Chiang Mai has a habit of getting under your skin. I lived there for a year, and these days I’m a little under three hours up the road, which sounded like a sensible distance until I realised how many excuses I’d find to drive back down. Usually they involve food.
It’s a beautiful city, with Lanna spirit and culture running through every corner, and so much more on top. It’s truly Thai and wonderfully international all at once, the sort of place where you can have a croissant and a flat white for breakfast, a bowl of khao soi for lunch, and ramen for dinner. It can be calm, it can be buzzing, and sometimes it manages both on the same street.
What I’ve never quite warmed to is the tourist centre. It’s nice for a wander, but give me an hour and I start to feel like an extra in someone else’s holiday photos. So over the years I’ve built up a list of the places I actually head for, the ones with a bit more breathing room and a lot more flavour.
And a little honesty before we start, you’ll still bump into other travellers at every spot on this list. This isn’t a secret society. But they do tend to be quieter, less packed, and in my opinion they give you far more than the way plenty of people spend their time in Chiang Mai. Here are my ten favourites.
- Wat Doi Kham
Ask most people for a hilltop temple near Chiang Mai and the answer is Wat Doi Suthep. It’s famous for good reason, but by midday it can feel like a conveyor belt. Its quieter neighbour is Wat Doi Kham, and I’ll admit I like it much more.
The atmosphere is wonderful and the views are great, as long as you don’t go in smoky season, when the view is more of a rumour. The Buddhist culture is right there to feel without ever being heavy or overly serious. And you can take your time or keep it short, because it doesn’t need the whole day.
Then there’s the real reason I keep going back. Not far from the temple entrance, on the right as you look towards the temple, is the best coconut ice cream around. I like mine in a sandwich with sticky rice. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
- Ang Kaew Reservoir
This is my dog’s favourite place in Chiang Mai, by a distance. He isn’t allowed up to the reservoir itself, which he has taken very personally, but wandering around the university grounds is a joy for both of us. He gets the smells, I get the scenery, and everyone goes home happy.
The reservoir sits at the foot of the mountain and it’s genuinely stunning. It has moods, too. On a quiet day it’s calm and serene. At weekends it turns warm and lively, with students, joggers, families, and a proper parade of dogs, and yes, cats as well. On leads. I didn’t believe it either.
There are regular festivals here, always fun and always good vibes, so it works whether you want a peaceful stroll or something a bit more special.
- Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir
If I had to pick one of the coolest places to eat in Chiang Mai, this would be it. It’s a little out of the city and a firm favourite with Thai locals, especially around Songkran.
Picture a huge reservoir looking out to the mountains, with restaurants each claiming their own patch of the shore, and individual bamboo huts built out over the water where you sit and eat. The food is pretty good too. Some restaurants are better than others, but they’re all decent enough, especially with a few bottles of Chang and some good company.
It’s always buzzing, with families tucking in and kids splashing about in the water. This is not your regular Chiang Mai restaurant. It’s real Thai food, served the way locals do a proper day out.
- Kad Manee Market
You’ll usually find a fair few tourists here, but it’s quieter than the other markets in the city, and that’s before you get to the good part.
The atmosphere is brilliant, with bars around the outside, and the food is some of the best in Chiang Mai, in great variety. Tucked inside is my favourite papaya salad shop in the whole of Thailand. If you love spice, you’ll love it. If you don’t, you might by the end of the plate.
- Mae Kampong
This one takes a drive out of the city. It’s famous with Thai tourists, but I’ve never once seen another Westerner there, which says a lot about how well it flies under the radar.
Up in the mountains, it’s especially beautiful in the rain, although the road is slightly treacherous, so take it steady. The village is stunning, with great food and coffee, and the best way to enjoy it is in one of the cafes, tucking in to Thai BBQ looking over a stream. You genuinely feel like you’re in the middle of the jungle.
It makes a really lovely day out, and if you’re feeling adventurous there’s a gorgeous waterfall to find too.
- Lamphun
Lamphun is the one I’d bet most visitors have never heard of. It’s a quiet, calm and classic Thai town, about 45 minutes’ drive from Chiang Mai, full of history and with a far more authentic feel.
It’s worth a day trip, or an overnight stay if you fancy slowing right down. After a few days in the city, it’s a lovely reset.
- Mon Jam
Mon Jam is hugely popular with Thai tourists, especially in cold season, when the temperature drops dramatically compared with ground level. A night up the mountain is a proper adventure for Thais who have never experienced January in the UK.
There are accommodation pods dotted all over the slopes, so it doesn’t feel like you’re in nature entirely alone, but honestly, it doesn’t matter. Bring good friends or family, order a few beers and Thai BBQ that’s brought right to your door, and watch the sun go down over the mountains. Then, if you can manage it, drag yourself up for sunrise the next morning. It’s epic, and worth every second of that alarm.
- Mae Sa Waterfall
Mae Sa is definitely not unknown, but it’s often surprisingly quiet, especially in rainy season. It’s a short drive from the city and a short walk through the forest to reach the waterfall, with plenty of pools and mini waterfalls along the way to chill at before the main event.
You can pick up a fair amount of food at the car park, or bring a picnic. There aren’t many better places to eat one.
- Chamchaa Weekend Market
This one only runs at the weekend, and it’s one of the coolest markets around. It’s full of handmade local arts and crafts, with that Lanna feeling running right through it, plus food that’s hard to find elsewhere.
It might have the best atmosphere on this list, even though it isn’t the biggest. Give it a whole morning or afternoon and you’ll have a great time, and the coffee is amazing too.
And if you’ve left room, finish the day at Meena Rice Based Cuisine. It’s a fantastic Lanna restaurant that almost feels like part of the market.
- Lang Mor Night Market (Suthep Road)
Far more casual and buzzing than Chamchaa, this is simply a street near the university lined with cheap, delicious meals for students and locals alike. It feels super local, with a great young energy.
There’s not much to see or do. You eat, you wander, you eat a bit more. But it’s well worth a visit, and your wallet will thank you.
Final thoughts
The best way to experience Chiang Mai is not just once, twice, or thrice. It’s going back again and again, finding something new each time. Teaching in Thailand unlocks exactly that. It opens up this amazing city, along with many others.
We may not have any schools in Chiang Mai at the moment, but that doesn’t get in the way. Thailand is well connected by bus, train, and budget flights. All of our placements make a long weekend in Chiang Mai very doable, and school holidays give you even more time to explore.
Have a look through our Thailand program page for locations, salaries, and start dates, or email us at info@impact-teaching.com if you’d like to talk through which placement would suit you best.
