Chiang Mai taught me that revisiting a destination can shift your perspective on how to experience it. My first time there was filled with adventure and unique activities all chalked out to the T. An itinerary that needed to be covered. The second time around, I was years wiser to understand that hitting a pause and moving at a slower pace offers a glimpse into the tiniest of details that we overlook. Be it a local vendor selling a unique snack that might leave its imprint long after it has been relished, or immersing in the chaos of a night market, or sitting at a local roadside stall cafe, exchanging smiles with strangers, you cannot include moments in an itinerary. And they don’t have a budget. Therefore, as I sat down to list the top 30 budget-friendly things to do in Chiang Mai, I recalled every place and experience that left a mark and that need to be covered by travellers willing to go beyond the usual drop-off points.

Here’s my list

Unleash your inner Tarzan and climb this unusual waterfall known as the Sticky Waterfall or Namtok Bua Tong Waterfall. Unusual because, unlike other slippery, moss-covered waterfalls, this is NOT SLIPPERY AT ALL (except for one or two places where the water is held for long)! Made of limestone deposits, the bulbous, cream-coloured rocks contrast well with the surrounding dark green forest. An hour and a half from the city, this place is an ideal half-day picnic spot. Manageable washrooms are available to change into dry clothes after the climb.

• Hire a songthaew (meaning two benches) or “red cars”, there is room for 8 people.
• Tuk-tuk
• Driving a scooter (if you have a Thai Licence or an International Driving Permit)
• Book a tour
• Book a taxi

• Carry an extra set of clothes
• Leave your shoes in the car (you will not need them because you can climb barefoot)
• Make sure your phone is safe and inside a cover (our friend fell on his bum while climbing with his iPhone in his back pocket!!!)
• Although there are wooden steps to go down to the water in case you don’t want to climb down via a rope, after a point, the wooden steps give way to an ankle-deep muddy way with only branches to hold for balance. We did that!!

Nestled at the misty foothills of a limestone mountain Doi Luang Chiang Dao, lies the famous temple complex of Wat Tham Chiang Dao and the Chiang Dao Cave. Located 73 km from Chiang Mai city, which takes around 1.45 hrs to cover, this is perfect for a day trip if you like caving and exploring cave temples.

A popular local attraction, the Chiang Dao Cave network consists of five separate cave systems and each is unique – Tham Seua Dao, Tham Phra Nawn, Tham Maa, Tham Naam, and Tham Kaew

P.S. – Take a guide, there are tour guides with lanterns (eerieee!!!!)

• Remember to wear respectable clothing, as you would be entering a Buddhist Temple, and wearing modest clothing in temples is part of the Thai culture. Cover your shoulders, wear long pants. In case you prefer wearing shorts, carry a decent-sized stole/shawl that will cover your legs or rent one at the entrance of the cave for a fee.
• Do not take anything from inside the cave, not even a small stone – it is forbidden as per the Thai culture, and we should respect it.
• There will be extremely tight spaces where you have to crawl, so be ready to slither like a dragon (sounds tacky!!))
• The floor will be slippery and wet, so you’ve got to be careful.

Consider wearing good walking shoes because the caves are winding throughout the mountain, so it will be quite a good walking exercise.

The easiest way to rent a scooter/bike or car. In case you want to travel by local means then

Head to Chang Puak Bus Station (Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 1) -> Board a local bus or minibus headed toward Fang or Tha Ton -> Tell the driver you want to go to Chiang Dao which is around 1.5 hours (cost of ticket around THB 70 but may cary) -> Once you get off at Chiang Dao town, take a songthaew (red truck) or a motorcycle taxi the remaining 5 km to the cave entrance.

Thailand is one of the 13 Asian countries that is home to Asian elephants. But a lot of this population has been unethically used to promote tourism or entertainment. But there are non-profits and other organizations actively working to rescue them from detrimental environments and reintroduce them to the wild. Seek Sophie has been dishing out ethically curated tours for travellers who want to experience it right. There’s a day-tour at this no-touch, no-feed, no-bathe sanctuary, or those who want to spend 2D1N through hidden Doi Inthanon Trails or looking for a more immersive community-led 4D3N experience at BEES where rescued elephants are provided a safe and natural environment, you gotta try Seek Sophie.

Everyone knows how paper is manufactured – from trees through an extesive process. But have you ever heard of paper being manufactured from elephant poop! Being a student pursuing studies on elephants, I am sure of one thing – there won’t be any shortfall of poop! Because the elephants consume 150 – 300 kgs of food per day to meet their daily nutritional requirement!! Having started 15 years back, the PooPoopaper Park educates the visitors on the benefits of sustainability and also explains the entire process of paper making from poop. Visitors can also participate in this quirky process!

The tour usually takes 45 minutes, but it might also take a good two hours if visiting with kids.

