Chiang Mai Thailand Travel Guide
There are so many wonderful things about Chiang Mai, it’s surely a spot you’ll fall in love with too. I lived in Chiang Mai for about a year and I’m currently in Chiang Mai right now. I’m collecting all my favorite and some secret spots to put into this travel guide.
The Best Thai Massages in Chiang Mai
There are tons of massage spots in Chiang Mai, and they can be hit or miss. A general rule of thumb is to only do Thai Massages in Thailand, and skip the oil massages as they are not trained in any oil techniques and most people end up with terrible massages that wasted their money and time.
Thai massages are a specialty in Thailand and you’ll get some of the best ones here, rather than back home. When it comes to deciding what’s a good massage – it all depends on what type of pressure you like. I personally prefer strong pressure, so if someone doesn’t have enough strength or applies it on the bone and not the muscle, I’m not a happy camper. For others, they want soft pressure and something relaxing. So your preferences will dictate what you think is “good.”
TIP: When you walk into a massage spot, ask for a practitioner who can massage the way you like. For example, say, “Do you have someone who can massage strong?” or “Do you have someone that can massage soft?” It doesn’t always work because some shops just want the business so they will say yes, then just send you to whoever is available. But it does work so it’s worth making it known what type of massage you want.
Once you get your practitioner, repeat to them what type of massage you want – “I like it strong” or “I like it soft” and you can let them know of areas you need them to avoid or go softer on by saying things like “No massage here” or “no here” and pointing to the spots. Speak in simple English so they have an easier time understanding. You can also say “Mai” and point to the spots to avoid as Mai means No in Thai.
You can further clarify by saying things like “problem” or “accident” or hurt” or try saying all of those things, as single words, separately and clearly since you don’t know which word the practitioner is familiar with. Using all of these tactics, I’ve never had an issue with the practitioner understanding. and If they forget by the time they get to that part, I just say “No Here” and point again, and they avoid the spot.
Massage is meant to be on muscles, so if you get someone who massages your bones half the time or the whole time, they were trained poorly. It’s not how massage is meant to be done. If they slip onto your bone a couple times, that can just happen on accident.
I’ve been trained in multiple massage modalities and when people get their bones crushed, I’ve heard them wonder if they just don’t like massage. Its likely not massage you dont like, but the practitioner who massaged you. It’s always about the practitioner and not generally about massage in general. As the benefits of massage can be so vast and so many, it’s worth trying different masseuses and styles until you start to learn what your body likes and what to request – for example, stronger or softer.
Here’s a few shops where I have found practitioners I really like.
Association Chiang Mai of the Blind
In Thailand, the blind are taught how to massage for free. It’s a government program that takes care of the blind. And as we’ve all heard before, when you lose one sense, your others become heightened. Some of my best massages have come from the blind, and I’m also happy to support their cause.
Here’s a great spot I found for the best Thai Massage. To get there, click on this google maps link to find it: https://goo.gl/maps/rcBo4uUyZNjdSDcH6
Here’s how to choose your practitioners…though massage is deeply personal and your body size and massage pressure preference means alot is open to interpretation. Note – some practitioners move around to other blind massage locations. 150 before 5pm, 200 afterwards. Open until 10pm but sometimes they close early if there isn’t much business.
Narong is The Beast: he has the strongest hands and will give you the strongest version of a thai massage that will be a deep tissue massage. If he goes too hard, yelping or making sounds doesn’t make him stop because in Asia, working out the knots in your body can be the goal so wincing from intensity comes with the territory. He just thinks you’re going with the muscle release and making noises. The only way to get him to go softer off is to specifically say: “Can you go softer there?” if you only want softer in a specif area, or “Can you go softer?” or just “Softer.” Then he understands your request.
Nuttaphon: He is OK, he can slip off hte muscle and hit bone, and I findhis knees and elbows too sharp for my thin body, though you may not have an issue. I had too much pain throughout the massage cuz he used his elbows and knees alot, as can be done with thai massage but you really need to have good placement. Since I’m thin, I’m boney, so you may have a better experience with him. He has strength though, so if you like deep tissue and you arent boney like me, give him a try and let me know if you like this style.
