Finding Charm in Chiang Mai

Day 1 – Arrival in Chiang Mai

We arrived in Chiang Mai late at night, tired but excited to finally start our trip. The city was quiet and peaceful when we got there — a nice change of pace from the usual busy city vibe. We checked in at Celosia Chiang Mai Hotel, which became our home for the next few days. The rooms were spacious and perfect for our group of seven, and the place had a cozy atmosphere that made us feel at home right away. There was even a pool that we ended up using almost every day. It was the perfect place to relax after long days of exploring.

Day 2 – Local Flavors and Aesthetic Finds

We kicked off the trip with an early lunch at Khao-Sō-i, a must-try specialty noodle of Northern Thailand. It’s a creamy curry noodle soup that’s both rich and flavorful — the perfect first meal in Chiang Mai.

In the afternoon, we went to Pluto Coffee Shop, one of the most aesthetic cafés we found. It was bright, cozy, and full of photo spots. We spent hours there sipping coffee and taking pictures.

Later, we visited Jing Jai Market, an open-air weekend market with thrift finds, local crafts, and food trucks. It’s a fun place to spend the afternoon, especially if you love discovering local products and snacks.

Day 3 – Chiang Rai Day Tour

We booked a private Chiang Rai day tour and visited the White Temple, Blue Temple, and Lalitta Café.

The White Temple was an architectural wonder — completely white and covered in tiny mirrors that shimmered under the sun. It’s one of the most beautiful temples I’ve ever seen. Just make sure to dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) as it’s still an active place of worship.

At the Blue Temple, we tried the ice cream sold right outside — it was surprisingly good! We ended our tour at Lalitta Café, a beautiful and Instagrammable garden café. There’s a small entrance fee, but it’s consumable and can be used for pastries or coffee.

Day 4 – Elephant Jungle Day Tour

We joined the Elephant Jungle Expedition Private Day Tour by Chai Lai Orchid.
This is the perfect choice if you don’t have time to stay overnight at a sanctuary. The tour includes bamboo rafting, trekking, swimming in a jungle waterfall, and seeing elephants in their natural habitat. It also includes a visit to a Karen hill tribe village, where we got to meet and talk to the locals. The whole experience felt both adventurous and meaningful. Lunch was served picnic-style, and the day was well-paced and memorable.

If you have extra time, though, I’d still recommend staying overnight at Chai Lai Orchid. You’ll get to spend more quiet time with the elephants and experience waking up to the sounds of nature — something truly special.

That evening, we went shopping at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which was walking distance from our hotel. The market had everything — souvenirs, food, clothes — and even a Big C nearby for Thai snacks and treats.

Day 5 – Café Hopping and Shopping

We started the day with brunch at Versailles de Flore, a café that looked straight out of Europe. It had elegant interiors and delicious food — easily one of the prettiest cafés we visited.
After brunch, we went shopping at Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center, which had both local and international brands (including Gentlewoman), and then explored One Nimman Mall, a stylish spot filled with boutiques, art, and good food. The place had such a fun, youthful vibe and reminded me a bit of Queen Victoria Market in Australia.

Day 6 – Nature and Adventure

For our last full day, we rented a private van since our destinations were quite far from each other.

We started the morning at WTF Coffee Camp, a cozy mountain café set along a waterfall creek. The sound of running water made the place so peaceful, and the setup felt very natural and relaxing. It’s a great spot to grab a cup of coffee, take photos, and just enjoy the cool air by the creek.

Next, we went to Pong Yang Jungle Coaster and Zipline, one of the most fun stops of the trip. Set in the trees and surrounded by nature, Pong Yang felt like an adventure park hidden in the forest. We tried the jungle coaster, which was both thrilling and scenic. There are also other activities like ziplining and bike ziplining if you’re up for more excitement.

We ended our day at Dantewada, a calm garden filled with man-made waterfalls, ponds, and landscaped gardens—a really pretty spot that’s perfect for photos. It was such a relaxing way to end our last day in Chiang Mai.

If you’re planning to visit these spots, it’s best to rent a van for the day since Grab or Bolt might take a while to reach these mountain areas.