Someone has rightfully said that “life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” A vacation to Chiang Mai is the much-needed break for you, but it’ll be an even better holiday if you add the spice of adventure to it. Chiang Mai is a culturally rich city, which still retains its authenticity, but that doesn’t stop it from being a paradise for adventurers. The things to do in Chiang Mai aren’t for the faint hearted, so if you’re truly an adventure enthusiast, then explore the thrilling surprises that await you in this city. These soul-stirring activities would feed the traveler in you who is looking for something exciting to ignite their soul on fire.
Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai: Begin Your Adventure the Right Way
Chiang Mai is a city in Thailand that has the tendency to surprise you in the best way possible. You might perceive this place as a serene and gorgeous city, where you can sightsee, explore the attractions, and immerse yourself in the culture, but there’s more to it. An adventurous side of this city is hidden away waiting for you to discover it.
So, here are the top things to do in Chiang Mai that you can indulge in.
- Boat in the Serene Lake Huay Tung Tao
- Play with Giant Babies at Elephant Nature Park
- Zipline Over Chiang Mai’s Natural Beauty
- Take a Dip in San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
- Experience White-Water Rafting in Mae Taeng River
- Visit the Thrilling Doi Inthanon National Park
- Get a Picture Clicked with Tigers at Tiger Kingdom
- Go on a Kayaking Adventure on Mae Ping River
1. Boat in the Serene Lake Huay Tung Tao
Let’s start with a relaxing adventure activity, boating. If you’re on your honeymoon in Thailand, then Lake Huay Tung Tao is quite a gorgeous location, a little away from the city’s hubbub, where you can enjoy a peaceful time. You can laze around in the small wooden huts by the lake, eat fresh fish and enjoy quality time, or you could go boating on the lake. Fishing is a common activity people undertake here and you can also swim in the designated areas. Exploring the area around the lake is a fun adventure because of the natural beauty you’ll come across and there’s an area with various animals, such as Elephants, Gorillas, Lions, etc. made of straw. It’s the perfect location to click aesthetic and quirky pictures.
Best time to visit: November to February
Timings: 8 A.M to 8 P.M
Adventure activities: Boating, swimming, fishing
2. Play with Giant Babies at Elephant Nature Park
You’ll come across several elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, but not all of them follow ethical practices towards these beautiful creatures. Elephant Nature Park is the first sanctuary in this country, which works towards the protection of these animals. You can watch these giant babies in their natural habitat, happily playing with each other. You can either go there for a day trip or an overnight stay. You’ll get the chance to play and bathe the elephants here, which is truly one of the most wholesome things to do in Thailand. The best part is that riding on the elephants isn’t allowed here. Apart from elephants, you’ll also find dogs, cats, buffaloes, and other animals in this park as well living harmoniously with each other.
Timings: 7 A.M to 10 P.M
Adventure activities: Play with elephants, bathe and feed them
Other elephant sanctuaries: Burn and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary
Also Read: 10 Best Islands in Thailand: A Guide to Exotic Getaways
3. Zipline Over Chiang Mai’s Natural Beauty
Ziplining is one of the most exciting things to do in Chiang Mai because of the glorious aerial view you get of the natural beauty and breathtaking attractions. You can never go wrong with a combination of nature and adventure plus it’s an ideal activity to indulge in with your family. There are several operators that offer a chance to try this activity while taking all the safety precautions. You don’t need any prior experience to go on this adventure, so experience the joys of floating up in the air with mesmerizing sights all around you.
Famous ziplining locations: Flight of the Gibbon, Eagle Track Zipline, Skyline Adventure
Adventure activities: Ziplining, nature trails, sky bridge, abseils
Timings: Between 6 A.M to 11 P.M
Suggested Read: 10 Best Water Parks in Thailand: Where a Fun and Adventurous Time is Guaranteed
4. Take a Dip in San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
Exploring the city of Chiang Mai is sure to get exhausting at some point, and the best way to relax and rejuvenate your body is to take a dip in this hot spring. Hot water with high Sulphur levels makes for an excellent remedy for body pain and relaxes the muscles. Locals and tourists visit this place due to its gorgeous location nestled in the hills, surrounded by lush greenery. One of the unique things to do in Chiang Mai when visiting this hot spring is to buy eggs. You’ll find people selling eggs here because the water is hot enough to boil those eggs. There’s also a massage center near the hot springs, so you can get a Thai massage and then spend time in the hot springs or in their swimming pool.
