Thailand · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Chiang Mai – a ready-made itinerary
Chiang Mai was the capital of the old Lanna kingdom and is still calmer and greener than Bangkok. Day one covers the great temples of the old city and Warorot Market, day two a forest temple, the silversmiths and the Lanna museum, and day three Doi Suthep and the Nimman neighbourhood. The stops are in walking order, with longer taxi or songthaew rides noted.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- Wat Phra Singh, Wat Umong, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao
- Where to stay
- Old city, Nimman, Ping River
- Getting around
- The old city inside the moat is small enough to cover on foot or by bicycle.
- Best time to go
- The most pleasant time is the cool, dry season from roughly November to February: warm days and fresh evenings.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Chiang Mai
14 places you should not miss in Chiang Mai – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
Wat Phra SinghOne of the city's most important temples, from the 14th century. The small Lai Kham hall holds the Phra Singh Buddha and old Lanna murals.Day 1
Wat Chedi LuangAn earthquake partly destroyed the huge brick chedi in the 16th century. In the 15th century it housed the Emerald Buddha.Day 1- Wat Phan TaoRight next door: a prayer hall built entirely of dark teak that once belonged to a princely residence. Small, quiet and often nearly empty.Day 1
- Wat Chiang ManThe city's oldest temple, founded by King Mangrai when he established the city at the end of the 13th century. Brick elephants support the chedi.Day 1
- Night BazaarAn evening market on Chang Khlan Road between the moat and the river, with handicrafts, textiles and food stalls.Day 1
- Wat UmongA forest temple on the edge of town, around 700 years old. Brick tunnels with Buddha images run beneath a hill, surrounded by trees and a pond.Day 2
- Wat Suan DokA 14th-century temple with a large golden chedi. Next to it stand many white chedis holding the ashes of members of Chiang Mai's princely family.Day 2
- Wat Sri SuphanThe ordination hall is clad entirely in silver and metal, and silversmiths work along Wualai Road. By old custom only men may go inside.Day 2
- Lanna Folklife MuseumA museum of northern Thai culture in a white colonial building. In front stands the monument to the three kings regarded as the founders of Lanna.Day 2
- Wat Lok MoliA temple just north of the moat with a large, unplastered brick chedi. In the late afternoon the light falls beautifully on the old bricks.Day 2
- Wat Phra That Doi SuthepA 14th-century temple on the city's mountain, with a golden chedi and views over Chiang Mai. Outside the city, about 40 min by songthaew or taxi.Day 3
- Bhubing PalaceThe royal family's winter residence, with large gardens. Cover shoulders and knees; check opening first, as it closes when the royal family is in residence.Day 3
- Wat Pha LatA small temple in the forest on the slope, by a stream running over flat rocks. If you are fit, walk down from here on the Monk's Trail towards the university.Day 3
- Wat Chet YotA temple with seven spires modelled on the Mahabodhi Temple in India. A major Buddhist council met here in 1477.Day 3
Day 1
Old city temples and Warorot Market
Wat Phra Singh
One of the city's most important temples, from the 14th century. The small Lai Kham hall holds the Phra Singh Buddha and old Lanna murals.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Phra SinghAbout 10 min on foot.
Wat Chedi Luang
An earthquake partly destroyed the huge brick chedi in the 16th century. In the 15th century it housed the Emerald Buddha.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Chedi Luangright next door
Wat Phan Tao
Right next door: a prayer hall built entirely of dark teak that once belonged to a princely residence. Small, quiet and often nearly empty.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Phan TaoAbout 15 min on foot to the north.
Wat Chiang Man
The city's oldest temple, founded by King Mangrai when he established the city at the end of the 13th century. Brick elephants support the chedi.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Chiang ManAbout 20 min on foot through Tha Phae Gate, or a short songthaew ride.
Warorot Market
The big market near the Ping River, known locally as Kad Luang. This is where to find northern specialities such as sai ua herb sausage and the green chilli dip nam phrik num.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Warorot MarketTake a break in the afternoon, then walk about 15 min to the Night Bazaar in the evening.
