When planning a trip to Chiang Mai, we highly, highly recommend taking day trips (or even a couple of days or more) to visit neighbouring locales like Mae Kampong, Lamphun, and most especially, Chiang Rai.
There are so many incredible sights and activities awaiting, such as what looks like floating temples in the sky, glorious views of the sea of clouds, hidden villages high in the mountains, strawberry fields, sticky waterfalls and so much more.
So check out these 8 super gorgeous day trips from Chiang Mai below, and add them to your itinerary. You won't regret it, we promise!
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai Travel Essentials
Planning your Chiang Mai holiday? Here's a handy checklist of travel essentials for a smooth and hassle-free trip! From transportation options and local SIM cards to the best things to do and more useful travel tips and tricks... you're welcome, in advance! 😝
🚙 Chiang Mai Essentials: Transportation & More
If you're planning to fully explore Chiang Mai and the surrounding areas, the best way to do it is via car. You can opt to rent a car, or hire a private chartered car with driver for more convenience!
🏨 Chiang Mai Essentials: Travel Essentials & More
- Chiang Mai Thai Massage Pass (value-for-money!)
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🚗 Chiang Mai Essentials: Popular Day Tours
🎢 Chiang Mai Essentials: Adrenaline-pumping Activities
🥊 Chiang Mai Essentials: Cultural Activities
💆🏻♀️ Chiang Mai Essentials: Great Spas
🐘 Chiang Mai Essentials: Animal Encounters
➡️ Find more fun things to do around Chiang Mai!
👉🏼 Exhilarating adventures lined up on your next trip itinerary?
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👉🏼 Getting to Chiang Mai from Singapore
The most convenient way to reach Chiang Mai from Singapore is by plane, which can be booked via Klook. For a 3-hour flight, prices start from SG$213.
👉🏼 Best time to visit Chiang Mai
Although Chiang Mai can be visited all year round, the best time to visit this northern city is during the dry season from November to February when the weather is cooler around 25ºC.
The coolest month of the year is in January when temperatures range from 15-30ºC. Otherwise, the rainy season in Chiang Mai is from May to October, with showers becoming more frequent starting in April.
👉🏼 Festivals in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai celebrates several festivals throughout the year, with the most famous ones being Loy Kratong, Yi Peng Festival (also known as the Sky Lantern Festival), Flower Festival, Songkran, and Bo Sang Umbrella Festival. (Do note that Loy Kratong and Yi Peng Festival are held on the same day.)
So if you'd like to experience something special, we highly recommend planning your trip around these festivals!
👉🏼 Getting around Chiang Mai (and travel essentials!)
Just like many cities in Thailand, not many places in Chiang Mai offer free WiFi, unlike Bangkok. Therefore, we highly recommend getting a physical SIM card or e-SIM so you always stay connected no matter where you are. We also highly recommend hiring a car charter for a more convenient trip, or renting a car if you enjoy driving around. Taxis are another option, for those opting against a car charter. However, do note that it may be difficult or tedious to find taxis in Chiang Mai willing to travel to different areas.
From Chiang Mai, you can also visit neighbouring cities via car or plane such as Chiang Rai and Lampang. In fact, many people often travel to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai at once as they’re very close and reachable via car – either from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai or vice versa by car then returning to Bangkok or their home country by plane.
1. Mae Kampong
Located around 1 hour from Chiang Mai, take a breather at this idyllic village in Mae Kampong, located between two mountains, and find yourself relaxing to the sound of birds and swaying trees. One of our favourite things to do here is go for a soak in Sankampang Hot Spring and boil eggs in the hot spring waters for a tasty snack after!
Another fun thing to do is visit the treehouse cafe up in the canopy at The Giant Chiang Mai. And if you're looking for something utterly unique, venture a little further to Bua Tong Waterfalls - a fascinating 'sticky' waterfall that you can climb up and down on!
2. Mae Rim District
Make your way to Mae Rim District, just 50 minutes from Chiang Mai and visit stunning gems like Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens and Mae Sa Waterfall.
You can also opt to view the flower fields and take a dip at the onsen at Mon Cham, also located in Mae Rim. If you visit during winter, you may even go camping with a view of the sea of clouds right in front of you!
3. Lamphun
For history buffs, we recommend heading south to Lamphun, just 30 minutes from Chiang Mai. You’ll find a myriad of cultural heritage sites here, such as temples and monuments, with some of them even dating from the 7th century!
There are also scenic and interesting attractions such as Lamphun Cultural Village where you can pick up handicrafts like silverware, Koh Luang Waterfall - and don't forget to keep a lookout for the local longan delicacies like longan noodles too.
4. Lampang
You can also go further down to Lampang, just one and a half hours from Chiang Mai, and catch the famous white mountaintop pagodas - Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Phrachomklao Rachanusorn.
For pottery lovers, head to Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum and pick up some affordable unique wares. Otherwise, for those looking for a beautiful natural attraction to check out, visit Lom Poo Keaw, a natural cenote in Lampang!
5. Pai
If you prefer a more laidback adventure in a place oozing with bohemian vibes, Pai is the city to visit located 2 hours and 40 minutes from Chiang Mai.
With the lush green views at Pai Canyon, hot springs, and villages with artistic night markets and delicious local food, you’ll fully savour all the time you spend here.
6. Chiang Rai
A popular destination for travellers visiting Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is home to the famous White Temple as well as the Golden Triangle – which borders Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, separated by the Mekong and Ruak rivers. Located 3 hours from Chiang Mai, the city can be visited via car or plane.
When here, we highly recommend visiting the Blue Temple (we personally think this is the most stunning temple we've seen yet!), as well as the Black House Museum, also known as Baan Dam Museum. Last but not least, make sure to check out Choui Fong Tea Plantation too!
7. Doi Ang Khang
If you love the mountains, we recommend visiting Doi Ang Khang, home to one of the highest mountains in Thailand just 3 hours from Chiang Mai. At Pha Daeng National Park, you’ll be able to stay at the camping grounds, visit a hot spring, and relish the majestic mountain views.
Plus, as you drive along Doi Ang Khang, you might just be able to meet the locals and stumble upon strawberry farms, flower fields, and local villages where you'll find authentic fare such as freshly grilled sweet corn and eggs (still can't forget how delicious that corn was when we were there!).
8. Mae Hong Son
One of the best places to see the famous sea of clouds, Mae Hong Son is located 5 hours from Chiang Mai and offers pristine lakes, misty mountains, scenic treks and local culture.
It looks a little like Yunnan in China, with unexpected and picturesque Chinese villages like Baan Rai Thai - and don't forget to tuck into a steaming bowl of noodles at Ban Ja Bo Village!
How incredible did some of these destinations look? We're pretty excited to plan a trip back there ourselves - and hopefully, we'll see you there too! Have fun on your day trips from Chiang Mai!
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