Chiang Mai in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

The city of Chiang Mai, known for its 300 temples, is located in the north of Thailand, in a mountainous and densely forested area. It is an ideal destination that combines the mysticism and spirituality of Thai culture with the ancient buildings and lush nature of the surrounding environment.

Although there are many things to see and do in Chiang Mai, in 3 days you can discover its most iconic temples, visit its most representative markets and even enjoy nature walks, among others. Here you will find an itinerary of three days in the city, so you can start planning your next visit.

On your first day in Chiang Mai, you can visit the temples on Doi Suthep Mountain, which are part of the Monks' Route. This is one of the best tours you can do in Chiang Mai. Afterwards, you can go to the Silver Temple, located south of the wall, and take a food tour in the evening.

Wat Phra Lat

The Wat Phra Lat temple is located in a natural environment surrounded by jungles and waterfalls in which nature has not been interfered with. That is why the temples, altars, stupas and stairs are covered with plants. Beautiful marble staircases, guarded by Naga snakes, lead to the temple.

To take the Monks' Path to this temple, you must go to Chiang Mai University. The total distance to the top is about 7 km round trip and has some steep sections. Not recommended during the rainy season.

• Location: บ้านห้วยผาลาด 101, Sriwichai Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Opening hours: daily from 6am to 6pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

The Monks' Path will lead you to the top of the mountain, where one of Chiang Mai's finest temples, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, is located. To get there, you must climb its staircase of about 300 steps, which is guarded by the mythical snake Nagas. If you prefer not to take the stairs, you can use the cable car.

In addition to its rich architecture and ornamentation, this temple offers a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area. The golden stupa of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is also highly revered as it is said to contain a fragment of the Buddha's bone. There are food shops and a souvenir shop at the top.

• Location: Huai Kaeo Road Chang Phueak Mueang Chiang Mai Chiang Mai 50300.
• Opening hours: daily from 6am to 8pm.
• Entrance fee: around €2 per person.

Wat Umong

On the way down from Doi Suthep, you can visit the Wat Umong temple at the base, about 5km from Chiang Mai University. You can go by taxi or tuk tuk, which are inexpensive, or book a guided tour to visit all three temples, and take advantage of the guides' informative commentary.

Wat Umong, dating from the 13th century, is notable for its system of tunnels, which used to be used for meditation. It is located in a wooded area, where there is also a pond and gardens. It is not often visited, so it is an ideal place to relax in nature.

• Location: 135, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
• Opening hours: daily from 5am to 8pm.
• Entrance fee: free of charge.

Wat Sri Suphan

From Wat Umong temple you have about 5 km to Wat Sri Suphan, known for its silver-coloured roof and ornamentation. This is why a visit to this temple is a must at sunset and at night.

Although known as the Silver Temple, Wat Sri Suphan is covered in aluminium and nickel, as silver is reserved for the Buddha statues. On Saturday evenings there is a flea market run by the silver artisans who have their workshop in the temple, which you can take advantage of if your visit is on that day. Note that women are not allowed to enter the temple, but they can enter the grounds and see it from the outside.

• Location: 00 Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai.
• Opening hours: Sundays to Fridays from 7am to 6pm and Saturdays from 7am to 11pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Gastronomic Tour

After visiting the Silver Temple, you can take a gastronomic tour of Chiang Mai and enjoy typical Thai food. You can do it on your own or join a guided tour, and take advantage of the tastings included. Taking a food tour is one of the best things to do at night in Chiang Mai, allowing you to try dishes such as Thai noddle soup and papaya salad, and drinks such as iced coffees and Thai teas.

On your second day in Chiang Mai, you can tour the Old City, the walled part of the city, and explore its most iconic temples. Later, the city's night markets await, where you can learn more about the local culture.

Old City

The Old City is a part of the city surrounded by a wall and a water moat, which remains from ancient times, when it used to be the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. In this part of the city you will find some of Chiang Mai's most important temples, such as Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.

If you are not staying in the Old City, you can enter the city through the Saun Do West Gate, and walk about 300 metres to the Wat Phra Singh temple.

Wat Phra Singh

The 14th century Wat Phra Singh is one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai. It contains the famous Lion Buddha, which is worshipped in the streets of the city during the Songkran festival. It is also notable for its golden stupa, which is one of the largest in Chiang Mai. Not to be missed are the murals on the life of the Buddha and the reclining Buddha behind the garden.

• Location: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Opening hours: daily from 9am to 6pm.
• Entry fee: Free for the whole complex and about €2 per person for the main temple.

Wat Phan Tao

After walking about 650 metres along Rachadamnoen Rd, you will come to Wat Phan Tao temple, which is notable for being made entirely of teak panels. It served as the throne room for King Chao Mahawong before becoming a temple and today is famous for the lanterns created by the monks who live there. You can see them at the Loi Kratong festival, which takes place in late autumn.

