Plan 01
1 day in Chiang Mai
- 01
Day 1: Old city temples and a night market
Start at Wat Phra Singh while the morning is still cool, then walk or ride a short songthaew to Wat Chedi Luang and its ruined chedi. Have a long lunch of khao soi or a vegetarian meal in the old city and rest. Late afternoon, ride up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to see the golden chedi and the city view, using the funicular to skip the 300-odd steps. Come back for dinner and, if it is a Sunday, the Sunday Walking Street along Ratchadamnoen Road.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Wat Phra Singh 45 to 75 minutes Easy Morning, November to February Wat Chedi Luang 45 to 60 minutes Easy Morning or late afternoon Wat Phra That Doi Suthep 1.5 to 2 hours on site, plus the drive Moderate Early morning on a clear day, November to February, before tour groups arrive Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Road) 1.5 to 2 hours Moderate Sunday late afternoon, shortly after opening Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: The famous naga staircase has about 300 steps from the car park, but a funicular and ramps are available, and the temple is described as wheelchair accessible. The terrace is stone, hot in the afternoon, and crowded at weekends.
With parents at Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Road): The street is flat, but the crowd is dense and the walk is over a kilometre one way. Seats are limited, though side lanes and temple courtyards offer rests.
Plan 02
2 days in Chiang Mai
- 01
Day 1: Old city on foot
Begin at Tha Phae Gate, walk to the Three Kings Monument and the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre, and spend the morning there. After lunch, visit Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, resting in between. Finish with an early dinner and a stroll through the Sunday Walking Street if your dates fall on a Sunday evening.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre 1.5 to 2 hours Easy Midday, or any rainy or hot day Wat Chedi Luang 45 to 60 minutes Easy Morning or late afternoon Wat Phra Singh 45 to 75 minutes Easy Morning, November to February Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Road) 1.5 to 2 hours Moderate Sunday late afternoon, shortly after opening Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Road): The street is flat, but the crowd is dense and the walk is over a kilometre one way. Seats are limited, though side lanes and temple courtyards offer rests.
- 02
Day 2: Doi Suthep and a quiet temple
Go to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep early, before tour buses arrive, and take the funicular if stairs are difficult. On the way down, stop at Wat Umong for its forest grounds and tunnels, or at Wat Suan Dok. Finish with coffee and dinner on Nimmanhaemin Road, where restaurants and cafes are comfortable and quiet in the evening.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Wat Phra That Doi Suthep 1.5 to 2 hours on site, plus the drive Moderate Early morning on a clear day, November to February, before tour groups arrive Wat Umong 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Morning, in cooler months Wat Suan Dok 30 to 45 minutes Easy Late afternoon, for softer light Nimmanhaemin Road (Nimman) 2 to 3 hours Easy Late afternoon and evening Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: The famous naga staircase has about 300 steps from the car park, but a funicular and ramps are available, and the temple is described as wheelchair accessible. The terrace is stone, hot in the afternoon, and crowded at weekends.
With parents at Wat Umong: Paths are shaded but uneven, with dirt, roots and some steps. The tunnels are low and dim. A seat near the pond helps for rests.
Plan 03
3 days in Chiang Mai
- 01
Day 1: Temples inside the moat
Spend the morning at Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, with a long lunch and a rest at the hotel. In the late afternoon visit the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre if the weather turns, then eat near the old city gates.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Wat Phra Singh 45 to 75 minutes Easy Morning, November to February Wat Chedi Luang 45 to 60 minutes Easy Morning or late afternoon Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre 1.5 to 2 hours Easy Midday, or any rainy or hot day Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
- 02
Day 2: Doi Suthep, Wat Umong and Nimman
Take a car up to Doi Suthep early, then stop at Wat Umong on the way back. Rest in the afternoon, then explore Nimmanhaemin Road for cafes and a calm dinner.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Wat Umong 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Morning, in cooler months Nimmanhaemin Road (Nimman) 2 to 3 hours Easy Late afternoon and evening Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Wat Umong: Paths are shaded but uneven, with dirt, roots and some steps. The tunnels are low and dim. A seat near the pond helps for rests.
- 03
Day 3: Elephants or markets
Either book a half-day at a rescue-style elephant park such as Elephant Nature Park, with hotel pickup, or spend the day at Warorot Market, Wat Sri Suphan and the Saturday or Sunday evening street markets. Choose the elephant day only if you are comfortable with uneven ground, mud and heat.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Elephant Nature Park Half day to full day Moderate November to February; mornings Warorot Market (Kad Luang) 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Morning Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) 30 to 45 minutes Easy Daytime, ideally Saturday for the nearby market Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Elephant Nature Park: Ground is uneven, muddy in the rainy season and hot in March to May. Platforms and shade are provided, but walking is over loose ground. Programmes vary in how physical they are.
With parents at Warorot Market (Kad Luang): Aisles are narrow and crowded, with steps and uneven surfaces in places. Air conditioning is limited. Seating is limited.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Chiang Mai trip for parents and children
- Plan a visit between November and early February. From late February to April the air can be smoky, which is hard on older travellers and anyone with asthma or heart disease; check the live air quality index before you travel.
- At Doi Suthep use the funicular railway rather than the long naga staircase, and go early before the heat and tour groups.
- Choose an old-city or Nimman hotel with a lift and a room away from the road; many guesthouses have stairs only.
- Book a car with a driver for Doi Suthep, Wat Umong and day trips. Songthaews are cheap but have high steps and no air conditioning.
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples and remove shoes before entering halls; carry socks for hot stone floors.
- Buy comprehensive travel insurance and note the nearest large hospital. Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital is a major teaching hospital on Inthawarorot Road; private hospitals in the city also cater to international patients.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Chiang Mai compares the areas.
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