Only got one day in Chaing Mai? No problem. While I obviously recommend spending more time in this amazing city, you can definitely get a lot done in one day. I know because I did ALL of this Chiang Mai itinerary in one day, too!
I was on a short trip to Chiang Mai with Air Asia, and only had two days to explore and create content. So, I decided to do a ‘perfect one-day’ itinerary on my first day and spend the next day discovering hidden gems! You are currently reading the ideal one day itinerary, of course; keep scrolling to check out the hidden gems article.
Anyway, I recommend waking up as early as you are comfortable with to begin this jam-packed day full of some top temples, thai food, and attractions around the city,
Doi Suthep Park & Temple
The first thing to do on this one day Chiang Mai itinerary is head up into the mountains along the Eastern side of the city. You can easily catch a Grab or, for an even cheaper cost, catch a Songthaew (The Red Taxi), which is a public transit option and most convenient if you’re located near a stop, or do what I did and rent a scooter at Aya Rentals for a few days.
Doi Suthep Temple is one of the best temples to visit in Chiang Mai because of its incredible view over the city and, of course, the architecture. Be warned – there are a lot of steps to get to the temple! But it’s worth the hike.
Speaking of hiking,the Doi Suthep Temple is located inside the Doi Suthep National Park, which is home to plenty of hikes, caves, and even waterfalls. You can check out a tiny waterfall just off the road on the way back down the mountain!
There’s also a market on the main roads where you can get fresh juices, food, and souvenirs (but don’t get too many as we’ll visit another massive shopping area later)!
Wat Suan Dok Temple
Heading back to Chiang Mai, another temple that’s worth visiting (and not as busy as Doi Suthep) is Wat Suan Dok. It’s very easy to stop by on the way back towards the city and shouldn’t take long just to walk around and see the sights.
The temple is beautiful, and the iconic white cemetery next to it is worth a quick wander through to admire. I only spent about 10 minutes here as it was very quiet, but it was worth stopping to take in the architecture.
After this stop, you’ll need to head back into Old Town, where we will spend the rest of our day.
Wat Phra Signh Temple
Now it’s time to head back into the city and visit – you guessed it – another temple! This one is located in the Old City of Chiang Mai and is one of the most historic temples around.
Wat Phra Signh Temple is one of the most famous temples in Chiang Mai as it’s centered around ancient, 14th century temples. You can see currently practicing monks wandering around the grounds (I love the photo I captured of the young monks, above) or wax statues of meditating monks inside.
This temple is also home to the most highly-held Buddha statues in Northern Thailand. It’s also free to enter, so take a half hour to wander through and learn about its history.
Time for a Thai Lunch – Dash Thai Restaurant
For only one day in Chaing Mai, I figured that Thai food is non-negotiable. While I love street food (and recommended a street Pad Thai in my one day in Bangkok itinerary), I thought this highly rated and creatively inspired Thai Restaurant would be the perfect stop.
Dash Teak House is located in a Northern Style Thai building made from Teak wood, and offers super fresh Thai food! The menu has a lot of classics and also dishes with a modern twist and fresh flavors that are sure to impress you and fuel you up for the second half of your adventurous day!
I had the Thom Yum soup (I was still a bit full from my hotel’s breakfast – more on that later) and it was a burst of amazing flavor. The soup, rice, and a fresh coconut and I was ready to head back out there for more exploring and learning.
Wat Chedi Luang – 15th Century Temple
Just a look at this temple and you can feel its history. While it’s not as dazzling or colorful on the outside as many temples in Thailand or even that we have seen today, the Wat Chedi Luang is a testament of time.
Finished in the 15th century, there are four staircases (one on each side) that lead to the main temple, or Chedi as this is called. It’s said that this Chedi protects the city! The entrance fee is 50 baht.
Grab a Coffee at One of Chiang Mai’s Cute Cafes
We’ve been quite busy on this one day Chiang Mai trip, so what better way to take a break than grabbing a coffee at one of the many cute cafes in Old City? Dipping into the coffee scene here is a must because there are MANY amazing cafes around here; it’s hard to choose just one!
You can wander the streets a bit to find one, but I ended up checking out Gallery Drip Coffee and loved it. This little cafe is quaint and artist and actually located inside an art museum! They have great specialty coffee – and iced coffee if you are visiting on a hot day like I was.
If you want a cafe that serves food and more drink options, the Zohng Cafe is also a short walk away, with great coffee and a unique and modern library vibe. However, I wouldn’t recommend eating too much, as we’ll visit the night markets later!
Shopping in the Old City
Okay, now that we’ve revived (with caffeine or not!), it’s time to take on the streets of Old City. The Old City always has stuff going on, and the homey architecture and bustling streets create a charm only Chiang Mai could have.
There are tons of cute stores, souvenir shops, and tailors in the Old City, so you can get whatever coveted souvenir you’re searching for. Simply wander the streets in a bustling area and you’ll find some shops to browse through and maybe even something to take home like a new pair of shoes, a new pieceof jerelry, or a print for the wall.
If you happen to be visiting on a Sunday, expect huge crowds in the inner part of Old City, as that’s when the weekly Sunday Market happens. It’s MASSIVE and is also a great place to buy more one of a kind and artistic goodies.
