeng River. If you have made good enough time its a great place to cool off with a quick shower under the falls. This section is about 7 km and descends about 600 meters.

Singles 2,500 Baht

2 to 6 guests: Contact Us for a discount

This is a fabulous trek, but be ready for some steep up hills!

In all trekking  trips with 8Adventures, lunch, snack and water are included.

Trekking or Hiking can be done almost anywhere in the world but Trekking in Chiang mai can be extremely enjoyable. With the lush forest of south east Asia the flora and funana is some of the most diverse on the earth

Things to remember when Trekking

• Bring shoes to trek in
• Bring a change of clothes
• Stay hydrated while on the trail
• Stay with your group on Trek.

Trekking Articles

Day Hike Packing Tips

How to Train for Hikking

What to Wear on a Jungle Trek

Combination Trips That Include Trekking In Chiang Mai

Atv trip 3 hr + trekking 3 hr .

Enjoy an 3 hour ATV ride through the Mae Taeng Valley combined with an amazing trek to a magnificent waterfall.. Experience the jungle and forest of Northern Thailand on this amazing day with 8Adventures

Rafting 10 Km + Trekking 3 Hr

Enjoy an 3 hour Trekking tour to a refreshing waterfall and then head back and experince 10 Km of amazing class IV whitewater. Experience the jungle and the rivers of Northern Thailand on this amazing day with 8Adventures

Detialed Overview of Jungle Trekking with 8Adventures

Thailand’s natural beauty shines throughout diverse environments that are the perfect antidote to city life. Our 8Adventures basecamp is located in the heart of the Mae Taeng valley, 45 kms north of Chiang Mai and is a great place to enjoy a one day trek. 

Let’s start with the basics of what you can expect when hiking in the jungle! The first thing to say is that although Thailand undoubtedly has a wild side, this won’t be like trekking deep into the Amazon basin. We have guests come to visit us of all ages, from school children to our own parents and in this respect we ensure that the trekking trails we use are as safe as possible. It doesn’t mean to say that there aren’t some hidden dangers- you may be lucky enough to see one of northern Thailand’s snake species! The biggest chance of injury however comes from wearing incorrect footwear. It is highly advised that you wear strong, but light all terrain shoes. There’s no need for full trekking boots, your feet will get too hot but choose something better than a flip flop. Some sandals may have the required grip, but should be securely fastened with multiple straps. Often trainers will suffice, always check they have some tread and can can grip rocky surfaces. There’s a good chance that any shoes you wear will get wet and muddy as even out of the rainy season there are rivers to cross, so make sure you choose footwear that you can dry easily.

Next on the preparation list is bug spray and sunscreen. Don’t skimp on these! The jungles near Chiang Mai are hot and humid. The 8Adventures trekking trail follows a river to a waterfall and amongst the shady areas of rocks and bamboo, mosquitoes lurk. It’s best to bring some spray with you to re-apply if you feel you are getting bitten. Sweat and sunlight soon wear off its effectiveness. Similarly for suncream, bring some in a small bag. We will stop to swim in a waterfall and you’ll need to put some on after. Spray sunscreen is best and is essential for everyone, the Thai sun can get blazing hot. According, it’s best to wear light clothes, the best choice being those fabrics made for trekking. Medium length shorts are recommended for most times of the year. As we will go swimming we also advise that customers change into bathing suits before coming out on tour. The alternative to this is hiding behind a bush trying to change into a swimming costume when your there!

What else to bring? It’s best to carry your drinking water in a metal water bottle. Not only is a good for the environment it will help the water stay cooler and even taste better! A one litre bottle is sufficient for a short trek. 8Adventures will always have water available for you as well. Another useful, but often overlooked item to bring trekking are binoculars. Northern Thailand has some of the greatest diversity of birdlife and you can get a much better view of the species with binos. Not only are they useful for identifying birds, you can also spot animals, plants and flowers that are hard to see with the naked eye. A final tip in preparation for any trek is to check the weather. In the rainy season (June- October) it’s always best to bring a tightly packed rain jacket. Along our trekking trails we pass through a hilltribe village, they have some handmade products and refreshments for sale so it’s a good idea to bring a small amount of Thai Baht.

