Top Attractions in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai residents tend to think that their city beats Bangkok when it comes to bohemian spirit. And the presence of occasionally experimental venues such as the North Gate Jazz Co-Op does much to strengthen that case. There’s a blissfully uncommercial freedom to this spot. The shophouse interior is crammed with musicians and patrons, while the party busts outdoors to the tables set on the sidewalk. As you might expect from the name, jazz is the order of the day here. Local and visiting instrumentalists come to play sets and to stretch out in jam sessions. The results aren’t always music to everyone’s ears, but the variety of genres encapsulates the loose, fun ethos of the place.

The so-called “roof of Thailand”, Doi Inthanon National Park is dominated by its eponymous peak: At 8,400 feet, it’s the highest mountain in the country. Scaling it is a must for many visitors, and the view is well worth climbing for—and the nearly 300 square miles of national park are home to the largest variety of bird species in the country. Follow hiking trails through thick jungle to idyllic clearings and crystalline waterfalls. Highlights of the park include Wachirathan Falls, a beautiful cascade that flows down a granite escarpment, and Mae Klang Luang waterfall, which benefits from a relatively easy accessibility that makes it a big favorite for day trips.