7 Days in Chiang Mai: Things to Do, See, and Eat

7 Days in Chiang Mai

I can’t believe I’ve been staying in Chiang Mai for six months by the time I’m writing this – time flies. This beautiful city in Northern Thailand has grown on me in the best way. Every time I post about the cafes I visit, the places I explore, or the delicious food I discover on Instagram, my DMs are filled with friends asking for Chiang Mai recommendations. A few have even come to visit me here – including my parents, and a few are coming in the next month.

So, since I already have this website, I thought I might as well put everything together in one place for anyone planning a trip here. If you’ve been to Bangkok and are wondering how different Chiang Mai is, it feels like a different side of Thailand. It’s quieter, slower-paced, and much more affordable I’d say, with plenty of amazing food, cute cafes, nature escapes that are very close to the city, and fun local experiences. So here’s my guide to what you can expect from a week-long holiday in Chiang Mai – though in my opinion, a week is not enough. Also, this is not a day-by-day itinerary, so you have the freedom to pick and choose what you’d like to do.

You may also like this article: How to Stay in Thailand Visa-Free for 90 Days

Exploring the Old City

The Old City sits right within the “square” area you’ll see on the city map, making it super easy to navigate. It’s packed with restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, and hotels, so there’s always something around every corner. You can even walk around the entire square and visit all four gates. I did it for fun and measured it – the full loop is about 6.7km. It’s a great way to slowly explore the city, especially on your first day, while getting a feel for Chiang Mai’s charm.

Here are a few restaurants in Old City that I like:

Kat’s Kitchen: A popular Thai restaurant (super busy in high season)
Sanjan: The only Indonesian restaurant in Chiang Mai
Kai Wan: Tom Yum restaurant
Kati: A western breakfast and brunch spot (super busy in high season)
SP Chicken: Grilled chicken and Thai food

Chang Phueak, one of the four gates in the Old City

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

There are many beautiful temples here, but this Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the city’s unofficial “you have been to Chiang Mai” landmark. Sitting on top of Doi Suthep mountain, this iconic temple famous for its golden pagoda, beautiful details, and incredible views overlooking the city. I have written a complete article on how to get there, including the different transport options, so check that out if you’re planning your visit. Definitely worth adding to your Chiang Mai itinerary.

Read here: A Guide to Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai: 4 Things to Know

The beautiful Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Local Markets, obviously

I mean, you can’t really go to Thailand without visiting the markets, right? There are so many different ones to explore, and they’re great places to find interesting local handmade products too. But whenever I go to a market, I’m there for the food! I’ve put together a list of markets you can visit, along with their opening days and times, so you can plan your itinerary and figure out which market to visit on which day (aren’t I nice? Hehehe).

Read here: Chiang Mai Food Markets – 8 Popular Spots to Eat

The relaxing ambiance at Coconut Market

Cooking Class

I don’t cook, and I don’t like cooking – I’m really not that person, lol. But did I enjoy making Thai curries, Pad Thai, and Tom Yum? I surprisingly did! I probably wouldn’t have joined if it wasn’t for my parents convincing me, but it turned out to be such a fun experience. You can usually find cooking school options in brochures at travel agencies, but the one we chose was called Smile Organic Farm.

It was 900 baht per person for four dishes plus one curry paste that we learned how to make from scratch. They picked us up from our accommodation, took us to the farm, and prepared all the ingredients for us, so all we had to do was cook (and try not to mess it up – which I kinda did). The portions were huge for me and my parents, and we ended up with so much food that we had to take some home. Coming from someone who rarely steps into the kitchen, I can confidently recommend this experience.

My parents making Phat Kaphrao in the cooking class

Baan Kang Wat

I really love this place! Baan Kang Wat is a charming little art village where you can browse handmade crafts and join workshops like ceramics, jewellery making, painting, and other creative activities. You can meet local artists, shop for unique art pieces, and have lunch. If you haven’t tried Northern Thailand’s signature dish, Khao Soi, there’s a popular spot here serving a really delicious bowl (although there are plenty of other restaurants and coffee shops to explore too).

