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Places to visit near Chiang Mai provide a soothing mix of fresh air, nature, culture, and peace that goes beyond the city. Whether it’s steeped in misty mountains, quiet villages, or cool trekking, there are memorable experiences to be had in northern Thailand, away from the city. These local adventures are a great way to relax, learn about local culture, and get lost in nature, all within a few hours. From waterfalls and hot springs to hill tribe communities and picturesque valleys, these places provide additional depth to your experience in Chiang Mai.
Top 10 Places To Visit Near Chiang Mai
These places to visit near Chiang Mai offer a varied presentation of the natural beauty and cultural depth of northern Thailand.
1. Pai
Photo: Brayden Prato / Unsplash
Nestled in the beautiful mountains of northern Thailand, Pai is a quiet little town challenging visitors to leave its tranquillity and incomparable beauty. Surrounded by hills, rice paddies, and waterfalls, Pai offers a beautiful subversion away from the busy city life. The beautiful drive from Chiang Mai, with over 700 curves and stops along the way, is an essential rite of passage for adventurous explorers. Once arriving in Pai, you can engage in soaking in natural hot springs, visit the incredible Pai Canyon at sunset or spend some time navigating the night market filled with crafts and street foods.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 130 km
Top Highlights: Sunset at Pai Canyon
2. Doi Inthanon National Park
Photo: Sirapa Atikomchakorn / Wikimedia Commons
Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak, is perfect for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers. Standing at 2,565 meters above sea level, the park provides cool mountain air, beautiful viewpoints, and forests cloaked in clouds. Visitors can spend hours exploring beautiful waterfalls like Wachirathan and Siriphum, or meander along the Ang Ka Nature trail, a beautiful boardwalk trail shrouded in mossy trees. The most iconic sights of Doi Inthanon National Park are the twin royal pagodas that were built for the Thai king and queen, surrounded by gorgeous gardens that are meticulously maintained.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 93.2 km
Top Highlights: Sunrise from the summit
3. Chiang Dao
Photo: LannaPhoto / Wikimedia Commons
Chiang Dao is one of the places to visit near Chiang Mai and is a quiet mountain town beneath Doi Luang Chiang Dao, the third-highest mountain in Thailand. Its tranquillity offers visitors fresh air, verdant scenery, and a slow pace. Chiang Dao includes attractions such as the Chiang Dao Cave complex, allowing people to explore sacred chambers filled with Buddha statues and impressive rock formations. The location features relaxation in hot springs, excellent bird-watching, and is a favourite destination for nature lovers.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 71 km
Top Highlights: Chiang Dao Cave
4. Mae Kampong
Photo: Jens De Decker / Unsplash
Mae Kampong is a lovely small mountain village located in the forested hills just east of Chiang Mai, Thailand, that provides a genuine experience of rural life in Thailand. It has a cool climate and a strong sense of community, and the eco-tourism village of Mae Kampong offers homestay accommodation options, in which you share meals, storytelling, and everyday activities with the local family. It is nestled amongst beautiful jungles and tea plantations, which is perfect for lazy walks or short treks. A short distance away is a small waterfall. Mae Kampong is one of the best places to visit near Chiang Mai.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 50.9 km
Top Highlights: Village homestays
5. Mae Sa Valley
Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote / Wikimedia Commons
Mae Sa Valley is a green and beautiful retreat near Chiang Mai, located just outside the city, known to simultaneously provide a fantastic selection of natural beauty and family entertainment. This green territory is also covered by forests and gardens with waterfalls and is one of the most popular tourist attractions near Chiang Mai. Mae Sa Waterfall, which is a multi-stage cascade, offers people picnics and easy forest walks. The Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is the other emphasis, boasting canopy routes with panoramic flights above the tropical forest tops.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 37.4 km
Top Highlights: Botanic Garden Canopy Walk
6. Lampang
Photo: Charin ninsu / Wikimedia Commons
Lampang is a small and beautiful city with history and culture that has a lot of peace and a serene atmosphere, everything you could ask of a traveller; it avoids the touristy crowds. The city of Lampang is recognisable by its horse-drawn carriages and well-conserved architecture, with a mix of the old-fashioned charm of the city and the Northern Thai culture. A pilgrimage to the Wat Phra That Lampang Luang temple is one of the spiritual and architectural delights of Thailand, being one of its most sacred wooden temples. It also has riverside markets, teakwood houses and an ancient town that is lined with Burmese-hinted temples.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 106.3 km
Top Highlights: Elephant Conservation Centre
7. Chiang Rai
Photo: Stefan Fussan / Wikimedia Commons
Chiang Rai is a culturally rich city with beautiful art, history, and natural attractions, making it one of the best attractions near Chiang Mai. Although it is a little bit farther away from the relatively close attractions, the highlights make it worthwhile. The white temple (Wat Rong Khun) is a visually intricate, contemporary Thai art masterpiece. The blue temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) is also one of the most vividly colourful, intricately designed, and spectacular Buddhist temples. The black house museum and the Hall of Opium (Golden Triangle) are also worth exploring.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 189.4 km
Top Highlights: White Temple
8. Ban Rak Thai
Photo: Wichian Ratanatongchai / Wikimedia Commons
Ban Rak Thai is a serene mountain town close to the Myanmar border, well known as a tea plantation centre, and high level of Yunnanese-Chinese cultural influence. It was first established by Chinese settlers, and it has a caricature of Chinese dwellings that consists of clay houses, hazy mountains and a peaceful lake, which portrays the calm nature of the village. Tourists will have a chance to taste oolong tea, taste traditional Yunnanese food, and take a walk on the serene lakeside path. Ban Rak Thai is one of the most picturesque destinations to be visited along the way to Chiang Mai, and this town is a welcome relief towards unspoiled tourist spots.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 246.9 km
Top Highlights: Local tea tasting
9. Hot Springs At San Kamphaeng
Photo: FredTC / Wikimedia Commons
San Kamphaeng is another relaxing place to experience the natural hot springs and traditional crafts that make it one of the best places to visit near Chiang Mai. The hot springs found here are bursting out of the underground geysers, giving an opportunity to its visitors to plunge into the warm pools of minerals, which are said to have healing power. The region is also famous for silk weaving, celadon earthenware, and umbrella-making ateliers, which are located beyond the springs. San Kamphaeng has a peaceful environment with local culture, which is a relaxing combination of health and tradition, located within a few minutes’ drive from the city.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 21.9 km
Top Highlights: Natural hot spring baths
10. Phrao
Photo: Takeaway / Wikimedia Commons
Far north of Chiang Mai, Phrao is a quiet and rural district. Visitors can find a truly local and authentic experience far away from the tourist hotspots. Surrounded by rice fields, forested hills, and quiet villages, Phrao offers a perfect destination for slow travel and cultural experiences. Go organic on an organic farm, cycle through the countryside, and visit small hill tribe communities where many traditional lifestyles remain intact. Other options include numerous community-based tourism opportunities where guests can learn about local crafts, agriculture, and cuisines from the community.
Distance From Chiang Mai: 98 km
Top Highlights: Countryside cycling
From quiet mountain towns, sacred temples, and natural wonders, the places to visit near Chiang Mai uncover and reveal the hidden gems of northern Thailand. Each destination is equally charming and is suitable for day trips or longer trips, and is ‘off the beaten mass tourist path’. Whether you want adventure, culture, or relaxation, these places will offer a different experience as well. Ready to explore? Plan your trip with TripXL today.
Cover Photo: Salinee Chot/ Unsplash
