ATTRACTIONS
CHIANG MAI ATTRACTIONS
Chiang Mai is essentially Thailand's second city - the smaller, more relaxed answer to the madness of Bangkok. It was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, but now is a major draw for backpackers and travellers of all kinds, not to mention retiring expats and humanitarians. Many who come here return again and again, or stay for years when they had meant to stay only a few weeks. There's an energy in the city that captivates those who visit, whether they seek a trekking adventure or a spiritual awakening as they travel from temple to temple.
The city itself offers plenty of things to do in the way of cooking classes, temple visits, street food, and culture. But beyond its boundaries, you'll find natural perfection, awe-inspiring animals, and unique communities deep in the mountains.
Here are our top 3 picks to visit in Chaing Mai.
1 ELEPHANT jungle sanctuary
The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is as one of the best elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai as their track record of sustainable and ethical treatment speaks for itself. Their elephant reserve in Chiang Mai has many options for visitors to experience the wonderful elephants of Thailand. Their trained English-speaking guides give visitors insight into the behaviour and personal history of their elephants. The elephant mahouts help people realize incredible life experiences such as feeding the elephants by hand or bathing elephants in Chiang Mai.
3 tha pae gate
Tha Pae Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in Chiang Mai and is part of the crumbling city wall which once acted as a fortress for the ‘Old City’ (and still today acts as a geographical boundary). The gate area is an epicentre for tourism in Chiang Mai, boasting more hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes, massage parlours and shops than anywhere else in the city.
2 cHAING DAO CAVE
The Chiang Dao cave history is an integral part of the Chiang Dao area, to the Thai people. The caves have been part of Thai folklore for over 1,000 years. With numerous statues and offerings throughout the over 12km of caves in Chiang Dao, this is a long standing place of worship. You will see carvings, statues and chedis within the cave.