Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Chiang Mai?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Chiang Mai?
Many visitors spend two to seven days in Chiang Mai during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, get out into nature, sample the delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops.
Chiang Mai is a cultural city that's located in the mountainous part of northern Thailand. The city has many temples, a famous night market, and a unique cuisine that is among the best in the country. Many visitors book treks into the countryside from Chiang Mai and the city has become a popular destination for digital nomads.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Chiang Mai? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai enjoys immense popularity among tourists because of its many sights and attractions. Three days is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Chiang Mai such as the famous sights and museums, the hiking, the food, and shopping. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule two to seven days to fully experience the welcoming city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend 3 days in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.
A few tour suggestions include:
- The Venerable Landmarks of Chiang Mai ($52)
- Art in Paradise, Chiang Mai 3D Art Museum ($12)
- Half Day Tour : Wat Doi Suthep & Phu Ping Palace from Chiang Mai ($79)
The culinary scene in Chiang Mai is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Farm with Local Market Tour ($38)
- Fresh Local Market Tour - Food tour in Chiang Mai ($32)
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class and Farm Visit in Chiang Mai ($37)
The public transit in Chiang Mai is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.
Known for it's hiking, Chiang Mai sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Doi Inthanon Private Tour with Trek & Lunch from Chiang Mai ($128)
- 3-Day Chiang Dao Mountain Trek ($236)
- Chiang Dao Cave Trekking Small Group Tour – Full Day ($80)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.
Shopping in Chiang Mai is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.
Chiang Mai is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It is famous for it's beautiful surrounding countryside where visitors often enjoy trekking and getting out in nature. The city is also filled with historic temples, night markets, and a relaxed atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai ($22)
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market ($11)
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market ($11)
Is 4 days enough time in Chiang Mai?
Four days is usually not enough time to experience the welcoming city of Chiang Mai, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to spend time at the museums, get out into nature, sample the delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops. You'll likely want more than four days, as many tourists set aside around two to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
Chiang Mai street vendor
How to spend 4 days in Chiang Mai
If you have more than 4 days in Chiang Mai, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Don't miss Wat Phra That Doi Suthep during your trip to Chiang Mai, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Chiang Mai?
Many visitors choose to spend around five days in Chiang Mai. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and spend time at the museums, get out into nature, sample the delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to seven days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the welcoming city.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
How to spend 5 days in Chiang Mai
Having 5 days in Chiang Mai will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs ($15)
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide ($15)
- Chiang mai History with Tricycle Riding & Walking Private Tour ($44)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Chiang Mai.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Chiang Mai, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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