Ancient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Best Free Things to Do in Chiang Mai
- Traveler favoritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveler rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
Category types
Types of Attractions
Traveler rating
Good for
171 places sorted by traveler favorites
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Flea & Street Markets
Open now
Cemeteries • Religious Sites
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
…
Showing results 1-30 of 171
What travelers are saying
- MeganSamfyaLusaka, Zambia84 contributionsEven though I’m not huge into visiting temples, it was pretty amazing to see this one. How well it’s been maintained over the many years, the calmness that’s within, and the detailed creation that was done so many years ago.Written September 16, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MeganSamfyaLusaka, Zambia84 contributionsI enjoyed walking around this beautiful temple’s grounds. The flowers are beautiful and the temples are very peaceful & full of detailed art. I don’t usually visit temples but this one is worth a visit!Written September 16, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JDZatSFSan Francisco, CA938 contributionsWat Pha Lat is a beautiful temple with beautiful surroundings and is very well worth visiting. One could take the tougher route up by hiking, as I did, and the easier route down by vehicle, as I also did.Written September 5, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- daveinazPhoenix, AZ53 contributionsThe most interesting aspect of this Wat, for me, is the cave-like tunnels built at ground level, which not only appeal to monks (apparently) but also to bats. We saw several of them clinging to the ceilings on our visit at dusk.Written August 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MeganSamfyaLusaka, Zambia84 contributionsSo many delicious food vendors!! I was also surprised by the live music, massage area, and artist! The painting are beautiful, the souvenir shops are everywhere but the food was my main visit & it didn’t disappoint!Written September 16, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- T HuffordDoha, Qatar27 contributionsFamily trip to the Saturday night market. Great to see the market buzzing. Grab your food at the top of the street at the multitude of stalls before heading into the market itself. Not as many food offerings as I had hoped for, but cheap and very tastey. Market stalls are okay.Written July 16, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- chua0524Singapore, Singapore36 contributionsLike some reviewers had mentioned, this is more of a traditional market with lots of dried goods and dried fruit for tourists to buy back home. This was probably made for locals, but as tourism took off, you can increasingly see more stall catering to tourists - which explains why almost every stall in the middle area sells the same things. For the more local experience, walk the perimeter, inside and outside the building. At one corner you'll see fresh seafood sold in pails and also fresh meat and vegetables. But these are far and beyond. What you will see the most are dried fruits, tea and snacks on level 1 and ethnic products, clothes and bags on level 2. If you are interested, there is also a small section selling dried shrimps, mushrooms, etc. There are also some fruit and food stalls littered around, Generally, prices are very cheap here!
Do also come back during the night (seemed to be at its peak around 8, 9ish) as the roads outside the building transforms itself into a night market - mostly food stalls but lots to see and try! Similarly, prices are cheap. There's a guy selling coconut water and also jelly in a small cup. Buy that! It is really good - bought the jelly two nights in a row!
PS. One evening when i went it poured heavily. Surprisingly, some stall holders were still out there doing business!Written September 15, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - worldnomad_01Los Angeles, CA1,076 contributionsOriginally built at the beginning of the 16th century, renovated from 2008 to 2016 and also known as the Silver Temple, Wat Sri Suphan is located just south of the old city and it is unique in its appearance and the fact that is all clad in silver. A beautiful statue of Ganesha (son of Shiva and Parvati) is placed in the front of the temple, confirms strong Hindu influences and the detailed silversmith work on every part of the temple is simply exquisite and amazing.Written June 5, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- worldnomad_01Los Angeles, CA1,076 contributionsAlthough located in a quite busy part of the city, the temple is quiet and interesting. The white chedis next to the golden pagoda contain the ashes of various members of the royal family. The temple is built on the site of a 14th century royal garden and is well worth a visit...Written June 5, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ng AdelinePetaling Jaya, Malaysia346 contributionsOnce in a life time experience, the Yi Peng& Loy Krathong festival. There were celebrations for approximately 3 days. Very interesting culture exposure and there were street parade by the locals, floats made of flowers, cultural costumes and endless night markets with varieties of food, souvenirs etc..Written June 14, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- melkeetIpoh, Malaysia1,361 contributionsWe visited this place during our walking tour of the old city and is located in the centre of the old city. It’s the site where ovens were placed to cast Buddha images for Wat Chedi Luang, which is nearby. The viharn is beautiful. Opposite the entrance is a large golden sitting Buddha, the Wat Phan Tao’s principal Buddha image. There is also a large white chedi. We were there in the evening and it was shutting down for the day then.Written December 31, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MeganSamfyaLusaka, Zambia84 contributionsA very beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing park! I immediately felt embraced with peace as I walked in. The fountains have a refreshing sound, it’s pretty quiet, and there are plenty of benches to relax on. I took a book and found a perfect place to just read and people watch. There is a walking path with small gym equipment stations and a playground for kids at the far end. I enjoyed a scoop of ice cream from one of the vendors inside.Written September 16, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ally gRomania14 contributionsGiving this 4 stars in no way implies this isn't a wonderful place to visit, but I'm visiting alot of Temples here, so I'm saving the 5 star rating for the best of the best.
Beautiful inside the main Temple building and I love all the gold ribbons hung on lines in front of the Chedi carrying people's wishes.Written August 24, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - dereka66Bang Sao Thong, Thailand80 contributionsThe large city wall and moat in the centre of Chiang Mai is very interesting. The old city gate is impressive and worth a short visit when walking around the old centre with its many impressive temples.Written September 12, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JellyBSingapore, Singapore802 contributionsThere is plenty of local food and if you aren’t crafted out by this stage (after visiting different markets in Chiangmai), there is a good selection here.
For the food, we really really liked the freshly steamed filled rice rolls (in Singapore/Malaysian we call them chee cheong fun) and man! these were super delicious. They come in 8 different flavors and guess what? It’s 8 to a portion so if you can’t decide what to have, just have one of each!!!
The mango sticky rice was one of the better ones we had too. The glutinous rice was cooked to a light and fluffy texture. Perfect!!!
Besides the food, the mall was the perfect excuse to hide away from the afternoon sun. My friend got a massage, I raided the supermarket looking for local snacks and had a nosey around the mall for local Thai brands.
Good for passing away 2-3 hours. Have fun.Written September 4, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
