Chiang Mai day trips and tours
Although there is plenty to keep your interest within the old city, such as the moat, beautiful temples, markets and historic character, the Chiang Mai environs are worth touring, and day trips to the surrounding attractions are worthwhile.
Visiting Chiang Mai would not be complete without a trip to the temple on top of Doi Suithep, an imposing mountain to the west of the city. Either you can hop aboard a tour, catch a songtaew taxi or hire a bike to travel the 15km journey to the summit. The highly sanctified chedi and temple at the top is a popular pilgrim spot for visiting Thais and the views of the entire valley are humbling. Also on top of the mountain you can visit Phuping Palace gardens and Hmong villages, or go walking in the lovely forests of Doi Pui peak, which looms behind it. This is one of the most popular day trips in Chiang Mai.
Traveller tale: Temple in the sky
Chiang Mai’s Doi Suithep temple has gazed down on the city like a spiritual guardian angel for 500 years and remains its top attraction...more
At the mountain's base are two superb waterfalls, Huay Kaew falls (free) and Monthathal falls (Not worth the entrance fee, but free after 5pm). Here you'll also find the Chiang Mai zoo, home to Asian and international wildlife as well as two famous pandas - 'exchange students' from China on a goodwill mission.
Northern Thailand is a mountainous wilderness of unspoilt forest and Chiang Mai lies at its heart. Not surprisingly it's a popular launching point for hill treks into the interior. These can be arranged from the many travel companies found in Chiang Mai and take you into the heart of rural southeast Asia. Typically they last up to five days, but with less time to spare, we recommend a day or overnight trip to the fabulous Doi Inthanon national park - home of Thailand's highest mountain. Here you can click away at some gorgeous waterfalls, visit hilltribe villages and admire the pristine wilderness area. More on Doi Inthanon.
Closer to Chiang Mai is the Mae Sa valley (about 30 minutes' drive), where you'll find the magnificent multi-tiered Mae Sa waterfall (worth the entrance fee), orchid farm, monkey and snake farms and botanical gardens. Day trips to this part of Chiang Mai are very worthwhile for the sheer number of activities and sights. You can also experience the thrill of trundling through the jungle on the back of an elephant and learn more about these massive Asian workhorses at the Mae Sa Elephant Camp. More on Mae Sa Valley.
To truly appreciate the mountainous beauty of Chiang Mai you can continue on and follow this circular route as it passes through Samoeng and eventually emerges to the south of the city, passing through the lovely resort-laden valley of Krissadadoi. On returning to the city you will be intriqued by the giant Buddha perched atop a hill beside the ancient Wat Doi Kham, near the new Flora Flora Expo grounds and Night Safari.
An often overlooked part of the Ping River valley is the eastern side, which is a 30 minute drive and reveals a much more drammatic mountain vista, and several attractions. Day trips to to this side of Chiang Mai will reveal the popular San Khampaeng hotsprings, the cavernous Mae On cave and the charming mountain hamlet of Mae Kampong. To reach the latter follow the road beyond the hotsprings, and wind your way up into the mountains, following a cascading stream. The very steep road crosses over the mountains and heads down to the lovely Jae Sorn National Park in Lampang province. More on Mae On and the east.
Traveller tale: Heading East - looking for Mae Kampong
The Doi Mon Larn range produces some lovely surprises, including a tea-growing homestay village, waterfalls and a national park, as well as hot springs and caves...more
For an alternative idea for a day trip, please read our “Heading East - Looking for Mae Kampong” article here.
Read more about Chiang Mai's best sights on our Thailand forum.
Recommended Tours
Luxury forest trek Kanchanaburi (3 days/2 nights)
Northern Thailand mountain biking tour (4 days/3 nights)
Cycling San Kamphaeng & Lanna countryside (1 day)
on sale widely