Natthawut: avoid this practitioner at all costs. I’m not sure why he’s employed here as it seems he does not know how to massage. He spends most of his time massaging directly into your bones instead of into your muscles! If you get someone who hurts you because they are pressing into your bones the whole time, that is a sign they dont know what they are doing.
Saichan: She may have moved to a different blind massage spot. She knows what she’s doing and gives a good massage, she is capable of soft to medium pressure. Some days she tends to go softer so if you want harder just ask her: can you go stronger? Don’t be afraid to ask a couple times throughout the massage because she may revert to softer for certain areas of your body assuming you want softer.
Sithisak: My favorite practitioner. He knows what he’s doing and goes strong without going ultra strong and hurting, not crushing bone. He can do deep tissue and he seems to have a good intuitive sense of how strong to go, varying his pressure level depending on your body size and which part of the body he is massaging.
Bunsaba: I have never had a massage from her so do not know her skill level. I often prefer men because they can go harder and have broader fingers which feel better on my muscles, since I’m thin.
Chaloem: I can’t quite remember his style, I think he is good.
Lek: she has wonderful technique and tends to go so soft to medium. If you prefer a gentler, or softer, or more relaxing massage, she is your go to. She has great Grandma Energy.
Boonsom: I can’t quite remember his style but he is OK to Good I think. He very well may be Good, it’s simply hard to recall.
Supattra Blind Massage
I’ve been to this place once but had a good massage right off the bat with a male masseuse. I hear the teacher that massages here also gives great massages. He teaches massage so if you are curious to learn you can inquire with him, he speaks good English.
PRICES: 150B for 1 hr Thai massage.
HOURS: 9am – 10pm daily
Wat Sumpow
I had a fantastic massage with Luh, a male practitioner here.
PRICES: 140B for 1 hr Thai Massage, 140B for 1 hr Foot Massage.
HOURS: *******? – 5:30pm, then massages continue in a venue behind the temple, but they don’t list an exact address.
The Best Pad See Ew in Chiang Mai Thailand
This is a secret spot only Thai people know about. There are no English signs, no English menu, and it’s not in Google Maps.
To get to it, find the Larb Restaurant in Google maps by clicking here, https://goo.gl/maps/igYR1d4XNL7JSeai9 and while you are facing the restaurant, walk to the right about four shops and you will see this Thai restaurant with a yellow sign above the kitchen. This is the spot!
In order to order anything, you will need to know the name of the dish in Thai. You may be able to pull up a photo and see if they have what you are craving. They have the best Pad See Ew I’ve ever had. It’s the only one with as much seasoning not only on the noodles and broccoli, but on the pork itself! If you eat pork, almost every place serves this dish with fairly unmarinated, dry, tasteless pork. This is the only place that marinates their pork deeply so it comes out super flavorful. Their Pad Thai is also good, and you can get vegetarian of both.
The Best Pork Bone Broth Soup in Chiang Mai, Thailand
This is also a hidden spot that isn’t on google maps and doesn’t have an English name. Click on this google maps link to Jai-Ya Restaurant to find the area: https://goo.gl/maps/4kCFurcT6dfFWLmy5
Once you’re there, go to the shop that has this green sign atop their outdoor kitchen.
Their menu is taped to the wall at the entrance. To order, look for the Pork Bone Broth dish. It looks like a big bowl of broth with 3 inch large pieces of pork inside. Similar to this photo, but take out the lotus from this image:
The Best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Khao Soi is a Northern Thailand and Chiang Mai specialty. It’s egg noodles in a curry broth that is often quite spicy, often with a chicken drumstick or beef, and some places will serve other meats or vegetarian options.
It’s served with crunchy fried noodles on top to add a lovely crispy texture to the mix, as well as raw onions (I leave these out personally) and fermented mustard greens, which the Thai mix in but I prefer to eat separately – in between bites – as a pallet cleanser so you can taste the next bite of Khao Soi with more detail. It also comes with lime to squeeze in but I find that I prefer the curry soup without the lime added. Try these condiments in a spoonful at a time with broth and noodles or broth and protein on the spoon firs,t before you commit to mixing items into the whole bowl.
