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Best Things to do in Chiang Mai (2026)

Markets are at the heart of daily life in Chiang Mai, and visiting them is one of the best ways to understand the city. On Sunday afternoons Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic from Tha Phae Gate to Wat Phra Singh for the Sunday Walking Street, with crafts, street food and seated food courts in temple courtyards. On Saturdays the Wualai Saturday Walking Street fills the city's silversmith quarter south of Chiang Mai Gate, and it is a little calmer.

On other evenings, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar on Chang Khlan Road offers street stalls, covered markets and food courts every night, with bargaining expected at the open-air stalls. For a daytime experience, Warorot Market, a local market since 1910, is the place to try northern sausages and chilli dips and to buy dried foods. Elephant Nature Park, founded in 1995, offers day and overnight visits where elephants are observed, fed and walked with rather than ridden; book well ahead, as group sizes are limited. At the weekend markets, arrive in the late afternoon to browse before the crowds peak, and bring cash, as most vendors do not take cards.

5 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 things to do in Chiang Mai

  1. Sunday Walking Street Night market, Old CityWeekly evening market that closes Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate to Wat Phra Singh, with crafts, street food and temple-courtyard food courts.
  2. Wualai Saturday Walking Street Night market, WualaiSaturday evening market on Wualai Road, starting at Chiang Mai Gate, in the city's traditional silversmith quarter beside the Silver Temple.
  3. Warorot Market Market, Chang MoiChiang Mai's main local market since 1910, on Wichayanon Road, selling northern sausages, chilli pastes, dried foods, flowers, cloth and household goods.

Thing to do

3. Warorot Market

MarketChang Moi

Chiang Mai's main local market since 1910, on Wichayanon Road, selling northern sausages, chilli pastes, dried foods, flowers, cloth and household goods.

View details — Warorot Market

Thing to do

5. Elephant Nature Park

Elephant sanctuary (no riding)Chiang Mai Province (office in Phra Sing)

Elephant rescue sanctuary founded by Lek Chailert in 1995, offering day and overnight visits where elephants are observed, fed and walked with, never ridden.

View details — Elephant Nature Park