Inside a large Asian temple with gold statues
Inside Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai

How to Spend the Best Two Days in Chiang Mai

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Travel 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, and you’ll find yourself in the ancient city of Chiang Mai—a destination steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty.

Nestled in the mountainous region of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 as the capital of the Lan Na Kingdom. This “new city” was a hub for trade for centuries, thanks to its strategic location along the Ping River, which flows into the Chao Phraya River.

Chiang Mai’s allure lies in its historical significance and vibrant blend of the old and new. The ancient city walls and moat that once protected it still stand as a testament to its rich heritage, while modern cafes, art galleries, and bustling night markets thrive within and beyond its boundaries.

Today, Chiang Mai is a magnet for travellers, spiritual seekers, and a growing ex-pat community. Whether you’re drawn to its temples, mountain landscapes, or laid-back vibe, it’s easy to see why this city has become a must-visit destination in Thailand.

When planning a trip to the Land of Smiles, Chiang Mai is often recommended as the perfect follow-up to the bustling energy of Bangkok. Intrigued by its reputation and excited to explore its offerings, we were thrilled to include Chiang Mai in our Intrepid Tour itinerary.

Over two days, we discovered the magic that makes this city so beloved—and we’re here to share how you can make the most of your 48 hours in Chiang Mai.

Here’s how we spent two days in Chiang Mai.

Get the Overnight Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Purple colored train on platform
Overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

The overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was better than we expected.

Our ticket was for a second-class overnight berth and set menu dinner on Train #9.

The compartment had two bench seats, a pull-down table, and a retractable curtain.

At 7 pm, the staff arrived to set the table between the two seats and serve the set menu. The Thai dinner was very tasty; you are never sure what you get.

Otherwise, a restaurant car serves packaged food if you haven’t bought your snacks.

At 8.30 pm, staff returned to make up two beds with a sheet, cotton blanket, and pillow for the upper and lower berth.

The upper berth was just a meter wide, held in place with two seatbelts at either end of the bunk and attached to the ceiling. Scary!

So we decided to bunk together on the lower bunk, even 1.20 meters wide.  We stored our gear on the top bunk.

 

What to Expect on the Overnight Chiang Mai Train

Inside a train with bunk beds on either side
Inside the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai – very social
Couple lying on a bed inside a train
Ready for bed on the Bangkok to Chiang Mai overnight train

At about 9.30 pm, we peeked out the window just in time to see three ancient pagodas and the night food market at Lampang.

The train stopped along the line at different stations up until 11 pm. After that, it was sleep time with no more stops.

Some passengers mentioned the sensation of falling off the top bunk the following morning as some of the corners taken in the night were at speed.

It was amazing that no one snored or coughed during the night, even in such a large carriage. Mind you, earplugs do help!

We got a 6 am wake-up call from the guard. Within the next half hour, the train returned to a seated arrangement. We arrived at Chiang Mai station at 7.15 am.

Overall, it was not a bad experience for the second-class ticket.

Just remember to wear slip-on shoes as the toilet is shared by many.

Overnight Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai:

Train No.9 leaves Bangkok Train Station (Hua Lamphung Station) at 6.10 pm and arrives in Chiang Mai at 7.15 am. Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure to locate the platform.

 

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

People Place Hotel 2 – for a convenient, clean and affordable hotel, only a 2-minute walk to the famous Night Bazaar Centre.

Why the 2?

Because there are two hotels with the same name, People Place Hotel 2 is a few doors from People Place 1. This is the same trick that caused us confusion in Bangkok.

They also offer a buffet breakfast.

Location: Chareonprathet Lane 8 Alley, Chang Khlan Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District

 

 

How to Spend Two Days in Chiang Mai

Finding things to do in Chiang Mai will take you back in history to ancient temples and introduce you to the religious ceremonies of local families. But you can also enjoy:

  • Thai cooking
  • Relax with a massage
  • Nighttime shopping excursion
  • Visit a local hill tribe
  • Feeding tigers at the zoo
  • Spend time with rescued elephants
  • See local temples
  • Explore the local markets

Walk to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple

Looking down a long stairway with serpent bannisters
Serpent stairway at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

You’ll hire a car or a taxi to drive into the hills to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

The temple is 15 km from Chiang Mai at a height of 1,073 meters.

Visiting this ancient temple is a great way to start a day in Chiang Mai.

As you climb the 309 steps of the majestic serpents, you’ll stop for photos in both directions.

Once you reach the top, you’ll find a statue of the white elephant, who is said to have carried the relic to the temple grounds.

The golden shrine of the relic is breathtaking.

A walkway of smaller shrines surrounds it. And in one of the smaller temples, you can make an offering for a blessing from a local monk.

A golden temple with a golden umbrella
Golden Temple at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
A large white elephant decorated with a red and yellow saddle
White Elephant at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Take a Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Class

A group of people at a fresh produce market
At the local market to buy fresh produce for the Thai cooking class

When you love Thai food, it makes sense to learn how to cook Thai.

