For First-Time Chiang Mai Visitors: A Best-of Course with Temples and Elephants
チェンマイ坂田This Thailand trip isn't Bangkok or Phuket — it's Chiang Mai! But where should you go on a first visit to Chiang Mai??
For you, we've planned an itinerary packed with Chiang Mai's must-see spots so you can feel the city's charm.
Fully enjoy Chiang Mai's unique appeal and have a wonderful time!
目次
This plan's highlights
Visit Chiang Mai's famous temples
At Doi Suthep temple, a symbol of Chiang Mai, enjoy soul-cleansing views and a sacred space. The stunning view from the summit is worth seeing.
Enjoy Thai food with a royal-cuisine lunch
Enjoy the flavors of Thai royal cuisine at Saiyud Kitchen. Through traditional dishes, experience the fusion of history and fine food.
Interact with elephants at an elephant camp
At Maesa Elephant Camp, enjoy warm encounters with elephants. Take your time to feel the elephants' charm in nature.
Here's the schedule.
Schedule
8:30 Meet at the hotel
Travel: about 45 min
9:15 Visit Doi Suthep
Wat Doi Suthep is one of Chiang Mai's most important temples, sitting atop Doi Suthep mountain at 1,080 m.
It's such a landmark that people say, "You haven't really visited Chiang Mai unless you've paid respects at Doi Suthep."
Climb the striking stairway and a golden stupa greets you.
It's a sacred place where locals also come to pray, so you can spend a moment wrapped in quiet air. On clear days, you can see all of Chiang Mai from the terrace.
Feel the history and culture, and calm your mind at your own pace.
For more on Doi Suthep, see this article.
ManiTabi 
Travel: about 15 min
10:30 Visit Wat Pha Lat
A temple that sits like a hideaway, surrounded by forest.
Away from the tourist bustle, it's a place to refresh in nature, where moss-covered steps and beautiful stone statues create an almost mystical space.
The pleasant sound of a flowing stream and birdsong lets you savor a stillness, as if you've wandered into another world.
Travel: about 20 min
12:00 Thai royal-cuisine lunch at Saiyud Kitchen
Saiyud Kitchen is an appealing restaurant where you can enjoy Thai royal cuisine in Chiang Mai.
Founder Mr. Saiyud crafts each dish carefully with traditional techniques, on the concept of "warmth like grandma's home cooking."
The beautifully presented appetizer platter and the colorful set of carved vegetables captivate visitors.
Though it's royal cuisine, it also has a casual, relaxed atmosphere, so you can drop by easily.
It's been selected as a Michelin Bib Gourmand and is highly rated by locals and tourists alike.
Travel: 40 min
13:45 Maesa Elephant Camp
A spot where you can feel the size of elephants up close! Feeding the elephants and taking photos together make for unforgettable memories!
Touching the elephants' warmth and intelligent expressions, you feel the importance of living in harmony with nature and animals.
Time spent with them is an enriching experience.
* This elephant camp does not offer elephant riding, out of consideration for elephant welfare.
Travel: 15 min
15:00 Elephant PooPooPaper Park
PooPooPaper Park is a unique spot where you can experience the process of making paper from elephant dung.
Founded to promote sustainable resource use, it's a place to learn about the importance of environmental protection in a fun way.
It displays the manufacturing process of eco-friendly paper products, offering visitors a chance to raise their environmental awareness.
You can learn how paper products are made by recycling elephant dung — and actually try it yourself.
Travel: about 40 min
Before 17:00 Arrive at Chiang Mai Old Town
We head back to Chiang Mai's Old Town. Well done!
That's our course for first-timers to Chiang Mai!
I hope it makes everyone's Chiang Mai trip even more enjoyable!
