Exploring Chiang Mai Province: Top 5 Beautiful Hidden Spots Beyond the City
Now, now, I’ve lived in Chiang Mai for a year and a half and some of my FAVORITE memories are days spent exploring outside the city limits.
There is absolutely no better feeling than cruising through the open roads, lush mountains surrounding you on all sides as you suddenly whiz past a stunning Buddhist temple or find the best-tasting coffee you’ve ever had in a small cafe by the river.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you drive past a pack of elephants on a winding rural road, or rest stop at a garden oasis with thousands of lush plants and exotic flowers. The best part about exploring Chiang Mai Province is HOW MUCH there is to discover.
The areas surrounding Chiang Mai are a special place in this huge world. If you’re tired of pre-packaged tours and overflowing tourists crowded in the same spots, take the road less traveled and make your own adventure.
I will give you a rough outline of 5 hidden spots, but it’s up to you to create your own adventure. Chiang Mai Province is a giant playground with buried treasures just waiting to be found. Part of the fun is unearthing the gold on your own!
The Logistics
You’ll need transport, & the cheapest option (and most fun) is a motorbike. I’ve been driving one for over a year and I can say with confidence it’s the most freeing feeling EVER.
I recommend Mango Rentals in Chiang Mai for renting short-term. I’ve always had good experiences with them. Spend a bit more $ for a motorbike that can get you up steep mountain roads.
If you aren’t comfortable driving a motorbike, try renting a car for a week. If you’re not comfortable doing that, then hire a driver for a day! Drivers in Chiang Mai are super affordable, ~$30-$50 a day.
Northern Thailand is incredibly safe that I feel totally comfortable exploring on my own. But having an adventure buddy that you can glance over to, eyes wide, & ask “can you believe this?” is pretty cool too.
Bring cash, water, & snacks. Pack a swimsuit & microfiber towel too. You never know when you’ll stumble upon a waterfall!
Top 5 Hidden Spots: Exploring Chiang Mai Province
So, let’s get started. Where can you have the best, most beautiful adventures that aren’t too far outside the city?
#1: Mon Jam
Mon Jam is ~1 hour from the old city of Chiang Mai. It’s a mountainside farming village inside Mae Rim, & the go-to place for a local getaway due to it’s stunning jungles & loads of activities.
You can camp overnight here, or go ‘glamping’ in a bubble tent overlooking the rice fields. I did the latter & felt such joy in the quiet calm of the mountainside. I glamped here, which was a true Thai experience. It look us forever to find the place because all signs were in Thai lol!
The weather drops 20+ degrees in Mon Jam, & the cool air with a view of the farmland is truly spectacular. Mon Jam is more authentic Thailand, as there are barley any foreigners or signs in English.
Take a scenic drive around the area & you’ll find gardens, temples, cafes, & stunning viewpoints. Mon Jam is a big collection of hidden gems scattered like a scavenger hunt. I felt like a little kid trying to discover them all!
& I must mention the glorious mountainous views! My god, it’s a spiritual experience disconnecting from the world, gazing at the mountain range in this tiny Thai village. Snuggled in big sweatshirts & beanies, I felt at peace in nature.
#2: Crying Dog Waterfall
This cool hike is ~30 minutes outside the old city of Chiang Mai, in the Suthep region.
You start here, at this sweet little bakery, & make your way ~1 hour to the waterfall. The pool is deep enough. to swim, & I swear it has healing properties. My skin felt so soft & my mind cleared after I swam here.
There are big rocks where you can lazily lounge in the sun after a swim in the waterfall. Bring a journal & speaker & let your mind freely wander. It’s a VIBE, I promise.
This hike lets you explore in the jungle without having to hike 8 hours to get there. There’s never many people here, so you feel like you have your own slice of paradise for a few hours. If you want a short lil day trip, this is a great option!
Tip: Check out the famous ‘Big Buddha’ temple, Wat Phra That Doi Kham. It’s in the same area as the waterfall.
#3: Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail
Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail is a stunning nature hike in Doi Inthanon, ~1.5 hours from the Chiang Mai old city. While Doi Inthanon National Park is absolutely spectacular, I feel like this hike is less known in the area.
All you have to do is show up here, at the trail head. Local guides will be waiting, & it costs 220 baht / group for the 2 hour hike. I went with one friend, so it was just us two and our sweet guide!
Tip: you don’t have to pay the 300 baht national park fee to do this hike; the trail head is before they ask for your ticket.
Show up early (before 10am), & you’ll get the whole hike to yourself & the guide. You pass magnificent waterfalls, rice fields, plants & animals. Can you see the poisonous snake in the picture below? I was freaking out lol! There were also spiders the size of my hand. The local guides will point all this cool & freaky stuff out to you.
You’ll finish at the indigenous tribe’s village, called the Karen tribe. You can buy local goods like candles or soaps & support the people. It feels more sustainable & ethical than other tourist indigenous tribe spots, like the long-neck villages.
#4: Chiang Dao
I am Chiang Dao’s biggest fan. This mountainous village ~1 hour north of Chiang Mai is a true GEM in Northern Thailand!
I wrote an entire post about Chiang Dao because I’m that obsessed with it.
I’ve been to Chiang Dao three times, and each time I visit I feel the magic and magnetism in the air. There’s just something about this place. It’s authentic northern Thailand.
The beaten roads winding through the towering mountains, the hot springs in a fairy-like forest, the peaceful coffee shops and handcrafted artisan touches. The national park, the restaurants, the people!
Check out my blog post on Chiang Dao for more in-depth tips. This place is a haven in Thailand!
#5: Samoeng Viewpoint
My last spot is the Samoeng Viewpoint. This is part of the Mae Hong Son motorbike loop, & it’s ~1 hour from Chiang Mai old city.
I would only recommend this spot if you’re comfortable driving a motorbike. The roads leading to the viewpoint are windy as hell! It’s best to feel confident & go slow. Bring warm clothes — it gets really cold the higher you climb!
I plugged in hype music & felt like I was the main character all the way up to the top of the mountain. I even saw elephants on the way up!
Check out Lanna Valley Coffee on your way up & Ozark restaurant in the same area. Both are solid rest stops hidden in the mountains with rich coffee & delicious food.
Wrapping It Up
I hope this post gave you major mountain inspo for your time in Chiang Mai Province. I presented you with an outline of my favorite spots, but you gotta fill in your own adventure. All of these places have so much more to explore than what was mentioned here.
If you see a temple towering out of the ground as you drive by, then stop & marvel. If you pass by a rest area with stunning views marketing Thai coffee, then grab a cup & enjoy the views!
Be safe, and have a blast in my favorite region in the world! xx Gracie
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