Grab a Thai Massage
No Chiang Mai itinerary would be complete without a massage – even just one day! When in Thailand, make sure to indulge in a proper Thai massage for at least an hour of your day.
If you happen to be here on Sunday, there are actually a ton of massages in the street market (if you don’t mind being outside!). Or, there are massage parlors every few shopfronts in the city from simple local massage parlors to proper spas with tons of treatments. Look at reviews, or simply pick one that looks good!
Khantoke Meal and Performance at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center
From Tuesday to Sunday, the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center offers an amazing dining and Khantoke performance experience that reflects Northern Thai culture. You can reserve your ticket to this delicious 9-dish meal and cultural dance experience in advance to make sure to dip even further into the area’s culture during your one day here.
Finish the Night Wandering the Night Markets
There are multiple nightly markets around Chiang Mai – I’d say at least 4 of 5 main ones. The night markets feature a whole lot of everything –from food to live music to tons of art/souvenirs to live muy Thai fights!
Head to Changklan Road, where the biggest and bet night markets and Muay Thai arenas are located – and you’ll find loads of food stands and people selling artworks and souvenirs.
I spent a few hours wandering through market after market, haggling for a cute matching skirt/top combo, lots of jewelry, and more while sipping on Chang and getting multiple different kinds of snacks from the food areas (ending with a mango sticky rice, of course). It’s so much fun to explore around here!
Other Things to Do in Chiang Mai (if you have another day or two!)
Here are a few more activities that I would consider important to do in Chiang Mai if you have more time!
Elephant Sanctuary
One of the most popular one day trips in Chiang Mai is a trip to an Elephant Sanctuary! As you wander around Chiang Mai, you’ll see plenty of tour providers offering these day trips. And if you have yet to visit elephants — I highly recommend it!
There’s a variety of companies and tours to choose from. Some packages include a lunch, river rafting and more. So you can make a day trip of visiting the elephants as well as other excursions in the area!
As this is tourism based on animals, definetly do your research on where you go so you can rest easy knowing the elephants you’re visiting are well taken care of. Here’s my article about how to find the best elephant sanctuaries in Chaing Mai.
Chiang Mai Grand Canyon
Located about a 30-minute drive outside of Chiang Mai Old Town is the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon. When you’re craving some fun (& water!) in your life, this is the place to go. The Chiang Mai Grand Canyon is home to an inflatable waterpark you can clamor around on, and you can fly down water slides or even wakeboard. Perfect for a hot day!
One Day in Chiang Mai – the Video
I also made this article into a Tiktok video – here it is!
Chiang Mai Hidden Gems
There are lots of cool hidden gems in Chaing Mai to visit if you have more time. It will be tough to fit more into this day (as I hardly got it all done myself) but if you return, make sure to visit:
- Baan Kang Wat Artists Village
- Monk’s Trail Hike
- The Giant Treehouse
Here’s my full list and article of Chiang Mai hidden gems with links and descriptions!
You can also take a scooter road trip to Pai from Chiang Mai if you are comfortable driving (something I do every time I go). If you love dogs, check out WVS Thailand to volunteer with some street pups (here’s my experience there years ago when it was called Care for Dogs).
Where to Stay:
Below are some of the best places to stay around the Old Town for this busy day in Chiang Mai. I curated this hostels and hotels list so you can make the most out of your day in Chiang Mai — where public transit (if you need it) and the attractions are going to be more easily accessible.
hotel: Bluery Siri? mentioned in TikTok
Budget Stays
i-Smile & U2 Hostel: Hostel with $5 Beds & a Rooftop
This hostel is for those who really want to stretch their budget! It offers dorms rooms starting at $5/night as well as private rooms. Aside from the cost, a few other reasons to stay here are for the rooftop, on-site laundry, and bike rentals! They also offer free coffee and tea.
Hostel Lullaby: Old City Hostel with Free Bikes
Hostel Lullaby is one of the more pricey hotels on this list, but the charm and amenities make it well worth it. Located towards the South of Old Town, the hostel provides free bikes, breakfast, and cozy lounge spaces. Plus if you’ve been wanting to do some yoga, boxing, or Thai cooking classes, they offer them for free (on certain days)!
Mid to High-End Hotels in Chiang Mai
Buri Siri Boutique Hotel
If you have followed me for a while, you’ll know I am a huge fan of boutique hotels and accommodation. This is why I stayed at Buri Siri Boutique hotel for my stay. It’s just outside the old town, very close to the trendy and expat-friendly Nimman area, and has a beautiful design and pool (and breakfast)! For my full review check out my Tiktok tour of the hotel.
Retro at Phra Sing Guest House: Colorful Guest House with a Garden
This colorful guesthouse is perfect for those on a budget but still want an upscale experience that has super unique and arty touches. Rooms start around $30/night and many have balconies for that touch of luxury.
A Day Villa Chiang Mai: Boutique Villa with a Pool and Breakfast
Use a free bicycle to get around, lounge by the pool, or cozy up in bed — this hotel in the center of Chiang Mai offers a super cozy ambiance. The rooms are something to rave about with their spacious layouts and minimal, yet charming interior design.
Did you get everything done in this itinerary in one day, or was it too much crammed in? Let me know in the comments below or on Instagram!
Thanks to Air Asia and Tourism Authority of Thailand for sponsoring my journey. All choices on this itinerary and opinions are entirely my own!
