In the past few years, Thailand has been one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It welcomes tourists with open arms from around the world. Be it Bangkok, Pattaya, or Phuket, Thailand has some of the world’s most visited cities. But when it comes to popular cities in Thailand, This Chiang Mai itinerary 3 days cannot be left out. Well, this destination is not known to every traveler, but that doesn’t make this palace any less beautiful. Now, if you are all ready to explore Chiangmai Thailand to its fullest and that too in just three days, well, we have come up with an ultimate 3 days in Chiang Mai itinerary. This itinerary of Chiang Mai includes all the best Chiang Mai things to do and indulge in.
However, if you are still confused about whether or not to include Chiang Mai on your Thailand trip, well, we give you some reasons why you should go to Chiang Mai. But before we cover the list of all the attractions on your 3 days trip to Chiang Mai, it’s time to impart you with some more information about the city in order to help you a hassle-free and indelible Chiang Mai tour.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai?
If you are looking for the best area to stay in Chiang Mai, well, consider finding an accommodation in the Old City area. This is the place that gives you easy access to all the major attractions of the city. Besides, the night bazaar area is another popular spot where you can expect to get good options for hotels and resorts. It is located in the near proximity to the Old City. In the region, you can find a number of good upscale hotels as well as the budget ones. If you are more of a night person, then this is the place where you should look to book your stay as the Night Bazaar area is considered to be a good spot for party people. In addition, you can also rent a place in Nimmanhaemin. It is a perfect place for all the young travelers. Nimmanhaemin is the place where you can find some great cafes in Chiang Mai along with restaurants and bars.
How to Get Around in Chiang Mai?
Just to let you know, getting around in Chiang Mai is no big deal. There are a good number of options to get around in the city. You can hire a bicycle, rent a car, travel via a tuk-tuk, or can book a taxi to reach a destination. It totally depends on you which travel means you want to choose considering your budget. A majority of tourists on a Chiang Mai itinerary 3 days prefer to travel via tuk-tuk as it is the cheapest option. If you are choosing tuk-tuk over other means, be aware of the high pricing scams. Those who love to explore the city on their own prefer to rent a scooter as it is cheaper than car rental in Chiang Mai. However, if you are traveling in a group then renting a car is a good option. Besides, you can also hire a cab with the help of Grab and Uber apps.
Weather in Chiang Mai
Surely, you want to make the most of the Chiang Mai trip on your Thailand vacation. Well, the city mainly witnesses three seasons – summer, rainy, and cool season. The summer season begins in the month of March and ends in May. Throughout these months, the Chiangmai weather remains quite hot and humid. Despite the weather, tourists still visit Chiang Mai during this season as they get some best deals on hotels and flights during this time. The temperature during the months of summer in Chiang Mai can go up to 40°C and the chances of rain are very less.
The rainy season commences in the month of June and continues until October. This is the wettest season in the city with an average rainfall of 250mm. The temperature during these months remains slightly lower than in the summer months. Besides, it doesn’t rain the entire day. It is an ideal season to explore the city as the nature of Chiang Mai blooms with the rainfall and landscape comes back to its gorgeous beauty.
What’s The Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai?
Now, let’s begin our Chiang Mai itinerary 3 days
DAY 1
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh is one of the oldest temples in the region and has a rich history of 700 years. The temple is home to a number of highly revered, old Buddha images. Therefore, it is also known as “The Temple of Lion Buddha” or “The Monastery of Lion Buddha”. Since the temple was built in the reign of the Lanna Kingdom, it is referred to as the finest example of Lanna architecture. With such a huge historical and religious significance, Wat Phra Singh is counted amongst the top attractions in Chiang Mai. Within the temple complex, there are a number of classic Lanna style architectures that include Main Chedi, Viharn Lai Kham, Scripture Library Ho Trai, and Viharn Luang.
Location
2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50280, Thailand
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee
20 Baht
Wat Chiang Man
Another Chiang Mai thing to do is to visit Wat Chiang Man Temple. It is the city’s oldest temple with its architecture dating back to the 13th century. This is another shrine that was built during the reign of the Lanna Kingdom. The key Chiang Mai attractions of this temple is the crystal Buddha who believes to have powers to protect the city from any disaster. Within the temple complex, there is so much to see and adore that range from ancient murals, a library, a lotus pond, and many statues of Lord Buddha. Besides, the temple also has two main meditation halls. These halls are adorned in red and gold and with the images of Lord Buddha.
