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📸 9 Must-Visit Spots in Chiang Mai | Features, Best Time & Who They're For

Having lived in Chiang Mai for many years, I discover something new every time I take friends around. Today, I'm sharing the 9 places I recommend most often—they'll help you avoid tourist traps and experience Chiang Mai the way locals do.

Doi Suthep & Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

This is a place I visit almost every week. Climbing the 309 steps is a bit tiring, but the view from the top is absolutely worth it.
Go around 6:00 a.m. to catch monks doing their morning chants—the peaceful atmosphere is completely different from visiting during peak tourist hours.
If you're traveling with seniors, take the cable car. Couples should come in the evening for sunset—when the entire city turns golden, it's incredibly romantic. I could watch that view a hundred times and never get tired of it.

Wat Chedi Luang

The ruined stupa here always reminds me of the martial arts movies I watched as a kid.
Before 7:00 a.m. is the best time—fewer people, and the slanted sunlight on the ancient stone carvings makes every photo look cinematic.
Remember to wear long pants or a long skirt as a sign of respect. Once, a friend of mine wore shorts and wasn't allowed in—we had to buy a wrap skirt at the entrance.

Wat Phra Singh

When the golden halls light up in the evening, the temple looks like something out of a fairy tale. I especially love the murals—each visit reveals new details.
It's busiest during Songkran (Water Festival), but on regular days, evenings feel both sacred and romantic.
For photos, strapless tops paired with a traditional sarong look especially beautiful.

Nimmanhaemin Road

This is my go-to area for coffee.
Graph Café's dark-roast specialty drinks always surprise me, and I've been eating Mango Tango's mango desserts for six years without getting bored.
Daytime offers the best lighting for photos. After 4:00 p.m., head to One Nimman to explore the market—handmade crafts there make great souvenirs.

Chiang Mai Night Safari

This place is fantastic for families with kids. Riding the tram and feeding giraffes had my little niece screaming with excitement.
Don't forget mosquito repellent—I once forgot and ended up with legs full of bites.
The 7:00 p.m. night session is the most interesting, when nocturnal animals like lions and tigers become active.

Baan Kang Wat Art Village

This is my personal hideaway. There's a pottery studio where I learned ceramics for half a year—most of the bowls at home are now handmade by me.
Ristr8to's award-winning latte art really lives up to the hype—even someone who doesn't know much about coffee can taste the difference.
Visit between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for the quietest atmosphere, perfect for drawing or crafting.

MAYA Mall Rooftop

This rooftop is my wife's and my regular date spot.
There's a milk tea shop on the 5th floor that plays Jay Chou songs—I always end up humming along.
Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset to catch both the sunset glow and the city lights turning on. Bring a light jacket—the wind can be strong at night.

Elephant Nature Park

This place completely changed my view on elephant tourism.
The first time I helped bathe an elephant, it sprayed water all over me with its trunk—and the joy was nothing like riding one.
Wear old clothes—you'll definitely get wet.
Elephants are most active between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., and it's especially meaningful and educational for children.

Tha Phae Gate

I've fed the pigeons here more than 50 times. Early morning pigeons are the most cooperative for photos.
For 20 baht, you can buy a bag of corn and they'll swarm around you instantly.
The Sunday Night Market runs from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.—don't miss the Northern Thai sausage, which tastes completely different from what you'll find in Bangkok.