5 days in Chiang Mai

Day by day

1. Day 1: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat and the Monk's Trail

   Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat and the Monk's Trail and Wat Phra Singh, then Sunday Walking Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

      Go at opening time to avoid the crowds; shared red songthaews leave from near Chiang Mai Zoo and Chiang Mai University, and a funicular lift spares you the stairs. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Wat Pha Lat and the Monk's Trail

      Start early, wear proper shoes and carry water; the trail is marked with orange monk's robes tied to trees. (2–4 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khao soi

      Specialist khao soi shops across the city, which often sell out by mid-afternoon; Muslim-run eateries near the Night Bazaar serve beef versions.

   4. Afternoon

      Wat Phra Singh

      Look closely at the Viharn Lai Kham murals, which show local dress and daily life; dress modestly as monks study here. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Sunday Walking Street

      Arrive around 5pm before it becomes shoulder-to-shoulder, and eat in a temple courtyard food court.

2. Day 2: Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man

   Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man and Tha Phae Gate and the old city walls, then Night Bazaar in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Wat Chedi Luang

      Visit late afternoon to see the chedi in warm light and look for the monk chat tables in the grounds. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Wat Chiang Man

      It is in the quieter north-east corner of the old city and is rarely crowded in the morning. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sai ua

      Warorot Market and grill stalls at markets and walking streets.

   4. Afternoon

      Tha Phae Gate and the old city walls

      Walk or cycle the moat in the early morning; the gate's square hosts events at Songkran and Loy Krathong. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Night Bazaar

      Bargain with a smile and compare prices; the Sunday and Saturday walking streets often have more original crafts.

3. Day 3: Warorot Market and Wat Umong

   Warorot Market, Wat Umong and Wat Suan Dok, then Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Warorot Market

      Buy edible souvenirs such as nam prik noom and dried fruit here at local prices. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Wat Umong

      Combine it with Baan Kang Wat artists' village, a few minutes away. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Nam prik noom

      Northern Thai restaurants and in jars at Warorot Market.

   4. Afternoon

      Wat Suan Dok

      Visit near sunset, when the white chedis glow against the mountain. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)

      Visit on a Saturday and continue onto the Wua Lai Walking Street market.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park

   About 2 hours by road each way. Getting there: Tour or car with driver.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Doi Inthanon National Park

      About 2 hours by road (Tour or car with driver); about 100 km.

   2. Day

      Doi Inthanon National Park

      Thailand's highest mountain, at about 2,565 metres, has cool cloud forest, a boardwalk at the summit, the twin royal chedis with gardens and views, and large waterfalls such as Wachirathan. Best for families, couples and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Chiang Mai

      Dinner: try Gaeng hang lay.

5. Day 5: Nimmanhaemin Road and Elephant Nature Park

   Nimmanhaemin Road, Elephant Nature Park and Thai cooking class, then Nimmanhaemin in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Nimmanhaemin Road

      Come in the afternoon for coffee and return after dark for the bars and food stalls. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Elephant Nature Park

      Choose a sanctuary with no riding or bathing shows, and book a day visit that includes transport from your hotel. (Full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Gaeng hang lay

      Northern Thai restaurants and market curry stalls; it is a festival dish at Lanna celebrations.

   4. Afternoon

      Thai cooking class

      Choose a small class that lets you pick your own dishes, and say if you need vegetarian versions. (Half to full day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Nimmanhaemin

      Cocktail bars, craft-beer pubs and clubs popular with students and young Thais.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Elephant Nature Park and Thai cooking class before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Old City keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Tha Phae and Night Bazaar ($$) suits shopping, first-timers, nightlife and families. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 26–35 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11 hours in December to 13.3 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Chiang Mai
• 2 days in Chiang Mai
• 3 days in Chiang Mai

Questions travellers ask