CHIANG MAI Top Things To Do in 2026 | Perfect 5 Day Itinerary

This video is an honest Chiang Mai travel guide made by "locals" who have been living here for over 5 years ☺️⛰️

We share all the best things to do in Chiang Mai, but also the good, bad, and ugly sides of traveling here. No fake hype, no Instagram-only spots — just real advice from people who actually live in Northern Thailand and explore it every week.

This 5-day Chiang Mai itinerary covers both must-see highlights and hidden gems that most tourists never hear about.

In this Chiang Mai travel guide, we talk about:

• The top things to do in Chiang Mai
• Where to stay in Chiang Mai (best areas & what to avoid)
• Temples and markets that are actually worth visiting
• Best hiking trails, viewpoints & mountains around Chiang Mai
• Waterfalls, including the famous Sticky Waterfall
• Day trips to Doi Inthanon National Park & Chiang Dao
• Ethical elephant sanctuaries like Elephant Nature Park
• Hill tribe villages, rice terraces & coffee plantations
• Best cafes with views, local coffee & slow travel spots
• Thai food, local dishes & cooking classes
• Bamboo rafting, nature experiences & off-the-beaten-path places
• Burning season and Rainy season tips

We also share places we personally love, spots we think are overrated, and tips that will help you avoid crowds and experience the best of Chiang Mai.

📍SOME OF THE LOCATION WE VISITED:

Cooking class we took
gyg.me/BTe33p3C
Yoga in the park maps.app.goo.gl/DdpHrjzJEKMEho29A
Our fav temple in the city maps.app.goo.gl/k5eLTBsH7QMU7QKd7
Mae Mae village accomodation maps.app.goo.gl/qkCni5JFMCTHUz9r5
Ban Na Lao Mai, Chiang Dao maps.app.goo.gl/GkPgGz7LeeYrsXcu6
Huay Thueng Thao maps.app.goo.gl/FN9vEUN7NLnvaiXA9
Amazing local food in Old Town maps.app.goo.gl/8NPdQ453LBFBu7DR7
Fav Northern Thai restaurant maps.app.goo.gl/SpUownjAPMe5u1pX6
Good hidden coffee in the Old Town maps.app.goo.gl/V5qTgEA3j9WX5TjV6
Best vegan food maps.app.goo.gl/Wxnf3kkRaDQ9KWXg8
Best cafe by the lake maps.app.goo.gl/yURjTQDXrNDkmiCZ7
Best cafe by the river maps.app.goo.gl/xuJbtrYVFzqZbjuj8

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro – Living in Chiang Mai as locals
00:52 Day 1: Food, Temples, Walking Street
03:30 Day 2: Parks, Unique Markets, Nimman
09:13 Why Should You Visit Chiang Mai?
11:37 Day 3: Doi Suthep, Night Bazaar, Jazz
14:53 Day 4: Doi Inthanon, Pa Pong Piang, Mae Wang
17:19 Day 5: Sticky Waterfalls
18:01 Chiang Dao
19:33 Ethical elephant sanctuaries (Elephant Nature Park)
20:33 Other Things to Do in Chiang Mai
23:06 Burning Season in Chiang Mai
23:23 Rainy Season in Chiang Mai
23:36 Cooking Class Chiang Mai
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