City: Chiang Mai Province
Top Things to do in Chiang Mai Province
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Chiang Mai (Thai: เชียงใหม่, pronounced [t͡ɕʰīaŋ.màj] ( listen); Lanna: ᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩉᩲ᩠ᨾ᩵, pronounced [tɕiaŋ.màj]) is the second-largest province (changwat) of Thailand. It is in the country's north. It is bordered by Chiang Rai to the northeast, Lampang and Lamphun to the south, Tak to the southwest, Mae Hong Son to the west, and Shan State of Burma to the north. The capital, Chiang Mai, is 685 km north of Bangkok.
Restaurants in Chiang Mai Province
1. Monkchat Meditation Retreat
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By DanW440 - Portland, United States
Our tour group spent part of a morning exploring and experiencing some of which this unique institution has to offer. Walking the grounds and listening to the chanting of the monks is certainly a grand opportunity to enjoy Thai culture and Buddhist teachings. They offer retreats for those who are interested in gaining more experience and knowledge.
2. Elephant Rescue Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,505 reviews
Elephant Rescue Park is a happy place for rescued elephants, located in the green valley of Chiang Mai. Our primary objective here is to rescue poor elephants from circus, hard work and mistreatment, provide a safe loving and secure environment for all the elephants that come and live with us, We try to keep them happy and healthy as they should be in nature but this can only be achieved with your help and support. Come and join us today. Don’t forget, all monies raised from our tours goes back to our elephants and towards rescuing new ones. You’ll get to feed them, walk with them, hug them, play with them, bathe with them and so much more.
Reviewed By mleonardo84 - Mexico City, Mexico
Lovely animals in a caring environment... totally recommend... please visit and support the place and the cause... great team running the place and providing and amazing experience with the elephants as protagonists
3. Elephant Care & Grand Canyon Jumping
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 197 reviews
One day Hill tribe elephant care village & Grand Canyon Jumping! NO RIDING, NO BEATING . Meet the elephants. Feed,interact, and play with the elephants in their natural home as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants. Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Bathe and brush the elephants in the river. Leave the village say goodbye to the elephants. The Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai in an experience you will not want to miss if you love adventure, especially cliff jumping! Pump up your adrenaline by jumping off 10m or 20m cliff into blue / green water or enjoy a relaxed swim with friends.
Reviewed By KathD508 - Sydney, Australia
We made the decision to visit the Elephant Care sanctuary as we were literally driving past and it wound up being the highlight of our day. For a fairly small fee we were allowed to walk around the grounds and see the rescued and retired elephants with a very helpful and informative guide. For a little bit extra we purchased baskets of bananas which the elephants were clearly delighted to have! It was fun getting up close to feed them. The best part was hearing the stories of how the elephants were now living out their lives in comfort after being rescued or retired from years of work. I would definitely recommend people visit the sanctuary as soon as travel is allowed, especially as I have read some of them are suffering financially at the moment.
4. Maerim Elephant Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,727 reviews
Here at Maerim Elephant Sanctuary our mission is to rescue miss-treated elephants and provide them with a beautiful environment where they are safe, loved and cared for. We are 100% against elephant riding, performances, tricks and any method of training or discipline where pain is inflicted to achieve a result. We believe that by sharing our passion with our guests we can all contribute towards providing rescued elephants a beautiful life which they deserve. In supporting our cause you will make memories to treasure as you roam freely with or magnificent elephants. Feed them, bond with them and bath with them. By choosing our sanctuary you will be actively contributing to saving the next gentle giant from a life of slavery. Let us assure you that we are not a money making outfit, we are here because of our passion for elephant. Along this journey you be informed of the realities of caring for elephants and the cruelties they endure before we rescue them.
Reviewed By SaraS1970 - Austin, United States
We visited Chiang Mai over a weekend and decided to add this tour to our agenda since it offered a half day trip. SO glad we did! They are running a good program and are caring for the elephants well. Our host was very knowledgable, witty, and very available for questions when he wasn't presenting. Feeding the elephants was a highlight even though I was initially intimidated by their size. I chose not to "mud" with the elephants and still felt I got my money's worth. Afterwards we enjoyed some leisurely time by the pool and they end the tour with a great little perk...a group cooking class for their local Thai noodle soup Khao Soi - it was delish!
5. Kanta Elephant Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 722 reviews
Kanta Elephant Sanctuary, The Ultimate Elephant Sanctuary. A new dimension of seeing, feeling and touching the elephants in the wild open space, happily. As they are parts of our family there is no need to control them in the harm way. No Training Hook No Ankle Chain and absolutely No Riding. Our elephant were take care of by our Carer with love and respect.
Reviewed By katecV9899JY - London, United Kingdom
After looking through loads of reviews for a sanctuary where they treat the elephants properly, I can recommend Kanta wholeheartedly! Absolutely superb, picked up from hotel, change into uniforms and hats (elephants need bright colours to see you), fed sugar cane and grass, then made them sticky rice balls and fed them those too. “Nine”, our guide was superb, looked after and educated us all day, with so much information in good English. Lunch was delicious egg fried noodles, with soup and watermelon. Even bathed the elephants at the end. We loved it!
6. Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,000 reviews
Built about 600 years ago, this impressive temple once housed the precious Emerald Buddha.
Reviewed By Davinajs - Island of Malta, Malta
A must-see when visiting Chiang Mai old city, part of an historic temple complex, this impressive ancient temple was built around 14th century, originally 82 metres high with much of it collapsing after an earthquake.
7. Wat Phra Singh
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,509 reviews
This temple was built in 1345 under King Phayu, the fifth king of the Mangrai dynasty.
Reviewed By Davinajs - Island of Malta, Malta
It's easy to visit many of these temples dotted around when walking around the old city of Chiang Mai, the architecture here is stunning and well worth a visit.
8. Doi Inthanon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,192 reviews
Reviewed By Liammoore199 - Bangkok, Thailand
You’re at 6000 foot altitude and you can feel it ! I was out of breath haha, but honestly all jokes aside this place is insane!!! Just check my photos out !! We came From chiang Mai 2 hour drive ! 125cc scooter hire 250Baht Fuel 130Baht(covering 110 km each way and the steep hills) loaded with 2 people at all times Entrance fee to national park 300 baht Parking 20 baht Entrance fee to the pagodas 40 baht 2 hour drive back ! Was it worth it !??? Yes it was!!!! Honestly recommend a day trip here and be adventurous and come on a bike!! Ps take warm clothes if you ride a scooter we forgot that driving up a hill at 5000 ft altitude in clouds would be freezing !!! Cheers ! Enjoy !
9. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,667 reviews
Located high in the hills above Chiang Mai, this magnificent temple was commissioned by King Kuena, ruler of the region from 1367-1388.
Reviewed By LizzyP123 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
Gorgeous views, tranquil, peaceful and a great view of Chiang Mai. Best to get one of those red tuk tuk type things up to the temple, if you wait 15 mins for others who ads going the same way you can get a return for 150 baht. It's worth the wait as some charge 800 baht for a return and a mere one hour to tour the temple. You'll need 2 hours for a good look around, and time to take it all in! There's also some cute shops by the temple too! We went mid afternoon, and it was perfect not too busy or humid.
10. Wat Umong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,240 reviews
This unique 14th-century temple is built into the side of Suthep mountain and is constructed of a series of tunnels.
Reviewed By jiaogulanforhealth - Chiang Mai, Thailand
Easy to spend several hours there, going through the temple and strolling down to the lake to feed the fish, pigeons and turtles. 20 baht entrance fee to the temple.
