3-Day Chiang Mai Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide to Thailand's Cultural Capital (2025)

Discover the best of Chiang Mai in 3 days with our comprehensive guide. From ancient temples and elephant sanctuaries to night markets and mountain adventures. Perfect for first-time visitors with budget tips and ethical tourism insights.
Quick Chiang Mai Overview
Best Time to Visit
November-February (cool season) and April (Songkran festival)
Budget Range
฿800-3,500 per day ($25-110)
Getting Around
Red trucks (songthaews), tuk-tuks, Grab, bicycle rental
Language Tip
Northern Thai dialect differs from Bangkok - locals appreciate any Thai attempt
Day 1: Old City Temples & Culture
Budget: ฿800-2,000 • Walking: 10,000 steps
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Wat Phra Singh
Start at Chiang Mai's most revered temple, home to the sacred Phra Singh Buddha image. The classic Lanna architecture features intricate wood carvings and murals depicting daily life in ancient times.
Entry: ฿20 • Opens 6:00 AM • Dress modestly • Near Sunday Walking Street
Wat Chedi Luang
Explore the ruins of this massive 15th-century chedi that once housed the Emerald Buddha. Join monk chats (daily 9-6 PM) to learn about Buddhism and practice English with novice monks.
Entry: ฿40 • Monk chat free • City Pillar shrine included
Three Kings Monument & City Museum
Learn about Chiang Mai's founding and Lanna culture at this small but informative museum. The monument square hosts cultural events and is a popular local gathering spot.
Museum: ฿90 • Closed Mondays • Air-conditioned respite
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM)
Old City Lunch Spots
- • Khao Soi Khun Yai: Best khao soi in town (฿50-80)
- • SP Chicken: Famous rotisserie chicken with sticky rice (฿60-120)
- • Blue Temple Vegetarian: Cheap, healthy Thai vegetarian (฿40-70)
- • Dash! Restaurant: Thai and Western in garden setting (฿120-250)
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5:30 PM)
Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)
Marvel at this unique temple covered entirely in silver and aluminum. The intricate metalwork tells Buddhist stories and Lanna history. Women cannot enter the main chapel due to old beliefs.
Entry: ฿50 • Silversmith workshops • Beautiful night illumination Tue/Thu/Sat
Explore Wualai Walking Street Area
Browse silversmith workshops and local artisan studios. This historic silver-making district maintains traditional crafts. Visit on Saturday for the famous walking street market.
Free to explore • Workshops open daily • Saturday market 4-10 PM
Traditional Thai Massage
Treat yourself to an authentic Thai massage after temple walking. Old city has many reputable places. Look for shops with certified therapists and clean facilities.
1-hour massage: ฿200-400 • Foot massage: ฿150-250
Evening (5:30 PM - 9:00 PM)
Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
Experience Chiang Mai's main fresh market where locals shop. Three floors of everything from flowers to fabrics. The evening flower market by the river is especially photogenic.
Free to browse • Open until 6 PM (flowers later) • Cash only
Riverside Dinner
Dine along the Ping River at restaurants like The Good View or Riverside Bar & Restaurant. Enjoy northern Thai specialties with live music and river breeze.
Budget: ฿200-500 • Live music after 8 PM • Reserve riverside tables
Day 2: Mountains, Elephants & Nature
Budget: ฿1,500-3,500 • Full day adventure
Morning (5:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Doi Suthep Temple Sunrise
Early start to beat crowds and catch sunrise at Chiang Mai's most sacred temple. The 306-step naga staircase leads to golden chedis with panoramic city views. Clear mornings offer views to Myanmar.
Entry: ฿30 • Cable car: ฿50 • Songthaew from city: ฿60-100

Doi Pui Hmong Village
Continue up the mountain to this hill tribe village. See traditional costumes, buy handicrafts, and enjoy mountain coffee. The gardens are beautiful but can be touristy.
Entry: ฿10 • 4km past Doi Suthep • Coffee with view: ฿50-80
Alternative Morning: Elephant Experience
Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries
Choose sanctuaries where riding is prohibited and elephants roam freely:
- • Elephant Nature Park: Most ethical, full day ฿2,500-3,500
- • Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: Half day ฿1,500-2,000
- • Into the Wild: Small groups ฿2,000-2,800
- • Book ahead, includes transport and lunch

Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Royal Park Rajapruek
Beautiful botanical gardens showcasing Thai and international flora. The golden Lanna-style pavilion is stunning. Great for photos and escaping heat in shaded gardens.
Entry: ฿100 • Tram: ฿20 • 20 min from old city
Nimmanhaemin Road
Chiang Mai's trendy neighborhood with cafes, boutiques, and art galleries. Perfect for coffee lovers and Instagram-worthy spots. More upscale than old city.
Free to explore • Cafes: ฿80-150 • Shopping varies
Evening (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Khan Toke Dinner
Traditional northern Thai dinner served on low tables with cultural show. Try local specialties like sai oua (herb sausage) and nam prik noom (green chili dip) while watching traditional dances.
฿350-650 per person • Includes show • Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center recommended
Night Bazaar
Chiang Mai's famous night market on Changklan Road. Three floors of handicrafts, clothes, and souvenirs. The nearby Anusarn Market has food court and live entertainment.
Opens 6 PM • Bargain 30-50% • Food court: ฿50-150
Day 3: Crafts, Cooking & Culture
Budget: ฿1,000-2,500 • Hands-on experiences
Morning (8:30 AM - 12:30 PM)
Thai Cooking Class
Learn to cook authentic Thai dishes in half-day class. Most include market tour to learn about ingredients. You'll cook 4-6 dishes and get recipes to take home.
฿800-1,500 • Includes market tour and meal • Many schools available
Popular Cooking Schools
- • Thai Akha Kitchen: Social enterprise supporting hill tribes
- • Zabb E Lee: Garden setting outside city
- • Asia Scenic: Professional chef instructors
- • Pantawan: Small groups, market focus
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Handicraft Workshops
Try traditional crafts at various workshops around the city. Popular options include umbrella painting in Bo Sang, silversmithing, or Thai massage school.
Varies by activity • Umbrella painting: ฿200-500 • Book ahead
San Kamphaeng Road
The "Handicraft Highway" features silk weaving, ceramics, lacquerware, and more. Watch artisans at work and buy directly from workshops. Prices better than markets.
13km east of city • Songthaew: ฿150-200 • Or join tour
Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Walking Street Market
If it's Saturday (Wualai) or Sunday (Ratchadamnoen), don't miss the walking street markets. Sunday market is larger, stretching through the entire old city with crafts, food, and street performers.
4-10 PM • Free entry • Sunday market is must-see