• Location: ตําบล พระสิงห์, 105 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District.
• Opening hours: daily from 8am to 5pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Wat Chedi Luang

Right next to Wat Phan Tao is Wat Chedi Luang, originally the most imposing temple in Chiang Mai. Its main chedi was about 85 metres high before its roof was destroyed, but it remains one of the most impressive in the city. It is also one of the most revered, as it was once home to the Emerald Buddha, one of the country's most sacred relics.

• Location: 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai 50200.
• Opening hours: daily from 6am to 6pm.
• Entrance fee: about €1 per person.

Sao Inthakin and the city pillar

Next to Wat Chedi Luang is Wat Inthakin, which contains the city's pillar. Legend has it that the god Indra gave it to the city for protection and prosperity, and that he would later have removed it and left a replica, which is an object of veneration for the locals.

If you go to Chiang Mai in June, you can attend the Inthakin festival where offerings of flowers, candles and incense are made to the city pillar and processions with the Phra Fon Saen Haa Buddha take place.

Three Kings Monument

If you walk about 350 metres from Wat Chedi Luang, you will come across the Three Kings Monument, one of the most iconic monuments in Chiang Mai. It consists of three bronze sculptures representing the kings who, according to legend, founded the city of Chiang Mai. They are located at the entrance of the Chiang Mai Art and Culture Centre in the heart of Old City.

• Location: QXRP+3WX, Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District.

Wat Chiang Man

500 metres from the Three Kings Monument is the 13th century Chiang Man Temple, the oldest temple in the city. It contains some of the oldest and most revered Buddha images, such as the Marble Buddha and the Crystal Buddha.

In the grounds is a golden-roofed stupa that appears to be supported by the elephants at its base. Also not to be missed are the murals on the life of the Buddha, the gardens tended by the monks and the record of the exact date of the founding of Chiang Mai on a stone in the Library.

• Location: 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200.
• Opening hours: daily from 5am to 9pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Night Markets

Chiang Mai 's night markets are located about 3km from Wat Chiang Man, in the direction of the Ping River. You can walk, take a bus or tuk tuk, which are very cheap.

At the markets, which are open from 6pm, you can buy handicrafts, paintings, jewellery and souvenirs, and sample traditional Thai food. There are also often music concerts and/or dance performances, so they are a great opportunity to get to know the local culture.

Here is a list of the most recommended markets:

• Night Baazar: this is one of the largest in the city and runs from 6pm to midnight. Location: Q2P2+44 Chiang Mai.
• Kalare Night Ba bazaar: operates from 4pm to 11pm.
• Sunday Market: If you visit the city on a Sunday you can go to this night market held on Ratchadamnoen Rd, which is in the centre of Old City.
• Saturday Market: This market runs from 6pm to 10pm on Saturdays, at the southern entrance to the city.
• Warorot Market: If you arrive at the market before 6pm, you can check out this daytime market, which is open from 9am. Location: Q2Q2+W9 Chiang Mai.

On your third day in Chiang Mai, it is a good idea to spend the day at Doi Inthanon National Park, as visiting this park will immerse you in the lush nature of this Thai region. It is about 87 kilometres from Chiang Mai.

• Location: 19 Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai 50160, Thailand.
• Opening hours: daily from 5am to 6pm.
• Entry fee: about €8 for adults and about €4 for children.

How to get to Doi Inthanon National Park

To get to Doi Inthanon National Park, you can take a bus near the Tha Phae (west) gate of the Walled City, which drops you off about 20km from the park entrance, and make the rest of the journey by taxi or tuk tuk. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Chiang Mai (by prior arrangement), or book a full-day tour from Chiang Mai, including transfer, guide and meals.

What to see and do in Doi Inthanon National Park

Doi Inthanon National Park is located on Doi Inthanon Mountain, the highest mountain in the country, about 2565 metres high. It is a park with waterfalls, jungle trails, royal gardens and numerous species of animals and plants.

Here are the highlights of what you can see in this park:

• Waterfalls: there are several waterfalls you can admire, such as Wachirathan, which is about 70 metres high and Siritharn, which has a 40-metre high drop.
• Trails: highlights include the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail, which is about 3km long and can only be done with a qualified guide, and the Angkha Nature Trail, a short trail through a forest.
• Pagodas and the Royal Gardens: these are two small pagodas that were built to entertain the kings of Thailand and are located at the top of Doi Inthanon Mountain.
• Sobhad Village: is home to the Karen community. Its inhabitants are very hospitable, so it is an opportunity for you to get to know their culture.

This is the itinerary I suggest to get to know Chiang Mai in 3 days, with activities in the city and in nature. One last suggestion: if you loved the temples and you prefer to dedicate an extra day to them, you can take a full day tour to Chiang Rai, where you can visit some of Thailand's must-see temples, such as the White Temple and the Blue Temple.