Location
171 Ratchaphakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee
No Entry Fee
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Located atop Mount Doi Suthep is one of the highly revered temple sites in Thailand. From the temple, one can savor the pulchritudinous views of Chiang Mai. Talking about how to get to this temple, well, you need to take Rot daang (red trucks) from Chiang Mai. The temple is known to proffer historical significance to all tourists on a Chiang Mai itinerary 3 days. If you are looking to explore the historical significance of Wat Phra That Doi Kham, I recommend you to take a guided tour.
Location
Mae Hia, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee
200 Baht
Enjoy Sunset in Old City
When you are in Old City, do not dare to miss the surreal sights of sunset that can be relished from the temple sites itself. This is the time when the entire view of the city becomes immensely beautiful and the colors get more intense. Make sure you capture these gorgeous views in your camera lenses.
Shopping At Night Bazaar
When it comes to what to do in Chiang Mai, a shopping tour at the Night Bazaar is a not to miss thing. There are countless stores selling a wide variety of products ranging from clothes, shoes, Thail silk to handicraft, purses, wallets, video games, luggage, antiques, and home accessories. While on a shopping tour here, keep your eyes open as you can find some cool and unique treasures to take back home as a souvenir to either embrace your home interior or to give them to your dear ones.
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday form 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
DAY 2
Ob Khan National Park
Make day 2 of your Chiang Mai to-do itinerary about nature and wildlife. Ob Khan National Park is often referred to as a popular gateway from the city of Chiang Mai. From the city, it is just a 45 minutes drive to reach the park. The forest covers areas of Tambol Mae Sarb, Samoeng Tai, and Borkaew of Samoeng District. The mountain includes both high and low mountains. Within the national park, there are different kinds of forests including evergreen forests, mixed forests, virgin forests, and the pinery. Ob Khan National Park is a great place for hiking. Besides, it is also a great spot for picnicking.
Location
RO Pho Cho Chiang Mai 4037 Rd, Nam Phrae, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
Enjoy a Thai Massage In Afternoon
After the amazing Chiang Mai day trip to Ob Khan National Park, it is time to relax. When you are in Thailand, no other than a Thai Massage could be better to enjoy a relaxing time. There are numerous Thai massage and spa centers spread in every nook and corner of the Chiang Mai city. However, for the best experience and also to save your time, I would recommend you to book a massage package beforehand from a trusted spa center.
DAY 3
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is one of the most popular places to visit in Chiang Mai. The tour of this beautiful sanctuary will give you a chance to spend some time with the beautiful, mighty creatures. The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary gives its tourists a chance to learn everything they need to know about the elephants while on a Chiang Mai itinerary 3 days. Not just this, you can also caress them, feed them, bathe them, and much more. The sanctuary serves as the home of numerous elephants that have been rescued. Today, this place aims to embrace the relationship between humans and elephants.
Location
119 10 Thapae Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Entry Fee
2400 Baht
Chang Mai National Museum
Opened in 1973, Chiang Mai National Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Chiang Mai City. The museum is known to preserve the city’s history as well as the historical past of Lanna Kingdom. It also serves as an educational center for tourists and history buffs who wish to learn about the history, art, and culture of North Thailand. Apart from its rich collection of exhibits, the museum is also known for its stunning architecture. It displays a stunning multi-tiered Lanna style roof. Talking about the exhibition, well, the museum houses a wide range of artifacts depicting the history and art of the Lanna Dynasty.
Location
451 Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Opening Hours
Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee
30 Baht
Go For a Thai Cooking Class
If you are planning to add Chiang Mai on your Thailand itinerary, then make sure to attend a Thai cooking class with Thai Farm Cooking School in Chiang Mai. As a part of the cooking class, you will be picked by your cooking teacher from your hotel. He will first take you to a supermarket where you will buy some ingredients that you will use while cooking. Thereafter, you will be taken to an organic farm where you will spend the rest of the day.
Now that you’ve all the information about the city as well the Chiang Mai itinerary 3 days, you are all set to plan an indelible vacation. Also, make sure you are all aware of what all things to pack for your Thailand vacation. If you need any more help, do let us know, we would be happy to help you. Cheers!
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