Farewell Evening
End your Chiang Mai adventure at a rooftop bar like THC Rooftop Bar or Myst MAYA. Or enjoy live music at North Gate Jazz Co-op or riverside venues.
Beers: ฿80-150 • Cocktails: ฿150-300 • Live music free-฿100
3-Day Budget Breakdown
Budget Traveler
- Accommodation/night: ฿200-600
- Meals/day: ฿150-300
- Transport/day: ฿100-200
- Activities/day: ฿200-400
- Total/day: ฿650-1,500
- ($20-45 USD)
Mid-Range Traveler
- Accommodation/night: ฿800-2,000
- Meals/day: ฿400-800
- Transport/day: ฿300-600
- Activities/day: ฿500-1,500
- Total/day: ฿2,000-4,900
- ($60-150 USD)
Luxury Traveler
- Accommodation/night: ฿3,000-10,000
- Meals/day: ฿1,000-3,000
- Transport/day: ฿800-2,000
- Activities/day: ฿2,000-5,000
- Total/day: ฿6,800-20,000
- ($206-606 USD)
Essential Chiang Mai Travel Tips
🚕 Transportation
- • Red trucks (Songthaews): Shared taxis, ฿20-30 in city
- • Tuk-tuks: Always negotiate price first
- • Grab app: Fixed prices, very convenient
- • Bicycle rental: ฿50-100/day, great for old city
- • Motorbike: ฿150-300/day (need license)
🌡️ Weather & Health
- • Burning season: Feb-April has poor air quality
- • Rainy season: Brief afternoon showers Jun-Oct
- • Cool season: Nov-Feb can be chilly mornings
- • Mosquitoes: Use repellent, especially evenings
- • Drinking water: Stick to bottled (฿7-10)
🏛️ Cultural Etiquette
- • Temple dress: Cover shoulders and knees
- • Shoes off: Remove before entering temples/homes
- • Buddha images: Never turn your back for photos
- • Monks: Women should not touch or hand things directly
- • Haggling: Gentle bargaining expected at markets
💡 Smart Travel
- • ATMs: Charge ฿220 fee, withdraw larger amounts
- • Night markets: Better prices than day tourist spots
- • Temple fatigue: Don't try to see everything
- • Digital nomads: Great wifi and co-working spaces
- • Elephant tourism: Research ethical sanctuaries
Seasonal Chiang Mai Guide
❄️ Cool Season (Nov-Feb)
Perfect weather with cool mornings and sunny days.
- • Temperature: 15-28°C (59-82°F)
- • Pack layers for cool evenings
- • Peak tourist season, book ahead
- • Best for outdoor activities
🔥 Hot Season (Mar-May)
Very hot with smoke from burning season.
- • Temperature: 25-40°C (77-104°F)
- • Air quality issues Feb-April
- • Songkran festival mid-April
- • Seek AC during midday
☔ Rainy Season (Jun-Oct)
Green landscapes with afternoon showers.
- • Temperature: 23-32°C (73-90°F)
- • Usually brief afternoon rain
- • Fewer tourists, better prices
- • Lush countryside perfect for photos
🎉 Festival Highlights
- • April: Songkran water festival
- • November: Yi Peng lantern festival
- • February: Flower Festival
- • Weekly: Walking street markets
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
🏛️ Old City (Within the Walls)
Perfect for temple hopping and walking to attractions. Traditional atmosphere.
- • Walking distance to temples
- • Sunday Walking Street
- • Traditional atmosphere
- • Many guesthouses
- • Can be touristy
- • Limited parking
- • Bars close early
- • Weekend crowds
฿300-3,000/night
Best For:First-time visitors, culture lovers
☕ Nimmanhaemin (Nimman)
Trendy area with cafes, boutiques, and modern amenities. Popular with digital nomads.
- • Hip cafes and restaurants
- • Shopping at MAYA mall
- • Modern accommodations
- • Co-working spaces
- • More expensive
- • Less traditional
- • Traffic congestion
- • Far from old city
฿600-5,000/night
Best For:Digital nomads, long stays
🌊 Riverside (Along Ping River)
Peaceful area with luxury resorts and local neighborhoods.
- • Peaceful atmosphere
- • Luxury resorts
- • River views
- • Local neighborhoods
- • Need transport
- • Limited dining
- • Can flood in rainy season
- • Mosquitoes
฿800-8,000/night
Best For:Couples, luxury travelers