Exploring Chiang Mai: A Personal Travel Guide
TRAVEL
Dear Friends,
After soaking up the energy of Bangkok and relaxing on the beaches of Southern Thailand, you might be wondering what comes next. For me, the answer was clear: Northern Thailand.
I spent ten days travelling solo around the region, with most of my time in Chiang Mai, and it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. The city felt instantly familiar, reminding me of Bogor, the town where I grew up in Indonesia. Maybe it was the small winding roads, motorbikes weaving through traffic, the cosy homestays, or the relaxed pace of life. Whatever it was, it felt comforting from the very start.
Here’s a round up of my favourite activities, markets, food spots, and accommodations. I hope you’ll find this list useful!
Activities:
Visit the temples:
Wat Chiang Man: The oldest temple in Chiang Mai, built in 1296 by King Mangrai. It’s a small, peaceful complex that somehow escapes the big tourist crowds, making it a lovely place for a slow wander. Don’t miss the chedi with its elephants and nagas carved into the base!
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: This is Chiang Mai’s most iconic temple, perched on the mountain. I booked a sunrise tour with Explore Siam and was picked up at 4:30 am for the 45 minute drive. From the base, I climbed 306 Naga steps to reach the top. It was cloudy and raining, so no sunrise, but being there early before the heat and crowds made the visit truly memorable.
Wat Phra Lat: A short drive down from Doi Suthep lies this forest temple. Its Burmese style architecture, mossy grounds, and trickling stream made it feel magical. Afterwards, I hiked the Monk’s Trail back down to Chiang Mai University, which took about 30 minutes downhill. Highly recommended.
Explore the traditional markets:
Warorot Market (Kad Luang): In the heart of Chinatown, this is a true locals’ market. Think spices, dried fruit, Thai sweets, quirky household goods, and plenty of bustle. It’s not polished, but that’s exactly what makes it so authentic.
Jing Jai Market: A creative weekend market that feels a little like Covent Garden in London. Expect handcrafted goods, organic food, vintage clothes, live music, and locally roasted coffee. Prices are higher, but it’s still fun.
Sunday Night Market: Now, this is what you call a market. I spent 2.5 hours wandering and still didn’t see it all! It runs along Ratchadamnoen Road in the Old City and is packed with everything from the classic elephant-print trousers and rotan bags, to handmade silver jewellery, paintings, candles, and more. The food options? Endless. One thing I really appreciated was how many of the food areas are set up around squares of tables and chairs, it makes the whole eating experience feel more intimate and “cleaner” than your usual street food setup. Loved it.
Take a day tour to Chiang Rai: Before arriving in Chiang Mai, I kept hearing the same advice: book a tour if you want to see Chiang Rai. The main attractions are spread out, so going independently would have been tricky. I went with Trip Guru and couldn’t have been happier. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and kept the pace relaxed. The group was small, just eight people, so it felt easy going and personal. (A quick tip: Chiang Rai is quite a drive from Chiang Mai, so expect plenty of van time. Worth it, though!) Here’s what we saw:
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple): Probably the most famous sight. It’s more like an open air art gallery than a temple, with gleaming white carvings and symbolic statues everywhere. Two things stood out: the crowds (it was packed, like Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion) and the surreal murals inside, filled with pop culture references. Photography wasn’t allowed inside, unfortunately, but trust me, it was fascinating.
Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple): My personal favourite. The bold indigo colour, fewer visitors, and relaxed vibe made it stand out. Outside, you’ll also find stalls selling blue ice cream. Sadly, I had to skip it (dairy intolerance), but if you can, it’s worth trying just for the experience!
Stroll around the malls (great for rainy days!)
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Centre: A modern, mid sized mall with all the familiar brands (H&M, New Balance, Apple, Starbucks). It’s not particularly unique, but it’s a good place to cool off, shop, or take a break. The food court on the top floor impressed me most. It had a polished, Singapore style vibe with lots of reasonably priced choices.
One Nimman: Marketed as an indoor lifestyle mall, though much of it is open air courtyards and walkways. It has an artsy, boutique feel, with independent shops selling handcrafted goods and vintage finds. Prices are higher and food options more limited, so overall, I found it less practical.
Treat yourself to a massage:
The Old City Massage: One of the best and most intense massages I have ever had. At one point, the masseuse had both feet planted firmly on my back, and I was just lying there thinking, “I really hope she knows what she’s doing...” (Spoiler: she absolutely did). There was also this unexpected bit where she started pulling my earlobes in all directions, which, to be honest, wasn’t my favourite moment, but hey, it’s all part of the experience! I walked out feeling so much more flexible and relaxed.
Places To Eat:
Mae Pa Sri: A small local restaurant right next to my hostel, but I ended up eating here more than once because the food was so good. I tried fried rice with sour pork, noodle soup with beef, fried chicken spicy salad with rice, and my absolute favourite, their Chinese chicken rolls. Crunchy, fresh, and far better than nuggets.
Test & Toast: A relaxed café with a breezy terrace and chilled music, perfect for writing or just lingering. Their chicken Khao Soi was rich, spicy, and flavourful.
Akha Ama Phrasingh: A sleek, modern café that reminded me of Starbucks Reserve, but local. It has a calm atmosphere and is laptop friendly, though there are no power sockets, so come fully charged! The coffee is excellent, and I even managed to get some blog writing done here.
Chang Phuak Food Market: A lively night market with plenty of choice including seafood, pad thai, grilled skewers, Khao Soi, and more. I tried the Northern Thai sausage (pork with vermicelli) and took mango sticky rice away for dessert.
Accommodations:
Pakping Hostel: I stayed here for five nights and really liked it. It’s budget friendly and right in the Old Town, surrounded by cafés, markets, and massage parlours. I spent four nights in the ladies only dorm and one night in a private room. Both were clean, quiet, and well kept. The beds were on the firm side, though. There’s also a cosy common area with beanbags and sofas, great for socialising or relaxing.
Khun Phucome Hotel: For my last night, I treated myself to a hotel stay. This is a large, convention style property, not new, but very well maintained. I was allowed to check in early, which was a nice touch. The Deluxe Lanna room was incredibly spacious (especially compared to the tiny rooms I’d just come from in Japan), the bed was soft, and I slept brilliantly. Facilities included a pool and a gym overlooking it (the gym equipment was a little dated, but I enjoyed having the space to myself!) Breakfast was simple but delicious, with the Penang curry being the highlight. I’d happily stay here again.
I hope this guide helps you plan your own adventure in Chiang Mai. If you have any questions or want more tips, feel free to reach out :)
Till next time.
Love,
Aislin