At 4 pm, a truck tuk-tuk collected us from the hotel. Our first stop was a local wet market.

Our cooking teacher purchased the ingredients we needed for about half an hour. She explained the varieties of herbs and vegetables.

Tonight, we were making:

  • Green chilli paste chicken curry
  • Pad Thai
  • Spicy Payaya Salad (vegetable, not fruit)
  • Mango Sticky rice

We are taken from the wet market to a small village. The cooking school in the middle of the village looks impressive.

Inside, we removed our shoes and donned a chef’s hat and apron. All the benches were set up with the utensils of:

  • cleaver
  • knife
  • board
  • stone pestle

We were to work in pairs to prepare and cook various local dishes.

It was a fantastic evening meal to enjoy after all our effort at preparation and cooking. The mango sticky rice is a must to try at least once, along with the Papaya salad.

The class was a lot of fun, and we also learned a thing or two about Thai cooking. And we came away with the instructor’s cooking book.

People cooking in a cooking class
Learning to cook Thai cuisine
Fresh ingredients for cooking asian food
Fresh ingredients for cooking

Take a Trishaw Tour of Chiang Mai

Trishaw Tour of Chiang Mai with two older gentlemen waiting by their bikes
Take a Trishaw Tour of Chiang Mai

One way to see the old inner city is by taking a local tour.

We thought we had hired a motorbike tuk-tuk, so we were a little surprised when we saw the bicycle rickshaw. The age of the gentlemen about to haul us both around surprised us. Mind you, their legs looked 12 years old!

Inside the City Walls of Chiang Mai

Seeing the walls of ancient Chiang Mai fills you with wonder. We travelled through the Tapae Gate and learned it was renovated in the 1980s.

The two gentlemen continued to smile as we took photos of stunning temples and monuments inside the city walls.

Many temples and shrines exist in this small area of the old city.

We loved the waterways as they cycled along. This mode of transport was great (for us, at least) because the slower pace allowed us to see more.

Cycling in the old city creates less pollution and helps keep this mode of transport alive.

Places to see are:

  • Chiang Mai National Museum
  • Wat Phra Singh Temple
  • Three Kings Statue
  • Wat Chedi Luang.

One place we enjoyed within the old city walls was Wat Chedi Luang.

 

Visit Wat Chedi Luang and the Emerald Buddha

A large ancient temple with a Buddha statue
Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai

Wat Chedi Luang is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai, and it once held the Emerald Buddha (Jade).

This temple was amazing because of the mosaic paintings on the ceiling.

Behind the ancient Pagoda (like Ayutthaya) was a replica of the Emerald Buddha, and then behind this, a wooden temple from the 1500s.

Inside a large Asian temple with gold statues
Inside Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai

Watching a Buddhist Monk Initiation

A line of teenage boys dressed in white robes
Young Boys Monk initiation in Chiang Mai

What a surprise to find ourselves amongst the boy’s initiation to become Buddhist monks.

The Initiates dressed in white while their parents held orange garments and white lotus flowers.

What was unusual were the men in costumes with their decorated ponies, prancing to the beat of drums.

Ponies dressed up in colorful clothes
Prancing ponies in Chiang Mai initiation

Shop at Chinatown Waroros market

With all the cultural stimuli for the morning, we hopped back into the rickshaw and headed to the local Chinatown Waroros market.

Apart from the large rat running behind some stalls, there are plenty of food choices to try. We picked up some now-familiar food items before returning to the hotel.

Relax with a Massage at a Thai Massage School

If you want a massage, Chiang Mai Thai Massage School has a selection of massages.

It’s a lot different from the cheap massages on the beach.

What you’ll notice is the professionalism of the ladies and the quality of the massage.

Forget the Aggressive Ladyboy Cabaret

Two ladies dressed in evening wear
Ladyboys marketing their show in Chiang Mai

One suggestion when in Chiang Mai was to see a Ladyboy performance.

The performance starts around 9.30 pm with an entrance fee of 290 Baht, including a drink.

Ladyboy is an interesting phenomenon of dancing, costumes, and lights. Different performers with new costumes and dance moves.

Dancers performing in a cabaret
At the Ladyboy show

Unfortunately, the evening was a disappointment from the aggressive serving staff.

When they delivered the free drinks to us, they demanded a tip and wouldn’t leave until they got it.

They then kept hounding us to buy more beers at inflated prices, plus the added tip. The experience put a real damper on the show due to their aggressive nature.

We wouldn’t recommend the Ladyboy show.

Two Days or One Day in Chiang Mai

Thai people ooze with friendliness when they spend time in Chiang Mai.

Whether you stop for one day or two days, you should take time to explore the old city.

Visit the night bazaar market for bargains and souvenirs. Look for a food stall selling kao soy (noodles in curry broth) and other delicious Thai cuisine.

Maybe relax with a massage.

Spending time in the mountainous province of Thailand gives you another way to see the best of Thailand.