Chiang Mai in 4 Days: Plan Around the Night Markets

The big picture: stay in the Old City, plan by weekday

Our Chiang Mai guide suggests 4 to 5 days. This plan fits Old City temples, Doi Suthep, a day out of town and the run back to the airport into 4 days.

For a first visit, stay inside the moat and walls of the Old City, where temples and restaurants cluster and everything is walkable. Cafe lovers may prefer Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) to the north-west, and the Night Bazaar and Ping River area to the east puts you near the evening markets.

The day of the week matters here, because the big Walking Street markets open only on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Once your dates are set, check which days fall on the weekend and shift the plan below to match.

• Chiang Mai travel guide →

Day 1: Airport, Old City temples, Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) sits just south-west of the Old City. A Grab or Bolt car has a fixed fare in the app, so no haggling. At the official taxi counter, confirm the set fare before you get in.

After checking in, walk the Old City temples in the afternoon. The guide's first-day picks are Wat Phra Singh, with its beautiful Lanna-style wooden hall, and Wat Chedi Luang, with its huge ruined brick chedi. Wat Chedi Luang is lovely when it is lit up in the evening.

Cover shoulders and knees at temples and take off your shoes before entering halls. In the evening, head east to the Night Bazaar, which runs every night.

• Grab or Bolt car: about 15-20 min to the Old City or Nimman, about 150-250 THB
• Airport taxi: about 15-20 min, flat fare (confirm at the counter)
• Songthaew (red truck): about 20 min, about 100-200 THB (agree before you ride)
• Airport shuttle bus: about 40 THB; check routes and hours on the official airport site

Day 2: Doi Suthep, Nimman, khao soi

In the morning, go up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the golden-spired temple on the mountain overlooking the city. Climb the 300-odd steps or take the funicular. Shoulders and knees must be covered here too.

The road up is winding, so prepare if you get car-sick. A songthaew or Grab works, and a car with driver for half a day is easiest. Agree on hours and price first.

Stop in Nimman on the way back for cafes and restaurants in the afternoon. Finish with khao soi, the north's signature noodles (about 60-100 THB at local spots).

Fit the Saturday or Sunday Walking Street into that evening

The Sunday Walking Street runs on Sunday evening from Tha Phae Gate through the heart of the Old City, with crafts and street food, and it is very crowded. The Saturday Walking Street runs on Saturday evening along the silversmith street south of the Old City and is a little calmer.

If your trip includes a Saturday or Sunday, make that evening a Walking Street night. The Night Bazaar is open every night, so it can move to another day. Expect skewers, mango sticky rice and sai ua (northern sausage), and carry small cash.

If your trip misses the weekend, the Night Bazaar alone still gives you the night-market experience.

• Saturday evening: silversmith street south of the Old City (a little calmer)
• Sunday evening: from Tha Phae Gate through the Old City (the biggest market)
• Every night: Night Bazaar, east of the Old City

Day 3: Doi Inthanon, or an easy day in town

For a day out of town, the guide recommends Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand's highest mountain, with waterfalls, pagodas and nature trails. It is about 1.5-2 hours from the city by car. There is an entry fee, so check the official amount.

It is chilly at the top, so bring a layer. The road is winding, and a car with driver for the day is easiest. Agree on hours and price before you set off.

If you'd rather not go far, swap in a half-day cooking class where you shop at a market and cook Thai dishes yourself. If you want to see elephants, choose a sanctuary with no riding or shows that puts the animals' welfare first. End the day with a massage.

Day 4: Market, souvenirs, airport

On the last morning, browse a market or join the cooking class you skipped on day 3. Gaeng hang lay, a northern pork curry, is not very spicy and fine for kids.

The airport is close to town, but leave plenty of time for packing and check-in. A Grab or Bolt from the Old City or Nimman takes about 15-20 minutes.

Getting around and what to check before you go

Red shared songthaew trucks are the default way around. Tell the driver where you are going, agree on the fare, then hop in the back; short rides in town are about 30-50 THB per person. With family or luggage, or late at night, Grab or Bolt's fixed fares are easier.

Riding a scooter yourself requires a licence recognized in Thailand and a helmet, and accidents without a licence may not be covered by travel insurance. Per our guide, budget about 1,000 THB per person per day on a tight budget, or about 2,500-3,500 THB with a hotel, restaurants, one tour and a massage.

• Best time: November to February, cool and dry
• Around February to April, forest-fire smoke can make the air very poor; check the air quality index
• May to October is the rainy season, with afternoon showers but green hills
• Hotels fill fast around the November full-moon lantern festival; check official rules on releasing lanterns
• Check entry rules and online arrival forms with Thailand's embassy or immigration website

• Incheon → Chiang Mai flights →
• Busan → Chiang Mai flights →
• Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai? →

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