Timings: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday)

Address: 87 Moo. 10 T, Mae Raem, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Contact: +66 53 299 565

Everything erotic! Some may smirk, some may giggle awkwardly, some may feel scandalized. But it is what it is – a place that manifests erotica in the most sensuous and aesthetic way. A teahouse, located amidst green rice paddies of Mae Rim was created by Katai Kamminga. From human-sized phalluses to breast-shaped mountains, to Katai, this is a place where she welcomes artists to showcase their erotic art. Opened to the public in January 2015, this place was built in just six months and is the First Erotic Garden in Southeast Asia!

Timings: 10:00 am to 5 pm

Address: 46/3 Soi 5, Huay Sai Maerim,, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Contact: +66833184855

• Respect the artistic sensibilities

Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam (Wat Mae Kaet Noi) is not for the fainthearted! Brainchild of the Buddhist monk Pra Kru Vishanjalikon had a vision of the temple concept, where exhibits display the grotesque consequences of ‘sins’ . The intention was to create fear among the masses to prevent them from sinning. Various torture methods are elaborately designed for sinners based on the sins they committed, and some installations are equipped with sound effects for a wholesome experience! Indeed a unique place to visit.

Address: 46/3 Soi 5, Huay Sai Maerim, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Things to Remember:

The installations pretty graphically represent the concept of the underworld, so visit at your own discretion!

You read it right! A 15-minute drive outside the city takes you to The Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution, where apparently only minors and short-term offenders are incarcerated. The Vocational Training Centre. With Thailand known to offer massages at a reasonable price, this is not only a unique massage experience but apparently the cheapest in Chiang Mai and who wouldn’t love a nice foot massage after a long walk!!

Timings: Monday to Friday – 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Saturday & Sunday – 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Entry Fee: No entry fee, but only for the massage service.

Address: 18/2 Wiang Kaew Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

• No prior appointments required. It’s on a first-come, first-served basis. But it is usually packed. So, to avoid the long queue, it is advisable to be the first when it opens or reach there within an hour of opening.
• Like most places in Thailand, you need to leave your shoes outside.

A very popular tourist destination in Chiang Mai is Tiger Kingdom, where you get to interact with the big cats. Starting from medium, big, to giant tigers (the smallest and small are not currently available). Although an attraction, this place might cause you to question the ethicality of this place – big cats are not meant to be confined in cages, however huge that might be. They are well-fed, taken care of, and protected from being poached in the wild! But that still doesn’t justify their use for commercial entertainment. If you feel like looking at the tigers playing like house cats (after all same family), you should definitely pay a visit!

Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last admission 4:30 pm)

Entry Fee: None; they charge based on what you want to see.

Address: 51/1 Rim Tai, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

• Despite being in cages, tigers are wild animals, and they have certain innate instincts, so always listen to the keeper. And respect the space of the animal, don’t try to grab or pinch, try to frighten them by sneaking from behind, or touch the head.
• Try to avoid making any sudden noise, screech, or yell. You might agitate the tiger, and he/she might become aggressive.

Spread across 323.81 acres, Chiang Mai Night Safari is the Third Nocturnal Zoo In The World, a Nature Park run by the Thai government. To experience the wild animals in their natural habitat closely, this facility has a 50-seater tram that takes you across the nature park to interact with the wild animals. This nature park offers a wide range of activities that you can indulge in.

Timings: 11:00 am to 21:00 (ticket office closes at 8 pm)

Entry Fee: No entry fee. Charges based on Safari selection

Address: 33, Nong Kwai, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand

• Respect the animals
• Don’t make sudden noises
• Listen to your guide on the tram
• Don’t try to pat the zebra, their jaws are hardy and the bite pretty nasty!!

A 3D art museum that houses 130 artworks and offers a fun time for both adults and children. From Alladin’s flying carpet to gondola rides in Venice, to crumbling bridges over waterfalls, they even have optical illusions that make the paintings look alive!!

Timings: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Entry Fee: Walk-in for adults is THB 460 (INR 1300) or you can purchase the Art Paradise online, which is actually cheaper than the walk-in rate!

Entry free for children below 100cm in height

Address: Moo 1, Charoen Muang Road, Tha Sala, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

• Don’t scribble or vandalize on any artwork.
• Don’t be noisy, everyone’s trying to have a good time.
• Don’t hold up the queue because you want to spend more time with a mural. You can always circle back.

Sak Yant, which means “tattoo a geometric diagram that invokes various elements and power of protection and blessings” in Thai, has its origin in India!! The tattoo is inked by using a metal rod or khem sak by a master known as Ajarn, who studies sak yants and the spiritualism and mysticism surrounding it, but he may or may not be a monk.

I wouldn’t particularly call this ‘budget-friendly,’ but a choice you can make if you set aside funds from your budget.

