Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai

Checking into the Old City

Chiang Mai Airport is just 10–15 minutes from the old city, enclosed by a square fortress wall with a moat. Staying inside the walls is most convenient for walking between temples – there are more than 30 of them crammed into a couple of square kilometers.

Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang

The two main temples in the old city: Phra Singh, with its elegant Lanna classical architecture, and Chedi Luang, featuring a partially ruined giant stupa from the 14th century that wasn't fully restored – it was left as a monument to time. Entry to both is free or symbolic (around 40 baht).

Sunday Market (if your dates align)

The famous Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road opens on Sunday evenings — the entire street is closed to traffic and filled with stalls selling food, crafts, and street musicians. If your trip doesn’t coincide with a Sunday, there are also smaller nightly markets around the city.

Ascending the Mountain

It's about a 30–40 minute journey from the city along a winding road – on your own rented motorbike (be careful, the road has sharp turns) or on a red songthaew running from the foot of the old city. It’s smarter to go in the morning—there will be fewer crowds and you'll have a better chance of seeing clear skies.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

The gilded chedi at the mountain summit is one of the most revered shrines in northern Thailand, according to legend founded where an elephant carrying a Buddha relic stopped. A naga staircase with 300+ steps leads to the temple—or a funicular for a small fee for those who want to conserve their energy for the rest of the day.

Viewpoint and Mountain Cafes

From the viewpoint near the temple, on a clear day, you can see all of Chiang Mai spread out before you. On the way down, stop by one of the mountain cafes—the region has historically grown arabica, and local coffee is noticeably better than chain city coffee.

Getting There and Choosing a Program

Elephant Nature Park is about 60 km from Chiang Mai (around 1.5 hours with transfers, usually included in the cost). Programs come in different formats: SkyWalk (observation from a platform, from 2 500฿) and Walking with Elephants — a small group walks alongside elephants in the forest, observing natural behavior without riding, chains, or coercion.

Feeding and Bathing

The day is built around natural activities: preparing fruit “packages” for the elephants, hand-feeding them, and bathing together in the river—no elephant rides here; the park adheres to a strict no-riding policy. The elephants here are mostly rescued – from the tourism and logging industries.

Book in Advance

During peak season (November–February) slots fill up 2–3 weeks ahead of time — if your trip coincides with this period, book immediately after buying your plane tickets, rather than upon arrival.

Transfer from Chiang Mai

Around 3 hours by bus or private car – the road is scenic, so it’s worth agreeing on stops at viewpoints along the way.

White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

Not a classic Buddhist temple, but an art installation by contemporary artist Chalermchai Kositpipat – dazzling white walls with mirror inlays, a bridge over a “sea of hands” reaching up from hell. From January 1, 2026, entrance for foreigners will be 200 baht (previously 100), including access to the "Cave of Art"; free for pensioners aged 70+ and children under 120 cm.

Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)

A less well-known, but no less impressive neighbor of the White Temple – a deep blue interior with vibrant paintings around a large white Buddha statue. Entrance is free, open from 7:00 to 20:00, and there are noticeably fewer people – you can take photos without crowds in the frame.

Morning in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai Airport is small and registration is quick – you can afford a leisurely morning, coffee at one of the local cafes, and a final look at the mountains of northern Thailand before your flight.

Route Summary

5 days from the temples within Chiang Mai’s city walls to the surreal architecture of Chiang Rai, with a whole day dedicated to elephants without chains or rides. Practical lessons learned on this trip – in the postscript below.