For those of us interested in bird life there are many exciting species to be seen in Mae Taeng. It may not be on a par with the world renowned Doi Inthanon national park but due to its elevated altitude and relative isolation there are still some fantastic birds here including Sunbirds and Drongos, see this post for further information.  https://8adventures.com/birdwatching-in-mae-taeng/

For Trekking Chiang Mai – All participants should be in reasonable physical condition. If you have a heart, back or neck condition, broken bones or are pregnant, our activities are not for you. If you’re not sure or would like clarification please contact us.

WHAT TO WEAR AND WHAT TO BRING TREKKING:

Please bring a copy or photocopy of your passport for registration. Bring a clean change of clothes for your ride home.

Trekking: Sun Glasses, Shoes, light pants, sunscreen, day pack and swim suit.

CAMERA INFO:

For Rafting and ATVs we have GoPro mounts on the top or the helmets. You must bring the slider attachment. For rafting if you can’t swim with it don’t bring it.

We take no responsibility for lost GoPros or broken mounts or personal cameras of any kind.

For more details on safety and what to wear and bring check out

8Adventures.com/safety/

Info on Chaing Mai

CONTACT INFO

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11 things to know before traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand

Apr 19, 2024 • 7 min read

These local tips can help a first-time visitor plan their visit to Chiang Mai © oneclearvision / Getty Images

There’s so much more to Chiang Mai , Thailand ’s Rose of the North, than first meets the eye.

Though firmly on the Thai travel circuit, Chiang Mai often comes in third for visitors determined to see Bangkok before immediately heading south to the tropical islands . Those who trek north, however, are certainly rewarded. Here, countless historic temples, street stalls, jungle-covered hills, artisan workshops, street markets and more coffee shops than you ever thought were possible are packed into a relatively small area – the Old City is just one square mile.

A few days here can stretch into a week… and then two… or more.

Lucky enough to call Chiang Mai home for nearly a decade, I still find it endlessly captivating. Here’s what to know before traveling to Chiang Mai, so you can start making the most of your stay as soon as you arrive. 

Ready to plan your trip? Don't miss the top experiences in Chiang Mai

1. Chiang Mai is both a city and a province

As is typical for Thailand, the province name is also the name of its largest hub. (Other examples include the city of Chiang Rai in Chiang Rai Province or the island of Phuket in Phuket Province.) Keep this in mind while booking transportation or accommodation.

2. You’ll likely want to stay longer than you first expect

A few days isn’t enough to uncover Chiang Mai’s charms, which often lie in its daily rhythms. Do yourself a favor and plan to stay for at least five nights or even more, if possible. Between exploring town and squeezing in a couple of day trips , there are plenty of ways to fill your stay. Also, time your visit to stay over the weekend since some of the city’s night markets only happen on Saturdays and Sundays.

3. Keep at least one day open

Spending a leisurely morning over elaborate coffee concoctions at a picture-perfect cafe, treating yourself to a two-hour massage, fitting in a cooking or yoga class, running into someone from your hometown on the street – Chiang Mai natives and transplants take their reputation for appreciating “slow living” seriously, and you should, too. Keep at least one day unscheduled to simply wander, enjoy the relaxed pace, and stay open to whatever serendipitous encounter or decision may unfold.

Traveling beyond Chiang Mai? Here are some things to know before exploring the rest of Thailand

4. Plan to eat well

Eating may be Thailand’s national pastime, but Chiang Mai’s bounty of nearby farms harvesting fresh produce, countless street stalls, and affordable prices (you can still find bowls of noodle soup for just a dollar or two) take it to a new level. You’re never far from another satisfying snack, memorable meal or refreshing beverage.

5. Try northern Thai delicacies

Known for using lots of herbs, spice and pork, northern Thai food tends to have a unique funkiness to it that you won’t find elsewhere. You’ve probably heard of kôw soy , the Chiang Mai specialty of egg noodles topped with a rich curry broth and pickled garnishes, but that’s just the beginning. Look for kaffir lime leaf-stuffed sai oui sausage, spicy green chili dip known as nám prík nùm , roasted tomato and ground pork chili dip called naam prik ong , and kà·nŏm jeen nám ngée·o , thin sticky rice noodles topped with a spicy, tomato-based broth.

