Chiang Mai Hidden Gems I Found Living Here 3 Years
If you are hunting for Chiang Mai hidden gems that still feel local, here is my personal shortlist after living here for three years. I filmed a YouTube video walking through my favorite non touristy spots, and I wanted a written version you can save, screenshot, and use as a real itinerary.
Expect handmade markets, serious thrifting, Burmese comfort food, sunset kayaking, a forest temple that feels like a retreat, and a few places that are weird in the best way.
Jing Jai Market
Handmade clothes, food stalls, and art
Jing Jai Market started as a farmers market a few years ago and has grown into a thriving handmade arts and crafts market. I always end up spending way longer than planned because the stalls are genuinely fun to browse and you can get amazing quality goods at great prices. Opten they have festivals here too so check their event pages.
Look for
- Linen and cotton pieces that are made for hot weather
- Organic materials and natural textures
- Hand dyed and hand stitched designs
- One of a kind items you will not see again
Do not skip the food area in the center
After you wander the stalls, head to the food zone in the middle. There are loads of options, from mango sticky rice to northern Thai dishes. There is also one stall I get every time even though I still cannot name the dish. It is consistently excellent.
In the center there is also a small art gallery that is easy to miss and worth a quick look.
The Second Hand Clothing Warehouses
The best kind of chaos if you like a good treasure hunt!
About a fifteen-minute walk from Jing Jai are multiple massive secondhand warehouses. This one’s my favourite, Melon Secondhand. Just look next door and across the other side of the road for all the others. If you love thrifting, plan at least two to three hours. It is not curated, so the reward comes from the hunt but there’s lots of good stuff to be found here.
You will find
- Shoes, tees, jackets, dresses, and everything in between
- A lot of stock that seems to come from Japan
- Plenty of bargains if you are willing to dig
Prices from my visits
T shirts start around 40 baht and can go up to about 250 baht
Tips before you go
- Bring water and take breaks
- Wear shoes you can stand in for hours
- Do not expect the best stuff to be on top
If you are short on time, Chiang Mai Old City has plenty of very well curated vintage shops that have done the digging for you. You will pay more, but it is still often far cheaper than back home.
Chiang Mai vintage shops to put on your map
- TTTT Vintage Store – my fave!
- Love70s
- Collectors Store
- PM_store
Payod
Burmese vegan/vegetarian comfort food that converts meat eaters!
After thrifting, I usually want something filling, and Payod Shan Food delivers every time. Pod is a traditional Burmese vegan restaurant, and even if you are not vegan, I still think it is a must-try in Chiang Mai.
What I order
- Shan Chickpea tofu
- Shan pizza
- Egg Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Tealeaf salad wrapped in rice paper
If you only go once, start there.
Ping River sunset kayaking near Wat Fah Ham
My favorite evening adventure
For a different day, head toward Wat Fah Ham in the late afternoon, around 4 pm, and rent a kayak on the Ping River. It is an easy way to catch sunset and see a calmer side of Chiang Mai.
Bring snacks and make a small evening out of it. You can paddle for a couple of hours either way, depending on your energy.
Cost: About 50 baht for a full day rental!!!
Wat Umong
A forest temple that feels like a retreat in nature.
Wat Umong is one of my favorite temples in Chiang Mai because it feels like a forest retreat. It is a little outside the city center, but still close enough to do without turning it into a full day mission.
What makes it special
- The calm, shaded paths and nature all around
- Buddha heads and ruins
- A vibe that feels slower than the Old City temples
- The tunnels and the space above them
Wat Umong is believed to date to the late 1200s and began as a forest temple at the base of Doi Suthep. Even now, it still feels like a retreat despite being close to town.
Do not miss
The chedi above the tunnels. Walk up the stairs around the back and spend a few minutes on the platform and the lake with the pidgeons and the fish that you can feed.
Baan Kang Wat
The perfect add-on after visiting Wat Umong
A short walk from Wat Umong is Baan Kang Wat, a small artsy community with little shops and cafes. It is a great place to slow down and browse.
My favorite half-day plan
- Grab a coffee
- Explore Wat Umong for a couple of hours
- Walk down to Baan Kang Wat
- Finish the day with a delicious khao soi
The khao soi place in Baang Kang Wat is often really usy, but it is busy for a good reason.
Want to learn more about Buddhism
Vipassana options near Chiang Mai
If you want to go beyond temple visits, there are places where you can try vipassana, either as a serious retreat or as an introduction.