Some places will serve it with chicken wing drumsticks instead of chicken leg drumsticks. I prefer the leg, it’s bigger, and more juicy and tender to me, but that part is totally up to you. The noodle widths can vary, chewiness can vary, as well as how much noodles and soup they give you. I prefer generous portions over the small ones. The soup flavor and thickness can also vary quite a bit – thick vs thin, orange vs brown, spicy & savory vs slightly sweet. It all comes down to personal preference so I’ll share a few different spots with different styles.
Khao Soy MaeSai
The best place in Chiang Mai for Khao Soy is Khao Soy Maesai. You can find it here on google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/RfxRijEupqbSRWKu7
I recommend the chicken version here, along with their Thai Iced tea, which packs a powerful flavorful punch! Their Khao Soi is much more spicy as it is meant for Thai’s and not visitor’s pallets, so if you can’t handle spiciness, maybe try the next shop below.
Khao Soy Maesai is only open in the morning and afternoon: 8am – 4pm. Thai’s often eat this for breakfast, hence the early morning hours. I would oft have it for lunch or an early dinner. A small bowl is 45B and a large one is 50B. Drinks are 15B.
Khao Soy Nimman, Chiang Mai
The second place to have Khao Soi is at Khao Soi Nimman, as they have a beef version that is de-lish. They have more than just beef versions, but their beef version was so tasty that it makes my featured list. Perhaps try Thai Iced Coffee with this bowl if you haven’t tried one yet.
To find Khao Soi Nimman, click on this link: https://g.page/KAOSOYNIMMANSOI7?share
Saturday Night Market
For a much milder Khao Soi that isn’t so spicy and is even a little sweet, try the noodle stand at the Old City’s South Gate. Her stand is facing the street on the inside of the moat, almost in the center of the line of food stalls that sit atop the moat, and face the street on the inside of the square.
Nightmarkets in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is definitely a foodie city, with a plethora of nightmarkets to chose from. I’ll start by sharing one mainly locals know about. This is off the beaten path and most people dont know about it since on google maps, it’s name is in Japanese I think. They’re less touristy – more locals eat and shop here, which I love.
University Night Market, Chiang Mai
This is a local’s spot, which can be called University Night Market or Student’s Night Market. To find it on google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/7a6w72PV72ndtApi9
It’s a great market if you want to do some shopping but the prices are higher than the super local night markets that only locals tend to frequent. More on those later. The real treasure at University Night Market is the food markets way in the back. You’ll have to walk all the way to the back end and remember to visit the very right hand side in the back as well as the food extends into another area off to the right.
Chiang Mai Night Bazzar
The Chiang Mai Night Bazzar is HUGE. There are many different areas and sections and seemingly many different night markets in this whole section of town. Here’s the google maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/7CW8pbGgwi5AWCzUA
Chiang Mai Night Bazzar Street Food Alley
There is a street food section across the street from the Hard Rock Cafe. The street food here is more expensive, but still worth having a look around. At one end of what I’m calling the “alley,” there is a vendor who sells beast meat, ostrich, crocodile, deer, and scorpions. The meat can very thru the year but it’s definitely for trying something out of the ordinary or adventure eating and challenging your brain.
Anusarn Night Market, Chiang Mai
Here’s the link to find Anusarn Market https://goo.gl/maps/bXYW3cpVmx7Fe2vv5
It’s in the right side of this market’s main square where you will find the Thai singer who was on Thailand’s The Voice. And with good reason – he can wail!
He sings a lot of rock and classic rock and even metal tunes from the 80’s – 90’s and he is GOOD, not only does he have a good voice, but also stage presence and performance. He performs most nights (not all nights) at this restaurant off to the right side of the main area of this market. There can be other singers earlier in the evening. His set starts at 9:30pm.******* There is usually a big sign outside that mentions he was on The Voice.
This market also has restaurants, but I haven’t tried any of them. I think they also have fish pedicure here, which you can also find all over Chiang Mai markets and well as in Old Town. You submerge your feet in aquariums and little fish eat the dead skin and bacteria off your feet. Something unusual to try for the heck of it.
