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01/02/2025 | 6 MINUTES READ

Extended Excursion in Chiang Mai

Stella D.

William & Mary | Bangkok

Chiang Mai, located in the north, is Thailand’s second-largest city and my personal favorite! Our November WorldStrides excursion took us to Chiang Mai for the weekend, but I decided to stay a few extra days to enjoy all it had to offer.

Chiang Mai’s center is the old city: a perfect square surrounded by the ruins of ancient walls and a canal. The old city and the areas around it are wonderfully walkable, with tiny streets full of shops, restaurants, cafes, and, of course, temples.

A person relaxes by the Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The canal not only serves as a reminder of the city’s defensive history but also adds a peaceful charm to its bustling streets.

Elephants

Thailand is synonymous with elephants, and Chiang Mai is home to several ethical sanctuaries that allow you to interact with these majestic creatures responsibly. Our program manager booked us a half-day excursion to an elephant sanctuary where we got to feed and bathe the elephants.

An elephant eating grass or hay in an enclosure at a sanctuary near Chiang Mai, Thailand.

We got to participate in activities like preparing food, learning about elephant behavior, and even helping with their daily care, such as giving them mud baths and assisting in river bathing.

An elephant eating grass or hay in an enclosure at a sanctuary near Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Relaxing view from a platform overlooking a green valley with rice paddies and mountains.

A seating area overlooking the nearby mountains at the elephant sanctuary—a peaceful place to sit and watch the elephants in the river.

Relaxing view from a platform overlooking a green valley with rice paddies and mountains.

Temples

Chiang Mai is often referred to as the “Rose of the North,” and its more than 300 temples are a testament to its rich history and spiritual heritage. On our first day in the city, I visited the glittering Wat Lok Molee, a temple just outside the city’s north wall, with some friends from the program.

Ornate Carvings on a Buddhist Temple in Thailand

The tree next to this temple held dangling pieces of leaf-shaped metal, each with different prayers and words of thanks written upon them

After the rest of the group left, I set out on my mini solo trip through the ancient city. I considered doing a guided tour of the larger temples but decided to simply wander and see where the winding streets would take me!

Detail of a Thai temple with ornate gold decoration, hanging plants, and a red and gold statue amidst greenery.

Temple details—I love the different architecture and designs of all the temples in Chiang Mai!

Detail of a Thai temple with ornate gold decoration, hanging plants, and a red and gold statue amidst greenery.
A vibrant display of colorful paper lanterns adorning a temple in Thailand.

These gorgeous lanterns were hung outside of one of the temples I saw. Chiang Mai used to be part of the Lan Na Kingdom, and this distinctive lantern style is named after it.

A vibrant display of colorful paper lanterns adorning a temple in Thailand.

Nature

I couldn’t leave Chiang Mai without exploring some of the beautiful nature surrounding the city. Monk’s Trail was my next stop. This serene trail begins near the Chiang Mai Zoo and winds through dense jungle, leading to the peaceful Wat Pha Lat, a hidden temple that feels like it’s straight out of a fairytale.

Silver serpent statue in a lush green landscape, Thailand.

The path is named for the monks who once used it for meditation.

Moss-covered stupa in a forest in Chiang Mai, Thailand

There were so many hidden statues and ancient temple ruins at the end of the hike, it was like a garden full of art!

My last day in the city, I booked a tour of the Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls through my hostel and set off in a Songthaew (Chiang Mai’s classic red pickup truck taxi). It took about an hour to get there, but I got to chat with fellow solo travelers from my hostel, and we had so much fun swapping stories about traveling Southeast Asia!

Shallow stream flowing through a tropical forest, with pink flowers and lush green vegetation.

The Sticky Waterfalls get their nickname from the grippy mineral deposits on the rocks, making it possible to climb up the cascading water without slipping.

Shallow stream flowing through a tropical forest, with pink flowers and lush green vegetation.
A serene forest path with a wooden bridge and stepping stones over a small stream.

Surrounded by a tranquil forest, it’s a perfect spot to cool off and relax after climbing the falls.

A serene forest path with a wooden bridge and stepping stones over a small stream.

Stella D.

Tags

  • Excursion
  • Itinerary