Specialty Museums in Chiang Mai

THE 10 BEST Chiang Mai Specialty Museums

Specialty Museums in Chiang Mai

Types of Attractions
Museums
Traveler rating
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18 places sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travelers are saying

  • freetolive
    Singapore, Singapore138 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had the pleasure of being guided around Chiang Mai today by an exceptional driver and tour guide-Andy(Tong)

    His professionalism and knowledge made the experience truly memorable.

    From navigating the city with ease to providing insightful information about the landmarks, he exceeded expectations.

    Highly recommend his services for a fantastic exploration of Chiang Mai!
    I put his contact here just in case anyone wants to contact him Highly recommended.
    Whatsapp-:+66840414704
    Written January 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Iryna B
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very interesting and quite a large and diverse collection with a personal touch and welcoming atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit, we spent quite some time in this museum
    Written September 11, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JULIAN M
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was great fun. We were able to see some artists at work painting their elephants, and we were able to paint our own ceramic elephants in our own way.
    It was an excellent way to spend time in Chiang Mai while at the same time contributing to their valuable fundraising activities for elephants.
    We REALLY recommend this for individuals or the whole family!
    Written March 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ducktalk
    Cowes, Australia239 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oh my goodness, the staff are absolutely delightful. I'd have loved to have bought a delicious blue blouse made by a tribeswoman, but there was no room in my wee suitcase for anything more.

    We walked here from Nimman, thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Free entry but a tip very welcome. Museum info good, 15 min video when you arrive was very informative (quality not great but you get the gist).

    Rest of the displays good, we've seen a lot of similar info in Chiang Rai and the cultural museum in Chiang Mai. Many of the individual videos weren't working and some seating wouldn't go astray.

    The village house examples outside would've been great when first built, but are no longer maintained. Unfortunately. Would've been good otherwise, particularly for children. Now they're just rundown and sad.

    Wouldn't recommend museum for small children - wouldn't be a good outcome! Lovely little gift shop. If you buy that blue blouse, I'm smitten with envy.
    Written October 31, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Annabelle
    Paraparaumu, New Zealand3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great display of donated Lanna buildings. The grounds are well cared for and are peaceful to walk around. I'm surprised there weren't more visitors. This place is a must visit for people who appreciate culture and history.
    Written August 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • singhasam
    Weymouth, UK3,725 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    MANY years ago I was given a small plaster figure of Ganesha which has since lived on one of my bookcases.
    So when research of Chiang Mai's outlying areas turned up this museum I thought it would be an ideal chance to get to know a bit more about Ganesha who is a Hindu god.
    Photography is forbidden in the museum which contains a great many figures of Ganesha who is variously revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, letters and learning and the god of intellect and wisdom.
    Care is needed when wandering round the museum because some of the exhibits are very close together in an atmospheric way which left me with the feeling of a presence. Fanciful, perhaps, but that was how I felt.
    These figures are contained in two parallel buildings separated by a central garden which has a number of figures in it including one very clever illusory work giving the impression that the head is almost suspended in the air.
    Both small buildings can be viewed in a leisurely way in less than an hour with a much larger area on the other side of the site devoted to a wax museum.
    Here are indoor water features with floating offerings blown on an endless journey round and round a central figure.
    There are bronze figures, fountains, great colourful displays, marvellous wooden inlay work, a variety of fabulous heads, some truly lovely stained glass work and, of course, numerous wax figures.
    If the mood takes you then you can also pay a small fee, get dressed up in ornate clothing and set yourself to pose in a lavishly constructed set.
    I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to both museums and I would certainly recommend people to come here, visit the historical museum and learn a bit about Ganesha as well as touring the more exotic wax museum.
    Written December 15, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • farang31
    Bangkok, Thailand83 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful Old Temple - great for a short 30-40 min side trip or longer if staying for a drink.

    Sadly (or nice for me) we was the only 2 people there because of c19 - so we walked around these wonderful old buildings - the shop / Cafe was closed but well worth the visit if you in the area,
    Written November 5, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Suratrichard
    Surat Thani, Thailand1,616 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    You don’t need a great deal of time to wander around this museum but it is certainly worth visiting. You don’t have to pay if you only want to see the ground floor but dual pricing applies for the full building. There’s no point in taking it out on the staff…they don’t make the rules! Dual pricing operates across Thailand so you either pay it or miss out on many many experiences.
    The staff are very helpful , some being students at the University and it is really is a fascinating place to visit. Combine it by also visiting the adjacent temple to make a good visitor experience.
    Written July 20, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Little05713
    Bangkok, Thailand25 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I'm joint my friend wedding in Monfai. This place look so nice. There are a lot of CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE LANNA KINGDOM. But from my point of view. There are mixed of Lanna cultural and Sukhothai cultural.
    Written March 26, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • James I
    New York City, NY562 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    While walking around Chiang Mai you may find yourself looking to do something for an hour and get out of the heat. If you have any interest in treasury type museums, coins or history in general, this is a nice stop. It was completely free, all the employees were very nice, helpful, and gracious for us visiting. They also had an interesting gift shop with all types of commemorative and historic coins. Not somewhere I'd go too far out of my way for, but had a nice time stopping in.
    Written February 25, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • chiangmaicharlies
    Chiang Mai, Thailand5,653 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wat gategaram museum is in the grounds of Wat Ket, and is also known as Wat Ket museum.

    It is one of those disorganized museums, just stuffed with old memorabilia related to the area. There is probably the largest collection of historic photographs of the area here, together with old gramaphone records, cameras, animal skulls, clothes and furniture.

    In fact, you name it and it's probably here. Much of it can be dismissed, but you sure can have fun viewing this place.

    Highly recommended. And if you're in the vicinity, this area is one of the oldest areas of Chiang Mai and well worth exploring. It is across the Ping river (by pedestrian bridge) from Warorot Market.
    Written November 9, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Larissa J
    Brisbane, Australia12 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very interesting. My aunty took me here. It was very hot outside but it was a very good experience and okay inside. Dressing and trying on the costumes, looking at knick knacks whilst drinking many cups of tea. Apparently theres a story of one person sitting and enjoying company for more than a few hours! The owner and his wife are very kind, and he is a fantastic storyteller who aims to communicate as best he could (in English) the different types of tea. trying pu'er was pretty good. owner prefers one on one and small groups of quietly chatting than big crowds. great if you got a few hours to sit and enjoy company. stay for an hour, possibly recommend several, even more!
    Written September 5, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • chiangmaicharlies
    Chiang Mai, Thailand5,653 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well, philatelists seem happy with it, but for others this is a very outdated and neglected museum of the 'old' kind.

    Updates are very few, many item are placed behind glass producing harsh reflections, and many items are only described in Thai - as you can see from my photographs. There are items from bygone years of little interest with no explanation.

    There are various historical pictures of interest and an interesting history of Thai philately in Thai and English.

    The museum occupies two floors and is a fine old colonial style building, standing in generous grounds which are now used for commercial car-parking which is a bit disappointing. There are some items for sale there, including stamp collections as to be expected.

    There was one staff member there, who didn't offer any help.
    Written May 3, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ritu V
    New Delhi, India358 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Exhibition is really awesome. Beautiful display of work. You can see art and handicraft of different countries under one roof.
    Written February 28, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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