5 Must See Chiang Mai Attractions

Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is full of historical attractions, tourist spots and shopping. It has a wonderful modern vibe while still maintaining an old world charm. It’s not surprising that over 1 million people come to visit this former capital on the Lanna Empire each year.

If you are coming to Thailand I highly recommend that you try to make a few days available to see Chiang Mai. And while you are there the following 5 attractions are ones that you won’t want to miss.

Doi Suthep

Doi (means mountain in Thai) Suthep is located on the outskirts of Chiang Mai and overlooks the city and the whole Ping River valley. The view from Doi Suthep could make a visit worthwhile all by itself, but this mountain is also home to one of the most revered temples in all of Thailand. Wat Phra Doi Suthep is located at the top of the mountain and is one of the best places to visit in Chiang Mai. In addition to having a great view of the city you will get to see some beautiful Buddhist statues here, amazing murals and the gold covered chedi which can be seen from Chiang Mai on clear days. Plus you will get the chance to ring the many temple bells for luck. Make sure to bring your walking shoes though because to get to the Wat Phra Doi Suthep you will need to climb the 300+ steps leading up the mountain to the Wat. Thais believe that walking these steps gains you merit so it is a very popular pastime and most days the temple is pretty crowded. Get there early to avoid the crowds and the afternoon heat.

Tha Phae Gate

The Tha Phae gate is in the old quarter of Chiang Mai and is where people used to arrive via the Ping river. Parts of the old original city wall are still here and with a bit of imagination you might be able to visualize what life in Chiang Mai was like a hundred years ago or more. It is now the center of tourist Chiang Mai and a hub of shops, restaurants, bars and hotels. Because this area is central to the tourist area it is a good place to start exploring Chiang Mai and is also a good meeting place since any of the taxi or songthaew drivers will easily know how to get here. Just tell them Tha Phae and they will get you to the heart of the tourist area of Chiang Mai. Those looking for nightlife can also start here as many of the bars and clubs of Chiang Mai are located near Tha Phae and it's a good starting place if you're looking to meet Thai girls.

Bo Sang Villiage

Technically this is not part of Chiang Mai, but is a smaller village 9km outside the city proper. While many might not recognize the name Bo Sang, most visitors to Chiang Mai will be familiar with the name “Umbrella Village” and this is the main attraction of Bo Sang. It is the center of the craftsmen that make the painted umbrellas in Thailand and many of them are quite outstanding. January is the best time to visit to see the umbrella festival, but you can come anytime and see the painters at work creating these one of a kind umbrellas. Even if you aren’t interested in buying, Bo Sang is a fun day out just to see all the crafts on sale and get a glimpse of the painters creating these beautiful works of art.

Huay Teung Tao Reservoir

Chiang Mai is in the mountains and about as far away from the beaches of Thailand as you can get, but it’s still possible to have a swim if the heat is getting to you. The Huay Teung Tao Reservoir is located about 12km northwest of Chiang Mai and is a wonderful place to spend the day hiking, picnicking, swimming and even wind surfing. You can also rent paddleboats to go out on the lake and fishing gear if you think you want to catch your dinner for the night.

Visit the Night Bazaar

The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is quite likely the most famous and popular area in all of Chiang Mai. This huge indoor and outdoor market sells everything from local handicrafts to electronics and DVD’s, clothing, food and pretty much anything you can imagine. As you can tell by the name, the market gets going after the sun goes down, and by 7pm or so things are in full gear. If you want to hone your bargaining skills the night market is the place to do it and you can find good bargains here if you know what you are looking for. Beware of low quality goods and replicas being sold at high prices though. The Night Bazaar is also home to some of the best restaurants in and around Chiang Mai so be sure to bring your appetite.