It can get a little muddy in case it showers. Other than that it is absolute msut-try when in Chiang Mai. Doi Inthanon National Park is situated on top of the tallest mountain in the country presenting spectacular views from the top, a favourite among hikers.

The cruise on the Mae Ping River offers visitors the experience of local riverside sights and sounds. Cruises depart from the jetty behind Wat Chai Mongkhon temple at 133 Charoen Prathet road, East of the old walled city center.

Four different cruises are offered

• Mae Ping River Cruise

• Mae Ping River Cruise with Khao Soi

• Mae Ping Dinner Cruise

• Mae Ping Cruise to Wiang Kum Kam horse carriage.

Ziplining over the rainforest and spotting gibbons (a primate) in their natural habitat sounds adventurous.

Timings: Starts from 6:30 am

 20 kms from the Old City of Chiang Mai lies its very own Grand Canyon!! Known as the ‘Grand Canyon of Chiang Mai’, this is an ideal place to jump into the water and take a swim – a good half-day trip!

Famous for producing handmade umbrellas of bamboo, this village is located to the east of Chiang Mai. As you enter, you see the artisans at work, and they display how the bamboo frames are designed and how they make the umbrellas durable and waterproof. The residents of this village are extremely proud of their heritage, which is reflected in their work. An ideal place to know about the blended culture of Thailand and Burma.

Timings: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

You don’t have to be as adventurous as Indiana Jones to walk the ruins of what is known as the Lost City of Chiang Mai in Wiang Kum Kam! Founded in 1286 and then abandoned in the 16th century, this city was unearthed in 1984 by archeologists when a cluster of temples was found. If you are a history geek, you should plan a visit there.

Timings: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Entry Fee: Free

Address: 149 หมู่ที่ 2 Somphot Chiang Mai 700 Pi Rd, Tha Wang Tan, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

The village, which is just 10 kms away from the Old City carries a sombre history. Forced to escape from the armed forces when Burmese soldiers invaded their homes in Mong Phu and Mong Hsat in Kengtung, six Tai families escaped and settled in Muang Kung Village. That was 200 years back. Initially, forced to grow paddy for the governor, after the harvest, the villagers would sculpt pots for personal use or to sell in the markets. The pots were also used as religious offerings to monks in the temples. Today, the entire village, widely known for its craft, is employed in pottery. Vases, pots, and ewers line every courtyard, while basements are used by elders to help in painting the earthenware.

This is a great half-day tour if learning the craft marinated with stories of the past, is your thing.

A hundred‑year‑old village tucked into the mountains of Chiang Mai, it moves at the pace of mist-wooden houses clinging to slopes, forests thick with moss, and an atmosphere so quiet and unhurried it feels like walking through a Studio Ghibli frame.

Choose a local’s hospitality at Aunty Toi’s Home, located next to a stream. Contact them at +66 65 962 5052

Probably the most iconic gate in the Old City, Tha Phae Gate marks the city square. With its brick walls intact and running for a considerable distance before parts of it crumble, it still holds an old-world charm. During festivals, the main event is celebrated at the square, at other times a backdrop for stunning images with pigeons!

The pigeons don’t wait for grains; they ambush (in a cute way). They tiptoe, perch close, tilt their tiny heads staring at your palm for food, and look longingly at you before you decide to give up and buy a packet of grains. I was literally shoved twice by the vendor! I was hesitant but walked away with a Michael Jackson adjacent performance by a pigeon when it claw-crawled across my shoulders.

All your stress and excess mental rush needs is a shot of dopamine that comes from relaxing with felines – the smaller variety! You can order a hot or cold brew along with a side, and watch them all day long, playing, bolting away, curling up in a ball, head bunting, rubbing, being affectionate, and mewing away at Cat Brother’s cafe.

When in Thailand, nothing better than understanding Thai flavours in depth and how every dish is elevated with a layered umami. So, attending a half-day cooking class at Grandma’s Home Cooking School is the best way to go.

If ‘Museum of Broken Relationships‘ doesn’t sound quirky enough, what does? Located outside the premises of the Old City, on the Tha Phae Road, on one corner, sits the Broken Relationships Museum. The other one, called the Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum, is located across from the Northern Telecoms of Thailand Museum. Housed in a preserved 1910’s colonial building, it is a specialized museum dedicated to the history of Thailand’s postal service and stamp collecting (philately)

Located 120 kms from Chiang Mai, this place is known for its natural beauty, and there are options to trek, hike, go bird-watching, and mountain bike.

Around 45 minutes from the city centre lies a community called Mon Jam on the mountain top in the Mae Rim County, which is home to ethnically diverse Hmong tribes. This place is amazing for a day-trip and is also known for glamping due to the gorgeous mountain views!

