6 Activities to Explore Chiang Mai's Culture Like a Local

In 2017, Travel + Leisure readers voted Chiang Mai the best city in Asia. Each city was ranked on criteria like sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value. Yet, Chiang Mai stood out with its old town walls and golden temples whispering ancient stories while you’re walking by. Featuring majestic temples, killer street food, madcap tuk-tuk rides, lively night markets, and speechless encounters in Elephant sanctuary parks.

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A local tour guide who knows Chiang Mai well can show you this magnificent Lanna Kingdom’s culture and history in just the right way. Here are some recommended attractions to visit so you don’t miss out on all the amazement!

See Also: Thailand From An Expert: An Interview With a Local Tour Guide

I. Temples

Temples are the storybooks of culture. It stands in time and witnesses history. There are a couple of breath-taking temples in Chiang Mai waiting for you to see.

1.Wat Chedi Luang

One of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai. It was once home to Thailand’s most sacred religious relic, the Emerald Buddha. Unfortunately, now you can only see half of it since the other half collapsed during an earthquake in 1545.

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2. Wat Phra Singh

The second most venerated temple in Chiang Mai after Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The temple has signature Lanna-style roofs and glittering viharn that catches the attention of visitors. Decorated with pure white paint, it brings out the golden light of the great temple standing majestically while giving life to the city.

3. Wat Phan Tao

Apart from all the golden shining temples, Wat Phan Tao is a beautiful wooden temple with a decorated garden area. Although not as glamorous as the other temples, Wat Phan Tao still echoes with a hint of a mysterious and religious smell in the air. The decorated garden reliefs your worries and the temple heals you with its peace and silence.

II. Doi Suthep

"If you haven't tasted Khao Soi or seen the view from Doi Suthep, you haven't been to Chiang Mai." Doi Suthep is the home of some of the most deeply loved symbols in the Kingdom such as the main attraction Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is a temple made of endless gold. On sunny days, the Chedi's golden exterior catches the sun and blazes like a beacon over the city. If you hire a tour guide, they might show you an amazing waterfall near-by as it requires some walking to get there.

Scattered around the temple are various statues depicting everything from the legendary white elephant upon whose grave the temple was erected to the assorted gods and Buddhas of the Thai religion. Another highlight of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the set of rakhang (temple bells) which are touched by devout Buddhists to bring good luck.

III. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

Do not say you have been to Thailand without seeing an elephant! Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is one of several camps around Chiang Mai that have dropped elephant riding in favour of activities like feeding and bathing the elephants, with full-day and half-day programmes and hotel pick-up.

Keep in mind that “sanctuary” is not a regulated label in Thailand, and animal-welfare groups still debate how “ethical” these camps are — some argue that even hands-on activities such as bathing elephants are stressful for the animals and recommend observation-only programmes instead. Read recent independent reviews, ask your guide how the elephants are kept, and choose the kind of visit you feel comfortable with.

IV. Padung Village - Long Neck Karen Hill-tribe

Some more different cultures to explore by paying a visit to the Padung Village. It introduces you to the ‘Long Neck Karen’ ethnic hill-tribe. The women here wear brass rings around their necks, wrists, and ankles as part of their culture. Long necks with golden rings around them are traditionally seen as a sign of beauty.

Contrary to a popular myth, the rings do not actually stretch the neck or make it unable to support the head. The weight of the brass coil pushes the collarbone and upper ribs down, which creates the look of a longer neck.

Visiting these villages is also a subject of debate. Many Kayan families in northern Thailand came from Myanmar as refugees and have limited rights to work or travel, and critics describe some villages as a “human zoo” built around tourist entrance fees. Others point out that tourism is one of the few sources of income open to these families. If you decide to go, consider a community-run village, ask before taking photos, and buy handicrafts directly from the makers.

V. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

No travel is complete without some mouth-watering food. The famous night market is open every night and is a shopper’s paradise. Night markets are where you can find great street food and cheap but most amazing souvenirs. With vendors from selling drinks, beer, and milk tea to food stands that provide you your daily dose of Thai seafood and spiritous street food, many people find haggling and getting a good deal is a part of experiencing the Thai culture, and Bazaar Night Market is where you can practice this fun skill.

VI. Other activities

Apart from walking around all day long, being a tourist traveling around can be actually quite exhausting. Local guides suggest that you go and get a massage before you leave Chiang Mai, as Thai massage is also one of its famous attractions. Let the soothing warm hands of the massagers and mind-cleansing scents heal you from inside-out and prepare you for your next journey.

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Cover photo: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons