Free things to do · Chiang Mai · Thailand
10 free things to do in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kingkidton, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Chiang Mai without paying an entry fee: Wat Chiang Man, Tha Phae Gate and the old city walls, Sunday Walking Street and Night Bazaar are all free. Eat at markets and noodle shops; a filling meal costs a fraction of tourist-restaurant prices.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 7
- Cost level
- Very affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- June–September
Free sights and experiences
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Religious site · Old City
1.Wat Chiang Man
It is in the quieter north-east corner of the old city and is rarely crowded in the morning.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Old City
2.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.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Market · Old City
3.Sunday Walking Street
Arrive around 5pm before it becomes shoulder-to-shoulder, and eat in a temple courtyard food court.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
- Kids
Market · Tha Phae and Night Bazaar
4.Night Bazaar
Bargain with a smile and compare prices; the Sunday and Saturday walking streets often have more original crafts.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Food
Market · Tha Phae and Night Bazaar
5.Warorot Market
Buy edible souvenirs such as nam prik noom and dried fruit here at local prices.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Religious site · Doi Suthep foothills
6.Wat Umong
Combine it with Baan Kang Wat artists' village, a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
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Religious site · Nimmanhaemin
7.Wat Suan Dok
Visit near sunset, when the white chedis glow against the mountain.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Doi Suthep
8.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.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Street · Nimmanhaemin
9.Nimmanhaemin Road
Come in the afternoon for coffee and return after dark for the bars and food stalls.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- After dark
Neighbourhood · Doi Suthep foothills
10.Baan Kang Wat
Come on a Sunday morning when a small market is usually held.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old City | Wat Chiang Man, Tha Phae Gate and the old city walls and Sunday Walking Street | 45 minutes + 1 hour + 2–3 hours |
| Tha Phae and Night Bazaar | Night Bazaar and Warorot Market | 2 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Doi Suthep foothills | Wat Umong and Baan Kang Wat | 1 hour + 1–1.5 hours |
| Nimmanhaemin | Wat Suan Dok and Nimmanhaemin Road | 45 minutes + 2–3 hours |
| Doi Suthep | Wat Pha Lat and the Monk's Trail | 2–4 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Doi Suthep
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Old City
Wat Phra Singh
Look closely at the Viharn Lai Kham murals, which show local dress and daily life; dress modestly as monks study here.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Art
Religious site · Old City
Wat Chedi Luang
Visit late afternoon to see the chedi in warm light and look for the monk chat tables in the grounds.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Wua Lai
Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)
Visit on a Saturday and continue onto the Wua Lai Walking Street market.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- Photo spot
- After dark
Museum · Old City
Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre
Visit on your first day, ideally during the afternoon heat.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Gallery · San Kamphaeng
MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum
Combine it with the Bo Sang umbrella village on the same road.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Mae Rim
Huay Tung Tao Lake
Go on a weekday afternoon and order food to your hut; bring sun protection.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
- Food
More ways to save
- Eat at markets and noodle shops; a filling meal costs a fraction of tourist-restaurant prices.
- Share songthaews rather than hiring tuk-tuks for longer distances.
- Visit from June to October for the lowest hotel rates and few crowds.
- Book elephant sanctuaries directly with reputable operators rather than through cheap street agents.
- Many temples are free; only a handful charge foreigners a small fee.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Chiang Mai expensive to visit?
Chiang Mai is very affordable for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Chiang Mai?
Wat Chiang Man: It is in the quieter north-east corner of the old city and is rarely crowded in the morning.