Discover Chiang Mai: Mountains, temples and nature

Chiang Mai offers many different reasons to visit: protected mountain landscapes and trails through tropical rainforest sit alongside temples, contemporary art, a Walking Street and regional cuisine. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider whether nature and higher elevations or culture and urban experiences will be the focus of your stay. This helps you tailor your search to the places and activities that interest you most.

Discover mountain landscapes and nature

Doi Suthep-Pui Park covers 261 square kilometres of biodiverse, protected mountain landscape. It has been protected as Suthep-Pui National Park since 1973. Doi Inthanon also shapes nature experiences in Chiang Mai: the mountain rises 2,565 metres above sea level, and its summit is the highest point in Thailand. If mountains and landscapes are your main focus for the trip, you’ll find notable destinations here to help guide your plans.

In Doi Inthanon National Park, the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail runs for 3 kilometres through tropical rainforest. The trail is in Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province.

At Doi Ang Khang, the Kiu Lom viewpoint offers views of a sea of clouds and the sunrise in the early morning. Visitors can also see rice fields and the Giant Tiger Flower there. Cycling routes connect Mu Ban Khum with Mu Ban No Lae, and Mu Ban Luang with Mu Ban Pha Daeng. Doi Ang Khang thus offers both scenic experiences and named routes for cycling tours.

Visitors interested in plants can see a variety of plant species at Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden and Rajapruek Royal Park. Both places offer another way to experience nature alongside the mountain landscapes and rainforest trail. For a trip with varied interests, you can consider these visits as options alongside hiking, cycling or cultural experiences.

Temples, art and local life

There are 37 temples within Chiang Mai’s walled city. They served mainly as social spaces for culture, education, entertainment and, above all, spiritual activities. Phra That Doi Suthep is an important landmark for the people of Chiang Mai; paying homage there is also a popular tourist activity.

For contemporary art, the MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum in San Kamphaeng District, Chiang Mai, is a destination in its own right: it brings together important contemporary art from Thailand and abroad. At Thapae Walking Street, you can experience local life and shop for handmade products. On Nimmanhaemin Road, you can try local cuisine. If art, everyday life and food are a priority, you can take these interests into account when choosing the places you plan to visit and your holiday rental.

Miang and getting there

Mae Kampong is promoted as an ecotourism destination offering homestays. At the same time, producing “Miang”, fermented tea leaves, is part of the residents’ livelihood. Miang is part of the Lanna way of life. This connection between local livelihoods and a traditional product offers a different perspective on a visit than the region’s mountain and art destinations.

Chiang Mai lies 427 miles north of Bangkok via the AH2 highway. Several airlines operate daily flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. As you prepare for your trip, you can include these road and air connections in your travel plans. When choosing a holiday rental, the key consideration is which places and experiences you’d most like to visit during your stay.

Discover more subregions

To explore more subregions, you can also visit the following pages: Hang Dong, Fang, Mae Sun, Mon Pin, Pa Lan, Chang Phuak, On Tai, Rim Tai, Mueang Ngai, Chiang Dao District, Pong Nam Ron, Ban Pong, Huai Kaeo, Kuet Chang, Choeng Doi, Mae Ai, San Kamphaeng, Mae Ai, San Kamphaeng District, Saraphi District, Mae Rim District, Mae Hia, San Mahaphon, San Sai Luang, Samoeng Tai, Huai Sai, San Klang, Mae Sa, Tha Nuea, Chiang Mai, Mueang Len, Mae Faek, Ban Pae, Wiang, Pa Miang, Thung Ruang Thong, Mae Suek, Tha Wang Tan, Ping Khong, Pa Phai, Sa-Nga Ban, Nong Han, Yang Piang Subdistrict, San Pa Tong District, Hot District, Mae Taeng District, Mae Tha, Mae Pong, Mae Nachon, Buak Kang, Piang Luang, Rong Wua Daeng, San Sai Noi and Ban Luang.

For the broader travel overview: Thailand.