Best Activities & Tours in Chiang Mai

152 places found in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is Thailand's activity capital for cultural experiences. Watching rescued elephants at the ethical sanctuaries around the city, with no riding and, at the strictest ones, no bathing or touching, is the most sought-after experience in northern Thailand.

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Top Activities & Tours Rankings

The 12 Best Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai, Ranked The 13 Best Muay Thai Gyms in Chiang Mai, Ranked The 6 Best Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai The 9 Best Activities & Tours in Chiang Mai, Ranked Off-the-Beaten-Path Activities in Thailand The 13 Best Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand The 14 Best Activities & Tours in Thailand, Ranked

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Phoenix Adventure Park

4.4(307)

147 หมู่ 6 Tambon Mae Raem, Amphoe Mae Rim, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Family-friendly adventure park in Mae Rim offering ziplines, high ropes, and a little train for young children.

Elephant Parade House

4.4(153)

160 Thanon Charoen Rajd, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

Open-air gallery of hand-painted elephant sculptures by international artists, with souvenirs and DIY workshops.

Khun Chae National Park

4.4(720)

118, Tambon Mae Chedi Mai, Amphoe Wiang Pa Pao, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57260, Thailand

A forested highland park between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, offering hiking, waterfalls, and cool mountain air.

Mae Sa Waterfall

4.4(2,513)

WV4X+H63, Soi Namtok Mae Sa 4, Tambon Mae Raem, Amphoe Mae Rim, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Ten small falls up a forest stream 27 km from Chiang Mai. Foreign adults pay a ฿100 park fee, the gate is open 08:30 to 16:30, and the upper tiers are the quiet ones.

Mae Wang waterfall

4.4(345)

MJ5X+GH4, Mae Win, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai 50360, Thailand

A scenic waterfall in Mae Wang District offering natural pools, jungle hiking, and a refreshing escape from Chiang Mai.

Sirithan Waterfall

4.4(628)

GHVJ+424, Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai 50160, Thailand

A quiet roadside waterfall in Doi Inthanon, easily reached via a short paved walk from the parking area.

Where to stay

Best Hotels in Chiang Mai

San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

4.4(11,512)

1, Tambon Ban Sa Ha Khon, Amphoe Mae On, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand

Boil your own eggs in a geothermal stream, soak your feet, then camp overnight if you fancy it.

Mae Kha Rakaeng Bridge

4.4(94)

14 Ragang Road Soi 3, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

A canal-side bridge in Chiang Mai where locals gather, with street food stalls and a relaxed riverside atmosphere.

Nawarat Bridge

4.4(428)

Q2Q3+2QR, Charoen Muang Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

A historic 1910 bridge spanning the Ping River, connecting old Chiang Mai with the east bank and offering calm riverside views.

Mon Jam

4.4(12,962)

Mae Raem, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

An hour of mountain road, then a steep walk up to flower gardens, cool air and paid photo spots.

Chiang Mai Night Safari

4.3(11,803)

33, Tambon Nong Kwai, Amphoe Hang Dong, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand

A night zoo in Hang Dong where the trams after dark are the point. Foreign adults pay ฿1,200 and children ฿600, open daily 11:00 to 22:00.

Huay Keaw Waterfall

4.3(2,422)

Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

A short, shady waterfall stop at the edge of the city, best right after the rains.

Wang Bua Ban Pha Ngoep

4.3(774)

99 Huay Kaew Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

Outdoor activity and tour operator on Huay Kaew Road, well-placed for exploring Chiang Mai's natural surroundings.

Montha Than Waterfall Visitor Centre

4.3(47)

RW8G+P9C, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

A scenic waterfall park near Chiang Mai with a 1.6km loop trail and a longer 2-hour nature hike.

Chansom Memorial Bridge (Khua Khaek)

4.3(103)

Q2R2+HMJ Ping River Bridge, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

A historic iron bridge spanning the Ping River in central Chiang Mai, offering views of the old city and a connection to the riverside walking area.

Grand Canyon Water Park

4.3(4,425)

202 ถนนเลียบคลองชลประทาน Tambon Nam Phrae, Amphoe Hang Dong, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand

A water park and obstacle course venue in Hang Dong, about 15km from central Chiang Mai.

Khua Si Wiang Phing Bridge

4.3(123)

R263+28X, Pa Tan Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

A Ping River crossing on the Lampang–Chiang Mai Superhighway that occasionally hosts local riverside festivals.

Kanta Elephant Sanctuary

4.2(86)

200 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

An ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai offering humane, up-close wildlife experiences daily.

Pong Kwao Hot Springs

4.2(718)

1, Tambon Samoeng Nuea, Amphoe Samoeng, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50250, Thailand

A natural thermal hot spring tucked into forested mountains near Samoeng, about an hour from Chiang Mai.

Tube Trek Waterpark

4.2(1,497)

ถนน, Tambon Ton Pao, Amphoe San Kamphaeng, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand

199 baht for the wave pool and lazy river, 399 if you want the big slides, and barely a line in sight

Hidden Village Chiang Mai

4.2(2,490)

77/19 หมู่ 7 168 บ้านท่าหลุก ซอย 8 Tambon San Phi Suea, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

A hands-on northern village experience out past San Phi Suea, better for doers than for photo-takers.

Doi Saket Hot Spring

4.1(2,705)

ชม.3005 Tambon Pa Miang, Amphoe Doi Saket, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand

Free to wander, 100 baht for a private soak, and worth folding into a day out rather than driving an hour for.

Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium

4.1(1,101)

100 Huay Kaew Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

A combined zoo and aquarium on Doi Suthep's slopes, with two walk-under glass tunnels and expansive hilly grounds.

Chiangmai Tours by Sightseeing Chiang Mai

4.0(22)

Duang Tawan Hotel 132 Loi Kroh Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

A Chiang Mai tour agency offering guided half-day and full-day excursions to temples and cultural sites.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai is best?

Elephant Nature Park, founded by Lek Chailert in the Mae Taeng valley, is the one every welfare list names, with half days from ฿2,500 and full days at ฿3,500. For a stricter hands-off visit, BEES and Kindred Spirit in Mae Chaem are overnight stays where you watch the elephants without touching them, and ChangChill in the Mae Wang hills is the observation-only day trip. Book directly with the sanctuary to avoid resellers.

Are Chiang Mai cooking classes worth it?

Absolutely. A half-day class (typically 1,000-1,500 THB including market tour) teaches 4-6 dishes you'll actually cook at home. Thai Farm Cooking School is popular for its organic garden setting. Asia Scenic and Zabb E Lee are consistently top-rated for Old City locations and small class sizes.

What day trips can I do from Chiang Mai?

Doi Inthanon National Park (Thailand's highest peak, waterfalls, hill tribe villages — about 2 hours away) is the best day trip. Chiang Rai (White Temple, Blue Temple — about 3.5 hours) is worth an overnight. Mae Hong Son loop (3-5 days by motorbike or bus) is Thailand's most scenic road trip.