Kalare Night Market, Chiang Mai
Another night market in the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar area. It also has a street food area. This area is more expensive for the same street food you can get elsewhere for cheaper, but if you find yourself here and you find yourself hungry….go for it. Here’s the link to find Klara Night Bazzar: https://goo.gl/maps/cUf67Y3oQc6UV5CR9
I tried the Khao Soi from a noodle stand in this section and it was pretty good. Decent portion of noodles and curry soup, and large size chicken leg.
Chiang Mai Saturday Night Market, Wualai Rd.
The Saturday Night Market, also known as Saturday Walking Street, is often preferred over the Sunday Night Market, as it is smaller and some folks find it more relaxing as it can have less people than the Sunday Market.
There are little lots off of the main road that host food and crafts stalls. I’ve marked them on Google Maps for you. If you start walking into the Saturday Night Market from The South Gate in Old City, you will hit these food and food and crafts areas in this order. I’ve numbered them so you can record your fave food spots that you discover along the way in your own travel journal or notes. Some just have food – I call them Food Centers, and some have food and crafts, which I call Food And Crafts, in my labeling.
Saturday Food Center 1: https://goo.gl/maps/E5GN47gxh3BtZiY4A
Saturday Food and Art 2: https://goo.gl/maps/ckWarTXgvGhf5YHM9
Saturday Food Center 3: https://goo.gl/maps/a6zVW5xctZT1WoW98
Saturday Food and Crafts 4: https://goo.gl/maps/C4JoXMstYwoEFFuv9
Saturday Lanna Traditional Music Band: https://goo.gl/maps/yJPHvbsr8JB7Zvdh8
Saturday Food Center 5: https://goo.gl/maps/baCDqS1pfFbfc4Xs5
Silver Temple: Can have live walking meditation, monks chanting and other cultural fun during Saturday Night Market and around 9 or 9:15pm a troop of Drum, Fire Dancing, and Sword performers has a show. Not sure if it is year round. Please let me know what you discover about when they do or don’t play in the comments. Find the Silver Temple here: https://goo.gl/maps/RExyghtDawEPQb1H8
Saturday Food and Crafts 6: https://goo.gl/maps/2edKCdQBUcrioRSV8
If you find certain stalls you like and want to come back to, you can drop a pin on google maps or make a note on your fave place to store notes on your phone and use one of these google maps links above to remember which food/crafts area it is near.
Sunday Night Market Chiang Mai, Sunday Night Walking Street
Sunday Night Market also has lots off the main road that have food stalls. It’s pretty big and has perpendicular roads off the main road. To find the food centers, look for the temples, the beginning and end of each road, and intersections.
Check back in the future – I’ll put google map links to all the food centers for Sunday too!
Adventures In Chiang Mai
Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai
The Grand Canyon Water Park is one of the hidden gems in Chiang Mai. It’s a massive old soil quarry now filled with water and has some absolutely stunning views. It has a restaurant in the area where you can dine and have a drink after your fun-filled activities in the water park.
Flight of the Gibbon
If you are a thrill-seeker and a sucker for adventure. You can check Flight of the Gibbon for an action-packed adventure for you to experience while you are in Chiang Mai. They are well known for their great service and extraordinarily high safety standards!
Bars In Chiang Mai
Akyra Manor
If you are looking for a place to stay during Happy Hour with an amazing view and a rooftop pool while you are lounging with your cocktail. Akyra Manor is one of the best rooftop bars Chiang Mai has to offer. Besides the luxurious place, you will be enticed by their Happy Hour specials 2 for 1 drinks from 5:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m.
Oasis Rooftop Garden Bar
Oasis Rooftop Garden Bar is a hidden gem in the northeast corner of the old city. It is a perfect place to relax and enjoy your cold drinks with the company of your friends and loved ones.
The North Gate Jazz Co-Op
If you like good old jazzy live music with your cold drinks then The Northgate Jazz Club Co-Op is a place for you to go! Although you might want to consider the fact that this is a popular place and usually it gets crowded during the night. Don’t be surprised finding your self standing on the street along with the people who come to listen to good music.
Seven Pound
The bar is a secret oasis for people who loves a quiet place to drink. With a garden full of fairy lights, one might think he or she stumbled upon a hidden paradise filled with decent priced drinks and great live music.
