Breakfast8:00 AM
The khao soi shops · Faham road, north-east of the old city, and across town
Late morning until the pot is finished, usually mid-afternoon
฿30–100 by weight
Plan your trip · Chiang Mai
3 perfect days in Chiang Mai
Nearby sights each day, timed and walkable — with what to wear for the photos and where to eat every signature dish. Tap any stop for angles, hours & tips.
SeasonBest time to visit →
Trip at a glance
- Days
- 3 days
- Best season
- ❄️ Winter
- Total stops
- ~17
- Food & drink
- THB 580 – THB 1,500
Day 1
The Sunday Walking Street & Tha Phae Gate & the old city moat
5 stops8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Lunch12:30 PM
The khantoke houses · Old city and the Wua Lai quarter
Evenings; the dinner-and-dance venues run a fixed sitting
฿40–90
Afternoon2:00 – 4:30 PM
Best light: Just after sunset, when the brick is floodlit and the square in front fills with people — and at dawn, when the pigeons and the joggers have it to themselves
Open at all hours
Dinner7:00 PM
The khantoke houses · Old city and the Wua Lai quarter
Evenings; the dinner-and-dance venues run a fixed sitting
฿100–250
a short walk
Evening8:30 PM · after dark
Best light: Dusk, in the first hour, when the stall lights come on and it is still possible to move — by eight it is shoulder to shoulder and the photograph is of the back of somebody's head
Sundays only, roughly 4:00 PM until midnight
Day 2
Wat Chedi Luang & Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
7 stops8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Breakfast8:00 AM
The Nimman coffee shops · Nimmanhaemin, west of the old city
From about 7:00 AM; many close by early evening
฿60–150
Morning9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Best light: Sunrise, when the valley below is under mist and the terrace is nearly empty — this is a first-light place and by ten it is coaches
Typically 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM; the road is busiest late morning
Lunch12:30 PM
The Sunday market temple courtyards · Ratchadamnoen Road, in the monastery yards off the street
Sunday evenings only, from about 4:00 PM
฿40–90
- 3:00 – 4:30 PMExplore The old-city lanes for Lanna crafts and silverwork
Afternoon snack5:00 PM
Warorot Market · By the river, east of the old city
Roughly 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
฿30–100 by weight
Dinner7:00 PM
The khantoke houses · Old city and the Wua Lai quarter
Evenings; the dinner-and-dance venues run a fixed sitting
฿100–250
~24 min
Evening8:30 PM · after dark
Best light: The hour before sunset, when low light rakes across the brick and the elephants on the south face come out of the shadow — floodlit after dark is the other one worth staying for
Typically 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
Day 3
The elephant sanctuaries & Bua Thong sticky waterfalls
5 stops8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Breakfast8:00 AM
The khao soi shops · Faham road, north-east of the old city, and across town
Late morning until the pot is finished, usually mid-afternoon
฿30–100 by weight
Morning9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Best light: Early morning, on the first feed, when the light is low and the animals are active — midday is when they stand in shade and nothing happens
Day and half-day visits, booked in advance; most include transport from the city
Lunch12:30 PM
The khao soi shops · Faham road, north-east of the old city, and across town
Late morning until the pot is finished, usually mid-afternoon
฿50–120
~129 min
Afternoon2:00 – 4:30 PM
Best light: Late morning, when the sun gets down into the gorge and lights the water — the falls are in forest and are dark early and late
Daylight hours, typically 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Dinner7:30 PM
The khantoke houses · Old city and the Wua Lai quarter
Evenings; the dinner-and-dance venues run a fixed sitting
฿100–250
3-days trip · THB 580 – THB 1,500