You can easily spend a few hours here just wandering around without a plan – eat, shop, discover little creative corners, or simply relax in the lovely garden area in the middle of the village. It’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy Chiang Mai’s creative side.

⏰ Opening Hour: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm

📍Google Map: Baan Kang Wat

One of the workshops you can do at Baan Kang Wat

Nature and Adventure

You can easily escape to nearby hills and waterfalls like Mae Sa Waterfall or Huay Kaew Waterfall, perfect for a quick nature break without going too far. For something more scenic, drive up to Doi Inthanon National Park, the highest point in Thailand, where you can enjoy cooler weather, viewpoints, and beautiful nature walks through forests and waterfalls. If you’re staying closer to the city, the famous Monk’s Trail near Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a great little hike that takes you through the jungle up to a peaceful temple stop. It’s the perfect mix of adventure and calm, all within reach of Chiang Mai.

Beautiful Maeya waterfall

Massage…as many times as possible

After all the sightseeing, adventures, and 10K steps a day, every single day, you definitely deserve a good Thai massage. Actually, you don’t even need to wait until the end of your trip. You can have as many as you want because they’re affordable and pretty great almost anywhere, even the random little spots. From just 350 baht an hour, you can basically be transported to heaven on earth. So make the most of your time in Chiang Mai and book that massage!

Image credit: Pure Knead Massage

A day trip to Chiang Rai

If you have extra time on your holiday and still have the energy for a long drive, a day trip to Chiang Rai is worth considering. It’s a province in Northern Thailand, about 3 hours away from Chiang Mai, known for its beautiful temples and scenic landscapes. You can either rent a car and drive yourself, but I prefer just sitting back and letting a driver take you around – it’s way easier, especially when you just want to enjoy the views and not worry about navigation. I’ve also written a full article on the most beautiful places to see in Chiang Rai, so check that out if you’re planning your trip!

Read here: A Day Trip to Chiang Rai: 5 Beautiful Destinations to See

The White Temple, one of the must-sees in Chiang Rai

Ok like I said, a week is not enough to explore this beautiful city. So this is just a starting point for your Chiang Mai journey. The city is best experienced at your own pace, with space to wander and discover beyond any list. However you choose to explore it, I hope Chiang Mai treats you as kindly as it has treated me. Hope you find this article useful and thank you for reading!

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A Day Trip to Chiang Rai: 5 Beautiful Destinations to See

Chiang Rai is a city in northern Thailand, near the borders of Laos and Myanmar, about a few hours’ drive from Chiang Mai. It’s home to several beautiful temples and tourist spots you’ve probably seen advertised by tour agencies. While my parents were visiting Chiang Mai, I decided to take them on a little road trip to Chiang Rai. We wanted something chill, so instead of joining a tour, we booked a private car with a driver and set off early in the morning to spend the day without feeling rushed. These were the places we managed to visit. Long Neck VillageWhite TempleBlue TempleBig BuddhaSingha Park You may also like this article: How to Stay in Thailand Visa-Free for 90 Days Long Neck Village We left Chiang Mai around 7am, and about an hour later we had already arrived at the Long Neck Village. By the way, this isn’t their original indigenous village - it’s a tourist site created to introduce visitors to the Kayan tribe. 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The entire complex is pure white, covered in incredibly detailed mirror ornaments that sparkle under the sun. I read that it was designed and built by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The white colour represents the purity of Buddha, while the mirror fragments reflecting the sunlight symbolise Buddha’s wisdom. To enter the temple, you walk across a bridge with a lake of tormented hand statues reaching up from below, along with eerie figures symbolising human desire, greed, and suffering. A voice announcement asks visitors to keep moving and not stop on the bridge, representing the idea of leaving darkness behind. At the centre is the main hall, where photography isn’t allowed. Inside, a large Buddha sits surrounded by murals featuring pop-culture characters like Superman, Spider-Man, and Pokémon - not random at all, it is a portrayal of the modern world and the things people become obsessed with today; technology, consumerism, power, and fame. 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How to Stay in Thailand Visa-Free for 90 Days