Manung Bar
Want to travel back to the ’50s? Manung is a place you would love if you like retro bars. This bar is very popular amongst the younger generation, considering that the bar is a 50’s themed diner. You will surely enjoy the music and the ambiance of this place. Surprisingly! This place is not touristy so rest assured you won’t be seeing a lot of foreigners inside the bar unlike other popular bars around the area.
Mellowship Jazz Club
If you want an upscale bar with a good ambiance, beautiful music, and good food. The Mellowship Bar is the perfect place for that. The awesome interior design and good atmosphere are perfect for those date nights with your special someone.
Riverside Bar & Restaurant
This is on everyone’s Bucketlist! Riverside restaurants or bars are popular amongst tourists. And at some point in your travel, you will end up drinking or feasting in one of these restaurants near the river. And Riverside Bar & Restaurant is one of those places you would definitely try! Set in an old teak house one would feel the ambiance of being in the countryside! Check out their upstairs balcony and enjoy the evening breeze while sipping on your cold drink!
Drinksmith
Drinksmith is a must place to visit when you are in Chiang Mai and looking for some great cocktails. Drinksmith has a chill and classy atmosphere. You would be amazed by the talented mixologist they have at the bar and not to mention the big menu of interesting drink list! However, the best drinks are not on the list but you have to ask the bartender to create a unique one for you.
Zoe in Yellow
It’s a place were most backpackers go to! Loud music, dancing, and drinking from buckets – you’ll likely wake with a hangover and really fun photos. Zoe in Yellow is a nice place to go and grab a drink if you are looking for good music and travelers to connect with. You can also find some good places to eat around the area.
Bus Bar
An old bus, a band, food and drinks by the river? Why not! Located in Ensconced to the west of the Iron Bridge is this Red Double-decker Bus Bar that you will definitely fall in love with. The candlelit tables, fairy lights reflection on the river, cold drink, live music, and good food. You will surely enjoy your experience here when you visit.
Museum In Chiang Mai
Lanna Folklife Museum
The Lanna Folklife Museum focuses on local Buddhism and local art and crafts. You will see some creative examples of how life was like for the Lanna people. The museum is located in an old courthouse so the building itself is a character!
Maiiam Contemporary Art Museum
If you are an art lover especially contemporary art, this museum will be the perfect place to visit while you are in Chiang Mai. With a very interesting setting for an exhibition. There’s a good mix of video works, installation, painting and other mediums and the work is carefully curated.
It also has a restaurant and a gift shop for you to visit whenever you need to buy something.
Chiang Mai National Museum
The Chiang Mai National Museum is a perfect place to learn about the Lanna culture. It is operated by the Fine Arts Department. You will be amazed by how much information you learn from this place!
Nature Experiences in Chiang Mai
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
Want to experience a good hot spring bath? San Kamphaeng Hot Springs is a great place to visit while you are in Chiang Mai. Hot springs are very well known for their health benefits. The heat in hot springs envelopes and helps soothe aching muscles, and the minerals present in the water get soaked up by the skin and stimulate certain bodily processes. Ready to pamper yourself now?
Bua Thong Waterfalls
This is a great destination to get out of the city and into the country! Bua Thong Waterfalls or also know as the Sticky Waterfalls is a must-see place when you are in Chiang Mai. This waterfall is unique because it is limestone and the water remains clear even during the rainy season. This will be one of the best waterfalls you ever see in your lifetime. So don’t miss it!
Huay Kaew Waterfall and Swimming Hole
Huay Kaew Waterfall and Swimming Hole is not a popular place amongst tourists. If you to escape the busy city and want to connect with nature Huay Kaew Waterfall is a place you might want to check out. Make sure you wear proper walking shoes as the path is rocky and rough in places.
Temples in Chiang Mai
Wat Phra Singh
This is a must-see sight while Wat hopping in Chiang Mai! Best known as the Temple of the Lion Buddha this temple houses two Buddha statues. Founded in the 14th century, Wat Phra Sing is both a Buddhist temple and a monastery. Currently, there are 700 monks living in the temple. You can enjoy hours of strolling around the area or tuck yourself away in a hidden corner and observe and maybe you can talk to the very friendly monks who are walking in the area.
