Travel

Things To Do In Chiang Mai For A Local Experience!

Visit Chiang Mai and explore!
By: Cherelle Lim / October 7, 2022

Whether it is mountain forests, delicious street food or gorgeous beaches, Thailand has something for everyone. Want to take a trip somewhere other than Bangkok? Glitz suggests visiting Chaing Mai instead where creativity and culture are constantly overflowing. Chiang Mai is also known as the ‘Rose of the North’, rich with history and surrounded by incredible architecture. Chiang Mai is home to over 300 temples and has cooler weather thanks to its location in the north. So explore Chiang Mai and fall in love with a list of all the things you can do. 

Things To Do In Chiang Mai

Visit the Elephant Nature Park

One sanctuary in Chiang Mai is dedicated to both education and rehabilitation. The Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary for elephants who have endured decades of mistreatment at the hands of the travel and tourism industry. At Elephant Nature Park, you may either volunteer to assist out around the sanctuary or go see the elephants in their natural habitat. It is forbidden to ride elephants; instead, attention is paid to caring for and conserving these lovely animals.

Ride the Mae Hong Son Loop

If you’re visiting Northern Thailand, you must rent a scooter or motorcycle and ride this fantastic four-day circle. Beginning in Chiang Mai, you do a full circuit, stopping for nights at Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, and Pai to take in the scenery before heading back to the city. It is regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s top motorcycle loops. You may also take a bunch of intriguing side trips that will lead you to some unusual hill cultures. The inhabitants up there are kind and hospitable.

Go Hill Tribe Trekking 

When visitors come to Chiang Mai, they frequently have a burning desire to learn about the nation’s history and ethnic growth. A trekker’s delight, the Chiang Mai province’s forests are home to several hill tribes in addition to waterfalls, valleys, and mountains. Just be sure the bulk of the money from your treks will go to the regional residents of northern Thailand by booking them through a dependable and responsible tour operator.

Get a Thai Massage at Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution

Visit the women’s jail and have a Thai massage. It’s crucial to understand that this is truly a superb and very advantageous venture before you dismiss the notion. All of the inmates serving brief terms for relatively small offences can benefit from learning a new skill that will make it easier for them to reintegrate into society. On-site amenities include a cafe and a store selling crafts, and massages and spa services are relatively inexpensive (expect 180 Baht for a massage). One of the oddest—yet more intriguing—things to do in Chiang Mai.

Experience Cliff Diving at Hang Dong Rock Quarry

If diving into water from heights seems like fun to you, make sure to visit the Hang Dong Rock Quarry in northern Thailand. The quarry, which was formerly used as a mine to remove limestone, is now filled with water that shines a vivid turquoise green. Since some of the cliffs in the enormous pool are up to 12 metres high, it is deep enough to launch from them. There are several places where you may just swim out if you would want to take a dip.

Stroll Down San kamphaeng Road

A 10-kilometre length of the road also known as the “Handicraft Highway” is home to shops well-renowned for their ceramics, silverware, lacquerware, sculptures, wood carvings, and silk goods. Celadon pottery, which has a green finish that makes it appear like jade, is particularly well-known for being produced in this region. You can find various businesses selling Celadon pottery along this route. Few people are aware that Chiang Mai is home to some of the finest silverware in Thailand, and if you visit Louis Silverware, you may see the master craftsman at work.

Eat Khao Soi

The most well-known export from Northern Thailand is unquestionably Khao Soi. It is a coconut and curry-flavoured soup with chicken, yellow egg noodles, and crispy fried egg noodles on top. This meal has a great variety of textures. You will receive a small dish with chopped red onions, pickled green mustard, and a lime wedge at the side of the soup bowl. You must taste Khao Soi if you don’t sample any other regional cuisine when visiting Chiang Mai; it is delectable. Numerous cuisine trips are also offered.