Chiang Mai Travel Guide

Day Trips

Doi Inthanon National Park: Thailand’s highest peak (at 2,600 metres) sits in this wonderful national park that boasts protected forest that encompasses a variety of eco-subsystems, three magnificent waterfalls and two regal chedis, dedicated to the current King and Queen.

The park is a mere 40-minute drive from Chiang Mai and presents a day of excellent photo opportunities, picnic spots, visits to hill tribe villages and ‘been there’ pictures on the roof of Thailand. Mae Ya, Mae Klang and Wachiratan waterfalls are all jaw-droppers.

Riding these stoic beasts and catching their entertaining shows is a highlight. The seven-tiered Mae Sa waterfall is also a must-see, and if you are horticulturally-minded, you can spend the afternoon at the lovely Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden.

Baan Tawai Craft Village: is a shoppers delight and attracts bus loads of free-spending tourists to the numerous artisan’s shops and workshops in Hang Dong district, south of the city. Specialising in souvenir handicrafts, wood carving, furniture, art, interior decor, antiques and much more, the village offers a cornucopia of delightful and excellent value items that invariably have to be shipped home by an on-site agent, since they wouldn’t fit in a suitcase.

Chiang Dao Cave: Chiang Dao Caves are a honeycomb of caves located beneath the distinctive massif of Chiang Dao Mountain – Thailand’s third highest, and the 80-minute drive North is pretty.

The Golden Triangle: is hardly a daytrip, but sold as a single day tour by some companies. To get to the northernmost point of Thailand and witness the hypothetical centre of the old opium trade, you will need to get up early. At Sop Ruak, you can see where the Mekhong and Ruak rivers meet, forming the border of three countries. Also on the itinerary is the ancient trading town of Chiang Saen and all of its ruins.