Wat Chedi Luang
Located in the heart of Chiang Mai, Chedi Luang is popular amongst tourists. It is known as the Temple of the Big Stupa. Before when the Temple was on its full glory this use to be the home of the very popular Emerald Buddha.
Wat Phan Tao
A very unique temple! Less ornate than other bigger temples around the neighborhood Wat Phan Tao has a classic style of decorative teak wooden temple. It ages more than 100 years. And it has a small school for monk children in the temple, which you can visit during the day.
Wat Sri Suphan
The World’s first Silver Sanctuary. If you love sculptures and crafts you will love this temple. It is an artist temple. You will enjoy the very intricate designs of silver, nickel and aluminum panels. The silver sanctuary is located in the Wat Sri Suphan in Chiang Mai.
Wat Suan Dok
Located at the Suthep Road just outside the old city is this beautiful temple called Wat Suan Dok. It’s white and gold on the outside with a colorful and grand main hall. It’s serene and beautiful in its own way not to mention the wide Buddha shrine inside the temple is beautiful and impressive! The Temple was built on a former flower garden in 1373 and the monastery houses one half of a sacred Buddha relic.
Wat Bupparam
It was built in 1497 during the rule of the Lanna King Muang Kaeo this Classic Lanna Styled temple is built from teak inlaid with mirrors. This is a Burmese Wat that was influenced by immigrants who came to Chiang Mai during the 19th century.
Wat Ku Tao
Sited in a quiet neighborhood a couple of blocks north of the Chang Puak bus station, Wat Ku Tao is a Burmese Shan style temple. It has a very different style compared to the Thai temples. Inside the temple, you will find the ashes of Thaeawid Min son of the Burmese King Bayinnaung who ruled Lanna from 1578 to 1597.
Pung Tao Gong Ancestral Temple
Pung Tao Gong is the oldest ancestral temple of the Chinese in Chian Mai. During the time when the population of the Chinese declined in Chiang Mai, it didn’t last long before the temple fell into ruins. They’ve reconstructed the temple during the celebration of the 700th anniversary of the city.
Wat Mahawan
This temple is located outside the touristy area of the walled city near the Tha Pae Gate. Another Beautiful Burmese temple that used to be a worship place for teak traders. In this area, you could find a lot of Thai people offering massage services to support the Wat.
Wat Monthian
Wat Monthian is one of few Wats that are less visited by tourists. You can only see monks walking around the temple. You will find this Wat if you will walk around the northern part of the ring road that follows the moat around the old city you will reach the temple on the west side of Chang Pheuak Gate. The bright Maroon and gold color of the temple is not hard to miss!
Wat Chiang Yuen
Another Wat that is located outside the old walled center of Chiang Mai is Wat Chiang Yuen. This 16th-century old temple is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai. The name Wat Chiang Yuen translates to “temple of life”
Wat Chet Lin
What used to be a coronation temple for the Lanna kings in the 16th-century is now a very beautiful temple housing a big old mon·dòp-style chedi and a large gilded Buddha. The gongs are still present inside the temple.
Wat Chetawan
Another Wat that is in Burmese and Lanna styles. Located near the Tha Phae Gate that leads into the city, this peaceful temple is home of three Buddhas.
Wat Chiang Man
Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and goes all the way to the founding of the city in 1297, the first temple of the new city of Chiang Mai. The oldest structure is the chedi surrounded by elephants that seem to emerge from it, hence the popular name for it is “Elephant chedi”.
Wat Inthakin
Wat Inthakin or also known as the “city navel temple” is a temple made out of what appears to be wood and gold leaf. This temple is actually a revival of a very old monastery in Chiang Mai. This temple can claim to hold a lineage at least as old as that of Wat Chiang Man.
Wat Umong
Built into the side of Suthep mountain this temple is constructed with a series of tunnels leading to an underground shrine where the main Chedi sits. If you are feeling adventurous you might want to put this temple on your bucket list.
Wat Ket Karam
A hidden temple that is located just across the Ping river and in front of the Warorot Market is the Wat Ket Karam temple. You will find a footbridge that connects both sides of the river. Be adventurous and check out this temple!
Wat Muen San
Just around the Silver temple, this Wat is one of the city’s oldest, and where the traditional silversmiths can be found. You can still find a few locals practicing their craftsmanship inside the temple.