Tong Tem Toh in the Nimmanhaemin neighborhood and Huen Phen in the Old City are both solid places to start your northern Thai culinary journey.

Hungry? Check out Thailand's other unmissable food experiences

6. Make time for markets

There’s truly a market, or talat , happening morning, noon and night. Various fresh markets will open before dawn and close by late morning, while others open in the afternoon and early evening for the after-work rush. Meanwhile, Talat Muang Mai , a wholesale produce market, stays open all day and is particularly busy late at night when farmers arrive from the surrounding hills hauling their latest crop.

Talat Wororot , also known as Kad Luang in the northern dialect, on the east side of town along the Mae Ping River, is Chiang Mai’s longest running market and still a popular local destination for everything from home goods and flower garlands during the day to clothes and streetside fare during the evening.

As the sun sets, a number of Chiang Mai night markets pop up. You’ll find clusters of street food stalls, many of which have had the same vendors for a decade or more, at Talat Pratu Chiang Mai or Talat Pratu Chang Pheuak while the weekend Saturday Walking Street and Sunday Walking Street are popular spots for locals, Thai tourists and foreign visitors alike. 

7. Holidays in Chiang Mai are extra magical

Songkran, Thailand’s new year celebration held each April, and Loi Krathong, in November, are both widely celebrated across Chiang Mai with parades around the Old City, elaborate decorations, city-wide events, and lots of photo ops. Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai is particularly beautiful, thanks in part to the added northern holiday of Yee Peng and countless illuminated paper lanterns released into the sky. While the town can start feeling a little overrun with visitors during these times, it’s worth the crowds for the close proximity to so many events and activities.

8. Dress (relatively) modestly

Even in the height of the hot season, Thailand is a fairly modest country when it comes to clothing, particularly for women. This applies even more in the north, which is away from the beaches and often less-touristed than Bangkok and the islands. “Polite” dress, meaning covered shoulders, chests, and thighs, is required for visiting temples, but it's often expected in everyday life, too. That said, everyone tends to keep things comfortable and casual. No one will say anything (to your face) about what you’re wearing, but you’ll both show respect and often receive more respect when showing less skin.

9. Good doctors and dentists are easily accessible in Chiang Mai

While you hopefully won’t have to go to the doctor for any reason, if you get sick or hurt, you can easily walk into any hospital and get care. This includes the city’s go-to, private hospital for foreigners and locals with money to spare, Chiang Mai Ram, which is in the center of town. Find a check-in desk, and staff will point you in the right direction. Dentist offices are also dotted throughout the city and readily accept new patients. Due for a cleaning? This is the place to do it. 

10. Be aware of the "smoky season"

Thailand has three seasons  – hot, rainy, and cold – but Chiang Mai also often experiences what locals call the “smoky season.” Often starting sometime in February and lasting through the hot season until the rains begin at the end of April or early May, Chiang Mai sees smoky skies and poor air quality from slash and burn farming practices. Every year is different depending on the weather patterns and the government’s current restrictions, but if you’ll be in Chiang Mai in February, March or April, you can expect some level of pollution. Face masks are readily available and most accommodations and indoor restaurants will have air purifiers running 24/7.

11. Traffic is calmer in Chiang Mai, but you are still likely to be stopped by police when driving a motorbike

There are plenty of ways to get around Chiang Mai , from túk-túks (autorickshaws) to the local rót daang (literally "red trucks", which are shared taxis), and traffic is much calmer than in cities like Bangkok.

Zipping around town on a motorbike is arguably the quickest, most convenient way to get around – if you know what you’re doing! As a foreigner, however, you’ll likely get stopped at a police checkpoint. Unless you have a valid Thai motorbike license, you’ll often receive a ticket. Be polite, stay calm, and pay the fine. They’ll then let you keep driving on your merry way. Also, always wear a helmet. It’s the law, even though sometimes it seems more like a suggestion than a rule.

From  túk-túks to taxis  here's more guidance for traveling around in Chiang Mai

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