One option I mention is Wat Pa Tam Wua, north of Pai, where you can stay up to ten days and it is donation based. If you want to take it more seriously Wat Ram Poeng has a very good Vipassana.
Tip
Check the latest arrival days, dress guidelines, and rules before you go.
Chiang Mai Temple of Heaven and Hell (Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam (Wat Mae Kaet Noi)
Offbeat, intense, and totally unforgettable
One of the most unique places on my list is Chiang Mai Temple of Heaven and Hell – Wat Si Don Chai Pa Tung Ngam (Wat Mae Kaet Noi). It is full of dramatic sculptures and art that depict Buddhist ideas of hell. It is intense and fascinating, and it feels completely different from the usual temple experience.
Plan a couple of hours and take your time walking through.
Nature escapes around Chiang Mai
Monks Trail, Doi Pui hikes, and a ridge line walk with huge views
Chiang Mai is one of those places where nature is always nearby. Even close to the city, you can get a proper jungle hike.
Monks Trail to Wat Pha Lat
Monks Trail is a beautiful hike on the edge of Chiang Mai. It leads to Wat Pha Lat, partway up toward Doi Suthep. You can do a shorter out and back to Wat Pha Lat, or continue higher if you want a bigger day.
Start with a coffee from Basecamp Coffee House (Basecamp trail coffee) and then walk to the new Monk’s Trail entrance.
There is now a 100 baht fee, which helps with trail maintenance and helps keep it relatively quiet.
Doi Pui hikes and coffee trails
If you want more forest time, head toward Doi Pui. There are great hikes and coffee trails, especially in cooler months. The wildlife can be amazing. I have seen snakes and plenty of birds up there. The Buddhas Footprints hike is one of the best.
Fun note
The UTMB Chiang Mai trail run happens around the first weekend of December in the wider area.
A ridge line hike with huge views – Mon Jing Loop.
There is another hike I mention that Iis called the Mon Jing Loop. It is about an hour outside Chiang Mai, roughly 15 km, and is pretty dangerous so beware – the views are stunning.
48 City Coffee
Cookie cup coffee as a fun change up
If you need a caffeine change, try the cookie cup coffee at 48 City Coffee. It is a fun switch from the usual ceramic non edible cups. If you’re a coffee snob and looking for more check out my article on The Best Coffee Shops in Chiang Mai.
Ang Kaew Reservoir at CMU
A green in city sunset loop locals love
Ang Kaew Reservoir, part of Chiang Mai University, is one of my favorite easy escapes inside the city. It is leafy, cooler by the water, and especially good at sunset. Locals often line the road to take photos.
You can walk or jog the full loop, which is about 3.5 km.
After sunset idea
Head toward the university area for street food, cheap eats, and clothing stalls.
Shrimp fishing for your dinner
Catch your dinner, laugh a lot
Last is a hilarious evening idea. I stumbled on CMM, a shrimp fishing place where you can try to catch your dinner. Be prepared for noise and a bit of sensory overload. It is best later in the evening, and it is a great group activity if you want something different.
You can order food while you wait, because catching your shrimp can take a while.
Two ready to go itineraries
Use these when you want a simple plan
Day plan 1
Jing Jai Market plus thrift plus Burmese for dinner
- Jing Jai Market for handmade stalls, food, and the mini gallery
- Walk to the secondhand warehouses and dig for a few hours
- Dinner at Payod with chickpea tofu and Shan pizza
Day plan 2
Wat Umong plus Baan Kang Wat plus khao soi
- Coffee first
- Wat Umong for some calm time in nature
- Walk to Baan Kang Wat for a slow afternoon
- Khao soi to finish
FAQs
Are these spots doable without a scooter
Yes. Many are easy by ride share or order a grab bike on the app, and a few pair well on foot, especially Wat Umong and Baan Kang Wat. For longer hops, short rides are easier in the heat.
Is Wat Umong worth visiting after seeing many temples
Yes. The forest setting and tunnels make it feel like a calm retreat rather than another quick temple stop.
How long should I plan for the secondhand warehouses
At least two to three hours. Longer if you love a proper treasure hunt.
What time is best for Ping River kayaking
Late afternoon around 4 pm is ideal for softer light and sunset.
What is the easiest sunset spot on the list
Ang Kaew Reservoir is one of the easiest and most local feeling sunset options inside the city.
If you try any of these spots, tell me which one surprised you most. I will keep updating this Chiang Mai list as I find more places worth sharing. 🙂
