How many days · Chiang Mai · Thailand
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michael Jenselius from Chiang Mai, Thailand, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Chiang Mai, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers the old-city temples, Doi Suthep, a cooking class and the weekend markets. Five days adds an elephant sanctuary and Doi Inthanon; a week allows Chiang Rai or a night in the mountains at Chiang Dao or Mae Kampong.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 7
- Daylight
- 11 h (Dec) to 13.3 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man |
| 2 days | Rushed | Wat Chiang Man, Tha Phae Gate and the old city walls and Sunday Walking Street |
| 3 days | Good | Night Bazaar, Warorot Market and Wat Umong |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Doi Inthanon National Park and Chiang Rai |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Chiang Mai add up to roughly 15–20 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Wat Pha Lat and the Monk's Trail (2–4 hours), Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (2–3 hours) and Sunday Walking Street (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | 2–3 hours | Doi Suthep |
| Wat Phra Singh | 1 hour | Old City |
| Wat Chedi Luang | 1 hour | Old City |
| Wat Chiang Man | 45 minutes | Old City |
| Tha Phae Gate and the old city walls | 1 hour | Old City |
| Sunday Walking Street | 2–3 hours | Old City |
| Night Bazaar | 2 hours | Tha Phae and Night Bazaar |
| Warorot Market | 1–2 hours | Tha Phae and Night Bazaar |
| Wat Umong | 1 hour | Doi Suthep foothills |
| Wat Suan Dok | 45 minutes | Nimmanhaemin |
| Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) | 45 minutes | Wua Lai |
| Wat Pha Lat and the Monk's Trail | 2–4 hours | Doi Suthep |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Phra Singh |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for Elephant Nature Park |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add Doi Inthanon National Park and Chiang Rai |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 11 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.3 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Chiang Mai with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Luang Prabang | About 352 km | 4 days |
| Bangkok | About 582 km | 4 days |
| Hanoi | About 760 km | 4 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Chiang Mai?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days covers the old-city temples, Doi Suthep, a cooking class and the weekend markets. Five days adds an elephant sanctuary and Doi Inthanon; a week allows Chiang Rai or a night in the mountains at Chiang Dao or Mae Kampong.
+Is a week too long in Chiang Mai?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Doi Inthanon National Park and Chiang Rai.