Nothing can feel as naturally relaxing as immersing yourself in a hot spring! San Kamphaeng is located in Ban Sahakorn with two mineral baths. An ideal place to rejuvenate.

Timings: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Address: 1 Ban Sa Ha Khon, Mae On District, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand-

A lot can be learned about the culture of the place from the indigenous community residing there. Similarly, Chiang Mai’s culture can be learned from the hill tribes of Akha, Palong, Karen and the famous Padaungs, who reside in villages funded by the royal charity and relief organizations to keep their legacy alive.

Celebrated on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, this “festival of lights” is celebrated in honour of the river and the river goddess Pra Mae Khongkha. Meaning ‘to float a basket’ on this festival, ‘Krathong’ – a basket made from the cellulose trunk of the banana tree, bread or Styrofoam, decorated with banana leaves, flowers, incense sticks, and candles, is floated in the river. A lot of lights are also floated in the air and in the river. This festival is usually celebrated either in October or in November.

A festival that takes place on the 13th of April and extends till the 16th of April is the celebration of the New Year of Thailand! Since it is associated with water, you will find people engaging in water fights in the streets, with water guns and large buckets of water. On New Year’s, families pay tribute to their elders and buy gifts for them, and a common tradition is to collect sand and take it to the monasteries and temples.

One activity that can set your trip apart from everyone else’s is if you watch the national sport of Thailand inside a fight arena!! Muay Thai, a kickboxing style that’s prevalent in Thailand, shows a different style of martial arts. Fought by professional fighters, watching this sport is sure to shoot your adrenaline and keep you on the edge.

If you don’t know yet, then here’s the truth. The world’s most expensive coffee isn’t Kopi Lewak, which comes from the poop of civet, but it’s the Black Ivory, the elephant poop coffee that comes from Thai Arabica beans consumed and naturally digested by rescue elephants at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, where you can even sleep among these pachyderms.

An hour’s drive from Chiang Mai, Pha Chor Canyon is famous for the geological formation of 30-meter-high, eroded monolithic rock pillars and dramatic cliffs that were carved by the Ping River. Biodiverse dry dipterocarp whose evolutionary roots date back millions of years dot the dry, flaky river banks. The 900-metre scenic trail feels time-warping into the Palaeolithic epoch.

Thailand is known for its coffee but Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai is where the local Arabica are grown which literally makes Chiang Mai the coffee capital of Thailand. And to top it all there is MoR Ministry of Roastery where they conduct sessions on how to roast and brew the beans!

If you appreciate artwork and trinkets, get their blood flowing, then Baan Kang Wat is a place you can’t miss. Quaint, cozy corners that welcome anyone and everyone who wants to surround themselves in crafty, queer items, this is a sanctuary where craft and beauty converge, alive with texture, colour, and quiet invention.

While planning, the first thing one of our friends suggested was trying out the shooting range in Chiang Mai. Although there are a not of shooting ranges, Shooting Club Chiang Mai is by far the best. Equipped with a wide range of firearms and safety measures, under the guidance of experienced instructors, you can have a unique experience of shooting under supervision.

Timing: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Entry Fee: No Entry Fee. Charges Based on the Type of Guns and Bullets Used

Address: 178 Chotana rd, direction Chiangmai – maerim T.Donkaew Chiangmai 50180

Temples in Thailand are known for the intricate details on them and their fascinating architecture. Since most temples are dedicated to Buddha, despite having several similarities in their construction, they are sometimes widely different from one another. Some have Indian influence, some Burmese, and some even Chinese! And some are placed in unique locations – inside the forests and even on top of mountains!

Some of the must-visit temples of Chiang Mai are:

• Wat Chiang Man
• Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
• Wat Jed Yot
• Phra Aram Luang
• Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
• Wat Phra That Doi Kham
• Mae HiaWat Sri Suphan
• Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
• Wat Pha Lat

And I don’t mean ONLY the night markets! I mean all the markets. Since I have started grasping the subtle undertones of flavours, my head keeps throwing ideas of how blending contrasting ones would pack a punch with every bite. Truth be told, I am biased towards the Southeast Asian ingredients. So, to me, checking local markets for locally produced ingredients are an obsession. In that fervour to pick never-heard-of species or veggies, I have also come across things that you may not find in the night markets – local sweets, candies, handicrafts, souvenirs, and beyond the usual list we carry.

You can refer the below list to hang around night markets.

• Sunday Night Market
• Kalare Night Market
• Kat Rin Kham Night bazaar
• Chiang Mai Gate Market
• Chang Puak Gate Night Market

I genuinely believe I have scratched the surface with these 35 budget-friendly things to do in Chiang Mai, and there must be a hundred others waiting to be discovered. But trust that those, too will find a place here with the list growing steadily to offer travellers the freedom to plan their own itineraries and execute them flawlessly.