Thailand is full of fun bucket-list activities that see travellers from around the world enjoy daily. From Phuket and the islands to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, you’ll never run out of things to do – just the time to see everything. But one place you definitely need to make time to see is the northern city of Chiang Mai. While it’s sometimes overlooked, travelling to Chiang Mai offers plenty of attractions to keep you busy. It also offers experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Thailand. It’s a city that may end up surprising you and become your favourite part of a broader exploration of Thailand.
Here are five things you absolutely must-do when travelling to Chiang Mai
Hit Up The High-End Bars and Resturants
If you’re looking for high-end bars and restaurants, as many like to now and then while travelling, then you have to check out Nimmanhaemin Road. It’s one of the trendiest places to eat and shop, with expensive options down every side street you find. It may not be to the same scale as other fashionable hot spots in major cities around the world, but it’s still a very fun and interesting place to hang out and watch the world go by. Be sure to hit up Maya, the newest shopping mall built at one end of the road. There are six floors filled with retail space, along with various entertainment options. Together with a swanky rooftop bar called Myst.
Visit The Elephant Retirement Park
There are several elephant parks to choose from if you want to see these giant mammals up close and personal. While many recommend this activity while in Thailand, it’s important to do some research before your visit. You need to ensure that the park or sanctuary you’re considering visiting is actually treating the animals well. Some seem okay. However, when you get there you find poor working conditions for the staff, too little space for the elephants and even elephants performing tricks, which is completely unethical.
Seeing the elephants and observing their natural behaviours in their home environment at Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is a great way of getting up close and personal with these beautiful creatures. You can also check out Elephant Parade Land for unique elephant art with a purpose. It’s essentially an elephant-themed interactive art centre where some of the proceeds go toward conservation.
Explore Doi Inthanon National Park
With gorgeous landscapes, breathtaking mountain vistas and also some unique architecture, this high-altitude park just southwest of the city covers a lot of ground for sightseers. While you probably won’t have time to explore all of it, you should catch the highlights, This includes the park’s namesake (and the highest mountain in the whole country), Doi Inthanon. You also need to hike a few waterfalls while you’re there. Wachirathan is particularly magnificent, with its three tiers.
Hit The Border Town Casinos
There are no actual casinos in Thailand. However, strictly legal forms of in-person betting revolving around horse racing and the national lottery are permitted. Because of this, in some cases, Thais have taken to exploring online options instead. Many opt for a free bonus casino which they can access electronically. This is so they can enjoy casino gaming and betting opportunities there in lieu of at in-person venues.
However, Chiang Mai offers an unusual third option. This is because it’s quite close to some actual casinos. You can find them just across the borders in Myanmar and Laos, respectively. So, if casino tourism is something that tickles your fancy, part of the appeal of Chiang Mai might be making the quick hop across these borders to check out the casinos on offer. A great option is the Regina Hotel Entertainment & Golf Club.
Tour The Temples
One of the best things to do in Chiang Mai is to tour the temples in the area. While Bangkok typically gets the attention in this regard for its numerous incredible temples, Chiang Mai has stunning offerings as well. In fact, some might argue they’re even more beautiful than those in the capital (though really, it’s not a competition). Wat Chedi Luang dates back to the 1300s, and is right in the middle of the Old City, making it a very easy stop as you explore the town. Wat Sri Suphan, meanwhile, is known for intricate carvings and the shining silver that adorns its exterior and makes it a unique sight among Thai temples. And finally, Wat Phra Singh is also a must-visit, with a pagoda-style design and shining stone floors that make it the very picture of an idyllic temple to many travellers.
Whether you are looking for high-end places to shop, want to tour the temples or explore some of the attractions just outside of town, we hope we have convinced to that travelling to Chiang Mai will not disappoint.
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