Timings: 7 A.M to 6 P.M
Other activities: Boil an egg, get a Thai massage, swim in the pool
5. Experience White-Water Rafting in Mae Taeng River
You can tick off river rafting from your bucket list because the Mae Taeng River in Thailand offers you the chance to indulge in this exciting activity. The adrenaline rush you’ll feel once you’re navigating through those rapids will make everything worth it. You would be trained by experienced instructors before indulging in this activity. Out of all the Chiang Mai activities, this is one of the most adventurous ones. The verdant greenery, the crystal-clear water, and the thrill coursing through you makes this an unforgettable adventure, so do give this a try.
Best time to visit: July March
Timings: 9 A.M onwards
Time required: 1 to 2 hours
Also Read: Top Things to do in Bangkok: Feel the Never-Ending Excitement
6. Visit the Thrilling Doi Inthanon National Park
You haven’t experienced real thrill unless you climb up Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at an altitude of around 2,565 m. This national park is full of Chiang Mai things to do that you can’t miss out on, with waterfalls, dense forests, picturesque viewpoints, and much more. You can enjoy hiking, camping, nature walks, swimming, and much more. You’ll come across twin stupas here that were built in honor of the king and the queen. The view from the top of these stupas is mesmerizing. The photographer in you would come in the forefront after seeing such gorgeous views.
Best time to visit: December to January
Timings: 7 A.M to 5 P.M
Adventure activities: Hiking, swimming, camping
7. Get a Picture Clicked with Tigers at Tiger Kingdom
One of the most sought-after things to do in Chiang Mai is to get close to a tiger and get a picture clicked. The no-bar experience with these majestic animals is quite thrilling and adventurous. You can either go for a full-grown tiger or tiger cubs; it’s up to you. There’ll be professionals with you to ensure your safety, so there’s no cause of any mishappening. Tiger Kingdom is one of the most famous places to visit in Thailand because of this once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll get here. So, let go of your fear and marvel at the beauty of this animal from up-close.
Timings: 9 A.M to 5 P.M
Also Read: Top Things to do in Phuket: A Marvelous City to Rejuvenate Your Soul
8. Go on a Kayaking Adventure on Mae Ping River
The mesmerizing Mae Ping River is the perfect location for kayaking. This is one of the things that you must do in Chiang Mai because of the scenic beauty, picturesque views, serene water, and natural beauty surrounding you. A solo adventure like this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re ready for this thrilling activity, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how calming it is. You don’t even require any prior experience or need to be a swimmer to indulge in this adventure activity. The positive vibe from the greenery around you and the chance to explore uncharted territory makes this a memorable experience.
Best time to visit: November to mid-February
Timings: 9 A.M to 5 P.M
Also Read: Top 10 Things to do in Krabi: Fall in Love with Krabi’s Soul
There’s no denying that Chiang Mai is downright incredible and is an ideal destination for a long vacation. From gorgeous tourist attractions to things to do in Chiang Mai, you’ll find everything in this historic city. The entire city is at your disposal to explore, so don’t restrict yourself to the nearby places only and venture out into the unknown for a taste of thrill and adventure. From calming your adventurous soul to being a catalyst in your spiritual awakening, there’s a lot to discover in this city, so get to it right away. Book our Thailand tour packages and head straight to this glorious city.
Things to Do in Chiang Mai - FAQs
There are several unique things to do in Chiang Mai, such as boiling eggs in the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, spending time with tigers at Tiger Kingdom, playing with elephants at Elephant Nature Park, etc.
You can indulge in boating, kayaking, ziplining, white water rafting, playing with elephants, and many more adventure activities. You can turn your vacation into a thrilling one by trying these things to do in Chiang Mai.
If you’re looking for places to shop in Chiang Mai, then Muang Market is the largest market in the city for fruits and produce. Other than that, you can also shop at The Pae Sunday Walking Street, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, etc.
Couples or honeymooners traveling to Chiang Mai can relax at Lake Huay Tung Tao, take a dip in the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, get themselves clicked at Tiger Kingdom, visit an elephant sanctuary, etc. All these things would spark romance in their relationship.
Yes, Chiang Mai is a family friendly city with ancient temples, lakes, zoos, and other attractions. You can enjoy a lot of activities with your family here.
3 to 4 days are enough for Chiang Mai because it gives you time to explore the best places and indulge in thrilling adventures. Make the most of this time in the city.
Savoring regional delights is something you must do in Chiang Mai, especially Khao Soi. It’s the most famous dish in the city. Apart from that, Khanom Jeen, Sticky Rice, Pad Thai, etc. are also must try dishes.
You should buy Thai silk, snacks, bags, colorful lights, antique items, handicrafts, and much more. Souvenirs that are special to Thailand make for the best gifts.