Night Bazaar
An evening market on Chang Khlan Road between the moat and the river, with handicrafts, textiles and food stalls.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Night Bazaar
Day 2
Forest temple, Silver Temple and Lanna culture
Wat Umong
A forest temple on the edge of town, around 700 years old. Brick tunnels with Buddha images run beneath a hill, surrounded by trees and a pond.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat UmongAbout 10 min by taxi.
Wat Suan Dok
A 14th-century temple with a large golden chedi. Next to it stand many white chedis holding the ashes of members of Chiang Mai's princely family.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Suan DokAbout 15 min by taxi.
Wat Sri Suphan
The ordination hall is clad entirely in silver and metal, and silversmiths work along Wualai Road. By old custom only men may go inside.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Sri Suphanabout 10 min on foot
Chiang Mai Gate Market
A market by the southern city gate, a few minutes from the Silver Temple. The stalls sell curries, noodles and sticky rice to take away.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Chiang Mai Gate MarketAbout 20 min on foot through the old city.
Lanna Folklife Museum
A museum of northern Thai culture in a white colonial building. In front stands the monument to the three kings regarded as the founders of Lanna.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Lanna Folklife MuseumAbout 15 min on foot to the northern moat.
Wat Lok Moli
A temple just north of the moat with a large, unplastered brick chedi. In the late afternoon the light falls beautifully on the old bricks.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Lok Moli
Day 3
Doi Suthep and Nimman
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
A 14th-century temple on the city's mountain, with a golden chedi and views over Chiang Mai. Outside the city, about 40 min by songthaew or taxi.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Phra That Doi SuthepAbout 10 min further uphill by songthaew or taxi.
Bhubing Palace
The royal family's winter residence, with large gardens. Cover shoulders and knees; check opening first, as it closes when the royal family is in residence.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Bhubing PalaceOn the way back down by songthaew or taxi.
Wat Pha Lat
A small temple in the forest on the slope, by a stream running over flat rocks. If you are fit, walk down from here on the Monk's Trail towards the university.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Pha LatAbout 1 hr downhill on foot or about 15 min by taxi.
Nimman
The young neighbourhood around Nimmanhaemin Road at the foot of the mountain, full of cafés and food stalls. Try khao soi, the curry noodle soup of the north.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): NimmanAbout 10 min by taxi.
Wat Chet Yot
A temple with seven spires modelled on the Mahabodhi Temple in India. A major Buddhist council met here in 1477.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Chet Yot
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant time is the cool, dry season from roughly November to February: warm days and fresh evenings. March and April are hot, and smoke from field burning often hangs over the valley. The rainy season runs from roughly May to October, when the countryside is green but downpours are heavy.
Getting around
The old city inside the moat is small enough to cover on foot or by bicycle. For longer distances there are red shared pickups (songthaews) that you flag down and tell your destination, plus tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps. Songthaews to Doi Suthep leave from the area around the university. The airport is close to the centre, just a short taxi ride away.
Where to stay
Old city
Inside the walls, with temples in every lane and lots of small guesthouses. Quieter than you might expect, and almost everything is within walking distance.
Nimman
West of the old city at the foot of Doi Suthep, with cafés, restaurants and newer hotels. Modern and lively; the old city is a short taxi ride away.
Ping River
Between the Night Bazaar and the river, with larger hotels and riverside places to eat. Busy in the evening, with the old city within walking distance.
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More on Chiang Mai in our blog: How many days in Chiang Mai? Plans for 1–5 days
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Chiang Mai: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Chiang Mai?
The must-see sights in Chiang Mai are Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chiang Man, Night Bazaar and Wat Umong. This plan links 14 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Chiang Mai?
For the old city, the main temples and Doi Suthep, yes. With one more day you can add Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain, about a 2-hour drive and usually done as a tour.
What should I wear in the temples?
Cover shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off before the prayer halls. A light scarf in your bag helps, also against the sun.
Can I see elephants without harming them?
If you do, choose a sanctuary that offers no riding, shows or tricks and lets you simply watch the animals. Find out beforehand exactly how the elephants are kept there.
What should I sort out before the trip?
Check entry requirements with your government's travel advice before you go. In March and April the air can be heavily polluted by smoke, so it is worth checking air quality readings.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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