If you’re Indonesian, you probably already know that Thailand is among the countries we can enter without a visa. But I only recently found out that not many people realise you can actually stay for a total of 90 days. You get 60 days visa-free when you first enter, and then you can apply for an extension at the local immigration office. At first, I thought I needed a visa agent because I’d never done anything like this before and was scared of getting rejected. But when I went to the immigration office in Chiang Mai for the first time, they happily explained the steps. It was surprisingly easy - and you can absolutely do it yourself. Check how many days you can stay in Thailand visa-free on Thai e-visa official website You may also like this article: A Guide to Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai: 4 Things to Know The first 60 daysArriving in ThailandAfter your first 30 daysApplying for your extensionFinal Thoughts The first 60 days After checking several trusted official websites, the rule (at the time I’m writing this) hasn’t changed. Indonesians can enter Thailand visa-free and stay for 60 days, despite the uncertain news you might have seen on social media. What shocked me was that during check-in at Soekarno–Hatta, when I showed my return ticket, the staff questioned my 60-day stay - even the immigration officer seemed unsure. But don’t worry. If you’re ever in doubt, you can check the official Thai e-visa official website and enter your nationality (if you’re not Indonesian) to confirm whether you can enter visa-free and how long you’re allowed to stay. Fill in TDAC online before you fly Arriving in Thailand Don’t forget to fill in the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) form before arriving in Thailand - you can do it a day before your trip to stay organised. In the form, you’ll be asked for your return flight details. When you’re in the immigration line, you just need to scan the barcode sent to your email. As long as you haven’t been going in and out of Thailand a suspicious number of times in the past few months, you should be fine. I landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, and after scanning the QR code, they didn’t even ask me any questions. You may also like this article: What It’s Like to Live in Bali: Cost, Culture, and Everyday Life After your first 30 days Depending on where you’re staying in Thailand, you can look up the nearest immigration office. I was based in Chiang Mai, and the immigration office there is conveniently located inside a shopping mall called Central Festival Chiang Mai. After you’ve spent a month in the country, or basically before your 60 days run out, you can apply for a 30-day extension. Here’s what you’ll need: Applying for your extension It’s actually pretty straightforward once you have all your documents ready. You can show up during opening hours, but like most administrative offices, I’d suggest going early. I’m not sure about other cities, but in Chiang Mai they’re closed for lunch from 12–1pm. When I arrived, an officer checked our documents first. They’ll let you know if you’re missing anything or forgot to fill in a section. If everything’s in order, they’ll sign it off and give you a queue number. After that, you just sit inside and wait for your number to be called. When it’s your turn, hand over the checked documents and pay the 1,900 Baht fee in cash. Then you wait another 15–30 minutes (depending on how busy it is). Your name will be called, they’ll take a quick photo of you, and hand back your passport with a new stamp giving you another 30 days to stay in this beautiful country. In my personal experience, I wasn’t asked a single question, and the staff were actually pretty nice - you know how immigration offices can sometimes feel a bit intimidating? Anyway, that’s it. The whole process was done in one day, which was great and super efficient. Final Thoughts So yes, staying in Thailand visa-free for 90 days is completely doable for Indonesians and many other nationalities, and you don’t need an agent to make it happen. It might feel intimidating at first (especially with all the mixed information online), but once you understand the steps, it’s actually very manageable. My biggest tips are to double-check official sources, prepare your documents properly, and go early to the immigration office. That’s really it. Hope you find this article useful and happy holiday!

7 Days in Chiang Mai: Interesting Things to Do, See, and Eat